Simple, savory, and cheesy, the perfect one-dish side for any occasion.
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When it comes to side options for barbecues, holidays, or family meals there are two ingredients I think make for the perfect dishes: potatoes and cheese. Potatoes, with their starchy deliciousness, are a beloved side, everything from French fries to scalloped potatoes and even baked potatoes, the options are endless. When you take those delicious potatoes and you add cheese to the mix, it gets even better. The blend of creamy rich cheese elevates the potato. I had tried every potato side I knew about, then I went with my friends to Cracker Barrel for the first time and tried their hash brown casserole. It was so perfectly delicious that I had to find a recipe, which ultimately led to this cheesy variation. When you try it, you will see why it has become a staple of every event I need to bring a side to.
While my initial discovery of cheesy potato casserole came from Cracker Barrel it is widely speculated that the actual origin of the dish comes from Dreisbach’s Steakhouse in Grand Island, Nebraska, but there is still further discussion that the dish predates the Dreisbach menu and was a traditional Southern soul food side. Such a simple recipe will give you incredible flavors. Hearty and rich you cannot go wrong with this casserole.
Is This Cheesy Potato Casserole Healthy?
This recipe, in particular, is dairy-heavy, giving you a boost of calcium and protein but also making it high in fat content. Potatoes are high in fiber, can help you feel full longer and are rich in antioxidants and vitamins that help your body function properly. You can of course make this dish vegan by exchanging all that rich dairy with plant-based alternatives and substituting your cream of chicken soup with vegetable broth.
Can I use fresh potatoes?
This recipe calls for frozen potatoes largely for simplicity. I know I am generally an advocate for farm fresh ingredients and using fresh potatoes will definitely make a delicious cheesy potato casserole but will also take much longer to prepare. In order to get two pounds of fresh potatoes it will take a long time to shred your potatoes. By using the frozen hash browns, you are getting those two pounds pre-shredded for you to save you both time and repetitive motion irritation on your joints. So, the short answer is yes, you can use fresh potatoes, but unless it is something you are adamant about, take the simple route and go with the frozen.
INGREDIENTS
- 2 pounds frozen shredded hash browns, thawed
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 can (10.5 ounces) 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
Prepare oven and baking dish.
Combine
Mix ingredients in a bowl.
Assemble
Layer mixture in dish, top with cheese.
Bake
Cook until golden and bubbly.
Devour!
FAQs & Tips
To store your cheesy potato casserole, allow it to cool to room temperature and store in an airtight sealed 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 for 10 to 15 minutes.
While this recipe is fantastic alone, I have also tried adding chopped bacon or ham in as well and it has been a nice salty addition.
I don’t usually but I have seen this recipe made with crumbled Ritz crackers or cornflakes on top to give a nice crunch to the dish.
Serving Suggestions
You can pair this casserole with something full-bodied and spicy like this Jalapeño Popper Burger With Ranch or this Mini Meatloaf Recipe 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 put it with.
Ingredients
- 2 pounds frozen shredded hash browns thawed
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter melted
- 1 can 10.5 ounces 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 F 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 potato 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:
Recipes written and produced on Food Faith Fitness are for informational purposes only.
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