Cheesy Potato Casserole Recipe
There’s just something utterly irresistible about a bubbling Cheesy Potato Casserole, fresh from the oven, with its golden, crisp topping and gooey, creamy core. Whether you call them party potatoes, hash brown casserole, or the comfort food hero at every potluck, this Midwest classic wins hearts everywhere it goes. You get forkfuls of soft potatoes drenched in a tangy, cheesy sauce, with pops of green onion and the savory warmth of garlic, all finished with a crispy, buttery crown. It’s simple, scrumptious, and practically guaranteed to disappear faster than you can say “seconds”—trust me, this Cheesy Potato Casserole is your new go-to for any occasion.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of Cheesy Potato Casserole lies in its straightforward ingredients. Every component matters: butter and sour cream add richness, potatoes bring comfort and heartiness, cheddar cheese melts into irresistible gooeyness, and a crispy topping brings finishing flair.
- Russet potatoes or frozen hash browns: Peeled and diced russets provide classic texture, but thawed frozen hash browns make this dish fast and foolproof.
- Unsalted butter: Adds luscious richness throughout, keeping the potatoes moist and flavorful.
- Cream of chicken soup: Provides a creamy, savory backbone to the casserole; swap for cream of mushroom for a vegetarian version.
- Sour cream: Its tang keeps all that cheesy richness in check, making each bite bright and craveable.
- Cheddar cheese: Use a bold, sharp cheddar for extra flavor—you’ll use some in the casserole and some as a final melty topper.
- Garlic powder: A touch of this gives savory depth with zero effort.
- Salt and black pepper: Just the right amount delivers well-balanced seasoning so every bite sings.
- Green onions: These bring pops of freshness, color, and a gentle bite.
- Cornflakes or breadcrumbs: Optional, but entirely worth it for an ultra-crunchy, golden topping.
- Additional melted butter for topping: Toss this with your chosen topping to achieve maximum crispiness and flavor.
How to Make Cheesy Potato Casserole
Step 1: Preheat and Prep
Kick things off by heating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and giving your favorite 9×13-inch baking dish a quick greasing. This helps the casserole slide out smoothly and keeps all those creamy bits from sticking to the pan.
Step 2: Mix Up the Magic
In a large mixing bowl, combine your potatoes (or thawed hash browns), melted butter, creamy soup, sour cream, 1½ cups of cheddar, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and green onions. Stir everything together until well coated—the mixture should look unapologetically rich and speckled with green from the onions.
Step 3: Assemble the Casserole
Spread the delightful potato mixture evenly in your prepared dish. You’ll want to press it gently into the corners, making sure every bite gets a good share of the cheesy, creamy goodness.
Step 4: Crunchy Topping (Optional but Recommended!)
If you’re going for the classic crunchy topper, mix your crushed cornflakes or breadcrumbs with 2 tablespoons of melted butter. Sprinkle liberally over the casserole to create a textured layer that’ll bake up golden and irresistible.
Step 5: Bake to Perfection
Slide your casserole into the oven and bake uncovered for 45 to 50 minutes. You’re looking for those potatoes to become tender and for the mixture to bubble enthusiastically around the edges—a sure sign it’s headed for legendary status.
Step 6: Final Cheesy Finish
Pull out the dish and quickly sprinkle the remaining ½ cup cheddar cheese over the top. Return it to the oven for the last 5 minutes, just until the cheddar melts into a glorious, gooey cap. Serve hot while it’s at peak ooze!
How to Serve Cheesy Potato Casserole
Garnishes
A finishing sprinkle of fresh chopped chives or parsley adds a welcome dash of color and freshness to your Cheesy Potato Casserole. For a festive twist, scatter extra sliced green onions or even a pinch of smoked paprika right before serving.
Side Dishes
This dish absolutely shines alongside classic ham, roast chicken, or any hearty main as a decadent side. Pair it with a crisp green salad or roasted veggies to balance out all that glorious comfort—your plate will look (and taste) like a holiday spread any day of the week!
Creative Ways to Present
For brunch events or potlucks, bake the Cheesy Potato Casserole in individual ramekins for personal servings. You can also use a cast iron skillet for a rustic, beautifully golden presentation. Try layering in cooked bacon bits or diced peppers before baking for fun flavor twists.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover Cheesy Potato Casserole holds up beautifully in the fridge for up to four days. Store it tightly covered, either in the baking dish with foil or transferred into an airtight container—the flavors just deepen overnight, making leftovers lunchbox gold!
Freezing
Want to get ahead? Assemble the casserole (without the crunchy topping) and freeze it tightly wrapped for up to three months. Thaw overnight in the fridge, add the topping and bake as directed for a freezer-friendly feast that tastes just as fresh.
Reheating
To enjoy leftovers, bake covered at 350°F until warmed through (about 20 minutes), then uncover briefly to re-crisp the topping. For single servings, a quick zap in the microwave works too, but a few minutes under the broiler will revive that golden crunch.
FAQs
Can I make Cheesy Potato Casserole vegetarian?
Absolutely! Just substitute cream of mushroom soup for cream of chicken, and you’ve got a hearty vegetarian option that loses none of its trademark comfort or flavor.
Is it possible to use other cheese blends?
Mixing in a bit of Monterey Jack, pepper jack, or even mozzarella can lend a new flavor profile and great melt. Don’t be afraid to play around, just keep the cheddar foundation for that signature Cheesy Potato Casserole goodness.
Can I use fresh potatoes instead of frozen hash browns?
Yes! Just peel, dice, and parboil your potatoes until just tender before mixing them into the casserole. This ensures they finish cooking all the way through and stay creamy, not crunchy.
How do I prevent a soggy topping?
For maximum crunch, only add the cornflake or breadcrumb topping right before baking. If reheating, a few minutes uncovered in the oven helps restore that crispy texture.
Is this Cheesy Potato Casserole gluten free?
It’s easy to adapt: use gluten-free cream soup and substitute with gluten-free breadcrumbs or crushed GF crackers for the topping—voila, gluten-free comfort in every bite!
Final Thoughts
There’s no dish quite like Cheesy Potato Casserole for drawing people together and conjuring up smiles and second helpings. It’s simple, crowd-pleasing, and endlessly adaptable—a true comfort classic everyone should have up their sleeve. Don’t be surprised if your version becomes the most requested recipe in your circle!
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Cheesy Potato Casserole Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in the creamy, cheesy goodness of this Cheesy Potato Casserole. A comforting side dish that’s perfect for gatherings or weeknight dinners.
Ingredients
Potato Mixture:
- 2 pounds russet potatoes, peeled and diced (or 1 package frozen diced hash browns, thawed)
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 can (10.5 ounces) cream of chicken soup
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 and 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 cup chopped green onions
Topping (Optional):
- 1 cup crushed cornflakes or breadcrumbs
- 2 tablespoons melted butter
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Mix the ingredients: In a large bowl, combine potatoes, melted butter, cream of chicken soup, sour cream, 1 and 1/2 cups cheddar cheese, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and green onions. Mix well.
- Transfer to baking dish: Spread the mixture in the baking dish.
- Add topping: If using, combine crushed cornflakes or breadcrumbs with melted butter and sprinkle over the top.
- Bake: Bake uncovered for 45–50 minutes until bubbly and potatoes are tender. Sprinkle remaining 1/2 cup cheddar cheese on top during the last 5 minutes of baking.
- Serve: Serve hot and enjoy!
Notes
- For a vegetarian version, use cream of mushroom soup instead of cream of chicken.
- This casserole can be assembled ahead and refrigerated for up to 24 hours before baking.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 610 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 11 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 32 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 9 g
- Cholesterol: 50 mg
