Easy Cheesy Potatoes Recipe: Golden Comfort in Every Bite

Comfort meets culinary magic in these seriously easy cheesy potatoes that promise to become your new favorite side dish.

Every kitchen needs a go-to recipe for creamy, golden-brown potato perfection.

Crispy edges and melted cheese create an irresistible combination that makes taste buds dance with joy.

Simple ingredients come together in a way that feels like a warm hug on a plate.

Weeknight dinners or weekend gatherings will never be the same once you master this crowd-pleasing potato masterpiece.

Cheese lovers and potato enthusiasts, your ultimate side dish has arrived, prepare to be amazed by how something so simple can taste so incredible.

FAQs

• Can I use frozen hash browns for this recipe?

Yes, frozen hash browns work perfectly. Just make sure to thaw them completely and pat dry to prevent excess moisture.

• Is there a substitute for cream of chicken soup if I'm vegetarian?

You can replace it with cream of mushroom soup or a homemade white sauce made with vegetable broth for a vegetarian-friendly version.

• How can I make the cornflake topping extra crispy?

For an extra crunch, add a little grated parmesan cheese to the cornflake mixture or toast the cornflakes lightly in a pan before mixing with melted butter.

• Can I prepare this dish ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can assemble the casserole up to a day in advance and refrigerate. Just add an extra 10-15 minutes to the baking time when cooking directly from the refrigerator.

Cheesy Potatoes That Are Simple And Comforting

• Quick Comfort Meal: Whips up a satisfying side dish with minimal kitchen skills needed.
• Family-Friendly Favorite: Delivers cheesy, crispy goodness that kids and adults will devour without complaints.
• Crowd-Pleasing Potential: Perfect for potlucks, holiday gatherings, and weeknight dinners with its irresistible combination of creamy potatoes and crunchy cornflake topping.
• Minimal Prep Magic: Requires just 10 minutes of hands-on time, making it a lifesaver for busy home cooks who want delicious results without spending hours in the kitchen.

What You Put In Cheesy Potatoes

• Frozen Hash Browns: Convenient base for the casserole, provides a hearty potato texture and saves time on preparation.

• Sour Cream, Cheddar Cheese: Adds rich, creamy flavor and tangy sharpness to the dish. Choose full-fat versions for best taste and melting quality.

• Cream of Chicken Soup: Creates a smooth, creamy sauce that helps bind ingredients together. Look for low-sodium options if watching salt intake.
• Salt and Pepper: Essential for enhancing overall flavor profile. Adjust according to personal taste preferences.

• Unsalted Butter: Provides richness and helps create a golden, crispy top. Melting allows even distribution throughout the dish.

Cheesy Potatoes Simple Method

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Fire up your oven to a cozy 350°F, getting it ready for some potato magic.

Step 2: Mix the Potato Goodness

• Frozen hash browns
• Cream of chicken soup
• Sour cream
• Melted butter
• Grated cheddar cheese

Give everything a hearty stir and sprinkle in some salt and pepper to make the flavors pop.

Step 3: Prepare the Baking Dish

Grease up your baking dish and lovingly pour in the potato mixture, spreading it out evenly.

Step 4: Create the Crunchy Topping

• Melted butter
• Crushed cornflakes

Mix until the cornflakes are perfectly coated and glistening.

Step 5: Add the Crispy Layer

Generously scatter the buttery cornflake mixture across the top of the potato base, ensuring every inch gets some crunch.

Step 6: Bake to Perfection

Slide the dish into the waiting oven and let it bake for 45 minutes.

You’ll know it’s done when the top turns a gorgeous golden brown and the potatoes are tender and bubbling.

Step 7: Cool and Serve

Pull the dish out of the oven and let it rest for a few minutes.

This helps the flavors settle and makes serving easier.

Enjoy your creamy, crunchy potato delight!

Pro Tips for Easy Cheesy Potatoes

• Crush cornflakes finely for an extra crunchy and golden-brown layer that adds delightful texture to your potato dish.
• Experiment with different cheese varieties like Gruyère, pepper jack, or a blend to create unique flavor profiles.
• Substitute low-fat sour cream and reduced-sodium cream of chicken soup for a healthier version without sacrificing taste.
• Cover the dish with foil for the first 30 minutes of baking to keep the potatoes moist and prevent excessive browning.
• Add diced onions, chopped bell peppers, or green onions to increase nutritional value and add extra flavor complexity.

Reheat Easy Cheesy Potatoes With Full Flavor

• Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Cool the dish completely before sealing to prevent moisture buildup.
• Wrap tightly in freezer-safe plastic wrap or container. Freeze for maximum 2 months. Label with the date for easy tracking.
• Warm at 350°F for 15-20 minutes. Cover with foil to prevent drying out and maintain crispy cornflake topping.
• Heat in short 30-second intervals, stirring between each to distribute warmth evenly. Add a splash of milk to restore moisture if needed.

Pairing Thoughts for Easy Cheesy Potatoes

• Pair Hearty Meat Dishes: Complement the rich, cheesy potatoes with grilled ribeye steak or roasted herb-crusted chicken for a satisfying main course.
• Create Crisp Wine Contrast: Select a crisp Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio to cut through the creamy texture and balance the dish's richness.
• Refresh with Side Salad: Toss a light green salad with tangy vinaigrette to provide a refreshing contrast to the dense, cheesy potato casserole.
• Enhance with Herbal Garnish: Sprinkle fresh chives or parsley on top to add brightness and a subtle herbal note that lifts the overall flavor profile.

Easy Cheesy Potatoes Swaps

• Vegan Veggie Blast: Replace hash browns with cauliflower, use dairy-free cheese alternatives, swap cream of chicken soup with cashew cream, and top with crushed gluten-free corn chips.
• Low-Carb Cauliflower Swap: Substitute hash browns with riced cauliflower, use Greek yogurt instead of sour cream, and sprinkle almond flour crumbs for the crunchy topping.
• Gluten-Free Potato Paradise: Use gluten-free cornflakes, replace cream of chicken soup with homemade vegetable broth, and ensure all ingredients are certified gluten-free.
• Protein Power Boost: Mix in diced cooked chicken or crumbled bacon, add nutritional yeast for extra flavor, and incorporate quinoa flakes into the topping for added protein.

Easy Cheesy Potatoes Recipe

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4.5 from 8 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Delightful Cheesy Potatoes bring comfort and cheesy goodness to your dinner table. Creamy potato layers meld with rich cheese, creating a simple yet irresistible side dish you’ll crave at every meal.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 2 lb (907 g) frozen hash browns
• 2 cups (226 g) grated cheddar cheese
• 1 stick (113 g) unsalted butter, melted

Supporting Ingredients:

• 1 10.5 ounces (298 g) can of cream of chicken soup
• 1 cup (227 g) sour cream

Seasoning:

• Salt to taste
• Pepper to taste

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Instructions

1. Thoroughly mix thawed hash browns with creamy binding agents, creating a rich, velvety potato base seasoned with salt and pepper.
2. Fold grated cheddar cheese into the potato mixture, ensuring even distribution of tangy, melted cheese throughout.
3. Grease a baking dish and carefully spread the potato mixture, creating an even layer for consistent cooking.
4. Crush cornflakes and combine with melted butter to create a crispy, golden topping that will provide delightful texture contrast.
5. Evenly sprinkle the buttery cornflake crumbs across the potato surface, covering the entire dish for uniform crunchiness.
6. Position the prepared dish in a preheated oven, maintaining a steady 350°F temperature to ensure thorough heating and achieving a perfectly golden-brown crust.
7. Monitor the casserole for 45 minutes, watching for a crisp, amber-colored topping and ensuring potatoes are tender and fully cooked.
8. Allow the dish to rest for a few minutes after removing from the oven, which helps the ingredients settle and makes serving easier.

Notes

• Choose frozen hash browns with minimal added ingredients for a cleaner flavor profile.
• Consider using low-sodium cream of chicken soup to control salt content for health-conscious eaters.
• Swap cornflakes with gluten-free alternatives like crushed rice cereal to make the dish celiac-friendly.
• For a vegetarian version, replace cream of chicken soup with cream of mushroom soup for similar creamy texture.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 45 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 335
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 19 g
• Saturated Fat: 11 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 9 g
• Cholesterol: 42 mg