Smoked Sausage's Cheesy Companions: Perfect Pairings For Palates

Smoked sausage is a versatile dish that can be enjoyed in many ways, but what are the best cheeses to pair with it? While some opt for the classic combination of smoked sausage and cheddar, there are several other varieties that can elevate this dish. Smooth, semi-soft cheeses such as Havarti, butterkäse, or Muenster provide a neutral background that allows the sausage's seasonings to take centre stage. For those who enjoy a sharper flavour, a nutty Swiss cheese or sharp Cheddar adds a complementary tanginess to the smokiness of the sausage. For the adventurous eater, experiment with different cheeses like Monterey Jack, pepper jack, provolone, or Gouda to find your perfect match.

Smoked sausage and cheese casseroles

Cheesy Smoked Sausage Casserole:

This recipe is a twist on a family favourite, passed down from the author's grandmother. It combines smoked sausage, elbow macaroni, stewed tomatoes, and a blend of cheeses for a flavourful and satisfying dish.

Ingredients:

• Olive oil
• Elbow macaroni
• Smoked beef sausage
• Stewed tomatoes
• Sweet onion
• Sharp Cheddar cheese
• Monterey Jack cheese
• Dried parsley flakes
• Onion powder
• Garlic powder
• Salt and pepper
• Shredded American cheese

Directions:

• Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with butter and a teaspoon of olive oil.
• Bring a pot of salted water to a boil and cook the elbow macaroni until al dente. Drain the pasta.
• In a large bowl, mix together the sausage, tomatoes and their juice, onion, Cheddar cheese, Monterey Jack cheese, olive oil, parsley, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
• Add the cooked macaroni to the sausage mixture and stir well.
• Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish and sprinkle with shredded American cheese. Cover with aluminium foil.
• Bake for 30 minutes. Remove the foil, increase the oven temperature to 425°F (220°C), and bake for an additional 15 minutes, or until the sauce is bubbly and the top is golden brown.
• Let the casserole cool for 15 minutes before serving.

Penne and Smoked Sausage Casserole:

This recipe combines penne pasta, smoked sausage, and a blend of cheeses for a quick and tasty meal.

Ingredients:

• Uncooked penne pasta
• Smoked sausage
• Condensed cream of celery soup
• French-fried onions
• Shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
• Shredded Cheddar cheese

Directions:

• Cook the pasta according to the package directions.
• In a skillet, brown the sausage over medium heat for about 5 minutes, then drain.
• In a large bowl, combine milk, soup, 1/2 cup of onions, 1/2 cup of mozzarella cheese, and 1/2 cup of Cheddar cheese.
• Drain the cooked pasta and stir it into the sausage mixture.
• Transfer the mixture to a greased 3-qt baking dish. Cover and bake at 375°F until bubbly, for about 25-30 minutes.
• Remove the cover and sprinkle with the remaining onions and cheeses. Bake for an additional 3-5 minutes, uncovered, until the cheese is melted.

"Country Comfort" Smoked Sausage Casserole:

This recipe, shared by a blog reader, is a comforting and versatile dish that can be served for dinner or as a hearty breakfast casserole.

Ingredients:

• Frozen shredded hash brown potatoes
• Fully cooked smoked sausage (such as kielbasa)
• Sharp Cheddar cheese
• Sour cream
• Onion
• Butter
• Ground black pepper
• Kosher salt
• Condensed cream of chicken soup
• Optional garnishes: sliced green onion or fresh herbs

Directions:

• Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C). Grease a 13x9-inch baking dish.
• Cut the sausage into bite-sized pieces.
• In a large mixing bowl, combine all the ingredients until well blended.
• Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish.
• Bake, uncovered, for about 40 minutes, or until the casserole is hot, bubbly, and lightly browned on top.
• For a crispier top, sprinkle with extra cheese and place under the broiler for the final 1-2 minutes of baking.

Smoked sausage and cheese frittatas

Smoked Sausage and Cheese Frittata

Ingredients

• 1 smoked sausage ring (bacon and cheddar, jalapeno cheddar, or similar)
• 1 cup of grated cheese (cheddar, Monterey Jack, or similar)
• 1 onion, sliced
• 2 tablespoons of fresh herbs, chopped (parsley, chives, or similar)
• 6 eggs
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• Olive oil, for frying

Method

• Slice the smoked sausage ring into bite-sized pieces.
• Heat a little olive oil in a large frying pan and fry the sausage pieces until lightly browned.
• Meanwhile, beat the eggs in a bowl and season with salt and pepper.
• Add the sliced onion to the pan and fry for a few minutes until softened.
• Pour the beaten eggs into the pan and stir to combine with the sausage and onion.
• As the eggs begin to set, sprinkle the grated cheese over the top of the frittata.
• Place the pan under a hot grill for a few minutes until the eggs are completely set and the cheese is melted.
• Sprinkle with fresh herbs and serve immediately.

Tips and Variations

• Try adding some chopped vegetables to the frittata, such as bell peppers, mushrooms, or tomatoes.
• For a spicy kick, use a jalapeno cheddar sausage or add some chopped fresh jalapenos to the frittata.
• If you prefer a softer set to your frittata, cook it over a lower heat for a longer time, or until the eggs are set to your liking.
• This frittata can also be baked in the oven; simply transfer the pan to a preheated oven at 350°F (180°C) for about 15 minutes, or until the eggs are set.
• For an extra indulgent touch, sprinkle some extra cheese on top of the frittata before grilling or baking.

Smoked sausage and cheese calzones

Calzones are a fun and easy meal to make, and they can be stuffed with just about anything. In this case, we're focusing on a calzone that combines the hearty flavours of smoked sausage and cheese.

Ingredients

For the dough:

• 3 teaspoons of olive oil
• 2 cups of all-purpose flour, plus extra for dusting
• 1 teaspoon of salt
• 1 teaspoon of instant yeast
• 1 cup of warm water

For the filling:

• 2 smoked sausages, roughly chopped
• 1 cup of shredded sharp Cheddar cheese
• 1 cup of shredded Monterey Jack cheese
• 1 cup of vegetables of your choice, chopped (bell peppers, onions, mushrooms, etc.)
• 1 teaspoon of dried parsley flakes
• 1/2 teaspoon of onion powder
• 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder
• Salt and pepper to taste

Method

First, make the dough. In a large bowl, mix together the flour, salt, and instant yeast. Create a well in the centre and pour in the warm water and olive oil. Mix until a soft dough forms. Turn out onto a floured surface and knead for 5 minutes, until smooth and elastic. Place the dough back in the bowl, cover with a damp cloth, and let it rest for 30 minutes.

Meanwhile, prepare the filling. In a large bowl, combine the chopped smoked sausage, shredded Cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses, chopped vegetables, and spices. Mix well.

Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).

Once the dough has rested, divide it into two equal portions. Roll each portion out into a thin circle, about 1/4-inch thick, on a floured surface.

Place half of the filling on one half of each dough circle, making sure to leave a 1-inch border around the edge. Brush the border with a little water, then fold the other half of the dough over the filling, pressing the edges together to seal. Use a fork to crimp the edges.

Place the calzones on a baking sheet and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown.

Serve the calzones with your favourite dipping sauces, such as marinara sauce or ranch dressing. Enjoy!

Smoked sausage and cheese muffins

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1/2 cup butter, melted
• 2 large eggs
• 3/4 cup milk
• 1 cup shredded smoked cheddar cheese
• 1/2 cup diced smoked sausage

Instructions

• Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and grease a 12-cup muffin tin or line with paper liners.
• In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, and pepper until well combined.
• In a separate bowl, whisk together the melted butter, eggs, and milk until smooth.
• Slowly add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, stirring until just combined. Be careful not to overmix the batter.
• Fold in the shredded cheese and diced smoked sausage.
• Spoon the batter into the prepared muffin tin, filling each cup about two-thirds full.
• Bake the muffins for 18-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
• Allow the muffins to cool in the tin for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Tips and Variations

• For a spicier muffin, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or smoked paprika to the batter.
• If you prefer a stronger cheese flavor, increase the amount of shredded cheese to 1 and 1/2 cups.
• You can also experiment with different types of cheese, such as Monterey Jack, Swiss, or Gouda.
• To make these muffins even heartier, add some diced vegetables like bell peppers or onions to the batter.
• These muffins can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

Enjoy these savory muffins as a delicious snack or a quick breakfast on the go!

Smoked sausage and cheese dips

There are many different ways to make a smoked sausage and cheese dip, and they all sound delicious! Here are some ideas to get you started:

Smoked Queso Dip

This dip is made with a combination of cream cheese, cheddar, pepper jack, and Velveeta cheese. It also includes smoked sausage, Rotel, jalapeño, and cilantro. You can use any type of sausage you like, but a hot variety pairs well with the cool cream cheese and tangy cheddar. Simply cook the sausage in a skillet, grate the cheeses, chop the jalapeño and cilantro, and combine all ingredients in an aluminum pan. Smoke at 225 degrees Fahrenheit for 2 hours, then add a splash of milk and mix until you reach your desired consistency. Serve warm with tortilla chips.

Sausage Cheese Dip

This dip is made with sharp cheddar cheese, Monterey Jack cheese, diced tomatoes, smoked sausage, milk, and green onions. Simply combine all ingredients in a slow cooker and cook on low for 2-2.5 hours or until the cheese is melted and smooth. Serve with tortilla or pita chips.

Cheesy Smoked Sausage Casserole

This recipe is a heartier option that includes smoked sausage, elbow macaroni, stewed tomatoes, sharp cheddar cheese, Monterey Jack cheese, and shredded American cheese. Simply combine all ingredients in a large bowl, pour into a greased baking dish, and bake at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 30 minutes. Remove the foil, increase the heat to 425 degrees Fahrenheit, and bake for an additional 15 minutes or until the sauce is bubbly and the top is golden brown. Let cool for 15 minutes before serving.

Smoked Sausage Jalapeño Corn Dip

This dip is made with smoked sausage, cream cheese, corn, pepper jack cheese, mayonnaise, and jalapeños. Simply cook the sausage and jalapeños in a skillet, then combine with the remaining ingredients in a baking dish. Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 30 minutes or until bubbly. Serve with Fritos or tortilla chips.

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