Description
Creamy cheesy potato casserole delivers comfort and warmth from classic American kitchens. Hearty layers of potatoes, cheese, and seasoned cream promise a delightful meal you’ll savor with family and friends.
Ingredients
Scale
- 30 oz (850 g) frozen diced hash brown potatoes, thawed
- 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 can (10.5 oz/298 g) cream of chicken soup
- 1 cup sour cream
- ½ cup chopped onion
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted
- 2 cups crushed cornflakes (or potato chips)
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Oven Preparation: Preheat the oven to 350F (175C) and thoroughly grease a 9×13-inch ceramic dish with cooking spray or butter to prevent sticking.
- Flavor Foundation: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together melted butter, sour cream, cream of chicken soup, diced onion, cheddar cheese, salt, and black pepper until a smooth, creamy mixture forms.
- Potato Integration: Incorporate thawed hash browns into the sauce, ensuring each potato strand is completely enveloped in the rich, savory coating for maximum flavor distribution.
- Casserole Assembly: Spread the potato mixture evenly in the prepared baking dish, creating a level surface that promises uniform cooking and optimal texture.
- Crispy Topping Creation: Combine crushed cornflakes with melted butter, then sprinkle this golden, crunchy mixture generously across the potato base to add a satisfying textural element.
- Baking and Finishing: Bake in the preheated oven for 45-50 minutes, watching for bubbling edges and a perfectly golden-brown top that indicates complete cooking and caramelization.
- Resting Phase: Allow the casserole to rest for 5-10 minutes after removing from the oven, enabling the flavors to meld and ensuring clean, elegant serving.
Notes
- Customize Potato Selection: Choose starchy potatoes like Russet or frozen hash browns for best texture and maximum creaminess, ensuring a consistent, smooth base.
- Prevent Soggy Bottom: Pat hash browns dry before mixing to eliminate excess moisture, guaranteeing a crispy, non-watery casserole that holds its shape perfectly.
- Cheese Elevation Technique: Mix different cheese varieties like sharp cheddar and gruyère for deeper, more complex flavor profiles that transform the classic dish.
- Dietary Accommodation Hack: Substitute cream of chicken soup with cream of mushroom for vegetarian options, or use gluten-free cornflakes to create a celiac-friendly version that doesn’t compromise taste or texture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 13
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 610 mg
- Fat: 19 g
- Saturated Fat: 11 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 7 g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg