Description
A creamy, spicy potato casserole with a crispy fried onion and panko topping, perfect as a comforting side dish or crowd-pleaser for gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 pounds frozen shredded potatoes, thawed and drained
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup sour cream
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/3 cup pickled jalapeños, chopped
- 1/4 cup diced green onions
- 4 tbsp butter, divided
- 1 packet (or 1 tbsp) ranch seasoning mix
- 1 1/2 cups crispy fried onions
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter or nonstick spray.
- Thoroughly dry the thawed shredded potatoes using towels to remove excess moisture.
- In a large bowl, beat softened cream cheese and sour cream together until smooth and silky.
- Stir in ranch seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
- Fold in 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, chopped pickled jalapeños, and diced green onions.
- Gently fold in the drained shredded potatoes, being careful not to overmix.
- Spread the mixture evenly in the prepared baking dish and smooth the top.
- In a small bowl, combine crispy fried onions, panko breadcrumbs, and melted butter (2 tbsp). Mix until evenly coated.
- Sprinkle the crispy topping evenly over the potato mixture.
- Bake uncovered for 35-40 minutes until the topping is golden brown and crispy and the edges are bubbly. Tent with foil if topping browns too quickly.
- Let the casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
Dry potatoes thoroughly to avoid sogginess. Use softened cream cheese for smooth texture. Fold gently to retain potato texture. Tent with foil if topping browns too fast. Can assemble a day ahead and refrigerate; add 10-15 minutes to baking time if baking cold. Broil 1-2 minutes at end for extra crispiness if desired. Use gluten-free panko or crushed cornflakes for gluten-free version. Plant-based cream cheese and sour cream can be used for dairy-free/vegan adaptation.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 1 cup (240 g)
- Calories: 350
- Fat: 22
- Carbohydrates: 30
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 10
Keywords: jalapeño popper, funeral potatoes, creamy casserole, crispy topping, comfort food, side dish, potluck recipe