Cheesy Potato Casserole

A creamy, comforting side dish made with tender potatoes, a rich sauce, melted cheddar cheese, and a crispy golden cornflake topping. Perfect for family dinners, holiday gatherings, or potlucks.

Equipment

• 9 x 13-inch baking dish
• Large mixing bowl
• Small bowl
• Spatula

Ingredients

• 2 pounds frozen diced hash brown potatoes, thawed
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 can (10.5 ounces) condensed cream of chicken soup
• 1 cup sour cream
• ½ cup whole milk
• ½ small yellow onion, finely diced
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• 1 cup crushed cornflakes
• 2 tablespoons melted butter

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9 × 13-inch baking dish with butter or nonstick cooking spray.
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the condensed cream of chicken soup, sour cream, milk, melted butter, diced onion, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Stir until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
3. Add the thawed hash brown potatoes and 1½ cups of shredded cheddar cheese to the bowl. Gently stir until all the potatoes are evenly coated with the creamy mixture.
4. Pour the potato mixture into the prepared baking dish. Spread it evenly using a spatula, then sprinkle the remaining ½ cup of cheddar cheese over the top.
5. In a small bowl, combine the crushed cornflakes with 2 tablespoons of melted butter. Mix until the cornflakes are lightly coated. Sprinkle the mixture evenly over the casserole.
6. Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake uncovered for 45–55 minutes. The casserole is ready when the potatoes are tender, the cheese is melted, and the top is golden brown and crispy. If the topping starts browning too quickly, loosely cover the dish with foil.
7. Remove the casserole from the oven and let it rest for about 5–10 minutes before serving.

Notes

Thaw hash browns and drain well to prevent excess moisture. Use freshly shredded cheese for smoother melting. Taste the creamy mixture before adding potatoes to adjust seasoning. If the cornflakes brown too quickly, cover loosely with foil. Variations include adding bacon, broccoli, or different cheeses.