Experience the joy of a truly effortless and incredibly flavorful meal with our **One Pan Sweet Potato and Sausage** dinner. This recipe simplifies your weeknight cooking, delivering a satisfying dish brimming with the natural sweetness of roasted sweet potatoes, the rich, smoky flavor of sausage, and crisp, vibrant vegetables. The optional, bright herb sauce elevates every bite, making this a go-to for busy evenings without compromising on taste or nutrition.

One Pan Sweet Potato and Sausage: Your New Favorite Sheet Pan Meal

Say goodbye to extensive cleanup and hello to a delicious, wholesome meal with our ultimate **Sweet Potato and Sausage** sheet pan recipe. This dish perfectly marries the earthy sweetness of caramelized roasted sweet potatoes with the savory, smoky notes of your favorite sausage. Alongside an array of colorful vegetables, it creates a balanced and incredibly satisfying meal that comes together with minimal effort. The secret? High-heat roasting that transforms simple ingredients into culinary magic, allowing the natural sugars in the sweet potatoes to caramelize beautifully, complementing the robust flavor of the sausage. A quick, homemade cilantro-lime sauce ties all the elements together with a fresh, zesty finish.

Preparing this healthy and hearty dinner is refreshingly simple. Just gather your ingredients, chop them, toss them with a generous amount of seasoning and olive oil directly on a sheet pan, and let your oven do the heavy lifting. While the main course roasts to perfection, blend up the optional, but highly recommended, fresh herb sauce. In less than an hour, you’ll have a complete, nutritious meal that’s perfect for family dinners, meal prep, or entertaining guests with ease.

Why You’ll Love This One Pan Sweet Potato and Sausage Recipe

• **Effortless Preparation:** True to its “one pan” name, this recipe significantly cuts down on prep and cleanup, making it ideal for busy weeknights.
• **Bursting with Flavor:** The combination of sweet, savory, and smoky flavors, enhanced by aromatic spices and a fresh herb sauce, creates a truly unforgettable taste experience.
• **Healthy & Wholesome:** Packed with nutrient-rich sweet potatoes, lean protein from sausage (especially if using turkey or chicken sausage), and a variety of vegetables, this meal is as good for you as it is delicious.
• **Highly Customizable:** Easily adapt the vegetables, spices, or even the type of sausage to suit your dietary preferences or what you have on hand.
• **Family-Friendly:** A crowd-pleaser that even picky eaters will enjoy, thanks to the delightful flavors and textures.
• **Perfect for Meal Prep:** Cook a larger batch and enjoy wholesome leftovers throughout the week.

Essential Ingredients for Your Sweet Potato and Sausage Sheet Pan Dinner

Crafting this delightful one-pan meal requires a few key components. Here’s what you’ll need, along with tips for best results:

• **Yellow Onion:** When thinly sliced, onions soften and caramelize beautifully during roasting, adding a sweet depth of flavor to the dish.
• **Sweet Potato:** The star of the show! Cut them into even 1/2-inch cubes to ensure they cook uniformly and achieve that perfect tender-crisp texture and caramelized edges. Their natural sweetness is crucial for balancing the savory sausage.
• **Red Bell Pepper:** Adds a vibrant color and a mild, sweet crunch. Cutting them into slightly larger, 1-inch pieces prevents them from burning and ensures they retain some bite.
• **Olive Oil:** A good quality extra virgin olive oil is essential for coating the vegetables and sausage, helping them roast to golden perfection and infusing a rich, fruity flavor.
• **Seasoning Blend:** A robust mix of salt, pepper, chili powder, cumin, paprika, and garlic powder creates a deeply savory and aromatic foundation for the entire dish. Don’t be shy with your spices!
• **Smoked Sausage:** The savory counterpart to the sweet potatoes. Pre-cooked smoked sausage (like kielbasa, andouille, or chicken/turkey sausage) is convenient and adds a fantastic smoky depth. For a lighter option, consider turkey or chicken sausage. Slice it into coins for easy distribution and even browning.
• **Optional Cilantro-Lime Sauce:** This bright, creamy sauce is a game-changer! It’s made with fresh cilantro, green onions, mayonnaise (full-fat for richness), fresh lemon juice, and grated Parmesan cheese. It adds a refreshing, tangy counterpoint that truly brings all the flavors together.
• **Avocado (Optional Garnish):** Diced avocado provides a creamy texture and healthy fats, adding another layer of richness when served fresh on top.

Step-by-Step Guide: How To Make This Sweet Potato And Sausage Recipe

Follow these simple steps to create a delicious and visually appealing meal:

1. **Preheat Your Oven:** Start by preheating your oven to 400°F (200°C). A hot oven is key to achieving beautifully roasted, caramelized vegetables and crispy sausage.
2. **Prepare and Season Veggies:** On a very large sheet pan (or two smaller ones to prevent crowding), combine the cubed sweet potatoes, thinly sliced yellow onions, and 1-inch pieces of red bell pepper. Drizzle with 2 tablespoons of olive oil, then sprinkle generously with all the seasonings: salt, pepper, chili powder, cumin, paprika, and garlic powder. Toss everything thoroughly with your hands to ensure an even coating.
3. **Initial Roast for Veggies:** Spread the seasoned vegetables out in a single layer on the sheet pan. Ensure they have plenty of room; if they’re crowded or overlapping, they will steam instead of roast, prolonging cooking time and preventing proper caramelization. Roast for 20 minutes until they start to soften and brown.
4. **Add the Sausage:** Remove the sheet pan from the oven. Add the sliced smoked sausage to the pan, along with the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Give everything a good stir and spread it out again into a single layer.
5. **Continue Roasting:** Return the pan to the oven and continue roasting for another 15–20 minutes. The sausage should be nicely browned and slightly crispy, and the sweet potatoes should be fork-tender and deeply caramelized. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed before serving.
6. **Whip Up the Cilantro Sauce:** While the sheet pan is in the oven, combine all the optional cilantro sauce ingredients (fresh cilantro, green onions, mayo, lemon juice, Parmesan cheese) in a small food processor. Pulse until the mixture is smooth and creamy. Taste and adjust flavors, adding more lemon juice or salt if desired. Refrigerate until ready to use.
7. **Serve and Enjoy:** Divide the roasted sweet potato and sausage mixture evenly among four plates. Drizzle generously with the prepared cilantro sauce (you might have extra, which can be stored), or simply top with freshly grated Parmesan cheese. If using, add diced avocado for a creamy finish. Serve immediately and savor the flavors!

Expert Tips for the Best Sweet Potato and Sausage Dinner

Achieve perfect results every time with these valuable cooking tips:

• **Even Chopping is Key:** This is perhaps the most crucial tip! Ensure all your sweet potatoes and vegetables are cut into roughly the same size pieces. This guarantees they cook evenly and reach optimal tenderness at the same time, preventing some pieces from being undercooked or overcooked.
• **Don’t Crowd the Pan:** Using a large sheet pan (like a 15×21-inch baker’s half sheet) or dividing ingredients between two smaller pans is essential. Crowding causes vegetables to steam rather than roast, resulting in soggy instead of beautifully caramelized textures. Ample space allows for proper air circulation and superior browning.
• **High Heat Roasting:** Roasting at a high temperature (400°F/200°C) is key to developing those delicious crispy edges and soft, tender centers on your sweet potatoes and achieving perfectly browned sausage.
• **Minimize Stirring:** While it’s tempting to constantly stir, resist the urge! Let the ingredients cook undisturbed for longer periods, especially during the initial roast. This allows them to make direct contact with the hot pan, promoting better caramelization and more intense flavor. A single stir when adding the sausage is usually sufficient.
• **Season Generously (and Taste!):** Don’t be afraid to use a good amount of seasoning. Sweet potatoes and vegetables can absorb a lot of flavor. Always taste a small piece after roasting and add more salt and pepper if needed to bring out the best in the dish.
• **Serve Immediately:** This dish is at its absolute best when served fresh from the oven, while the sweet potatoes are tender, the sausage is crisp, and the flavors are vibrant.
• **Customize Your Veggies:** While sweet potatoes, onions, and bell peppers are classic, feel free to experiment with other quick-roasting vegetables like broccoli florets, zucchini chunks, or asparagus. Adjust cooking times as necessary.

Delicious Pairings: What to Serve with Sweet Potato and Sausage

This versatile dish is hearty enough on its own, but it also pairs wonderfully with a variety of sides to complete your meal:

• **Fresh Green Salad:** A light and crisp green garden salad with a simple vinaigrette, steamed green beans, or a vibrant coleslaw offers a refreshing contrast and adds more freshness to balance the richness of the main course.
• **Grilled Corn:** For an extra layer of smoky flavor and a touch of summer, serve with grilled corn on the cob or a fresh elote-inspired corn salad.
• **Crusty Bread:** A warm, crusty slice of French bread is perfect for soaking up any flavorful juices and the delicious herb sauce.
• **Grains for a Heartier Meal:** To make this an even more substantial meal, serve it over a bed of fluffy white rice, brown rice, or protein-packed quinoa. The grains absorb the flavors beautifully and add an extra layer of texture.
• **Simple Pasta:** A light pasta tossed with olive oil, garlic, and a sprinkle of fresh herbs can also be a delightful accompaniment.

More Easy Sweet Potato Recipes You’ll Love:

If you’re a fan of sweet potatoes and easy, flavorful meals, be sure to explore these other fantastic recipes:

• Taco-Stuffed Sweet Potatoes: A fun and healthy way to enjoy taco night, featuring ground turkey taco meat stuffed into roasted sweet potato shells.
• Roasted Sweet Potato Salad: A vibrant and satisfying salad featuring tender roasted sweet potatoes combined with hearty wild rice and a tangy dressing.
• Sweet Potato Couscous Bowls: Light and flavorful bowls with fluffy couscous, roasted sweet potatoes, and a generous dollop of fresh pesto.
• Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Skillet: A comforting one-pan skillet meal with savory ground turkey, sweet potatoes, and melty cheese.
• Sweet Potato Curry: A creamy and aromatic curry bursting with the flavors of sweet potato and rich spices, perfect for a cozy meal.

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars (based on 6 votes)

Sweet Potato and Sausage

By Chelsea Lords

This one-pan Sweet Potato and Sausage dinner is quick, delicious, and easy. Roasted sweet potatoes and savory smoked sausage come together with veggies and a drizzle of cilantro-green onion sauce for a wholesome and satisfying meal!

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time: 35 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes

Servings: 4 servings

Equipment

• Sheet pan (15″ x 21″ recommended, or two smaller ones)
• Food processor (for optional sauce)

Ingredients

• 2 cups thinly sliced yellow onion (1 large onion)
• 3 cups cubed sweet potato (2 potatoes, 1/2-inch cubes)
• 1 large red bell pepper (cut to 1-inch cubes)
• 3 tablespoons olive oil (divided)
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 teaspoon pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 12 to 14 ounces smoked sausage (cut into coins, see Note 1)
• Serving suggestions (see Note 2)

Optional: Cilantro Sauce

• 1/2 cup packed fresh cilantro (leaves and tender stems)
• 1/3 cup thinly sliced green onions (all parts)
• 1/2 cup mayonnaise (full-fat recommended)
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice (freshly squeezed for best flavor)
• 1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese (see Note 3)

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Combine cubed sweet potatoes, sliced onions, and red bell pepper on a very large (15×21-inch) sheet pan (or two smaller pans if needed). Drizzle with 2 tablespoons of olive oil and sprinkle with all the seasonings. Toss well with your hands to ensure everything is evenly coated. Spread the mixture out evenly so vegetables have plenty of room to roast without crowding (this prevents steaming and encourages caramelization). Roast for 20 minutes.
2. Remove the pan from the oven. Add the sliced sausage and the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Toss everything well to combine and spread it out again into a single layer on the pan. Continue roasting for another 15–20 minutes, or until the sausage is browned and the sweet potatoes are fork-tender and nicely caramelized. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed before serving.
3. Meanwhile, prepare the optional cilantro sauce. Combine all sauce ingredients (fresh cilantro, green onions, mayonnaise, lemon juice, and Parmesan cheese) in a small food processor. Pulse until the mixture is smooth and creamy. Taste and adjust flavors to your preference. Refrigerate the sauce until you are ready to use it.
4. To serve, divide the roasted sausage and sweet potato mixture evenly among four plates. If desired, serve it atop a bed of cooked rice or quinoa for a heartier meal. Drizzle generously with the prepared cilantro sauce (use to taste; you may have extra sauce which can be stored), or simply sprinkle with additional freshly grated Parmesan cheese. If you’re using avocado, top each plate with freshly diced avocado for a creamy, refreshing touch. Enjoy your delicious one-pan meal!

Recipe Notes

Note 1: Any type of pre-cooked smoked sausage will work wonderfully in this recipe. For a lighter meal, we highly recommend using smoked turkey or chicken sausage, such as Aidells chicken and apple sausage.

Note 2: For serving, consider pairing this dish with cooked rice or quinoa, and topping with either freshly grated Parmesan cheese or the vibrant cilantro sauce (recipe provided above). Optionally, add slices of ripe avocado for a creamy texture and healthy fats.

Note 3: For the freshest and most flavorful cilantro sauce, it’s best to use a block of Parmesan cheese and grate it yourself using the small holes of a grater. Pre-grated Parmesan often contains anti-caking agents that can alter the sauce’s texture and flavor.

Storage: Store any leftover Sweet Potato and Sausage dinner in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Keep the optional cilantro sauce in a separate container and drizzle it on just before eating to maintain its freshness and prevent sogginess.

Nutrition Information

Serving: 1 serving

Calories: 740 kcal

Carbohydrates: 34g

Protein: 18g

Fat: 60g

Saturated Fat: 15g

Polyunsaturated Fat: 17g

Monounsaturated Fat: 25g

Trans Fat: 0.1g

Cholesterol: 86mg

Sodium: 1182mg

Potassium: 780mg

Fiber: 6g

Sugar: 10g

Vitamin A: 15722 IU

Vitamin C: 66mg

Calcium: 142mg

Iron: 2mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated and should only be used as an approximation. Actual values may vary based on specific ingredients and preparation methods.