Description
Comfort meets culinary magic in this irresistible cheesy potato casserole that promises pure creamy indulgence. Crispy edges, melted cheese, and hearty potatoes blend into a crowd-pleasing dish you’ll crave at every family gathering.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 (32 ounces / 907 grams) bag frozen shredded hash browns, thawed
- 1 small onion, finely diced
Dairy and Creamy Ingredients:
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup butter, melted
- 1 (10.5 ounces / 298 grams) can cream of chicken soup (or cream of mushroom for vegetarian)
Seasoning Ingredients:
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the oven and baking vessel by heating to 350F (175C) and thoroughly coating a 9×13-inch dish with cooking spray or butter.
- Create the potato mixture by combining frozen hash browns with cream of chicken soup, sour cream, melted butter, diced onions, shredded cheddar cheese, salt, pepper, and garlic powder in a large mixing bowl, stirring until ingredients are fully incorporated and evenly distributed.
- Transfer the potato mixture into the prepared baking dish, ensuring an even surface across the entire pan.
- Craft the crispy topping by combining crushed Ritz crackers with melted butter in a separate bowl, then generously sprinkle the buttery cracker mixture over the potato base to create a golden, crunchy layer.
- Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake uncovered for 45-50 minutes, monitoring until the top turns a rich golden brown and the interior becomes hot and bubbling.
- Remove from the oven and allow the casserole to rest for 5-10 minutes, which helps the ingredients set and makes serving easier, then slice and serve while still warm.
Notes
- Swap hash browns for cauliflower rice to create a lower-carb version that’s equally delicious and nutritious.
- Create a vegetarian-friendly option by substituting cream of chicken soup with cream of mushroom or a homemade vegetable-based cream sauce.
- Experiment with different cheese blends like sharp cheddar, Gruyère, or pepper jack to add unexpected flavor complexity and elevate the dish’s taste profile.
- Prep ingredients ahead of time and assemble the casserole the night before, then refrigerate and bake when ready to serve for maximum convenience and time-saving.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 720 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 10 g
- Cholesterol: 50 mg