Description
A quick, 20-minute family feast featuring smoked sausage, caramelized onions, and a creamy cheddar cheese sauce. This one-pan meal is affordable, kid-approved, and perfect for busy weeknights or tailgating.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound smoked sausage (kielbasa or andouille), sliced into half-moons
- 1 large yellow onion, diced
- 1 medium green bell pepper, diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 cups shredded cheddar cheese (mix of sharp and mild)
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup whole milk
- 1 can (4 oz) roasted green chiles, drained
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin
- 1 packet taco seasoning (1 oz)
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prep ingredients: Dice the onion and bell pepper, slice the sausage, mince the garlic, and shred the cheese.
- Brown the sausage: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add sliced sausage and cook for 3-4 minutes until browned. Drain excess grease if desired, but leave some for flavor.
- Sauté aromatics: Add diced onion and bell pepper to the skillet. Cook for 3-4 minutes until onions are translucent. Add garlic and smoked paprika in the last minute, stirring constantly.
- Build the sauce: Reduce heat to medium-low. Add chunks of softened cream cheese and stir until melted. Add milk, drained roasted green chiles, and taco seasoning. Simmer gently for 2-3 minutes until smooth.
- Melt the cheese: Remove skillet from heat (or turn to lowest setting). Gradually add shredded cheddar cheese, a handful at a time, stirring constantly until fully melted and smooth.
- Adjust seasoning: Taste and add salt and pepper as needed. If too thick, add a splash of milk. If too thin, let sit off heat to thicken.
- Serve: Serve immediately with tortilla chips, crusty bread, or as a topping for baked potatoes and rice bowls.
Notes
Shred your own cheese to avoid anti-caking agents that cause graininess. Melt cheese on low heat or off heat to prevent separation. The cream cheese stabilizes the emulsion. Can be made ahead by prepping the sausage and veggie base, then melting fresh cheese when ready to serve.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/2 cup
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 2
- Sodium: 680
- Fat: 26
- Saturated Fat: 12
- Carbohydrates: 6
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 18
Keywords: smoked sausage, queso, skillet, quick dinner, family meal, batch cooking, one pan, comfort food, cheap dinner