Creamy Sausage Stew
Creamy Sausage Stew is a hearty and flavorful dish combining smoked sausage, tender potatoes, and colorful peppers in a rich, creamy sauce. Perfect for cozy dinners, it offers a comforting blend of spices and textures that satisfy the appetite and warm the soul.
Ingredients
- 8 to 10 medium red potatoes, cut into 1 1/2-inch pieces ⓘ
- 2 large white onions, quartered ⓘ
- 1 large green pepper, cut into 1-inch pieces ⓘ
- 1 large red pepper, cut into 1-inch pieces ⓘ
- 2 lb. smoked sausage, cut into 1-inch pieces ⓘ
- 1/3 cup cooking oil ⓘ
- 1 tablespoon dried basil ⓘ
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon pepper ⓘ
- 1 pint heavy cream ⓘ
- 3 tablespoons cornstarch ⓘ
- 3 tablespoons water ⓘ
Instructions
- Place the potatoes in a 5-quart roasting pan.
- Add the quartered onions, cut peppers, and sausage into the pan.
- Gently toss all the ingredients to combine.
- Combine cooking oil, dried basil, salt, and pepper, then pour over the meat and vegetables; toss well to coat.
- Cover the pan and bake at 350°F for 45 minutes, then stir the mixture.
- Add the heavy cream to the pan, cover, and bake for an additional 30 to 40 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender.
- In a small bowl, combine cornstarch and water to make a slurry.
- Stir the cornstarch mixture into the stew and place on the stove top.
- Bring to a boil, stirring constantly, until the stew thickens.
Tips & Substitutions
For a bit of spice, consider adding some diced jalapeños or red pepper flakes to the stew. You can substitute the smoked sausage with turkey sausage for a lighter version. If you don't have heavy cream, half-and-half works as a decent alternative, though the stew may be less rich. Cooking the potatoes until just tender ensures they won't fall apart during the baking process.
Serving Suggestions
This creamy sausage stew pairs beautifully with crusty bread or over a bed of rice for a hearty meal. A simple side salad can add freshness and balance. For dessert, consider serving Butterscotch Cheesecake Squares to round out the meal with a sweet finish.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. To reheat, warm the stew gently on the stove over low heat, stirring occasionally, until heated through. You may need to add a splash of water or cream to maintain the desired consistency.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Creamy Sausage Stew contains roughly 347 calories, with 5g protein, 12g carbohydrates, and 32g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin C (156% of the Daily Value) and vitamin A (25% of the Daily Value), and a good source of dietary fiber and protein. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 1307mg per serving (57% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use fresh herbs instead of dried basil?
Absolutely! Fresh basil can add a vibrant flavor to the stew. Use about three times the amount of fresh basil as you would dried, as fresh herbs are less concentrated in flavor. Add them towards the end of the cooking process to preserve their freshness.
What if I want to make this dish vegetarian?
You can easily make a vegetarian version by substituting the smoked sausage with plant-based sausage or sautéed mushrooms for a meaty texture. Use vegetable broth instead of any meat drippings, and ensure that your heavy cream alternative is suitable for your dietary needs.
Can I freeze the creamy sausage stew?
Yes, this stew can be frozen! However, the cream may separate when thawed. To prevent this, consider omitting the cream before freezing and adding it back in when reheating. Store in an airtight container and consume within three months for the best quality.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).