The BEST Cheesy Potato Casserole
Recipe Snapshot
PREP + COOK TIME: 1 hour and 5 minutes
METHOD: Oven
OTHER TOOLS: Saucepan, whisk, non-stick spray
TOTAL INGREDIENTS: 10
This cheesy potato casserole is the BEST comfort food, and you have likely enjoyed it a time or two at potlucks and picnics. This beloved family recipe is rich, creamy, and full of cheesy goodness. Make it from scratch with a simple ingredient list and leave the canned and processed soups behind!
What’s To Love About This Recipe
- There’s so much to love about this cheesy potato casserole, but the best part is that it’s made from scratch with real ingredients. No processed cheeses here!
- You don’t even need canned soup! Easily whip up a homemade sauce that replaces condensed soup with better flavor and still remains ultra-creamy & cheesy.
- A decadent casserole is the perfect side dish for holidays, potlucks, and family dinners. Because this is bound to be delicious, it might be your new go-to recipe for sharing with others.
- This recipe replicates classic “funeral potatoes,” but it’s also easy to customize by changing up the varieties of cheese, potatoes, and add-ins.
- Doesn’t it make life easier when you can prep a recipe ahead of time? It does for me! Assemble this casserole in advance, store it in the fridge, and bake when ready.
Ingredients Needed
- Diced frozen potatoes O’Brien – This is a shortcut worth taking! Potatoes O’Brien are peeled and cubed into perfectly uniform sizes and combined with diced onions and bell peppers. You can add them to the oven straight from frozen.
- Butter – Butter is first in the lineup for your homemade cheese sauce. Melt it in the pan to create the roux that makes a thick and creamy sauce.
- All-purpose flour (or a gluten-free alternative) – Add some flour to the butter to create a roux that thickens the sauce and keeps it nice and smooth.
- Chicken broth – Broth is the best choice to enhance the flavor and richness of a homemade sauce.
- Heavy whipping cream – Heavy cream is responsible for the indulgence here!
- Seasonings – Keep it simple with a little salt, garlic powder, and pepper to bring all the flavors together and add a hint of spice.
- Shredded cheddar cheese – Cheddar cheese is the signature ingredient that melts into the luxurious sauce and makes every bite delicious. Shred your own cheese for the best results!
- French fried onions – This potato casserole has many topping variations, but my personal favorite is a thin layer of French fried onions. These add just the right amount of crunch, and the onion adds extra depth to the dish! Feel free to use a regular or gluten-free version.
How To Make Cheesy Potato Casserole
- Preheat the oven to 350 ℉.
- Spray a 6×9 casserole dish with nonstick cooking spray.
- Add potatoes evenly to the dish.
- In a saucepan, melt the butter.
- Whisk in the flour until smooth and continue to stir for 1-2 more minutes to slightly cook the flour mixture.
- Very slowly, start pouring in the chicken broth while whisking to ensure no lumps form.
- Add the cream, salt, garlic powder, and pepper and bring to a simmer while continuing to whisk for about 4-5 minutes until the mixture thickens enough to coat a spoon.
- Remove from heat and mix in the cheese until melted and smooth.
- Pour the sauce over the potatoes and stir to combine.
- Bake for 45 minutes or until heated through and bubbly.
- Remove and top with French fried onions to serve.
Pro Tips
- Bake this casserole uncovered for a nice and bubbly golden top.
- Pre-shredded cheese contains anti-caking agents that can affect texture and smoothness. I always recommend shredding your own cheese for the best melting – it really makes a difference!
- No need to thaw frozen diced potatoes; they will cook through in the oven.
- Make this recipe ahead! Prepare and assemble all ingredients up to a day in advance, cover, and refrigerate. Add 5-10 minutes to the baking time if the casserole is cold from the fridge.
Recipe Substitutions and Variations
- Change up the potato base! This recipe works with shredded, diced, or fresh potatoes. Adjust cooking time accordingly (e.g., fresh and shredded will likely cook faster than frozen or diced.)
- Add a twist on taste with different cheeses. Try Colby Jack, Monterey Jack, Gouda, or pepper Jack for variation. Or, combine 2 or more options!
- Customize the casserole with unique add-ins such as diced onions, bell peppers, cubed ham, or crumbled and cooked bacon or sausage.
- Add smoked paprika, cayenne, or a dash of hot sauce for extra flavor.
- Instead of French fried onions as a topping, try buttered panko breadcrumbs, crushed Ritz crackers, or cornflakes.
What To Serve With Cheesy Potato Casserole
Cheesy potato casserole is a staple dish for family gatherings and potluck-style meals. It works with lots of other dishes, and you could serve it for breakfast, lunch, or dinner!
Pair cheesy casserole with roasted chicken, sliced ham, or BBQ Ribs. You could also serve it with grilling favorites like Lemon Herb Grilled Chicken Drumsticks or Ribeye Steak.
Add plenty of your favorite sides for a well-rounded meal. Try roasted Brussels sprouts, green beans, or an amazing salad such as Watermelon Salad with Basil.
Storing and Reheating
For a make-ahead option, assemble the casserole as directed and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours before baking.
Store leftover casserole in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Freezing is not recommended due to texture changes in the dairy-based sauce.
Reheat in the oven at 350 ℉ for 15-20 minutes until heated through or for short intervals in the microwave, stirring in between.
The BEST Cheesy Potato Casserole
This cheesy potato casserole is the BEST comfort food, and you have likely enjoyed it a time or two at potlucks and picnics. This beloved family recipe is rich, creamy, and full of cheesy goodness. Make it from scratch with a simple ingredient list and leave the canned and processed soups behind!
Equipment
- Oven-safe casserole dish
- saucepan
- whisk
- Non-stick spray
Ingredients
- 28 oz bag diced frozen potatoes O’Brien
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour can also use a gluten-free option
- 1 ½ cups chicken broth
- 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- 8 oz shredded cheddar cheese
- 6 oz can French fried onions regular or gluten-free
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 ℉
- Spray a 6×9 casserole dish with nonstick cooking spray
- Add potatoes evenly to dish
- In a saucepan, melt butter
- Whisk in flour until smooth and continue to stir for 1-2 more minutes to slightly cook flour mixture
- Very slowly, start pouring in chicken broth while whisking to ensure no lumps form
- Add cream, salt, garlic powder, and pepper and bring to a simmer while continuing to whisk for about 4-5 minutes until mixture thickens enough to coat a spoon
- Remove from heat and mix in cheese until melted and smooth
- Pour sauce over potatoes and stir to combine
- Bake for 45 minutes or until heated through and bubbly
- Remove and top with French fried onions to serve
Notes
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Freezing is not recommended due to texture changes. Reheat at 350°F for 15-20 minutes in the oven or in short microwave intervals, stirring in between.
- Bake uncovered in the oven for a golden top.
- Shred your own cheese from the block for the best melting results!
- Frozen potatoes do not need to be thawed before cooking.
- Make ahead: Prepare and assemble as directed (minus the topping) up to a day in advance, cover, and refrigerate. Add 5-10 minutes to the baking time if the casserole is cold from the fridge.
Cheesy Potato Casserole FAQs
- Is this recipe the same as ‘Funeral Potatoes?’ Yes! This is a made-from-scratch version of the classic dish.
- Do the hashbrowns need to be thawed ahead of time? No, frozen potatoes work great. They will cook in the oven with the rest of the ingredients.
- Could this recipe be made in the slow cooker? Yes, you can make this in the slow cooker – a perfect option for hosting or keeping warm while transporting! Follow these adapted steps:
- Prepare the sauce as directed. Then, combine the sauce and frozen potatoes together in the slow cooker and stir to combine.
- Cook on low for 4-5 hours or until bubbly and tender.
- Add French fried onions to the top just before serving.
