Cheesy Potato Casserole

Few dishes are as comforting and satisfying as this creamy, cheesy potato casserole. Whether you’re making it for a holiday gathering, a potluck, or just a weeknight dinner side dish, it’s always a crowd-pleaser! With layers of tender potatoes, a flavorful sauce, and a cheesy and crunchy topping, every bite is perfection!

This diced potato casserole is a classic here in Minnesota and is often served on holidays, especially Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter dinner. Some people know this family favorite as funeral potatoes as it’s a staple at funeral luncheons. The simplest versions are a mixture of diced potatoes or hash browns, cream of chicken soup, sour cream and/or butter, and some seasonings. I’ve added some extra flavor to my version, but it still has the classic feel.

My version has some extra flavor added in the form of cream of chicken soup, butter, sour cream, garlic powder, sharp cheddar cheese, and French fried onions. So it’s still going to taste like the classic easy cheesy potatoes you’re used to, but a tad extra in the best possible way. 😉 It’s a great side to mains like roasted chicken, apricot-glazed ham, or steaks. It truly goes with anything. And if you’re short on oven space, try the crockpot cheesy potatoes for a hands-off version – it’s the same recipe but made in the slow cooker.

Estimated reading time: 6 minutes

Ingredients

• Diced potatoes – Often times the prepared hash browns and potatoes are in the refrigerated section of stores near eggs and dairy. You can also use the diced hash browns with onions or vegetables. Frozen diced potatoes also work; just make sure to take them out to thaw. You can also dice your own potatoes into about 1/2-inch cubes – try Yukon gold or red potatoes for great color and flavor. If you use traditional russet potatoes, be sure to peel them first.
• Green onions – The green onions give a milder flavor than regular onions would. You could also use chives.
• Cream of chicken soup – Look for a can of cream of chicken soup (condensed), you could also use cream of mushroom soup or some people like to use cream of celery.
• Butter – Use any unsalted butter.
• Sour cream – I recommend full-fat sour cream for the best flavor but use whatever type you prefer.
• Spices – Garlic powder, sea salt, and black pepper
• Shredded cheese – I recommend sharp cheddar cheese for these cheesy hashbrowns, but you could also use any cheddar, Colby jack, or even pepper jack for a little spice.
• French fried onions – Many funeral potato recipes call for cornflakes, crushed potato chips, or ritz crackers, but I think the savory flavor of fried onions adds a boost of flavor and crunch to this potato dish.

How to Make Potato Casserole

This is an overview, the detailed instructions can be found below in the recipe card.

1. Prep ingredients. Thaw potatoes if frozen and drain off any excess liquid. Thinly slice green onions.
2. Mix wet ingredients. In a large bowl, whisk together the cream of chicken soup, melted butter, sour cream, garlic powder, sea salt, and black pepper.
3. Mix diced cheesy potatoes. Fold in potatoes, green onions, and shredded cheese and stir to combine.
4. Bake potatoes. Transfer the potato casserole mixture to a casserole dish and sprinkle the top of the casserole with fried onions. Bake covered with aluminum foil for 40 minutes and uncovered for another 10-15 minutes, or until potatoes are tender and the top is golden brown. Garnish with chopped parsley or chives if desired.

Storage

Store leftover potatoes in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.

How to reheat

Reheat the leftovers in a microwave or a 375-degree F oven until heated through.

Can you freeze cheesy potatoes?

Yes, transfer casserole to a freezer container and freeze for 2-3 months. Let it thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

Can you make cheesy potato bake ahead of time?

Yes, you can easily prep this recipe ahead. Make and assemble the potato mixture a day or two ahead and store in the fridge. Bake when ready.

More Easy Side Dish Recipes

If you like this recipe for cheesy potato casserole, you might also like some of these other side dish recipes. These are suitable for holidays or weeknight dinners!

• Haricot Verts
• Ham and Potato Au Gratin
• Spinach Salad
• Kale Salad

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