Fried Potatoes Onions and Smoke Polish Sausage

When I want a delicious, savory, satisfying recipe that’s easy to make, I often turn to Fried Potatoes Onions and Smoked Polish Sausage. This recipe is packed with flavor, and it can be on the table in just less than one hour. I love that this dish has all the fixings of a well-rounded meal: savory potatoes, sweet onions with an almost caramelized flavor, and spicy sausage.

I find that this recipe is frequently requested by my kids because the salty potatoes remind them of French fries, and of course they love sausage. My spouse likes this recipe too because it’s filling and fast, which means that I spend less time cooking it. The more time I can spend with my kiddos and family, the better! This is a particular favorite for Saturday nights before movie night. It’s a casual meal, easy to make and easy to clean up, so we can get around to the very important business of watching a Saturday night movie.

I also enjoy making this meal on weeknights because I can prep some of the ingredients in advance, so it’s especially easy to put on the table after a long day at work. If you’re thinking this recipe sounds familiar, that may be because you’ve seen my fried potatoes and onions recipe. It’s basically a vegetarian version of this recipe, but more of a side dish. The inclusion of Polish sausages makes this recipe more of a main entree, so you don’t have to bother with another dish to make a complete meal.

Scroll to bottom for printable recipe card.

Why You’ll Love Fried Potatoes Onions and Smoke Polish Sausage

What do I love about this Fried Potatoes and Onions with Polish Sausage recipe? Really, what’s not to love? First of all, potatoes and onions are some of the most comforting vegetables there are. With a brown, salty exterior, the potatoes in this recipe are next-level good. The soft almost-caramelized onions are out of this world. And then, combined with smoked Polish sausage, this meal packs flavor in every bite.

I also love the way this recipe fills my family – hits all the right spots – all in one dish. Sausage? Check. Potatoes? Check. Seasonings? Check. It’s nutritious, delicious, and appealing to everyone in my family. My younger kids have sometimes expressed a desire for slightly less spice, so sometimes I’ve swapped out spicier sausages for milder sausages. Really, it’s up to you.

Ingredients:

• Large onions cut into wedges
• Cajun smoked sausage
• Baby red potatoes sliced in half
• Smoked turkey sausage
• Paprika
• Cajun seasoning
• Olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Ingredient Deep Dive

Potatoes

You can use any type of potato you like in this recipe. It’s baked on a cookie sheet, not fried in a pan, so you don’t need to worry about whether the potato you choose is good for crisping or frying. 

I often use mini red wax potatoes, but you can use Yukon gold potatoes cut into one-inch cubes, or even russets that have been peeled and cut into one-inch cubes. There are a million options, so choose the potatoes that you have on hand or whatever you prefer.

Onions

I prefer my onions to be cut into wedges, so there are a variety of onion sizes in the finished product. I love it when the onion wedges stay together during the baking process because it allows me to bite down into a nice, juicy, sweet baked onion. You’re free to use any onion color you prefer, including red, white, or yellow onions. 

I prefer the latter. If you want to leave onions off the menu, consider mushrooms as an alternative. They have mild flavor, great texture, and they’re a viable alternative for people who have an onion allergy.

Sausage

I’ve called for Polish sausage in the recipe name, but I’ve specified Cajun sausage and smoked turkey sausage in the instructions. The truth is that you can choose whatever type of sausage that works for you. 

If you want a vegetarian version of this recipe, see my Fried Potato and Onion recipe, or you can substitute the Polish sausage for vegetarian sausage or fried tofu. Choose the ingredients that work best for your family and preferences.

Seasoning

I typically make this recipe with Cajun seasoning, paprika, salt, and pepper. Of course, you don’t have to follow my suggestions! You’re welcome to choose whatever type of seasoning makes sense for you, and by that I mean, you may need to choose whatever your kids and family want.

Some kids need their dishes to be very mild. If that describes your kids, you’ll have to use whatever you know that works for your family.

Step-by-Step Instructions for Making Fried Potatoes Onions and Smoke Polish Sausage

Step 1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F, then cut the sausage into half-inch thick slices.

I often use sausage that is slightly frozen because I keep my sausage in the freezer until I need it. I find that using sausage while it’s in a slightly frozen state makes it easier to cut (as long as it’s not too frozen). If your sausage is completely frozen when you’re ready to make this meal, you may need to slightly thaw it in the refrigerator or in the microwave on a low power.

Step 2. Cut the onions into wedges and the potatoes into small one-inch pieces.

If you’re using mini potatoes, you probably only need to cut them in half. If you’re using larger potatoes, you may choose to cut them into quarters or wedges. You’ll have to choose what shape and size is right for your potatoes based on the type of potatoes that you’ve selected. The bigger the potatoes, the longer they’ll need to cook.

Step 3. Add the meat, potatoes, and onions to a large mixing bowl.

Pour the olive oil over the mixture, and season with the cajun spice, paprika, as well as salt and pepper to taste. I usually handle this part by putting the vegetables and meat together in a mixing bowl, pouring the seasoning and oil on top, and then putting a lid on the bowl. Then I shake! Shaking distributes the spices and oil everywhere.

Adding the olive oil and seasoning.

Step 4. Spread the mixture in a single layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet.

You can cram the cookie sheet with as much food as you want, but if you’re hoping for slightly crisp edges, put a little space between each vegetable and piece of sausage. If you don’t need the vegetables and sausage to be crispy, don’t leave any spaces between the meat and vegetables. I like it either way – it’s up to you.

Step 5. Bake for 45 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender.

Turn the vegetables and sausage midway through for even cooking. When you think the potatoes are getting close to done, poke them with the fork. They’re finished cooking when the potatoes are soft inside and the oil in the pan is sizzling. To find out how soft the potatoes are, try piercing them with a fork, or sample one for yourself.

If you haven’t tried this recipe before, I highly recommend it. You won’t be disappointed!

THANKS FOR PINING!

Pro-Tips & Technique

If you want to saute this dish in a frying pan instead of baking it in the oven, you can. I prefer to bake it in the oven because it’s more hands-off for me, and I like hands-off recipes. To saute in a frying pan, cook the sausage first, then the potatoes and onions. When the sausage, potatoes, and onions are fully cooked, combine them in the frying pan one more time so all of the food is fully heated through, then serve.

Serving & Pairing

One of the things I like best about this recipe is how it stands alone as its own meal. You don’t need to pair this with anything, but if you do want to pair it with something, try the easy cheesy breadsticks. Yum!

FAQs & Troubleshooting

How do I store the Fried Potatoes with Onions and Smoked Sausage?

To begin, the food must all be cooked thoroughly before storing and reheating. To store it in the refrigerator, place the food into an airtight container and in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. They can be placed in the freezer for up to 3 months. To reheat the food, it can be placed in the microwave until the desired temperature is reached. You can also place it on a baking tray in a preheated oven for 15 minutes or until it is heated through.

Can I make this recipe in advance?

You can make this dish ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator for 24 hours. Then reheat and serve.

Are there variations for this Smoked Sausage and Potatoes?

You can add peppers to the recipe. Make them colored peppers for added color. You could also use chicken or turkey sausage. Adding mushrooms and zucchini will also add flavor.

More good dinner Recipes Ideas

Egg Roll Stir Fry –  The combination of flavors and textures was really amazing.

Steak Fajitas Recipe – These fajitas are sure to please everyone at the dinner table.

Taco Spaghetti – it’s loaded with flavor and sure to please even the pickiest eaters.