Simple, savory, and cheesy, this is the perfect one-dish side for any occasion.
When it comes to side dishes for barbecues, holidays, or family meals, there are two ingredients that come to mind as the perfect foundation for so many recipes: potatoes and cheese. Potatoes, with their starchy deliciousness, are the star ingredient in so many beloved sides — everything from French fries to scalloped potatoes to baked potatoes. The options are nearly endless.
If you take those delicious potatoes and add cheese to the mix, it gets even better. I thought I had tried just about every potato side dish out there, but then I went with my friends to Cracker Barrel for the first time and tried the chain’s hash brown casserole. It was so perfectly delicious that I had to find a similar recipe, which ultimately led to this cheesy variation. When you try it, you will see why it has become my go-to for every event I need to bring a side to.
Is This Cheesy Potato Casserole Healthy?
This recipe is pure soul food. It’s heavy on dairy products, including butter, sour cream, and cheddar cheese. While that will give you a dose of calcium and protein, it also makes this dish high in fat and calories. Frozen hash browns and condensed cream of chicken soup can also be quite high in sodium, depending on what brand you buy at the store. While you can lighten this dish up a bit with low-fat sour cream, and you may be able to find a low-fat cheddar, it’s still a dish that’s best enjoyed in moderation.
Using Frozen Hash Browns Instead Of Fresh
This recipe calls for frozen hash browns instead of fresh-made largely for simplicity. I am generally an advocate for farm-fresh ingredients, and using fresh potatoes will definitely make a delicious cheesy potato casserole — but it will also take much longer to prepare. By using the frozen hash browns, you are getting those 2 pounds of potatoes pre-shredded, which will save you both time and strain on your hands. So, in short, you can use fresh potato hash browns if you really want to, but unless it is something you are adamant about, take the simple route and go with frozen.
How To Make Ahead and Store
To store your cheesy potato casserole, allow it to cool to room temperature and keep it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. You can also freeze your dish for 3 months; just be sure to thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating in the oven at 350 degrees F for 10 to 15 minutes.
Serving Suggestions
You can pair this casserole with something full-bodied and spicy like this Jalapeño Popper Burger With Ranch or this Mini Meatloaf With Spicy Pineapple BBQ Sauce. I also like to pair this with a brunch or breakfast item like Cornbread Waffles With Pulled Pork And Maple Apple Chutney. No matter what you pair it with, this side dish will heighten any meal you serve it with.
Ingredients
- 2 pounds frozen shredded hash browns thawed
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter melted
- 1 10.5-ounce can condensed cream of chicken soup
- 2 cups sour cream
- 1/2 cup onion finely chopped
- 2 cups cheddar cheese shredded
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- In a large bowl, mix together the thawed hash browns, melted butter, cream of chicken soup, sour cream, chopped onion, 1 1/2 cups of the shredded cheddar cheese, and black pepper until well combined.
- Transfer the hash brown mixture to the prepared baking dish, spreading it out evenly.
- Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of shredded cheddar cheese over the top of the casserole.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes, or until the casserole is hot and bubbly and the cheese is golden brown.
- Allow the casserole to cool for a few minutes before serving.
Nutrition Info:
Nutrition information are estimates only and may vary based on the specific brands, ingredients, and portion sizes you use. This data is provided for informational purposes only.
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