Ultimate Cheesy Baked Potato Casserole: The Perfect Comfort Food Side Dish
Indulge in the comforting embrace of this cheesy baked potato casserole – a delightful side dish perfect for entertaining guests, bringing to potlucks, or simply enjoying on a busy weeknight. It’s a comforting, delicious, and universally loved family favorite that brings joy to any meal.
There’s an undeniable magic to cheesy potatoes, a classic dish that graces countless family tables, especially during the festive holiday season. The irresistible combination of gooey, melted cheese intertwined with tender potatoes has a way of winning over everyone, from the pickiest eaters to the most discerning food critics. In my family, this casserole has become an essential accompaniment, particularly when served alongside a savory main course like Tangerine Glazed Ham.
Oddly enough, cheesy potato casserole wasn’t a part of my childhood culinary traditions. It wasn’t until I met my husband and experienced his mother’s rendition of this comforting dish that it firmly cemented its place in our family’s meal rotation. Now, it’s an eagerly anticipated staple we prepare every year, a tradition that has spread to the wider family, with everyone looking forward to its decadent flavors.
The Irresistible Appeal of Cheesy Potato Casserole
What makes a cheesy potato casserole so incredibly popular? It’s the harmonious blend of textures and flavors. Creamy, tender potatoes enveloped in a rich, velvety cheese sauce, often with a delightful crispy topping, create a symphony for the taste buds. This dish isn’t just food; it’s a feeling – a warm hug on a plate that evokes memories of family gatherings, shared laughter, and pure indulgence. It’s robust enough to satisfy hungry crowds yet simple enough to prepare without excessive fuss, making it a star player for various occasions.
Easy Cheesy Potato Casserole with a Shortcut
This particular baked potato casserole recipe embraces convenience without sacrificing flavor, thanks to a little help from the frozen food aisle. Using frozen hash browns makes preparation a breeze, cutting down on chopping time and ensuring uniformly sized potato pieces. While you can certainly dice your own fresh potatoes if you prefer, I find the precut frozen option ideal for consistent texture and saving precious time, especially when cooking for a crowd or on a busy weeknight. If oven space is a concern, remember you can also try a Crockpot Hashbrown Casserole version of this beloved dish.
Frozen Hash Browns: Diced vs. Shredded
My mother-in-law traditionally prepares her cheesy potato casserole with shredded hash browns, which yield a wonderfully soft and integrated texture. For this recipe, however, I opted for diced potatoes. They offer a slightly different, chunkier texture and tend to hold their shape a little better during the baking process, providing a more distinct potato bite within the creamy sauce. Both styles are incredibly delicious and work exceptionally well, so feel free to choose based on your personal preference or what you have on hand.
What You’ll Need for Your Perfect Casserole
Gathering your ingredients is the first step to creating this delectable side dish. The beauty of this recipe lies in its relatively simple list of staple items that come together to create something truly extraordinary:
- Frozen Hash Browns: The convenient base for our casserole. Thaw them slightly before mixing to ensure even distribution of ingredients.
- Butter: Essential for richness and flavor, divided for both the potato mixture and the crispy topping.
- Sour Cream: Adds a tangy creaminess and helps bind the ingredients together, contributing to the casserole’s luxurious texture.
- Cream of Chicken Soup: A classic casserole ingredient that provides depth of flavor and a smooth, cohesive sauce.
- Onion: Finely chopped, it adds a subtle sweetness and aromatic depth to the dish.
- Garlic Salt: A powerful flavor enhancer, combining garlic and salt for an irresistible savory note.
- Black Pepper: Freshly ground black pepper adds a hint of spice and balances the rich flavors.
- Cheddar Cheese: The star of the show! Shredded cheddar cheese melts beautifully, creating that signature gooey, cheesy goodness.
- Cornflakes: Crushed cornflakes form a fantastic crispy topping, adding a delightful textural contrast.
How To Make Baked Potato Casserole: Step-by-Step
Creating this irresistible cheesy potato casserole is surprisingly straightforward, involving just a few simple steps. Here’s how you’ll bring this comforting dish to life:
- Prepare Your Baking Dish: Begin by preheating your oven to 350ºF (175ºC). Lightly coat a 13×9-inch baking dish with a non-stick cooking spray to prevent sticking and ensure easy cleanup. Set it aside for later.
- Combine the Base Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine your thawed frozen hash browns, 1/2 cup of the melted butter, sour cream, cream of chicken soup, shredded cheddar cheese, finely chopped onion, garlic salt, and black pepper. Use a sturdy spatula or spoon to mix all the ingredients thoroughly until they are well combined and the potatoes are evenly coated with the creamy, cheesy mixture.
- Transfer to Baking Dish: Carefully pour the entire potato mixture into your prepared 13×9-inch baking dish. Spread it evenly to ensure uniform baking and browning.
- Add the Crispy Topping: Generously sprinkle the crushed cornflakes over the top of the potato mixture. This layer will become wonderfully golden and crispy as it bakes. Drizzle the remaining 1/4 cup of melted butter evenly over the cornflakes, which will help them crisp up and add extra flavor.
- Bake to Golden Perfection: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 40-45 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when the casserole is hot and bubbly around the edges, and the cornflake topping is beautifully golden brown and crisp.
Customizing Your Crispy Topping
While cornflakes provide a classic and satisfying crunch, the topping is entirely optional and incredibly versatile! It adds just that extra layer of texture and a touch of savory flavor. Feel free to get creative with alternatives like crushed potato chips for a salty kick, Ritz crackers for a buttery crispness, or even panko breadcrumbs for a lighter, flaky topping. Use whatever you have in your pantry and what you enjoy most to give your casserole that perfect salty crunch.
Can I Make Baked Potato Casserole Ahead of Time?
Absolutely! This is one of the many reasons why cheesy potato casserole is such a fantastic dish, especially for entertaining or busy periods. It’s incredibly convenient to assemble ahead of time. You can mix all the base ingredients – the hash browns, butter, sour cream, soup, cheese, onion, and seasonings – and transfer them to your baking dish. Cover the dish tightly with plastic wrap or foil and store it in the refrigerator for up to 2 days before you plan to bake it. For the best crispy topping, it’s always recommended to add the crushed cornflakes and the final drizzle of butter just before placing the casserole into the oven. This prevents the topping from becoming soggy.
Can You Freeze Baked Potato Casserole?
Yes, you certainly can! This casserole is a freezer-friendly dream, making it ideal for meal prep or for saving leftovers. Once your baked potato casserole has completely cooled to room temperature, you can transfer it to an airtight container or wrap it securely in foil and then plastic wrap. It will keep well in the freezer for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to enjoy it, simply let it thaw overnight in the refrigerator. For reheating, I suggest baking it at a slightly lower temperature, around 325ºF (160ºC), until heated through and bubbly. This gentler heat helps to maintain the smooth consistency of the sour cream and cream soup, preventing them from separating.
Serving Suggestions for Your Cheesy Casserole
This cheesy baked potato casserole is a versatile side dish that pairs beautifully with a wide array of main courses. It’s the ultimate complement to holiday roasts like turkey or ham, adding a rich, savory counterpoint. For weeknight dinners, it’s fantastic alongside roasted chicken, grilled pork chops, or even a simple steak. Don’t limit it to just dinners; it can also make a comforting brunch side or be a star at a casual potluck. Garnish with fresh chopped chives or green onions for a touch of freshness and color.
Frequently Asked Questions About Baked Potato Casserole
Can I use fresh potatoes instead of frozen?
Yes, you can! If using fresh potatoes, peel and dice about 2-3 pounds of russet or Yukon Gold potatoes into 1/2-inch cubes. You’ll need to par-boil them for about 5-7 minutes until slightly tender but still firm, then drain them well and let them cool before mixing with the other ingredients. This extra step ensures they cook through evenly in the casserole.
What kind of cheese is best for cheesy potato casserole?
Cheddar cheese is a classic choice for its sharp flavor and excellent melting properties. However, you can experiment with other cheeses like Monterey Jack for a milder, creamier melt, Colby for a slightly sweet and mild taste, or even a blend of cheeses for more complex flavor. For an extra rich casserole, some people even add a block of cream cheese to the mixture!
My casserole seems too dry, what can I do?
If your casserole seems a bit dry, you might need a little more liquid or fat. Ensure your hash browns are thoroughly thawed and drained to avoid excess moisture, but if it’s still dry after mixing, you can add a splash of milk or a bit more sour cream to the mixture before baking. Covering the casserole loosely with foil for the first part of baking can also help retain moisture.
More Delicious Side Dish Recipes to Explore
If you’re looking for more incredible sides to complete your meal, be sure to check out these other delicious recipes:
- Scalloped Potatoes
- Slow Cooker Caramelized Onions
- Easy Homemade Gravy
- Roasted Asparagus
- Au Gratin Potatoes
- Green Bean Casserole
- Cheesecake Factory Brown Bread
Baked Potato Casserole
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Ingredients
- 1 bag, 2 pounds frozen southern style hash browns, thawed
- 3/4 cup melted butter, divided
- 1 pint sour cream
- 1 can cream of chicken soup
- 1 cup finely chopped onion
- 1 teaspoon garlic salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 cups Cheddar cheese, shredded
- 2 cups cornflakes, crushed
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 350º F. Coat a 13×9 inch baking dish with non-stick spray. Set aside.
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In a large bowl mix together hashbrowns, 1/2 cup butter, sour cream, cream of chicken soup, cheddar cheese, onion, garlic salt and black pepper. Mix until everything is well combined.
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Pour into prepared baking dish.
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Sprinkle the cornflakes over the potatoes. Drizzle with the remaining 1/4 cup of butter.
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Bake for 40-45 minutes until hot and bubbly.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Additional Info
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