Kid's Choice: Cheesy Sausage Potatoes

 Every once in awhile, I look in the fridge to see what's there and then start talking out loud about what we should have for dinner.  This often results in My Boys giving their opinions - not always agreeing with my thoughts - on what they think we should have... and, every once in awhile I let them help figure out the meal.

I've read over and over that allowing kids to help in the meal planning or preparation will encourage them to try different things.  While they are really pretty good about eating whatever we have for dinner, sometimes they just aren't thrilled with what we might serve on a given night.  So, giving them a chance once or twice a week to request something empowers them to feel like they have a choice - within reason, of course.

Recently, I just didn't have a lot of ideas off the top of my head when I found Italian sausage links and potatoes in the fridge.  We were really "over" pasta that week and needed something different with dinner.  So, with both boys by my side we did a Google search for recipes with potatoes and sausage in them.  Don't you just love the power to search for things like that?  Anytime My Boys have a question I can't answer right away, they always suggest we go Google it.

So, after checking out a few different options in the search results, we ended up choosing a recipe from Allrecipes - Cheesy Sausage Potatoes.   How can you go wrong with the three basic ingredients of sausage, potatoes and cheese?  I read through the reviews and adjusted a bit based on what others had suggested and My Oldest really loved this recipe!  My Youngest was not so impressed, but then he's not a huge potato fan unless they are mashed.

The only additional change I would make would be to add a couple more links of sausage.  I only had 3 links, so it was not quite a pound as the recipe stated.  It was quick and easy to prepare and will be a dish we'll have again.



Cheesy Sausage Potatoes
Adapted from Allrecipes

 
Ingredients

• 3 pounds potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/4-inch slices
• 1 pound bulk pork sausage (I used about 1/2 pound of Italian sausage - definitely use more with that many potatoes)
• 1-2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 1/4 cup butter, melted
• 2 cups shredded Sharp Cheddar cheese

Directions

1. Place potatoes in a large saucepan and cover with water. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 8-10 minutes or until tender.
2. Meanwhile, crumble sausage into a large skillet; add onion. Cook over medium heat until meat is no longer pink; drain if necessary.
3. Drain potatoes; arrange in an ungreased 13-in. x 9-in. x 2-in. baking dish. Sprinkle Italian seasoning over potatoes, then drizzle with butter. Add sausage mixture and stir gently. Sprinkle with cheese. Bake, uncovered, at 350 degrees F for 5-7 minutes or until cheese is melted.

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