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Nothing says comfort food quite like a bubbling dish of Cheesy Potatoes straight from the oven. This Midwest classic transforms simple hash browns into pure gold with layers of melted cheese and a rich, creamy sauce that brings families together around the dinner table.
Whether you know them as cheesy potatoes casserole, hashbrown casserole, or even funeral potatoes, this irresistible baked side dish has earned its reputation as the first to disappear at any gathering.
If you like this cheesy side dish, you’ll love my Amish Funeral Potatoes and Crock Pot Cheesy Potatoes!
Why you’ll love this Cheesy Potatoes recipe!
I have to tell you about this recipe that’s been in my mom’s handwritten recipe book for as long as I can remember. Every single holiday – and I mean EVERY one – this cheesy potato casserole shows up on our table, and honestly? It wouldn’t feel like a real celebration without it.
I’m talking about that golden, bubbly dish that makes the whole house smell like comfort and love. You know the one – some folks call it funeral potatoes, others say party potatoes, but in our family, it’s just “Mom’s potatoes,” and that’s all we need to say for everyone to know exactly what we’re talking about.
The best part? This recipe is so foolproof that even if you’re not much of a cook (no judgment here!), you’re going to nail it. Trust me on this one.
Crowd pleaser: Always a hit at holidays, potlucks, and family dinners.
Make ahead friendly: Easy to prep and bake later.
Comfort food: Creamy potatoes + melty cheese = instant favorite.
If you love this recipe, be sure to try this Barefoot Contessa mac and cheese recipe too!
Table of Contents
Cheesy Potatoes Ingredients
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
- Frozen Diced Hash Brown Potatoes – the base of the casserole; using frozen makes it quick, easy, and perfectly textured without peeling potatoes yourself.
- Cream of Chicken Soup – creates the creamy, savory sauce that ties everything together (can swap for mushroom or celery for variety).
- Sour Cream – adds tanginess and creaminess, balancing the richness of the cheese and soup.
- Shredded Cheddar Cheese – the star flavor; sharp cheddar gives that gooey, melty cheesiness everyone loves!
- Butter – makes the topping rich and golden brown while adding flavor throughout the dish.
- Cornflakes – bring crunch and texture contrast to the creamy potatoes, plus they make the casserole look irresistible on the table.
Variations
For the meat-lovers: Throw in some leftover ham or crumbled bacon – especially good for Easter brunch! I did that here with my Cheesy Ham and Potato Casserole.
Spice it up: My brother-in-law adds diced jalapeños because he puts hot sauce on everything. It’s actually pretty good!
Veggie boost: Sometimes I’ll mix in some frozen broccoli or peas. The kids don’t even notice (shh!).
Different cheeses: I’ve tried it with a mix of cheddar and monterey jack, or even some cream cheese mixed in for extra richness.
Lighter version: You can use light sour cream and soup – it’s still delicious, promise!
Gluten-free option: Just make sure your cream soup and cornflakes are certified gluten-free.
Dairy-free version: Use dairy-free sour cream and cheese alternatives – it works!
How to Make Cheesy Potatoes
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Stir together hash browns, soup, sour cream, cheese, and melted butter in bowl.
- Add potato mixture to a greased 9×13 baking dish.
- Add cornflakes to a bowl and mix in 1 stick of melted butter..
- Add the cornflakes mixture evenly to the top of the potatoes.
- Bake for 35-40 minutes until casserole is hot and bubbly.
Make Ahead + Storage
Make Ahead: Assemble up to 24 hours in advance, cover, and refrigerate until ready to bake.
Fridge: Store leftovers up to 3 days.
Freezer: Freeze unbaked casserole up to 2 months; thaw before baking.
Topping Options for Cheesy Potato Casserole
Everyone’s favorite part of this cheesy side dish isn’t the potatoes themselves but the buttery, crunchy topping! I use cornflakes, but you can use what you have on hand at home, too! Here are some alternatives:
- Ritz crackers
- French-fried onions
- Breadcrumbs or panko
- Crushed potato chips
- Cheese
- Rice Krispies
Cheesy Potatoes Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, assemble the casserole and refrigerate overnight.
Yes, freeze unbaked for up to 2 months.
They’re a common dish at funeral luncheons because they feed a crowd and bring comfort.
Sharp cheddar melts beautifully, but Colby Jack is great too.
More Easy Potato Side Dish Recipes
Side Dishes
Hashbrown Casserole
All Recipes
Crockpot Cheesy Potatoes
Easter
Scalloped Potatoes
Side Dishes
Potatoes Au Gratin
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Cheesy Potatoes
Ingredients
- 2 lb bag frozen hash browns
- 1 (10.5 ounce) can cream of chicken soup
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 stick unsalted butter – melted
- 2 cups grated cheddar cheese
- salt & pepper to taste
Topping
- 1 stick butter – melted
- 2 cups corn flakes
Instructions
- Preheat over to 375 degrees. Grease a 9×13. baking dish.
- Mix diced potatoes, cream of chicken soup, sour cream, and 1 stick of melted butter together in a large bowl.2 lb bag frozen hash browns, 1 (10.5 ounce) can cream of chicken soup, 1 cup sour cream, 1 stick unsalted butter – melted, 2 cups grated cheddar cheese, salt & pepper to taste
- Add potato mixture to a 9×13 baking dish.
- Melt 1 stick of butter and pour over cornflakes in a small bowl – mix well.1 stick butter – melted
- Add cornflakes mixture evenly to the top of the casserole2 cups corn flakes
- Bake uncovered for 35-40 minutes until casserole is hot and bubbly.
Been making this recipe for 40 years, I add sautéed chopped onions, garlic and onion powder, love the corn flakes on top.
I give it 5 stars using frozen shredded potatoes and crushed potato chips on top. The chips are buttery anyway, so you don’t need to add more butter to them. So much better than corn flakes.
Hi! I would like to make this but just for a regular small family dinner. I’m wondering what size of baking dish should I use and do I cut the recipe in half and for how long the cooking time will be? 🙂 Thank you very much.
When I’m making these for 2 to 4 people, I make the recipe as written, but divide it in half and freeze 1/2. It freezes well. Just thaw out in the fridge a day or two before you want to use it. I have different sizes of Pyrex baking dishes, so I use the smaller ones when I’m going to freeze half of it. The disposable foil pans are also convenient for freezing.
Made this for Easter. Used cream of onion soup instead of chicken and Panko bread crumbs instead of corn flakes. Turned out absolutely delicious. Received many compliments from my family. Thanks for sharing, this one’s a keeper.
I know this is supposed to be easy, but I actually offered to bring a potato dish because I had potatoes! Can I just use fresh potatoes or will that mess up the cook time?
What is the serving size?
First time making this for the Fam for Christmas, what a hit! I used Frenches Onions for topping, with the butter mix, but don’t let it sit in oven(burns) but some liked it! One question?? Cream of chicken soup… one small can or a family size? I feel like it was a dry..
thanks though!
Millers
Can this be made the night before and use the shredded has browns?
I always make mine the night before. Turns out perfect.
Made this for the first time and it was delicious. So simple and so good
It was delicious. I added 1/2 cup chopped sweet onion and next time I’m going to add chopped corned beef. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you for this recipe, I’ve searched to find the one similar, to the first time I had this! Then I decided to use Lays original potato chips & it’s been a hit ever since! I lost the recipe&yours was rite on! There’s to many with out there with all different add ONS& FINALLY FOUND YOURS! IM NOT A COOK AT ALL BUT THIS IS AS GOOD AS IT GETS! THANK U!
This has just replaced my old cheesy potato casserole recipe. Honest, everyone at Christmas was crazy about this dish! Truly, the butter in the cornflakes is brilliant and I will never make any casserole again without the butter/crunchy stuff mixture it truly does give it the extra special buttery crisp that just sets it apart. I had an abundance of ham in my house at the time so I put some diced ham in mine and used cream of chicken and herb instead of plain cream of chicken for extra flavor.
I had this casserole for the first time last week. It was very good so I had a second helping. When I asked how hard was the making of it. My friend told me how simple it was to make I told her I needed her to send me the link to the recipe and here I am.! This is a fantastic site I’m already enjoying it. I love it!
Aw, that’s wonderful to hear! Thank you for the kind words!
Frosted Flakes are also delicious on top!!
How many people would this recipe serve?
So good!! Very creamy and the corn flakes at the perfect touch.