When it comes to French cuisine, we often think of luxurious dishes like coq au vin or bouillabaisse. But ask any French family about their favorite comfort meal, and you’ll likely hear about saucisse purée. This classic dish combines hearty sausages (saucisse) with creamy mashed potatoes (purée), creating a soul-warming plate that’s both simple and satisfying.

In this blog, we’ll explore the origins, ingredients, step-by-step recipe, and some serving tips to help you prepare saucisse purée at home—French comfort food at its finest.

A Bit of History

Saucisse purée has long been a staple of French bistro and family cooking. Rooted in rustic tradition, it represents the perfect example of French comfort food: humble ingredients, prepared with care, yielding big flavors.

In Parisian brasseries, you’ll often find saucisse purée served with a flavorful onion or red wine sauce, making it not only comforting but also elegant enough to be considered a true French classic.

Choosing the Right Sausages

The type of sausage you use makes all the difference. Traditional options include:

Saucisse de Toulouse: A coarse pork sausage, juicy and flavorful.

Morteau sausage (Franche-Comté): Smoked and robust.

Chipolatas: Smaller, lighter sausages, perfect for a more delicate version.

Any high-quality pork sausage: Ideally without too many fillers or artificial flavors.

Ingredients for Saucisse Purée

Serves 4

For the sausages:

4 large pork sausages (Toulouse or similar)

1 tbsp olive oil or butter

For the purée (mashed potatoes):

1 kg floury potatoes (Yukon Gold, Russet, or Bintje)

100 g unsalted butter

200 ml warm milk (or cream for richness)

Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Pinch of nutmeg (optional)

For the sauce (optional but recommended):

2 onions, thinly sliced

1 tbsp butter

150 ml dry white wine (or red for a richer version)

150 ml chicken or beef stock

1 tsp Dijon mustard

Salt and pepper to taste

Step-by-Step Recipe for Saucisse Purée

1. Cook the Sausages

Heat olive oil or butter in a skillet over medium heat.

Add sausages and cook gently, turning occasionally, for 15–20 minutes until browned and cooked through.

Keep warm.

2. Make the Purée

Peel and cut potatoes into chunks.

Boil in salted water until tender (about 20 minutes).

Drain and mash while still hot.

Add butter and warm milk gradually, mixing until smooth and creamy.

Season with salt, pepper, and a hint of nutmeg.

3. Prepare the Sauce (Optional)

In the same pan used for sausages, add butter and sliced onions.

Cook until golden and caramelized.

Deglaze with white wine (or red), scraping the pan for flavor.

Add stock and mustard, then simmer until slightly thickened.

Season with salt and pepper.

4. Assemble the Dish

Place a generous portion of mashed potatoes on each plate.

Top with a sausage (or two).

Drizzle with onion-wine sauce.

Serving Suggestions

With vegetables: Add buttered green beans, peas, or carrots for balance.

With wine: Pair with a light red wine (Beaujolais, Côtes du Rhône) or a crisp white wine (Chardonnay).

Rustic style: Skip the sauce and serve with just mustard on the side.

Tips for the Best Saucisse Purée

Use floury potatoes—they mash better and absorb butter beautifully.

Warm the milk before adding to the potatoes to avoid a gluey texture.

Cook sausages slowly to keep them juicy and prevent splitting.

Make it richer by swapping milk for cream or adding roasted garlic to the mash.

Why Saucisse Purée is Loved in France

This dish is the very definition of comfort on a plate. It’s not flashy, but it’s deeply satisfying. The contrast between the juicy sausage, creamy mashed potatoes, and tangy onion sauce is what makes saucisse purée a go-to meal in homes and bistros alike. It’s hearty, filling, and endlessly comforting—just the way French comfort food should be.

✅ In summary: Saucisse purée is a French bistro classic that combines flavorful sausages with buttery mashed potatoes, often served with a rich onion-wine sauce. Easy to prepare yet deliciously satisfying, it’s the perfect dish for family dinners or cozy nights in.