Swamp Potatoes and Sausage: Hearty One-Pot Comfort Food

Prep Time: 15 minutes | Cook Time: 45 minutes | Serves 6 | One-Pot Meal

Why You’ll Love This Swamp Potatoes and Sausage

This rustic, hearty Swamp Potatoes and Sausage dish is the ultimate comfort food that feeds a crowd! This one-pot wonder combines tender potatoes, savory sausage, and flavorful vegetables all cooked together in a rich, seasoned broth. It’s called “swamp” because of its deliciously messy, rustic appearance – but don’t let the name fool you, this dish is absolutely delicious and perfect for feeding hungry families!

Ingredients

Main Ingredients:

• 3 lbs red potatoes, cut into 2-inch chunks
• 1.5 lbs smoked sausage (andouille or kielbasa), sliced
• 1 large yellow onion, diced
• 1 green bell pepper, diced
• 1 red bell pepper, diced
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 stalks celery, diced

Seasonings:

• 2 teaspoons Cajun seasoning
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/2 teaspoon oregano
• 1 bay leaf
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)

Liquids and Fat:

• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 2 tablespoons butter

Garnish:

• 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
• 2 green onions, sliced
• Hot sauce for serving (optional)

Instructions

Prep the Ingredients:

1. Prepare potatoes: Wash and cut red potatoes into uniform 2-inch chunks, leaving skin on for extra texture and nutrition.
2. Slice sausage: Cut sausage into 1/2-inch thick rounds. If using a particularly fatty sausage, you can reduce the olive oil slightly.
3. Prep vegetables: Dice onion, bell peppers, and celery into similar-sized pieces. Mince garlic finely.

Cook the Dish:

4. Brown the sausage: In a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium-high heat. Add sliced sausage and brown on both sides, about 5-6 minutes total. Remove sausage and set aside.
5. Sauté vegetables: In the same pot with sausage drippings, add remaining olive oil. Add diced onion, bell peppers, and celery. Cook for 5-7 minutes until vegetables begin to soften.
6. Add garlic and seasonings: Stir in minced garlic, Cajun seasoning, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, thyme, oregano, and bay leaf. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
7. Add potatoes: Add potato chunks to the pot and stir to coat with seasonings and vegetables.
8. Add liquid: Pour in chicken broth and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer for 20-25 minutes until potatoes are fork-tender.
9. Return sausage: Add the browned sausage back to the pot and stir gently to combine.
10. Finish the dish: Stir in heavy cream and butter. Season with salt, pepper, and cayenne if using. Simmer uncovered for 5 minutes to thicken slightly.
11. Final touches: Remove bay leaf, taste and adjust seasonings. Garnish with fresh parsley and green onions before serving.

Serving Suggestions

This hearty dish works well as:

• Complete meal served with crusty bread or cornbread
• Side dish for grilled meats or barbecue
• Brunch option topped with fried or poached eggs
• Game day food served in bowls with hot sauce
• Camping meal cooked over an open fire in a Dutch oven

Make-Ahead and Storage Tips

Make-ahead: Prep all vegetables the night before and store covered in refrigerator Storage: Refrigerate leftovers for up to 4 days in covered container Reheating: Reheat gently on stovetop, adding a splash of broth if needed Freezing: Freezes well for up to 3 months (cream may separate slightly when thawed)

Recipe Variations

Seafood Swamp: Add shrimp or crawfish in the last 5 minutes of cooking Vegetarian Version: Replace sausage with plant-based sausage and use vegetable broth Spicier Style: Add diced jalapeños and increase cayenne pepper Cheesy Swamp: Melt in sharp cheddar cheese just before serving Lighter Version: Use milk instead of heavy cream Smoky Style: Add a few drops of liquid smoke for extra flavor

Nutritional Benefits

• Complex carbohydrates: Potatoes provide sustained energy and potassium
• Protein: Sausage offers satisfying protein content
• Vitamins: Bell peppers are rich in vitamin C and antioxidants
• Fiber: Vegetables and potato skins add beneficial fiber
• Comfort factor: Perfect soul-warming meal for cold weather

Tips for Best Results

Uniform cutting: Keep potato pieces similar in size for even cooking Don’t skip browning: Searing sausage adds crucial flavor depth Layer flavors: Build seasonings gradually for complex taste Gentle simmer: Avoid rapid boiling to prevent potatoes from falling apart Taste and adjust: Season at the end to achieve perfect flavor balance

Perfect for These Occasions

• Family weeknight dinners
• Potluck gatherings and church suppers
• Camping trips and outdoor cooking
• Cold weather comfort meals
• Game day parties and tailgating
• Southern-themed dinner parties