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Are you ready to try the BEST, yes I said it the BEST, side dish recipe? I have to limit making this Cheesy Potato Casserole to holiday time, or when guests are over because I could eat up the entire thing!
Potatoes covered with cheese and melted butter, yep it’s so good! Plus this recipe can easily be made in the slow cooker. Just Check out my recipe for Slow Cooker Cheesy Potato Casserole.
The BEST Side Dish:
My mom has been making this cheesy potato casserole for as long as I can remember. We make it every Thanksgiving and Christmas. The entire family loves it!
It’s my favorite side dish at both holidays, heck I could probably skip the turkey, and just eat a plate of this!
You may think I’m overreacting with this, but I promise I’m not. Just try it for yourself!
The best part is this recipe is so easy to make and can be easily made ahead of time and baked when you are ready to serve.
Ingredient Notes:
This casserole is a classic and made with simple items found in any store.
- Southern Style Hash Brown Potatoes Frozen: You can use any frozen hash brown style potato but I prefer the southern style for this recipe. You could also make homemade, but the cooking time would vary if they were not frozen.
- Onions: For this recipe, I only use a few onions but they make a big difference.
- Sour Cream: I used a regular sour cream for this recipe.
- Cream of Chicken Soup: For this recipe, I use 10.5 oz of soup which is the standard size 1 can.
- Butter: Melt your butter to mix with your potatoes.
- Salt: I use just a teaspoon of salt but you can add more to taste.
- Cheddar Cheese: The best part, the cheese. I used shredded cheese and added 2 cups inside the casserole and used the rest on top.
How to make Cheesy Potato Casserole:
Step one: Start by preheating your oven and then preparing a 9×13 casserole dish with nonstick cooking spray.
Step two: In a large mixing bowl place frozen hash browns and minced onions and mix.
Step three: Add sour cream, cream of chicken soup, melted butter, salt, and 2 cups shredded cheese. Mix well
Step four: Place your mixed ingredients into your prepared casserole dish and top with 1/2 cup remaining shredded cheese.
Step five: Bake for 40-45 minutes uncovered until casserole is bubbly and warm throughout. Remove from oven and serve.
Make Ahead Instructions:
Refrigerating Instructions: To save you some time on a busy cooking day try mixing this the day before.
Prepare everything but instead of baking top your casserole with foil and place it in the refrigerated for up to two days.
Remove from the fridge and remove foil and bake according to directions.
Freezing Instructions: Mix your casserole according to directions in a freezer-safe casserole dish.
Cover with plastic wrap then foil and freeze up to 3 months.
Tips for a great casserole:
- Use the right casserole dish: The casserole dish you choose will have a big impact on how your casserole cooks. A shallow casserole dish will result in a crispier or crunchier top. A deep dish will result in a creamier or in this case cheesier casserole.
- When using frozen ingredients do not allow them to thaw too much in preparation. Thawing too much before hand could make your casserole soupy. Yes, using frozen potatoes will release more water or liquid into the casserole, but the cook time should offset that.
- Allow your casserole to set before serving. Plan to allow your casserole to set for about 15 minutes for serving. This will allow any liquid to set and cool down.
Try out some of my other favorite casserole recipes:
Rotisserie Chicken Casserole – This Rotisserie Chicken Casserole is the perfect quick dinner recipe. Made with a juicy rotisserie chicken and topped with buttery Ritz crackers, everyone will love this casserole!
Tater Tot Casserole – This Tater Tot Casserole is one of the best casseroles you will ever make. Hearty and cheesy this casserole is going to be a favorite for many dinners to come!
Sloppy Joe Casserole – A childhood favorite done a new way! This Sloppy Joe Casserole is a family favorite you are going to want to try. My entire family cleaned their plates for this one!
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Cheesy Potato Casserole
Ingredients
- 2 pounds southern Style Hash Brown Potatoes, (frozen)
- 2 tablespoons minced onions, (frozen)
- 2 cups sour cream
- 10.5 oz cream of chicken soup
- 1/2 stick butter, (melted)
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 2 1/2 cups Shredded Cheddar Cheese, (divided by 2 cups and a 1/2 cups)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. Prepare a 9×13 casserole dish with nonstick cooking spray.
- In a large mixing bowl place frozen hash browns and minced onions and mix.
- Add sour cream, cream of chicken soup, melted butter, salt, and 2 cups shredded cheese. Mix well
- Place your mixed ingridents into a 9X13 casserole dish and top with 1/2 cup remaining shredded cheese.
- Bake at 350 for 40-45 minutes.
If I double this is the cooking time the same?
You will need to add some cooking time when doubled. I suggest you cook it to the normal time and then test the middle by putting a butter knife into the middle and see if it comes out warm or cold. Then add meow time as needed.
Do you use mild or sharp cheddar cheese?
You can use whichever type you enjoy the most. We like sharp.
Can this be baked from frozen? Or do you recommend thawing first and then baking?
You can bake from frozen, just watch the time as you may need to add more. Or let it thaw and then bake as the original directions say.
Delicious!
We’ve had a lot of these potatoes. We call them funeral potatoes. Over the years I’ve played around with the recipe and have come up with our yummy favorite. Everything is basically the same except I sauté the onions in butter, add some sour cream to the soup, and sprinkle the top with smoked paprika. If I want to make it the main course, I add chopped up ham. Those little extras are fabulous!
Can you used dried minced onion?
Yes, that would be fine.
Do the minced onions have to be frozen? I don’t think I’ve seen frozen minced onions
No you don’t have to use frozen but I would use a little less fresh since the flavor will be stronger.
Can this be made in a slow cooker? If so, low or high? How long?
Yes! I have a full recipe and instructions for it here, https://www.thediaryofarealhousewife.com/easy-slow-cooker-cheesy-potato-casserole/
Hope you enjoy it!
Hi. Can I use uncooked/not frozen potatoes cut up? Or does it have to be frozen
I have not yet tried this with uncooked potatoes and the taste would be very different. You could dice and boil potatoes then gently mix the ingredients and bake.