Hearty & Healthy: The Ultimate Light Sausage and Scallop Potato Casserole (8 Smart Points!)
Who doesn’t love the comforting embrace of a classic scalloped potato dish? It’s a beloved favorite, often rich, creamy, and undeniably delicious. However, this traditional comfort food frequently comes with a high calorie and point count, making it a challenge for those managing their daily intake. But what if we told you that you could enjoy all the creamy, savory goodness of a potato casserole, generously filled with flavorful sausage, for a fraction of the points? Get ready to discover your new favorite, guilt-free indulgence: our light Sausage and Scallop Potato Casserole!
This incredible recipe proves that healthy eating doesn’t mean sacrificing flavor or satisfaction. Crafted to deliver maximum taste with smart choices, each serving of this hearty casserole is just 8 Smart Points. Yes, you read that right – only 8 points for a dish bursting with tender potatoes, succulent chicken sausage, and a lusciously cheesy, creamy sauce. Paired with a simple side salad, this meal is not only deeply satisfying but also leaves you with plenty of points left to enjoy a delightful dessert. It’s the perfect solution for a comforting weeknight dinner that everyone, including your waistline, will appreciate.
We’ve carefully balanced ingredients to achieve that signature scalloped potato texture and taste without the heavy cream and butter typically found in traditional recipes. Using lighter alternatives like 1% milk, light margarine, and fat-free cream cheese, we create a sauce that is wonderfully rich and smooth, complementing the thinly sliced potatoes and savory chicken sausage beautifully. The addition of diced onions and dried oregano infuses the dish with aromatic depth, making every bite a truly memorable experience. This casserole is not just a meal; it’s a celebration of comfort food, reimagined for a healthier lifestyle.
Whether you’re following a specific dietary plan or simply looking for delicious, lighter meal options, this Sausage and Scallop Potato Casserole is a fantastic choice. It’s easy to prepare, making it ideal for busy evenings, and substantial enough to please even the heartiest appetites. The layers of tender potatoes, flavorful sausage, and creamy cheese sauce bake together perfectly, creating a golden, bubbling masterpiece straight from your oven. Prepare to impress your family and friends with a dish that tastes incredibly decadent but is surprisingly light. Let’s dive into how you can create this amazing casserole in your own kitchen!
Sausage & Scallop Potato Casserole
Ingredients
- 5 medium potatoes, washed and sliced very thin (e.g., Yukon Gold or Russet for best texture)
- 3 chicken sausages, cooked and sliced (choose a lighter variety for lower points)
- 1/2 cup diced onion
- 2 Tbsp light margarine
- 2 Tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1 cup 1% milk
- salt & pepper, to taste
- 1/2 tsp dried oregano
- 2/3 cup light grated cheese, such as light cheddar or mozzarella
- 3 Tbsp fat free or light cream cheese
Instructions
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Begin by preparing your main ingredients. First, take your medium potatoes and slice them into very thin circles. While a mandoline slicer can achieve uniform thickness quickly, a sharp knife and careful hand work just as well for this task. The thinner the slices, the more tender and evenly cooked your potatoes will be in the casserole. Next, slice your pre-cooked chicken sausages into similar thin rounds. Set both aside.
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Prepare your baking vessel and oven. Lightly spray a 9×13 inch casserole dish with cooking spray to prevent sticking. This ensures easy serving and cleanup. Then, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C), allowing it to reach the proper temperature before the casserole goes in.
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Now, let’s create the delicious, creamy sauce. In a medium pan, melt the light margarine over medium-low heat on your stovetop. Once melted, stir in the all-purpose flour and cook for about one minute, stirring continuously to form a smooth roux. This step helps thicken the sauce and cooks out the raw flour taste. Gradually whisk in the 1% milk, ensuring there are no lumps. Season with a dash of salt and pepper to your preference, and add the dried oregano. Continue to cook on the stovetop, stirring frequently, until the sauce thickens to a creamy consistency. This process usually takes about 10 minutes. Patience here is key for a perfectly smooth sauce.
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Once your sauce has reached a lovely thick and creamy texture, remove it from the heat. Stir in the light grated cheese until it is completely melted and smoothly incorporated into the sauce. The residual heat from the sauce will be enough to melt the cheese beautifully.
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Time to assemble your casserole! Arrange half of your thinly sliced potatoes in an even layer at the bottom of the prepared 9×13 inch casserole dish. Next, evenly distribute all of your sliced chicken sausage over the potato layer. Sprinkle the diced onions uniformly across the sausage. Finally, add the fat-free or light cream cheese in small, approximately 1 teaspoon-sized dollops, spacing them out evenly across the layer.
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Pour just over half of your prepared creamy cheese sauce mixture over the first layer of potatoes, sausage, and onions. Use a spoon or spatula to ensure it’s evenly distributed. Then, top with the remaining potato slices, creating a second even layer. Pour the rest of the cheese sauce over these final potato slices, ensuring they are well covered.
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Cover the casserole dish tightly with aluminum foil. This helps to steam the potatoes, ensuring they cook through and become wonderfully tender. Bake in the preheated oven for approximately 60 minutes. For the last 5 minutes of baking, you can remove the foil to allow the top layer to brown slightly and achieve a beautiful golden crust, if desired. Once baked, carefully remove from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes before serving. This recipe yields 6 generous servings, each at 8 Smart Points or 7 Personal Points.
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Nutritional information per serving (approximate): Calories 290, Fat 7.7g, Saturated Fat 3.2g, Carbs 38.3g, Fiber 2.4g, Sugars 2.6g, Protein 16.1g. This makes it a balanced and fulfilling meal option.
Additional Info
Tips for the Perfect Light Scalloped Potato Casserole
Achieving a perfect scalloped potato casserole, especially a lighter version, involves a few key techniques. Here are some tips to ensure your dish turns out wonderfully creamy, tender, and flavorful every time:
- **Potato Slicing:** Uniformly thin slices are crucial. Whether you use a mandoline for precision or a sharp chef’s knife, aim for slices approximately 1/8 inch thick. This ensures even cooking and a tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture. Thicker slices will require longer baking times and may result in some undercooked sections.
- **Choosing Potatoes:** While Russet potatoes are traditional for their starchiness that contributes to a creamy sauce, Yukon Gold or other waxy potatoes also work well as they hold their shape better. Avoid very starchy potatoes if you prefer a firmer texture.
- **Pre-cooking Sausage:** Ensure your chicken sausages are fully cooked and sliced before adding them to the casserole. This allows their flavors to meld into the dish without needing extra cooking time within the casserole itself.
- **Building the Roux:** The margarine and flour roux is the foundation of your creamy sauce. Cook it for at least one minute after stirring in the flour to remove the raw flour taste. Whisking continuously as you add the milk prevents lumps and ensures a smooth, silky sauce.
- **Sauce Thickness:** Don’t rush the sauce-thickening process. It might take up to 10 minutes for the milk, flour, and margarine mixture to reach a creamy consistency. Continuous stirring over medium-low heat is essential to prevent burning and ensure even thickening.
- **Even Cheese Distribution:** When stirring in the grated cheese, ensure it melts completely and is evenly distributed throughout the sauce. This guarantees cheesy goodness in every bite.
- **Cream Cheese Dollops:** The small dollops of fat-free or light cream cheese are vital for extra creaminess and a subtle tang. Distribute them evenly over the sausage layer so that the creaminess spreads throughout the casserole as it bakes.
- **Layering is Key:** Proper layering ensures every forkful contains a delightful mix of potatoes, sausage, and sauce. Don’t overload layers; keep them relatively even for consistent cooking.
- **Covering While Baking:** Covering the casserole with foil for the majority of the baking time traps steam, which helps the potatoes become tender without drying out. Removing the foil towards the end allows the top to brown beautifully.
- **Resting Time:** Allow the casserole to rest for 5-10 minutes after removing it from the oven. This allows the sauce to set and the layers to firm up slightly, making it easier to serve clean portions.
Variations to Customize Your Casserole
This light sausage and scallop potato casserole is incredibly versatile. Feel free to experiment with these variations to suit your taste or dietary needs:
- **Vegetable Boost:** Sneak in more vegetables! Add a layer of thinly sliced mushrooms, bell peppers, or even spinach (sautéed and drained to remove excess moisture) between the potato and sausage layers.
- **Spice It Up:** For a bit of heat, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to your sauce, or choose spicy chicken sausage. A dash of smoked paprika can also add a delightful warmth and depth.
- **Cheese Choices:** While light grated cheese is recommended, you can vary the type. A mix of light cheddar and a touch of light Parmesan can add a richer flavor profile.
- **Herb Alternatives:** If you don’t have dried oregano, dried thyme or a mix of Italian herbs would be excellent substitutes, offering different aromatic nuances.
- **Meat Alternatives:** Not a fan of chicken sausage? You can use lean turkey sausage or even browned extra-lean ground turkey for a similar low-point, high-protein option. For a vegetarian version, omit the sausage and add more vegetables or a plant-based meat substitute.
- **Make it Gluten-Free:** To make this recipe gluten-free, substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend or use cornstarch (start with 1.5 Tbsp) to thicken the sauce.
Serving Suggestions
This hearty casserole is a complete meal on its own, but it pairs wonderfully with a few simple sides to create a balanced and satisfying dinner:
- **Fresh Green Salad:** A crisp, light green salad with a vinaigrette dressing provides a refreshing contrast to the rich casserole.
- **Steamed Green Beans or Asparagus:** Lightly steamed or roasted green vegetables add a healthy boost and vibrant color to your plate.
- **Crusty Bread:** For those who enjoy soaking up every last drop of the creamy sauce, a slice of whole-wheat crusty bread can be a delightful addition.
Why This Casserole is a Smart Choice
Beyond its delicious taste and comforting qualities, this Sausage and Scallop Potato Casserole offers several benefits that make it an excellent addition to your meal rotation:
- **Weight-Loss Friendly:** At just 8 Smart Points (or 7 Personal Points), it fits well into various healthy eating plans, allowing you to enjoy a satisfying meal without derailing your goals.
- **Rich in Protein:** Chicken sausage and milk contribute a good amount of protein (16.1g per serving), which is essential for feeling full and supporting muscle health.
- **Fiber-Rich:** Potatoes, especially with their skins on (if preferred and thoroughly scrubbed), provide dietary fiber (2.4g per serving), aiding digestion and contributing to satiety.
- **Nutrient-Dense:** Potatoes are a good source of vitamins like C and B6, and minerals like potassium. Milk provides calcium and Vitamin D.
- **Customizable:** As discussed in the variations section, it’s easy to adapt this recipe to include more vegetables, different lean proteins, or even make it gluten-free, further enhancing its nutritional profile to meet individual needs.
- **Comfort Food Reimagined:** It delivers all the nostalgic comfort of a traditional scalloped potato dish but with mindful ingredient choices, proving that healthy can be incredibly tasty.
This light sausage and scallop potato casserole is more than just a recipe; it’s a testament to how simple adjustments can transform a classic into a healthful, point-friendly meal. It’s perfect for a cozy family dinner, a potluck contribution, or even meal prepping for delicious lunches throughout the week. The combination of tender, thinly sliced potatoes, savory chicken sausage, and a rich, creamy, cheesy sauce makes for an unforgettable culinary experience.
So, why wait? Gather your ingredients, follow these straightforward steps, and treat yourself and your loved ones to a truly satisfying and guilt-free comfort food masterpiece. Enjoy the warmth, the flavors, and the knowledge that you’re nourishing your body with a smart and delicious choice. Happy cooking!