WHITE OAK POTATO AND SMOKED SAUSAGE CASSEROLE

Prep Time: 2 Hours
Yields: 6–8 Servings

Comment:
What could be more comforting than a wonderful baked potato casserole! This recipe continues to garner raves at the plantation for its wonderful taste and ease of preparation. Perfect for leftover
baked potatoes as well. For a little extra kick, try using Richard’s® spicy smoked sausages or Manda® hot smoked sausages.

Ingredients:
4–5 large baking potatoes, baked
½ cup minced smoked sausage
¼ cup melted butter
¾ cup minced onions
½ cup minced celery
¼ cup minced red bell pepper
1 tbsp minced garlic
½ cup Philadelphia® cream cheese
¼ cup sour cream
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, divided
½ cup thinly sliced green onions, divided
 ½ cup hot half-and-half
1 (1-ounce) package dry ranch dressing mix
salt and black pepper to taste
granulated garlic  to taste
¼ cup chopped parsley

Method:
Preheat oven to 400°F. Bake potatoes until tender. Remove and let cool slightly. When cool enough to handle, scoop out meat into a large mixing bowl and discard peels. Set potatoes aside. Reduce oven heat to 350°F. Grease an 11” X 7” baking dish and set aside. In a large sauté pan, heat butter over medium-high heat. Add sausage and sauté 2–3 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add onions, celery, bell pepper and minced garlic and sauté 3–5 minutes or until vegetables are wilted, stirring often. Transfer contents of sauté pan to a second mixing bowl and allow to cool slightly. Add cream cheese and sour cream to cooled vegetable mixture and blend to mix well. Add ½ cup cheddar cheese and ¼ cup green onions, stirring to incorporate all ingredients. Set aside. Into the cooked potatoes, add hot half-and-half and ranch dressing mix, stirring constantly until well blended. Blend potato mixture into sausage mixture and season to taste with salt, pepper and granulated garlic. When well blended, transfer potato and sausage mixture into the prepared baking dish. Bake 30 minutes, remove from oven then sprinkle evenly with remaining cheese, green onions and parsley. Bake 5 additional minutes. Remove and allow to cool slightly before serving.