Description
A comforting casserole with crispy edges and a creamy, cheesy center, perfect for family dinners and potlucks. This easy recipe uses pantry staples to create a crowd-pleasing dish with a golden cornflake topping.
Ingredients
- 32 oz frozen shredded hash brown potatoes
- 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 10.5 oz condensed cream of chicken soup (or cream of mushroom for vegetarian)
- 1 cup sour cream
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 1/2 cup diced onion
- 2 cups crushed cornflakes
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Thaw the frozen hash browns slightly for about 10 minutes on the counter.
- In a large bowl, combine the thawed hash browns, shredded cheddar cheese, diced onion, sour cream, cream of chicken soup, salt, pepper, and garlic powder if using. Stir gently until evenly mixed without crushing the potatoes.
- Pour the mixture into a greased 9×13 inch baking dish, spreading it out evenly.
- Melt the butter and mix it with the crushed cornflakes until the flakes are evenly coated.
- Sprinkle the buttered cornflakes evenly over the potato mixture, pressing down lightly.
- Bake uncovered for 45 to 50 minutes until the edges bubble, the top is golden brown, and a knife inserted in the center comes out hot.
- Remove from oven and let sit for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
Do not over-thaw the potatoes to avoid sogginess. Use sharp cheddar for best flavor. Crush cornflakes finely but not to powder for a crispy topping. Mix butter thoroughly with cornflakes. If topping browns too fast, tent with foil halfway through baking. Let casserole rest after baking for easier serving. For a lighter version, substitute sour cream with Greek yogurt. Add fresh chives or green onions for a fresh pop in summer. Variations include adding ham or chicken, using cream of mushroom soup for vegetarian, or gluten-free substitutions.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/8 of casserole
- Calories: 320
- Fat: 18
- Carbohydrates: 28
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 10
Keywords: funeral potatoes, casserole, comfort food, crispy potatoes, creamy potatoes, cheesy casserole, easy casserole, hash browns