Name: Dump-and-Bake Bratwurst Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 60 min
Total time: 70 min
Ingredients: 12 ounces baby red or yellow potatoes, diced into very small bite-sized pieces (I cut the larger potatoes into 8 pieces or the smallest potatoes into 4 pieces); 5 bratwurst links (3.8 ounces each), cut into 2-inch pieces; 14 oz can sauerkraut, drained; ½ cup beer ((or substitute with chicken broth, beef broth, or apple cider)); Optional for serving: chopped fresh parsley or thyme

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You only need 4 ingredients and about 10 minutes of prep for this Dump-and-Bake Bratwurst recipe with potatoes and sauerkraut! An easy, German-inspired healthy dinner recipe cooks in one dish for a satisfying meal any night of the week!

Close up front shot of bratwurst recipe in a cast iron skillet

You can probably use a handful of simple, quick-prep dinner ideas that don't require too many ingredients or too much hands-on time. This bratwurst casserole bakes in the oven for those nights when you don't have the time or energy to fuss with anything more. Grab your German beer, because this one pan Oktoberfest feast is on the table in minutes!

Long overhead shot of an easy bratwurst recipe with sausage and potatoes in a cast iron skillet

How to make this easy bratwurst recipe:

You only need 4 ingredients to prepare this bratwurst recipe in the oven:

Bratwurst links
Small red or yellow potatoes
A can of sauerkraut
Beer

Bratwurst and potatoes on a wooden surface

First, place the potatoes and brats in the bottom of a large oven-proof skillet, baking dish or Dutch oven.

Bratwurst and potatoes in a cast iron skillet

Add the sauerkraut to the pan,

Bratwurst potatoes and sauerkraut in a cast iron skillet before baking

and then pour a German beer over top.

Bottle of German beer for beer brats recipe

Cover with a lid (or wrap tightly with foil if you're baking in a casserole dish). We're braising the sausage and potatoes in the cooking liquid for a tender, juicy, and flavorful finished product!

Lid on top of a baking dish for bratwurst recipe

Bake the dish (covered) for about 1 hour, or until the brats are cooked through and the potatoes are tender. That's it! A simple German dinner with almost zero effort on your part!

German sausage in a skillet with a serving spoon

What goes with bratwurst sausage?

This bratwurst and sauerkraut recipe is a classic combination, and the potatoes add a filling and satisfying starch to round out the meal. While you don't need anything else on the table, here are a few easy sides that pair nicely with the brats:

Slow Cooker Applesauce
A simple green salad dressed in Buttermilk Dressing
Slow Cooker Green Beans
German Potato Salad
Sweet and Sour Red Cabbage (I buy mine in glass jars at the grocery store)
10-Minute Creamy Cucumber Salad

Cook's Tips and Recipe Variations:

For additional flavor, brown the sausage and potatoes in a skillet over medium-high heat until golden on the outside. Then add them to the dish and proceed with recipe as instructed. Baking time may be reduced to about 45 minutes.
Try this bratwurst recipe in the Crock Pot! Place all of the ingredients in the slow cooker, cover and cook on LOW 6-8 hours or on HIGH for 3-4 hours.
For an alcohol-free option, substitute apple cider, chicken broth or beef broth for the beer.
Cooking just for two? Use two sausages (freeze the extras in the package for a later date), and use half as many potatoes and sauerkraut. Bake in a smaller dish, but the rest of the instructions remain the same.
I baked the brats shown here in an oven-safe cast iron braiser. You can use a similar oven-proof skillet with a lid, or you can simply use a casserole dish or Dutch oven.
Use a German beer if you have one (such as the Hefe-Weizen shown), but feel free to substitute with a different beer if that's easier!

Close up shot of cooked beer brats with potatoes and sauerkraut in a skillet

More easy sausage recipes that you might enjoy:

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