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Cheesy Potatoes are a Midwest classic made with hash browns, cheese, and a creamy sauce. Whether you call them cheesy potatoes, hashbrown casserole, or even funeral potatoes, this baked side dish is always the first to disappear.
If you like cheesy hash brown potatoes, you’ll love my Amish Funeral Potatoes and Crock Pot Cheesy Potatoes!
Why you’ll love this family favorite recipe!
This recipe holds a very special place in my heart AND on our plates every holiday. My mom always used to make this cheesy potatoes with hash browns casserole every Easter and Christmas, and now it’s one of those recipes my kids ask for every holiday. It’s the kind of side dish that tastes like family memories and I am sure you’re going to love it!
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.
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
Cream Soup Swap: Try cream of mushroom or celery soup.
Cheese Options: Use Colby Jack, Pepper Jack, or Monterey Jack for different flavors.
Topping Ideas: Crushed Ritz crackers or even potato chips.
Meat Add-In: Add cooked ham or bacon for a full meal version. Try my Cheesy Ham and Potatoes Casserole version – it’s delish!
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 FAQs
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.
Video
Notes
- Do not thaw the diced hash browns potatoes: Using them frozen helps keep the casserole from getting watery and gives the perfect creamy texture.
- Grate your own cheese: Pre-shredded cheese has anti-caking agents that keep it from melting as smoothly—freshly grated cheddar will give you the creamiest sauce.
Yum!! So delicious and love the crunch that the topping adds. This recipe is so versatile and you could easily add some veggies to it as well.
These were delicious and so so easy
To make !
Very easy and a big hit with my family
Could u use this recipe but for baked Mac n cheese? Subing potatoes with macaroni?
This recipe is trash. 2 pounds frozen potatoes to 1 cup of sour cream and 1 can of cream of chicken. Bro do you realize how much 2lbs is. This made a huge mess not to mention it doesn’t even all fit in a 9×13 dish. WAY TOO MUCH POTATOES
Hi! Just a few comments. You don’t mention if it’s salted or unsalted butter. You also don’t mention the size of cream of chicken soup. Thought that would be helpful!
Thank you, Kay! We updated the recipe card. We hope you enjoyed it!
That’s a couple of things.Sorry couldn’t help it.
Delicious and super easy to make. Made a day ahead, minus the corn flakes, and it turned out great!!!
We’re so happy to hear it, Heather! Did you add the cornflakes the next day?
Love this recipe!
I to prep multiple batches (without baking) and freeze for a big gathering im hosting in a couple weeks. Do you recommend leaving off the cornflakes until thawed and right before baking?
I dont want to put them on prior to freezing and have them turn soggy when thawed. What do you recommend?
We’re so glad you enjoy it, Paige! Yes, we recommend leaving off the cornflakes until baking. This will keep them crisp!
Do you let your potatoes slightly thaw before adding the rest of the ingredients?
If they’re clumped together, you might need to. Otherwise, you can mix it all up right away!
We’d love to know how it turns out for you!
Can this be made in the crockpot?
We recommend making these crockpot cheesy potatoes instead!
Can these be made in roaster? Temp and how long would you recommend if so.
Skip any onions mentioned. Instead use 2 tablespoons of dried minced onion. THAT is what brings this whole recipe to be not only good but fantastic. Try it!
Thanks for the feedback, Frances!
These are the best!!!! I have a granddaughter who doesn’t eat much here but when I made these…OMG she loved them and asked me if I would make them every time she comes!! Delicious!
My family hates the texture of onions so I sub french onion dip for the sour cream and onions. I make this for every bbq, its a favorite of our family.
I recommend that you thaw out the hashbrowns before hand. After a hour it was still cold inside
Yes, thaw hash browns! I always make these for family get togethers and there are never any leftovers. sometimes substitute French onion dip, or chive dip for the sour cream. Toss in some leftover ham and you have a main meal. It’s a win-win with this recipe.
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?