Baked Sausage, Potatoes, Apples and Onions

Italian sausage, potatoes, apples and onions are a classic combination often prepared as a simple and flavourful sheet pan dinner or a one-skillet meal. The sweetness of the apples and onions caramelizes during cooking, pairing well with the savoury Italian sausage and tender potatoes. A popular method for this combination is roasting everything on a single pan for easy cleanup.

1 lb sweet or hot Italian sausages
1½ lbs small potatoes, such as baby red or Yukon gold, halved or quartered
1 large onion, cut into wedges
2 medium, firm apples, such as Granny Smith or Fuji, cut into chunks
2-3 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
1 Tbsp. fresh rosemary or 1 tsp. dried
sea salt
black pepper, freshly ground
1-2 Tbsp. apple cider vinegar or Dijon mustard for extra tang

Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C/200°C fan, Gas Mark 7).

Toss the potatoes and onions with olive oil, rosemary, salt and pepper on a large, rimmed baking sheet.

Add the sausages, nestling them among the vegetables and toss to coat lightly in the oil.

Bake for about 30 minutes, or until the sausages are browned and the potatoes are beginning to tenderize.

Remove the pan from the oven, flip the sausages and toss in the apple chunks.

Continue baking for another 10-15 minutes, or until the potatoes and apples are tender and the sausage is cooked through. If using, drizzle with apple cider vinegar or mustard and toss before the final bake.

Serve warm, perhaps with a side of crusty bread or a simple green salad.

Other Preparation Methods:

• Skillet Meal: Sauté the ingredients in a large skillet or Dutch oven, adding liquids like apple cider vinegar, wine, or stock to create a glaze or light sauce.
• Sausage Hash: Remove the sausage from its casing and crumble it, then cook as a hash with diced potatoes, apples and onions.
• Pasta Dish: Use the caramelized apple, onion and sausage mixture as a base for a flavourful pasta sauce, often with the addition of Parmesan cheese.