This oven baked 5-ingredient sausage kershaw is the kind of practical casserole-style dinner that earns a permanent place in a family recipe box. It leans on a few inexpensive pantry and refrigerator staples to turn sliced smoked sausage into a rich, hearty bake with plenty of sauce, making it ideal for feeding a crowd on a budget. Recipes like this became popular in many Midwestern home kitchens because they are simple, filling, and dependable, especially on busy weeknights when you want something warm and satisfying without a long ingredient list.
Serve this with rice, buttered egg noodles, mashed potatoes, or thick slices of bread to catch the creamy sauce. For a fuller plate, add green beans, steamed broccoli, a crisp salad, or sweet peas on the side. If you are bringing it to the table for brunch leftovers, it also pairs surprisingly well with scrambled eggs or hash browns.
Oven Baked 5-Ingredient Sausage Kershaw
Servings: 8
Ingredients
2 pounds smoked sausage, sliced into 1/2-inch rounds
2 cans (10.5 ounces each) condensed cream of mushroom soup
1 cup sour cream
1 small onion, thinly sliced
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Directions
1. Heat the oven to 350°F and lightly grease a 9x13-inch glass baking dish.
2. In a large bowl, stir together the condensed soup, sour cream, and sliced onion until evenly combined.
3. Add the sliced sausage to the bowl and fold until every piece is coated in the sauce.
4. Spread the mixture into the prepared baking dish and top evenly with the shredded cheddar cheese.
5. Bake uncovered for 35 to 40 minutes, until the casserole is hot and bubbling around the edges and the cheese is melted and lightly browned.
6. Let it rest for 5 to 10 minutes before serving so the sauce thickens slightly and the portions hold together better.
Variations & Tips
Add potatoes: For an even heartier version, layer in 3 to 4 cups of thinly sliced parboiled potatoes before baking. This stretches the casserole further and turns it into more of a complete one-pan meal.
Use a different soup: Cream of chicken or cream of celery both work well if that is what you have on hand. Each changes the flavor slightly while keeping the same creamy texture.
Try extra vegetables: Stir in sautéed bell peppers, mushrooms, or a handful of frozen peas for more color and flavor. If using watery vegetables, cook them first so the sauce stays rich instead of thinning out.
Choose the right sausage: Smoked sausage gives the best flavor with minimal effort, but kielbasa or turkey smoked sausage are both good substitutes. Cut the slices evenly so they heat through at the same rate.
Make-ahead tip: Assemble the casserole several hours ahead, cover, and refrigerate. When ready to bake, let the dish sit at room temperature for about 20 minutes first, then bake as directed, adding a few extra minutes if needed.