Shredded hash browns bake golden in creamy cheddar-sour cream sauce topped with crispy cornflakes and melted butter—1-hour crowd-pleaser feeds 12 under $15, ultimate funeral potatoes, holiday side dish mastery.
Introduction
Easy Cheesy Potato Casserole delivers ultimate comfort: frozen hash browns thaw creamy in condensed soup, sour cream tang, cheddar melt while cornflake crunch crowns golden perfection. No peeling, no boiling—dump bake potluck legend.
One-bowl assembly genius: mix, top, oven golden. Perfect church suppers, Christmas buffets, game day spreads. Make-ahead freezes beautifully. Scales effortlessly crowds.
What Makes Cheesy Potato Casserole Special
Frozen shredded hash browns even cooking no mush. Condensed cream chicken soup instant thickener. Sour cream acidity cuts richness. Extra sharp cheddar melts stretchy. Cornflakes butter-toasted shatter crisp. Green onions/pimentos color pop.
High-low bake tenderizes core, crisps top. Every spoonful potato creaminess, cheese pull, flake crunch.
Texture perfection: creamy center, golden crust.
Essential Ingredients
Cheesy Potato Base
- 2 lbs frozen shredded hash browns (thawed)
- 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar
- 1 (10.5 oz) can cream of chicken soup
- 2 cups sour cream
- ½ cup melted butter (base)
- 1 small onion, finely diced
- ¼ cup chopped green onions
- 2 oz jar pimentos, drained (optional)
Golden Crunch Topping
- 2 cups cornflakes, crushed
- ¼ cup melted butter (topping)
- Paprika sprinkle
Step-by-Step Instructions
Creamy Base Magic
Large bowl: thawed hash browns, cheddar (save ½ cup), soup, sour cream, ½ cup melted butter, onion, green onions, pimentos. Fold gentle even coat—no mashing.
Casserole Assembly
9×13 greased: potato mixture smooth even. Cornflakes crush bowl, ¼ cup butter toss coated. Sprinkle uniform top. Paprika dust color.
Golden Bake
350°F 45-55 minutes bubbly golden edges. Cheese melts, cornflakes crisp. Broil 2 minutes extra crunch careful burn.
Rest Serve
Cool 10 minutes set slices cleanly. Garnish extra green onions.
Pro Tips for Success
Thaw hash browns fridge overnight drain liquid.
Extra sharp cheddar flavor > mild melt.
Cornflakes fresh crunch—rice krispies sub.
Cream chicken + mushroom half-half flavor.
Make-ahead: assemble freeze, thaw bake.
Double pan crowds—feeds 24 easy.
Serving Suggestions
Holiday ham companion.
Easter ham glaze side.
Potluck star: green beans, rolls.
Breakfast casserole: sausage add-ins.
Game day: sliders, wings.
Funeral potatoes tradition.
Variations and Customizations
Hash brown patties chopped variety.
Cream bacon soup smoky.
Jalapeños spicy kick.
Ham cubes protein breakfast.
Bacon crumbles mix-in.
Vegan: vegan cheese/sour cream.
Gluten-free: gf cornflakes.
Why Perfect for Potlucks
15 minutes active—oven does work.
Feeds 12 generously; $12-15 deli half.
Transports foil pan perfect.
Reheats microwave crispy oven.
Freezer 3 months double wrap.
Cheese aromas crowd magnet.
Scales parties effortlessly.
Conclusion
Easy Cheesy Potato Casserole proves potluck brilliance needs freezer staples: hash browns + cheddar + cornflake crunch bake 1-hour golden yielding crowd-pleasing comfort effortlessly under $15. Creamy core + shatter top delivers funeral potato perfection.
Cheese pull + flake contrast ensures universal love consistently scaling suppers or holidays. Casserole magic elevates instant. Assemble tonight—discover cheesy potatoes redefine side dish mastery.
