Easy Cheesy Potatoes Recipe - I Heart Naptime (2024)

Easy Cheesy Potatoes Recipe - I Heart Naptime (1)

Jamielyn Nye
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This easy cheesy potatoes is going to be your new go-to side dish for the holidays. Flavorful potatoes in a cheesy sauce and topping make this the ultimate casserole!

Love potatoes? Try my funeral potatoes, cheesy scalloped potatoes and twice baked potatoes.

Easy Cheesy Potatoes Recipe - I Heart Naptime (2)

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Table of Contents

  • Easy Cheesy Potato Side Dish
  • Why This Recipe Works
  • Cheesy Potato Ingredients
  • How to Make Cheesy Potatoes
  • Expert Tips
  • Recipe FAQs
  • Freezing Instructions
  • 5 star review
  • More Delicious Potato Side Dishes
  • Cheesy Potatoes Recipe Printable Recipe

Easy Cheesy Potato Side Dish

If you’re looking for a recipe for cheesy potatoes to add to your Christmas dinner or Thanksgiving menu this year…I’ve got your back!

This is a staple Thanksgiving side dish that is always the first one gone. It tastes amazing served alongside a roasted turkey or baked hamand gets so many rave reviews.

Why This Recipe Works

  • The perfect texture. Creamy from both the sour cream and cream of chicken soup, cheesy from the cheddar cheese and crunchy from the buttery cornflake topping.
  • Easy and quick. Prepared and baked from start to finish in under an hour with minimal ingredients and effort. This is an easy, no-fail side dish!
  • Party potatoes. A potato side by many names – cheesy potato casserole, funeral potatoes or cheesy hashbrown casserole recipe.

Cheesy Potato Ingredients

With a few fridge and pantry staples, this recipe for cheesy potatoes doesn’t require any fancy ingredients!

Easy Cheesy Potatoes Recipe - I Heart Naptime (3)

Find the full printable recipe with specific measurements below.

  • Hash browns: A large bag of frozen hash browns potatoes. You can either use diced or shredded or even country style with onions and peppers.
  • Sour cream: This adds a bit of tang and contributes to the creamy texture.
  • Canned cream of chicken soup: You can also use cream of celery or cream of mushroom soup. Make a homemade cream of chicken soup if you’d prefer.
  • Butter: This is mixed in with the potatoes and the crunchy topping for some added richness.
  • Onions: I like to include some fresh chopped green onions to help boost the flavor. If you don’t have fresh onions on hand, you can mix in some onion powder instead.
  • Cheese: They wouldn’t be cheesy potatoes without the cheese! I like to grate my own sharp cheddar cheese and then stir it into the potato mixture.
  • Cornflakes: Crush them up, then sprinkle on top before baking. You could also use crushed Ritz crackers, potato chips or panko breadcrumbs as the crunchy topping.

How to Make Cheesy Potatoes

Easy Cheesy Potatoes Recipe - I Heart Naptime (4)
  • Preheat oven. Preheat oven and butter a 9×13″ baking dish. Set aside.
  • Mix ingredients together. In a large bowl, combine potatoes, green onions, sour cream, cream of chicken, salt, pepper, 1/4 cup melted butter and cheese. Stir, then spread into casserole dish.
  • Add topping. Top with extra cheese (if desired) and crushed cornflakes. Drizzle remaining melted butter on top.
  • Bake in oven. Bake for 30 to 40 minutes, or until golden brown and bubbling hot.

Expert Tips

  • Thaw. It’s important to thaw the bag of hash browns first before using. If they are still frozen, the excess water could make your cheesy potato casserole runny when baking.
  • Topping. If the cornflake topping begins to brown too fast while baking, feel free to tent the top with foil.
  • Let rest. The potatoes will need to set a bit before serving, so I would recommend letting them rest for about 5 to 10 minutes before digging in.
Easy Cheesy Potatoes Recipe - I Heart Naptime (5)

Recipe FAQs

Can I make this cheesy potato casserole with real potatoes?

Absolutely! Boiled or baked and then shredded or cubed should work well in this recipe.

Is this cheesy potato recipe gluten-free?

The dish isn’t gluten-free with the cornflakes, but you can make it gluten-free by swapping them out with a gluten-free cracker or breadcrumb.

Can I make this in my crockpot?

Yes, you can make crockpot cheesy potatoes if you’d like. Simply mix the potatoes, sour cream, cream of chicken, butter, half of the cheese and spices in the slow cooker. Cook on low for 4 to 5 hours. Then sprinkle on the remaining cheese and cook for about 10-15 more minutes until bubbly.

What to serve with cheesy potatoes?

If you haven’t tried this cheesy potato casserole recipe, it’s a must this year! We always make it for Thanksgiving with turkey or on Christmas and Easter with spiral ham, roasted vegetables, and potato rolls.

Can I make this cheesy potato recipe ahead of head time?

Yes, to make ahead prepare in a baking dish as directed, but leave off the cornflake topping. Then cover and refrigerate for 1 to 2 days. When you’re ready to bake, let the dish sit at room temperature while the oven preheats. Then sprinkle the cornflake topping over the potatoes and bake as directed.

Freezing Instructions

To freeze this potato side dish, prepare according to instructions (don’t add the cornflake topping). Pour it into a baking dish or a disposable pan for easier clean up. Cover the pan tightly, then freeze up to 2 months.

When ready to enjoy, let thaw in the fridge overnight. Add the topping just before baking, then bake as directed (it may need to bake a few minutes longer since it was frozen, so just keep an eye on it).

5 star review

“My favorite potatoes, not just for holidays, but al year long! They are always requested, because everyone loves them! They are the first thing to go every year!”

-Kristyn
Easy Cheesy Potatoes Recipe - I Heart Naptime (6)

Want more cheesy potato recipes? Try cheesy mashed potatoes, cheesy scalloped potatoes and ham, or this potatoes au gratin recipe.

More Delicious Potato Side Dishes

Browse all
  • Cheesy Mashed Potatoes
  • Savory Scalloped Sweet Potatoes
  • Potato Skins Recipe
  • Loaded Potato Salad

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Easy Cheesy Potatoes Recipe - I Heart Naptime (11)

Cheesy Potatoes Recipe

5 from 107 votes

↑ Click stars to rate now!

Author: Jamielyn Nye

This easy cheesy potatoes is going to be your new go-to side dish for the holidays. Flavorful potatoes in a cheesy sauce and topping make this the ultimate casserole!

Prep Time: 10 minutes mins

Cook Time: 30 minutes mins

Total Time: 40 minutes mins

Servings: 16

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Video

Ingredients

  • 1 (30-ounce) bag diced or shredded hash browns , thawed
  • 1 (16-ounce) container sour cream
  • 1 (10.5-ounce) can cream of chicken soup (or celery or mushroom)
  • ¼ cup melted butter
  • 1 bunch green onions (or 1/2 teaspoon onion powder)
  • 1 teaspoon Kosher salt
  • ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese , plus more if desired

Topping

  • 1-2 cups crushed cornflakes (or ritz crackers or panko crumbs)
  • ¼ cup melted butter

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F. Butter a 9×13-inch baking dish. Make sure your potatoes are mostly thawed and drain any excess water.

  • In a medium bowl, stir together potatoes, sour cream, cream of chicken, green onions (or onion powder), salt, pepper, butter, and shredded cheese until combined. Spread into the baking dish. Top with extra cheese, if desired.

  • Spread crushed cornflakes over the top. Drizzle with butter.Bake 30 to 40 minutes, or until golden brown and bubbling hot. If using cubed potatoes instead of shredded hash browns, bake 40 minutes.

  • Let rest 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy while warm!

Notes

Lighten the dish: Omit the cream of chicken soup, crushed cornflakes and extra butter on top. Also, use light sour cream and less cheese.

Make-ahead: Prepare in a baking dish as directed, but leave off the cornflake topping. Then cover and refrigerate for 1 to 2 days. When you’re ready to bake, let the dish sit at room temperature while the oven preheats. Then sprinkle the cornflake topping over the potatoes and bake as directed.

Freezing: Prepare the dish according to instructions (don’t add the cornflake topping). Pour it into a baking dish or a disposable pan for easier clean up. Cover the pan tightly, then store in the freezer for up to 2 months.

When ready to enjoy, let thaw in the fridge overnight. Add the topping just before baking, then bake as directed (it may need to bake a few minutes longer since it was frozen, so just keep an eye on it).

Nutrition

Calories: 264kcal | Carbohydrates: 25g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 16g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 44mg | Sodium: 519mg | Potassium: 236mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 773IU | Vitamin C: 8mg | Calcium: 115mg | Iron: 5mg

Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: American

Did you make this recipe? Don’t forget to give it a star rating below!

Easy Cheesy Potatoes Recipe - I Heart Naptime (12)

Categorized as: American, Christmas, Easter, Freezer-Friendly, Nut-Free, Potatoes, Reader Favorites, Side Dishes, Thanksgiving, Vegetarian

Easy Cheesy Potatoes Recipe - I Heart Naptime (13)

Jamielyn Nye is the founder and recipe creator at I Heart Naptime. She is also the author of the I Heart Naptime Cookbook. Here you will find easy family-friendly recipes for every occasion.

More about Jamielyn Nye

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Add a comment

63 comments

    • Kelly

    Can fresh potatoes be used for this recipe? I have some from my garden that I need to use up and am thinking it would be easier to dice or shred the potatoes instead of freezing them & thawing them.

    • Reply
      • I Heart Naptime Community

      Hi Kelly! Absolutely! Boiled or baked and then shredded or cubed should work well in this recipe.

      • Reply
    • Jill
    • Easy Cheesy Potatoes Recipe - I Heart Naptime (18)

    Made this for thanksgiving and it was a hot hit! I used crushed up saltine crackers turned out delicious! So I’m making them again for Christmas Day dinner!

    • Reply
    • Sandy
    • Easy Cheesy Potatoes Recipe - I Heart Naptime (19)

    I made this for my Christmas party and it was a hit. This is so good. I didn’t have cornflakes and used panko. Thank you for this recipe ♥️

    • Reply
      • I Heart Naptime Community

      I’m so glad you enjoyed the Cheesy Potatoes Sandy! The substitute of panko sounds yummy, I’m glad it worked out!

      • Reply
    • Reggie

    Should I rinse my potatoes?

    • Reply
      • I Heart Naptime Community

      No, you do not rinse the hash browns :) It’s important to thaw the bag of hash browns first before using. If they are still frozen, the excess water could make your cheesy potato casserole runny when baking.

      • Reply

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Easy Cheesy Potatoes Recipe - I Heart Naptime (2024)

FAQs

Easy Cheesy Potatoes Recipe - I Heart Naptime? ›

Soak the potatoes in water.

This is a step that grandma always did; she said it was to prevent the potatoes from browning or oxidizing. I tried it many times without the soak, and the dish always turned out dry. Turns out that grandmas trick was the perfect way to keep these potatoes moist.

Why are my scalloped potatoes dry? ›

Soak the potatoes in water.

This is a step that grandma always did; she said it was to prevent the potatoes from browning or oxidizing. I tried it many times without the soak, and the dish always turned out dry. Turns out that grandmas trick was the perfect way to keep these potatoes moist.

Can you make scalloped potatoes ahead of time and reheat? ›

Over the years, I've had lots of you ask if you can prep this recipe in advance — and the answer is yes! For make-ahead scalloped potatoes, just bake the scalloped potatoes and let them cool completely to room temperature. Then cover tightly and refrigerate for up to 3 days.

Can you reheat potato bake twice? ›

Reheating them in the oven at 400° will re-crisp the potato skin while keeping the filling inside nice and creamy still. The potatoes will take about 15 to 20 minutes to reheat again. If you're in a rush, microwaving them is fine too, though parts of the potato might turn a little tough due to uneven heating.

Why do my scalloped potatoes take so long to cook? ›

Because potatoes take a while to cook through, this dish tends to bake for an hour or more. Keeping it covered with foil for 2/3 of the cooking time will ensure that they are well on their way to doneness before exposing the top to the heat element for browning.

How do you keep potatoes from drying out? ›

To bake potatoes slowly in the oven without drying them out, try wrapping each potato in aluminum foil before placing them in the oven. This helps retain moisture during the baking process.

Can you cut potatoes the night before for scalloped potatoes? ›

If raw, once the potato is cut you can store in the refrigerator, covered with water for 12-24 hours. Be sure to keep submerged in water to prevent slices from turning gray or brown.

What is the one trick Michael Symon uses to make perfect scalloped potatoes? ›

Surprisingly, aluminum foil is his secret weapon. After beautifully shingling the potatoes (he's got a genius trick for doing this quickly, too) he covers the dish in foil before hitting the oven.

Why did my scalloped potatoes turn black? ›

Almost always there are two reasons the potatoes turned black... exposure to air or oxygen and black spot bruising.

How long are cheesy potatoes good for? ›

That's why this Slow-Cooker Cheesy Potato Breakfast Casserole makes it so easy to turn a side dish into an anytime meal. For a step-by-step look at How to Make Cheesy Potato Casserole, check out our video. Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator up to 4 days.

How long to reheat potatoes in oven at 350? ›

The Best Way to Reheat a Baked Potato

The skin crisps up beautifully, and the interior gets hot and fluffy. Plus, you can reheat a whole rack of baked potatoes in one go. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Place potato on a baking sheet or directly on the oven rack, and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until heated through.

How to keep cheesy potatoes hot? ›

To keep cooked potatoes warm, place them in a covered pot or casserole dish and then put the dish in a preheated oven set to 200°F (93°C). This will help to maintain the temperature of the potatoes and prevent them from drying out.

Can you reheat a baked potato from the refrigerator? ›

Remove baked potato from the refrigerator, slice in half lengthwise, and let come to room temperature. Add a small amount of olive oil to a skillet over medium heat. Place the potato cut side down on the skillet, and let it warm up. Put the lid on to steam the potato and help it warm all the way through.

Can you bake a potato and eat it the next day? ›

If you baked the potatoes, let cool before sealing up in the plastic tubs, then refrigerated they should be fine.

How long does it take to reheat potato bake? ›

Cover and store in fridge. To reheat, preheat oven to 170°C. Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes or until heated through.

Why do my potatoes come out dry? ›

If a potato is undercooked, it can be dense and unappetizing, while an overcooked potato can become dry and mealy. A meat thermometer can help you avoid either scenario. To ensure your potato is fully cooked, insert the thermometer into its thickest part, and wait for the reading to stabilize.

Why won't my scalloped potatoes get soft but? ›

Potatoes or rice can remain rock-hard after prolonged cooking. Starch will not swell if it is acidic. If you have a lot of sour cream in your scalloped potatoes or add something acidic, your potatoes may not soften. You can cook the potatoes with heavy cream or milk and then, after they soften, stir in sour cream.

How do you remove moisture from potatoes? ›

What's the best way to expel water? The most common method is to wrap the shredded potatoes in a kitchen towel, then squeeze to release as much liquid as you can.

How do you keep scalloped potatoes from being watery? ›

To thicken scalloped potatoes, keep cooking the sauce a minute or so longer than directed before adding the cheese. This will create a rich, extra-thick sauce. You can also use whole or 2% milk in place of the fat-free milk. You can try out these sauce thickening tips, too!

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