This Sausages with Sweet Potato Mash and Wilted Greens recipe is a perfect, cozy dinner that combines hearty sausages with smooth sweet potato mash, sautéed greens, and a delicious garlic herb butter. It’s quick, simple, and full of flavor, making it a fantastic option for a weeknight meal. The combination of earthy, savory sausages with the creamy sweetness of the mashed sweet potatoes and the richness of the wilted greens will be a hit on your dinner table.

Full Recipe: 

Ingredients

• 4 Cumberland sausages (or your choice of British-style sausage)

• Olive oil (for roasting)

• 3 sweet potatoes, peeled and diced

• Salt (for seasoning and cooking)

• 1 red onion, sliced

• ¼ Savoy cabbage, shredded

• 1 cup spinach

• 1 cup peas (frozen or fresh)

• 2 garlic cloves, minced

• 150 g (5.3 oz) butter (use salted for more flavor)

• Fresh thyme leaves (for the garlic herb butter)

Directions

1. Roast the Sausages: Preheat the oven to 190°C (375°F). Brush the sausages with olive oil and roast in the oven for 20-25 minutes, until they’re juicy and golden brown. Optional: roast a few garlic cloves along with the sausages to add a roasted garlic kick to the sweet potatoes.

2. Prepare the Sweet Potato Mash: Peel and dice the sweet potatoes into large chunks. Boil them for 15 minutes until soft. Drain and let them steam dry for 10 minutes. Mash the sweet potatoes with butter and a generous pinch of salt. For a smoother texture, use an electric whisk to beat until silky.

3. Make the Garlic Herb Butter: In a bowl, combine 100g of room-temperature butter with the minced garlic and fresh thyme leaves. Mix well, then roll it into a sausage shape using parchment paper. Freeze for 10-15 minutes to firm up.

4. Wilt the Greens: Slice the red onion and sauté it in a knob of butter until softened. Add the shredded Savoy cabbage and a dash of water. Stir until the water evaporates, then add the spinach and peas. Cook for an additional 3-4 minutes until the greens are wilted and tender.

5. Serve: Plate the sweet potato mash, top with sausages, and add a generous serving of wilted greens. Cut a slice of garlic herb butter and place it on top of the dish, allowing it to melt over the warm ingredients.

Nutritional Information (per serving, estimated)

• Calories: 550 kcal

• Fat: 30 g

  • Saturated Fat: 12 g

• Cholesterol: 85 mg

• Sodium: 680 mg

• Carbohydrates: 50 g

  • Fiber: 9 g

  • Sugar: 12 g

• Protein: 19 g

• Vitamin A: 230% DV

• Vitamin C: 60% DV

• Calcium: 8% DV

• Iron: 20% DV

The Heart of the Dish: Hearty Sausages

The sausages are the star of this dish, providing a rich, savory flavor that balances perfectly with the sweetness of the mashed sweet potatoes and the greens. For this recipe, British-style Cumberland sausages are used, which are known for their deliciously spiced flavor and juicy texture. However, you can choose any sausage variety that suits your taste, whether you prefer spicy, herby, or even vegetarian options.

Roasting the sausages in the oven ensures they cook evenly, developing a crispy, golden-brown exterior while retaining all their juicy tenderness on the inside. The caramelization that occurs during roasting brings out the deep, savory flavors of the sausages, creating a satisfying contrast with the smoother textures of the other components. The sausages’ natural fat also infuses the dish with richness, making it more indulgent and hearty.

If you want to enhance the flavor even further, you can roast a few garlic cloves alongside the sausages, adding a fragrant, roasted garlic kick to the sweet potatoes. This subtle addition elevates the flavor profile of the entire dish, providing a balance of savory and slightly sweet notes that make each bite more dynamic.

Sweet Potato Mash: Creamy and Comforting

Sweet potatoes are the perfect base for this dish, offering a natural sweetness and creaminess that complement the savory sausages and earthy greens. The sweet potato mash serves as a comforting, smooth bed for the sausages, adding both flavor and texture to the dish. When boiled and mashed, sweet potatoes become velvety and tender, providing a soft contrast to the more robust flavors of the meat and greens.

To prepare the mash, the sweet potatoes are boiled until tender, then steamed dry to ensure they don’t become too watery. This step helps achieve a thicker, creamier texture for the mash. The addition of butter and salt further enhances the flavor, making the mash rich and indulgent without being overwhelming. For an extra-smooth texture, you can use an electric whisk to beat the sweet potatoes until silky, creating a luxurious consistency that pairs beautifully with the sausages and greens.

The sweetness of the mashed sweet potatoes provides a natural contrast to the savory sausages, balancing the richness of the meat and the slight bitterness of the greens. This balance of flavors is what makes the dish so satisfying and well-rounded, providing a comforting base that ties all the elements together.

Wilted Greens: Fresh and Nutritious

The wilted greens in this dish offer a fresh, vibrant counterpoint to the richness of the sausages and sweet potato mash. A combination of shredded Savoy cabbage, spinach, and peas adds both texture and flavor to the dish. The cabbage offers a slightly bitter, earthy taste that pairs well with the richness of the sausages, while the spinach and peas bring a touch of sweetness and freshness to the mix.

Sautéing the red onion in butter helps to soften its natural sharpness and create a base of sweetness before adding the cabbage. The cabbage is cooked with a splash of water, which helps it wilt and become tender without losing its structure. The peas and spinach are added at the end, ensuring they don’t overcook and retain their vibrant green color and nutritional value. The result is a colorful, nutritious side that provides a variety of textures and flavors that complement the richness of the sausages and sweet potatoes.

These greens are an essential part of the dish, adding a lightness and freshness that balances the heavier components. The combination of cabbage, spinach, and peas creates a harmonious mix of flavors, with the slight bitterness of the cabbage, the mild sweetness of the peas, and the richness of the spinach all coming together to round out the meal.

Garlic Herb Butter: A Flavorful Finishing Touch

To elevate the flavors of this dish even further, a garlic herb butter is used to tie everything together. The garlic herb butter is made by combining softened butter with fresh thyme leaves and minced garlic, creating a rich, fragrant topping that’s perfect for melting over the warm sausages, sweet potatoes, and wilted greens. The garlic adds depth and warmth, while the thyme provides a subtle herbal note that complements the other ingredients.

Once the cake is served, a slice of this garlic herb butter is placed on top of the warm components, where it melts into the dish, creating a luscious, flavorful coating that brings everything together. The richness of the butter enhances the flavors of the sausages, sweet potatoes, and greens, ensuring that every bite is full of depth and complexity.

This finishing touch makes the dish feel even more indulgent and comforting, providing a buttery richness that amplifies the overall flavors. The garlic and thyme infuse the butter with warmth, adding an aromatic depth that lingers on the palate.

Quick and Easy Preparation for a Perfect Weeknight Meal

One of the best things about this Sausages with Sweet Potato Mash and Wilted Greens recipe is how simple and quick it is to prepare. The sausages roast in the oven while the sweet potatoes boil and mash on the stovetop. The greens are sautéed in a pan with onions, and the garlic herb butter is mixed and added to the dish just before serving. The entire meal can be prepared in under an hour, making it an ideal option for a weeknight dinner when you want something flavorful but not time-consuming.

The straightforward preparation also means that the dish can be easily customized to suit your tastes. If you prefer a different type of sausage, you can substitute it with chicken, turkey, or even a plant-based sausage for a lighter or vegetarian version. Similarly, the greens can be swapped for other vegetables like kale, chard, or even roasted Brussels sprouts, depending on your preferences or what you have on hand. This flexibility makes it a versatile recipe that can be adapted to fit a variety of dietary needs and flavor profiles.

Nutritional Benefits of the Dish

This Sausages with Sweet Potato Mash and Wilted Greens dish is not only flavorful but also packed with essential nutrients. The sausages provide a good source of protein and iron, while the sweet potatoes offer a rich dose of vitamin A, fiber, and antioxidants. The greens add an extra nutritional boost, offering vitamins C and K, as well as folate and calcium.

The garlic herb butter, while indulgent, also adds healthy fats from the butter and thyme, which contribute to the overall richness and flavor of the dish. While this meal is hearty and satisfying, it also provides a well-balanced combination of protein, carbohydrates, and vegetables, making it a wholesome option for any day of the week.

Serving Suggestions and Pairing

This dish is perfect on its own, but it can also be served with a variety of sides to complete the meal. For a light starter, consider serving a simple salad of mixed greens or roasted vegetables. A side of crusty bread or rolls would also pair well, allowing you to soak up the flavorful sauce from the sausages and greens.

For a beverage pairing, a glass of red wine, such as a light Pinot Noir or a bold Cabernet Sauvignon, would complement the richness of the sausages and sweet potatoes. If you prefer a non-alcoholic option, a glass of sparkling water with a slice of lemon or lime would add a refreshing contrast to the flavors of the dish.

Conclusion: A Hearty, Flavorful Dinner

Sausages with Sweet Potato Mash and Wilted Greens is a comforting and satisfying dish that combines savory, sweet, and earthy flavors in a way that’s both simple and indulgent. The hearty sausages, creamy sweet potato mash, and fresh, tender greens come together to create a well-rounded meal that is both flavorful and nourishing. The garlic herb butter and the optional frosted cranberries add the finishing touches, making this dish perfect for any occasion. Whether you’re preparing it for a weeknight dinner or serving it at a family gathering, this recipe is sure to become a favorite at your dinner table. Its versatility, rich flavors, and quick preparation make it a go-to option that’s sure to satisfy everyone’s cravings.