Description
This Creamy Cheesy Potato Bake is pure comfort in a dish, a rich and savory casserole that’s wonderfully creamy on the inside with a delightful crunchy topping. It’s the perfect side dish to elevate any meal, or even become the star of the show.
Ingredients
1 package (30 oz) frozen shredded hash browns, thawed
2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
1 container (16 oz) sour cream
1 can (10.5 oz) condensed cream of chicken soup
1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
1 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
2 cups cornflakes cereal, crushed
2 tbsp butter, melted (for topping)
Instructions
Warm your oven to 350F (175C) and prepare a 9×13-inch baking dish by greasing it.
In a generous mixing bowl, blend together the 1/2 cup of melted butter, sour cream, condensed cream of chicken soup, finely diced onion, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper until smooth.
Gently fold in the shredded cheddar cheese and the thawed hash brown potatoes, ensuring they are fully coated.
Transfer the potato mixture into your prepared baking dish, spreading it out evenly.
In a separate small bowl, combine the crushed cornflakes with 2 tablespoons of melted butter.
Sprinkle this buttery cornflake topping uniformly over the casserole.
Bake the casserole uncovered for approximately 45-50 minutes, or until it turns a lovely golden brown and the edges begin to bubble.
Allow the casserole to rest for 10 minutes before serving to let it set.
Notes
Ensure your hash browns are completely thawed before mixing. This allows them to cook evenly and absorb the creamy sauce beautifully, preventing any icy pockets and ensuring a wonderfully tender result.
For a more uniform golden-brown topping, you can rotate your baking dish halfway through the baking time.
The casserole is ready when the center is bubbling and the edges are a rich golden brown. A knife inserted into the center should come out hot.
While this recipe bakes uncovered, if you notice the cornflake topping browning too quickly before the casserole is heated through, you can loosely tent the dish with foil for the last 10-15 minutes of baking.
A light greasing of your baking dish is sufficient. You don’t need to go overboard, as the casserole itself contains plenty of richness.
That 10-minute rest after baking is not just a suggestion; it truly makes a difference in the final texture and how well the casserole holds together when served.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45-50 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Calories: N/A
- Fat: N/A
- Carbohydrates: N/A
- Protein: N/A