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Easy One-Pan Sausage Apple and Sweet Potato Skillet Recipe for Perfect Weeknight Dinners

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A quick and hearty one-pan skillet combining savory sausage with sweet potatoes and apples, perfect for cozy weeknight dinners with minimal cleanup.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch cubes
  • 1 large apple, cored and chopped into 1/2-inch chunks (preferably Granny Smith or Honeycrisp)
  • 4 links of pork or chicken sausage, sliced into 1-inch pieces (mild Italian or spicy, or turkey sausage for leaner option)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 small yellow or sweet onion, diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves or 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • Optional: 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar or maple syrup

Instructions

  1. Prep the Ingredients (10 minutes): Peel and dice the sweet potatoes into roughly 1/2-inch cubes. Core and chop the apple to similar size. Slice sausage into 1-inch pieces. Dice onion and mince garlic.
  2. Heat the Skillet: Warm 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat in a large skillet until the oil shimmers but does not smoke.
  3. Cook the Sausage (7-8 minutes): Add sausage pieces and brown on all sides, stirring occasionally. Remove sausage from pan and set aside, leaving rendered fat in the pan.
  4. Sauté Onion and Garlic (3 minutes): Add diced onion to skillet and cook until translucent, about 3 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  5. Cook Sweet Potatoes (10-12 minutes): Add diced sweet potatoes in an even layer. Let cook undisturbed for a few minutes to caramelize, then stir occasionally. Cover skillet with lid to steam and soften potatoes, checking to prevent sticking.
  6. Add Apples and Spices (5 minutes): Stir in chopped apples, thyme, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Cook until apples soften but remain firm, about 5 minutes.
  7. Return Sausage to Pan: Add sausage back to skillet and toss to combine. Cook for 3-4 minutes until sausage is cooked through (internal temperature 160°F/71°C). Add optional apple cider vinegar or maple syrup and stir well.
  8. Final Seasoning and Serve: Taste and adjust salt and pepper as needed. Remove fresh thyme sprigs if used. Serve warm directly from the skillet.

Notes

Use tart apples like Granny Smith for best flavor balance. Cover skillet while cooking sweet potatoes to speed softening. Brown sausage well for depth of flavor. Adjust seasoning gradually as sausage may be salty. For vegetarian version, substitute sausage with smoked tempeh or plant-based sausage. Check sausage labels for gluten-free status.

Nutrition

Keywords: one-pan, sausage, apple, sweet potato, skillet, easy dinner, weeknight meal, comfort food, quick recipe, autumn recipe

Find it online: https://yumnode.com/easy-one-pan-sausage-apple-and-sweet-potato-skillet-recipe-for-perfect-weeknight-dinners/