Easy Cheesy Potatoes Recipe

Irresistibly Creamy Easy Cheesy Potatoes Recipe

Comfort comes alive with these mouthwatering easy cheesy potatoes that transform ordinary side dishes into creamy culinary magic.

Crispy edges promise a delightful crunch in every single bite.

Potato lovers will adore this simple yet spectacular combination of melted cheese and tender spuds.

Minimal ingredients mean maximum flavor without complicated kitchen gymnastics.

Simple seasoning and smart technique guarantee a crowd-pleasing dish everyone adores.

Seriously delicious results await you with just a few quick steps.

Grab a fork and get ready to become the dinner hero tonight!

Easy Cheesy Potatoes That Make Everyone Smile

  • Transform Weeknight Dinners: This simple side dish elevates everyday meals, making regular suppers feel special without complicated techniques or hard-to-find ingredients.
  • Crowd-Pleasing Potential: Perfect for family gatherings, potlucks, and holiday tables where everyone craves delicious, crowd-friendly fare that appeals to kids and adults alike.
  • Customize with Ease: Flexible recipe allows quick ingredient swaps or additions like bacon bits, green onions, or different cheese types to match personal taste preferences.

Ingredients For The Creamiest Cheesy Potatoes

Main Ingredients:
  • Hash Browns: Shredded potatoes that create the base of this creamy and comforting casserole.
  • Cheddar Cheese: Sharp cheese that adds rich, tangy flavor and melty goodness to the dish.
Dairy and Creamy Components:
  • Sour Cream, Cream of Chicken Soup, Butter: These ingredients provide moisture, creaminess, and depth of flavor to the potato mixture.
Topping and Seasoning:
  • Corn Flakes, Salt, Pepper: Corn flakes add a crispy, crunchy texture to the top of the casserole, while salt and pepper enhance the overall taste.

How To Bake Cheesy Potatoes With Ease

How To Bake Cheesy Potatoes With Ease

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Fire up your oven to a cozy 350°F (175°C) and get ready for some serious comfort food magic.

Step 2: Create the Potato Mixture

Grab a large mixing bowl and toss in these delightful ingredients:
  • Frozen hash browns
  • Cream of chicken soup
  • Sour cream
  • Melted butter
  • Grated cheddar cheese

Stir everything together until it’s perfectly blended and looking irresistibly creamy.

Step 3: Season with Flavor

Sprinkle in salt and pepper to give your casserole that perfect taste punch.

Step 4: Prepare the Baking Dish

Grease up your baking dish and spread the potato mixture evenly, creating a smooth, tempting layer.

Step 5: Craft the Crunchy Topping

In a separate bowl, mix melted butter with corn flakes until they’re nicely coated and ready to add some crunch.

Step 6: Add the Crispy Topping

Sprinkle the buttery corn flake mixture over the potato base, creating a golden, crispy crown.

Step 7: Bake to Perfection

Slide the dish into the preheated oven and bake for 45 minutes.

Watch for a gorgeous golden-brown top and bubbling edges that scream “delicious!”

Step 8: Let It Rest and Serve

Allow the casserole to cool slightly, then dive in and enjoy your creamy, cheesy potato masterpiece.

Tips For Golden Cheesy Potatoes Every Time

  • Add a pinch of garlic powder or dried herbs like thyme to enhance the overall taste profile of the dish.
  • Crush corn flakes slightly before mixing with melted butter to create an extra crunchy and more evenly distributed topping.
  • Substitute cream of chicken soup with cream of mushroom and use dairy-free cheese alternatives for a lactose-free version.
  • Assemble the casserole a day in advance and refrigerate, then bake when ready to serve for maximum convenience.
  • Let the hash browns thaw completely before mixing to prevent excess moisture and ensure a perfectly creamy consistency.

Fun Mix-Ins For Cheesy Potato Bakes

  • Gluten-Free Version: Replace cream of chicken soup with gluten-free cream soup and use crushed gluten-free rice cereal instead of corn flakes for the topping.
  • Vegetarian Adaptation: Swap cream of chicken soup for cream of mushroom soup and add diced bell peppers for extra nutrition and flavor.
  • Low-Sodium Option: Use low-sodium cream soup, reduce added salt, and replace regular cheese with a reduced-sodium cheddar cheese alternative.
  • Dairy-Free Alternative: Substitute sour cream with coconut cream, use dairy-free margarine, and select a non-dairy cheese substitute like nutritional yeast or vegan cheese shreds.

Serve Cheesy Potatoes At Any Gathering

  • Potluck Party Perfection: Bring this crowd-pleasing side dish to family gatherings or neighborhood potlucks where everyone craves comfort food.
  • Protein Pairing Powerhouse: Serve alongside grilled chicken, roasted pork tenderloin, or juicy steak for a complete and satisfying meal that'll make taste buds dance.
  • Brunch Brilliance: Add this cheesy potato casserole to your weekend breakfast spread with scrambled eggs, bacon, and fresh fruit for a hearty morning feast that'll fuel everyone's day.
  • Game Day Goodness: Offer as a delicious side during sports watch parties or tailgate events where people want something warm, filling, and irresistibly cheesy.

Store Cheesy Potatoes For Weeknight Meals

  • Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Cool completely before sealing to prevent moisture buildup.
  • Transfer to a freezer-safe dish, wrap tightly with plastic wrap and aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 3 months. Label with date and contents.
  • Thaw overnight in refrigerator. Preheat oven to 350F, cover with foil to prevent drying, bake 20-25 minutes until heated through. Remove foil last 5 minutes for crispy top.
  • Place portion on microwave-safe plate, cover with damp paper towel. Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each, until warm and cheese melts.

FAQs

  • Can I use frozen hash browns for this recipe?

Yes, thawed frozen hash browns work perfectly and save time chopping fresh potatoes.

  • Is it possible to make this dish ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can prepare the casserole, cover it, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking.

  • What can I substitute for corn flakes if I don't have them?

Crushed potato chips, breadcrumbs, or crushed crackers make great alternative toppings for crunch.

  • How can I make this recipe vegetarian?

Replace cream of chicken soup with cream of mushroom soup to create a vegetarian-friendly version of the dish.

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Easy Cheesy Potatoes Recipe

Easy Cheesy Potatoes Recipe


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4.8 from 16 reviews

  • Total Time: 1 hour
  • Yield: 8 1x

Description

Irresistible Cheesy Potatoes shine with creamy, golden comfort that melts hearts faster than cheese melts in a hot skillet. Potato lovers will discover pure comfort in each cheesy, crispy bite, making this classic side dish a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 2 pounds frozen hash browns
  • 2 cups grated cheddar cheese
  • 1 cup sour cream

Side Ingredients:

  • 1 (10.5 ounces) can cream of chicken soup
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper

Topping Ingredients:

  • 2 sticks (1 cup) unsalted butter, melted
  • 2 cups corn flakes

Instructions

  1. Thoroughly blend frozen hash browns with cream of chicken soup, sour cream, melted butter, and grated cheddar cheese in a spacious mixing container until ingredients are uniformly incorporated.
  2. Enhance the mixture with appropriate salt and pepper seasoning, ensuring balanced flavor profile.
  3. Transfer the creamy potato blend into a generously greased baking vessel, distributing the mixture evenly across the surface.
  4. Create a crispy topping by combining melted butter with crushed corn flakes, thoroughly coating the corn flakes for maximum crunch.
  5. Carefully scatter the buttery corn flake mixture across the potato layer, ensuring complete and consistent coverage.
  6. Position the prepared casserole in a preheated oven at 350F (175C), allowing it to bake for approximately 45 minutes until the surface transforms into a rich golden-brown hue and the interior begins to bubble energetically.
  7. Remove from oven and permit the casserole to rest for several minutes, allowing the ingredients to settle and cool slightly before serving.

Notes

  • Swap cream of chicken soup with cream of mushroom or vegetable broth for a vegetarian twist that keeps the creamy texture intact.
  • Crush cornflakes extra fine for an ultra-crispy golden topping that adds delightful crunch to every bite.
  • Use frozen hash browns directly from the bag to save time, but thaw and pat dry first to prevent excess moisture and ensure a perfectly crisp result.
  • Experiment with different cheese blends like sharp cheddar, gruyère, or pepper jack to elevate the flavor profile and make the dish more exciting.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 45 minutes
  • Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 8
  • Calories: 438
  • Sugar: 3 g
  • Sodium: 650 mg
  • Fat: 32 g
  • Saturated Fat: 19 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
  • Trans Fat: 0.5 g
  • Carbohydrates: 24 g
  • Fiber: 2 g
  • Protein: 13 g
  • Cholesterol: 75 mg
Natalie Brooks

Natalie Brooks

Co-Founder & Content Strategist

Expertise

  • Vegan and plant-based recipe creation
  • Meal planning and nutritional analysis
  • Storytelling through blog content, video, and social media

Education

eCornell

  • Program: Plant-Based Nutrition Certificate
  • Focus: Whole-food, plant-based cooking, with a foundation in nutritional science and sustainable eating habits.

Natalie brings the vibrant, plant-powered side to Culinary Duo. After earning her Plant-Based Nutrition Certificate from eCornell, she combined her love for fresh ingredients with a passion for storytelling, aiming to make healthy cooking simple and satisfying.
Her kitchen motto: good food doesn’t need a fancy label, it just needs fresh ideas and a little creativity. Outside of writing and recipe testing, Natalie’s happiest in her garden, exploring farmers’ markets, or mixing global flavors into new kitchen experiments.

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