Ultimate Easy Smoked Sausage & Potato Traybake: Your Go-To Weeknight Meal
Searching for a meal that’s both incredibly quick to prepare and a delight to eat? Look no further! This simple sausage traybake is the answer to your weeknight dinner dilemmas. It’s an oven dish where minimal effort yields maximum flavor. Just toss your ingredients with a generous coating of oil and seasonings, spread everything onto a single baking tray, and let your oven do all the hard work. No endless pots and pans, no constant stirring – just pure, hands-off cooking convenience. This truly is a fantastic, easy, and incredibly budget-friendly option for those busy mid-week evenings.
Why You’ll Love This Simple Sausage Traybake
Imagine a delicious, satisfying dinner on your table with minimal fuss. This traybake with potato wedges, smoked sausage, sweet carrots, and a blend of aromatic herbs is designed for exactly that! It’s not just a meal; it’s a solution for busy lives. Here’s why it’s destined to become a staple in your kitchen:
- Effortless Preparation: With just about 10 minutes of active prep time, you can have this dish ready for the oven. Then, sit back, relax, and let the magic happen.
- One-Pan Wonder: Say goodbye to a sink full of dishes! Everything cooks together on a single baking tray, making cleanup incredibly easy.
- Budget-Friendly: Utilizing staple ingredients like potatoes, carrots, and an economical smoked sausage, this recipe is kind to your wallet without compromising on taste.
- Packed with Flavor: The combination of savory sausage, earthy potatoes, sweet carrots, and Italian herbs creates a harmonious and deeply satisfying flavor profile.
- Highly Customizable: Adapt this recipe to your preferences or whatever you have on hand. It’s incredibly versatile (more on that in our tips section!).
- Perfect for Any Night: Whether it’s a hectic Tuesday or a relaxed Sunday, this traybake fits seamlessly into any schedule.
If you’re focused on keeping costs down, peeling and cutting your own potatoes into wedges is a simple step that takes about five minutes. For ultimate convenience, pre-cut potato wedges are readily available at most grocery stores. Next, clean your carrots, slice them into even pieces, and do the same for the smoked sausage. Finally, mix everything together with a flavorful garlic herb marinade. It takes approximately 10 minutes to get this entire delicious meal ready to slide into the oven. It truly is that straightforward and will be a huge hit!
And if you’re on the hunt for other delightful, budget-friendly, and easy meals to add to your repertoire, consider these fantastic options: a hearty spaghetti with broccoli and minced beef, a flavorful pilav with ground beef and peach, or a comforting Bami Goreng with Ham and Egg. Each offers its own unique taste while keeping the ease and affordability you love.
[feast_advanced_jump_to]
Essential Ingredients for Your Sausage & Potato Traybake
To prepare this incredibly simple yet flavorful Sausage & Potato Traybake, you’ll need a handful of fresh ingredients and pantry staples. The exact quantities are detailed in the recipe card at the very bottom of this blog post, but here’s a closer look at what makes this dish so special:
- Potatoes: The foundation of this hearty traybake! For the best results, we recommend using floury potatoes such as Russet, Doré, King Edward, or Maris Piper. Their starchy texture ensures a fluffy interior and a deliciously crispy exterior when roasted. If you’re short on time, pre-cut ready-made wedges are a fantastic shortcut. Alternatively, baby Dutch potatoes, simply halved, offer a wonderfully creamy texture.
- Carrots: Adding a touch of natural sweetness and vibrant color, carrots are a perfect complement. Make sure to wash and peel them thoroughly, then cut them into small, thin slices. This ensures they cook evenly and become tender at the same rate as your potatoes.
- Onion and Garlic: These aromatic powerhouses are crucial for building a deep, savory flavor base for your traybake. Finely chopped onion and crushed garlic infuse the entire dish with their irresistible scent and taste.
- Olive Oil: Given the simplicity of the ingredients, the quality of your olive oil truly shines through. Opt for a delicious extra virgin olive oil. It not only helps coat all the ingredients for even cooking and browning but also imparts a rich, fruity flavor that elevates the entire dish.
- Salt: Essential for seasoning and balancing all the flavors, a good pinch of sea salt will bring out the best in every component.
- Kielbasa (or Polish Smoked Sausage): This is the star protein of our traybake! Originating from Poland, Kielbasa comes in various types, but for this recipe, a pork-based and smoked variety works wonders. Its robust, smoky flavor pairs beautifully with the potatoes and carrots. In the Netherlands, a similar sausage called “Rookworst” is popular, though it might be harder to find in some other regions. Feel free to use any good quality smoked sausage you can find.
- Italian Herbs: This classic spice mix, typically containing parsley, oregano, chives, and basil, provides a wonderful aromatic blend that ties all the flavors together, making this simple sausage traybake truly memorable.
Mastering the Easy Sausage and Potato Traybake: A Step-by-Step Guide
Preparing this incredibly satisfying traybake is straightforward and designed for maximum ease. Below, you’ll find a clear, step-by-step guide to ensure your meal comes out perfect every time. For a printable version with precise measurements, refer to the recipe card located at the bottom of this page.
- Prepare Your Oven: Begin by preheating your oven to 430 °F (220 °C). This ensures the oven is at the optimal temperature when your traybake goes in, leading to even cooking and delicious caramelization. If you’re using a convection oven, a slightly lower temperature of 400 °F (200 °C) is usually sufficient.
- Create the Flavor Base: In a large mixing bowl, combine the olive oil, crushed garlic, Italian herbs, and sea salt. Whisk these ingredients together thoroughly to form a fragrant marinade. This mixture is key to infusing all your ingredients with incredible flavor.
- Coat the Potatoes: Add your prepared potato wedges (peeled and cut, or ready-made) to the bowl with the herb mixture. Using your hands or a large spoon, mix everything until the potatoes are completely and evenly coated. This ensures they absorb all the delicious flavors and crisp up beautifully in the oven.
- Add Remaining Ingredients: Now, add the sliced carrots, finely chopped onion, and the sliced smoked sausage to the same bowl. Mix everything once more, making sure all the vegetables and sausage are well coated with the flavorful oil and herbs. Don’t be shy about getting your hands in there for the best coating!
- Arrange on the Baking Tray: Spread the entire contents of the bowl onto a single large baking tray. It’s crucial to arrange the ingredients as much as possible in a single layer. Overcrowding the tray will steam the food instead of roasting it, preventing that coveted crispy texture and even cooking.
- Bake to Perfection: Slide the baking tray into your preheated oven and bake for approximately 50 minutes. The cooking time may vary slightly depending on your oven and the size of your potato and carrot pieces. The dish is ready when the potatoes are fork-tender and golden brown, the carrots are soft, and the sausage is nicely browned and slightly crispy around the edges. Serve immediately and enjoy your effortless, delicious meal!
Enhance Your Traybake: Tips, Substitutions, and Variations
One of the best things about a traybake is its incredible versatility. Don’t hesitate to get creative with this recipe! Here are some ideas to adapt it to your taste, dietary needs, or whatever ingredients you have on hand:
- Potato Alternatives: While classic potatoes are fantastic, you can easily swap them for sweet potatoes, cut into wedges or cubes, for a different flavor profile and added sweetness.
- Boost Your Veggies: Want to add more vegetables or replace some of the existing ones? This traybake is incredibly forgiving! Consider adding diced bell pepper (any color), parsnips (which roast beautifully), broccoli florets, zucchini chunks, or even peas (add them halfway through cooking to prevent overcooking). Chopped red onion can also offer a milder, sweeter onion flavor.
- Protein Power-Ups: If smoked sausage isn’t your preference, you have plenty of options. Replace it with beef or pork sausage (bratwurst, Italian sausage, or even chicken sausage), making sure to slice them to a similar thickness for even cooking. For a leaner option, you could use chicken or turkey sausage.
- Turn Up the Heat: For those who love a bit of a kick, simply add ¼ teaspoon (or more, to taste!) of chili flakes to the olive oil and herb mixture. It will infuse a subtle warmth throughout the dish. A dash of cayenne pepper could also work!
- Herb and Spice Swaps: While Italian herbs are a great choice, feel free to experiment with other seasonings. Smoked paprika, dried rosemary, thyme, or even a touch of curry powder could offer a unique twist. A squeeze of fresh lemon juice or a sprinkle of fresh parsley after baking can also brighten the flavors.
- Serving Suggestions: This traybake is a complete meal on its own, but it also pairs wonderfully with a fresh green salad, a dollop of sour cream or Greek yogurt, or a side of crusty bread to soak up all the delicious juices.
Did you try this wonderfully easy and delicious recipe? I’d absolutely love to see your creation! Tag #byandreajanssen via Instagram! I truly enjoy seeing what you cook up and frequently share the most beautiful photos from my followers. If you enjoyed this recipe, please consider leaving a rating on the recipe card below! Your valuable feedback not only helps me improve but also assists other home cooks in discovering fantastic new meals.
Looking for more culinary inspiration?
- Explore a variety of video recipes on my official YouTube channel.
- And don’t forget to save all your favorite recipes to Pinterest! This way, you can easily find them again whenever you need a quick and tasty meal idea.
📖 Recipe
RECIPE CARD
Andréa
Pin Recipe
Equipment
-
baking plate
-
A conventional oven is used. When using a convection oven (with air fan) decrease the temperature with 30 °F / 20 °C
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons olive oil, extra virgin
- 2 cloves garlic, crushed
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
- 1 tablespoon Italian herbs
- 2 ½ pounds potatoes, peeled and cut into wedges
- 2 pounds carrots, washed and peeled. Cut into thin slices.
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 1 pound kielbasa, smoked sausage, sliced
All my recipes are written both in Metric (gram / ml) and US Customary (cups / pounds). Here you can select which type of amount you would like to see.
Instructions
-
Preheat the oven to 430 °F or 400 °F
-
Combine the oil, garlic, Italian seasoning, and salt in a bowl.3 tablespoons olive oil, 2 cloves garlic, ½ teaspoon sea salt, 1 tablespoon Italian herbs
-
Add the potato wedges and mix.2 ½ pounds potatoes
-
Then put the carrot, onion and smoked sausage slices in the dish and mix all ingredients with a layer of oil.2 pounds carrots, 1 onion, 1 pound kielbasa
-
Spread the contents of the bowl on a baking sheet, as much as possible, in one layer, and slide into the oven.
-
Bake for 50 minutes and serve immediately.
Notes
2. Vegetable Variations: This traybake is incredibly adaptable! Feel free to add or swap vegetables based on your preferences or what’s in season. Consider incorporating diced bell peppers (any color), parsnips for an earthy sweetness, chopped red onion for a milder flavor, or even peas (add them during the last 15 minutes of baking to prevent overcooking).
3. Smoked Sausage Alternatives: While kielbasa provides a fantastic smoky flavor, you can easily substitute it with other sausages. Beef bratwurst, Italian pork sausage, or even a flavorful chicken sausage would work beautifully. Just ensure they are sliced to a similar thickness for even cooking.
4. Adding a Spicy Kick: If you enjoy a touch of heat, sprinkle ¼ teaspoon of chili flakes (or more, to taste) into the herb oil marinade. It will subtly warm up the entire dish.
5. Oven Temperature Guidance: For a conventional oven, set the temperature to 430 °F (220 °C). If you’re using a convection oven (which uses a fan to circulate hot air), you can typically reduce the temperature slightly to 400 °F (200 °C) for similar results. Keep an eye on your traybake as cooking times can vary.
6. Storage & Reheating Instructions:
- Refrigerator: Store any leftover Sausage & Potato Traybake in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: Unfortunately, this dish is not ideal for freezing, as potatoes can become mealy when thawed and reheated.
- Reheating:
- Oven: For best results, place leftovers in a baking dish, cover with aluminum foil, and bake at 350 °F (180 °C) for about 15-20 minutes, or until heated through.
- Microwave: For a quicker option, heat individual portions in the microwave at 30-second intervals, stirring occasionally, until thoroughly hot.
7. Nutritional Information: The provided nutritional value is an estimate per serving, assuming this delicious simple sausage traybake serves four people. Please note that values may vary based on specific ingredients and brands used.
Nutrition
Tried this recipe?
Let us know how it was!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Sausage Traybakes
We’ve gathered some common questions to help you make this traybake an absolute success in your kitchen:
- Can I use frozen vegetables in this traybake?
Yes, you can! For best results with frozen vegetables like broccoli, bell peppers, or even potato wedges, you might want to thaw them slightly and pat them dry before adding them to the tray. This helps prevent excess moisture from steaming the dish and promotes better browning. Adjust cooking time as needed.
- How do I get my potatoes extra crispy?
For maximum crispiness, ensure your potato wedges are cut evenly and are not too small. Tossing them thoroughly with olive oil and spices is crucial. Most importantly, spread them in a single layer on the baking tray. If the tray is overcrowded, the vegetables will steam instead of roast. You can also give them a quick par-boil for 5-7 minutes before roasting to kickstart the cooking process and achieve a softer interior with a crispier exterior.
- Can I prepare this meal ahead of time?
You can do some prep work in advance! Chop your vegetables and slice your sausage up to a day ahead and store them in separate airtight containers in the refrigerator. The herb and oil mixture can also be prepared in advance. However, for the freshest taste and best texture, it’s best to mix everything together and bake just before serving.
- What kind of sausage works best if I can’t find kielbasa?
Any good quality smoked sausage will work well. Look for varieties like smoked beef sausage, chicken apple sausage, or even a spicy Italian smoked sausage if you enjoy a little heat. The key is to use a sausage that’s already cooked or smoked, as this ensures it heats through quickly alongside the vegetables.
- Is this traybake suitable for meal prepping?
Absolutely! This traybake makes excellent leftovers for lunches throughout the week. As mentioned in the notes, store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days and reheat in the oven or microwave.
- Can I make this vegetarian or vegan?
Yes! Simply omit the sausage and replace it with a plant-based sausage alternative or a generous amount of firmer vegetables like mushrooms, bell peppers, or even firm tofu chunks. Ensure you season well to maintain flavor. You may also want to increase the potato or carrot quantity.