Equipment Needed
- Large mixing bowl
- 9×13-inch baking dish
- Skillet
- Sharp knife and cutting board
- Whisk
- Measuring cups and spoons
Step-by-Step Instructions
To start, I preheated my oven to 375°F (190°C). This is key because a hot oven ensures that the casserole cooks evenly, so don’t skip this step! While the oven was warming up, I grabbed my trusty skillet and cooked the sliced kielbasa over medium-high heat. The sizzling sound is music to my ears, and that golden-brown color is just the start of magic! I let it cook for about 5-6 minutes until it was nicely browned.
Next, I tossed in the diced onions and sautéed them until they turned translucent, which took another 3-4 minutes. You could almost take a moment and just breathe in that divine smell! Afterward, I transferred the kielbasa and onions to a large mixing bowl. Here’s where the real assembly happens. I added in the cubed potatoes, shredded cheddar cheese, sour cream, milk, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, and a generous pinch of salt and pepper. Stirring it all together was a workout! I aimed to coat all the potatoes evenly with that cheesy goodness. (See the next page below to continue…)