Slow Cooker Sausage and Potatoes with Rich Butter Sauce Tips, FAQ & printable recipe

Tips for success

For an extra layer of flavor, you can sear the sliced smoked sausage in a hot skillet for two to three minutes on each side before adding them to the slow cooker.

This extra step caramelizes the natural sugars in the meat, creating a deeper, more complex savory flavor and a pleasant texture. If you choose to do this, be sure to scrape any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet into the slow cooker as well.

If you prefer a thicker, more gravy-like sauce at the end of cooking, you can create a quick cornstarch slurry. Mix one tablespoon of cornstarch with one tablespoon of cold water until smooth, then stir it into the bubbling slow cooker during the last thirty minutes of cooking.

This will quickly bind the melted butter and natural juices together into a luscious, glossy sauce that coats the potatoes beautifully.

Variations

• Spicy Cajun Style: Add one teaspoon of Cajun seasoning and a pinch of cayenne pepper to the spice mixture for a bold, fiery kick.
• Cheesy Potato Bake: Sprinkle one cup of shredded sharp cheddar cheese over the top during the last fifteen minutes of cooking until melted.

Storage and make-ahead

Fridge

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

Freezer

Freezing is not recommended, as the potatoes will become grainy and mushy upon thawing.

Reheat

Reheat in a saucepan over medium-low heat, stirring gently, until piping hot throughout.

Allow any leftover sausage and potatoes to cool completely at room temperature for no more than two hours before transferring them to an airtight storage container.

Store the container in the refrigerator for up to four days. The flavors will continue to develop and deepen as the dish sits, making the leftovers taste even more spectacular the next day for a quick lunch or dinner.

You can easily prep this entire meal the night before to save time in the morning. Slice the smoked sausage, chop the potatoes, and place them in the slow cooker insert. Toss them with the seasoning blend, cover the insert with its lid, and store it in the refrigerator overnight. In the morning, simply top with the cubed butter and start cooking as directed.

Serving ideas

This hearty dish is a complete meal on its own, but it pairs beautifully with a simple, crisp green salad tossed in a light vinaigrette to cut through the richness of the butter and sausage.

You can also serve it alongside some crusty warm bread, dinner rolls, or buttermilk biscuits, which are perfect for soaking up every last drop of the delicious, smoky butter sauce left on your plate.

For a touch of freshness and color, garnish the finished dish with a generous sprinkle of finely chopped fresh parsley or sliced green onions just before serving. If you want to add some vegetables directly into the slow cooker, green beans or bell peppers make excellent additions and can be added during the last hour of cooking so they retain a bit of texture and brightness.

Frequently asked questions

Recipe card

Slow Cooker Sausage and Potatoes with Rich Butter Sauce

Prep 15 minCook 4 hRest 10 minTotal 4 h 25 minServes 6

Ingredients

• 3 lb Yukon Gold potatoes, washed and cut into 1-inch chunks
• 1 lb smoked sausage, sliced into 1/2-inch rounds
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, cubed
• 1 tbsp seasoning blend of choice

Instructions

1. Wash the potatoes thoroughly and cut them into uniform one-inch chunks. Slice the smoked sausage into half-inch rounds. Place both the potatoes and the sausage into the slow cooker insert.
2. Sprinkle the seasoning blend evenly over the potatoes and sausage in the slow cooker to ensure every piece is well coated.
3. Scatter the cubed unsalted butter evenly over the top of the seasoned potato and sausage mixture. Cover the slow cooker with the lid.
4. Cook on high for 4 hours (or on low for 7 to 8 hours). Avoid opening the lid during the cooking process to prevent heat loss.
5. Remove the lid and gently stir the mixture with a wooden spoon to blend the melted butter with the released juices from the sausage and potatoes. Let the dish rest for 10 minutes to allow the rich butter sauce to thicken slightly before serving.

Contains: milk

Estimated nutrition per serving

Calories

540

Protein

14 g

Carbohydrates

40 g

Fat

36 g

Fiber

4 g

Sugar

2 g

Sodium

980 mg

Automatic estimate from the ingredient list, not laboratory-verified.