Cheesy Potato Casserole

Recipe Ingredients

With just 7 ingredients, you can make this dump-and-go hashbrown casserole recipe.

Hashbrowns: Keeping a bag of frozen shredded hash brown potatoes on hand makes it easy to whip up this casserole anytime. It’s best to thaw the whole 30-oz package in the refrigerator overnight so that the potatoes aren’t too cold when the casserole goes in the oven.

Shredded Cheddar Cheese: An 8-oz bag of shredded cheddar cheese is a great time-saver, but for even better flavor and meltability, shred your own cheese from a block of medium, sharp, or extra-sharp cheddar.

Cream of Chicken Soup: Condensed cream of chicken soup does wonders to add thickness and flavor to this simple stirred-together casserole. There’s no need to add additional water as directed on the can since this recipe benefits from the rich flavor of the condensed soup.

Sour Cream and Butter: The sour cream and melted butter pull all the other ingredients together to make the creamy, saucy texture this dish is known for.

Onions: Chopped onions add flavor and texture to this cheesy potato casserole.

Garlic Salt: This two-for-one pantry star adds garlicky flavor and seasoning all at once. If you don’t have garlic salt, use 1 teaspoon garlic powder and 2 teaspoons salt instead.

Cookware You’ll Need

Simple cookware is all that’s needed to make this cheesy potatoes recipe.

Three-Quart (13x9-Inch) Casserole Dish: Glass and ceramic are equally excellent options for this recipe. Avoid using a metal pan since it conducts heat differently and may result in burning on bottom and edges of pan.

Large Mixing Bowl: Use the largest mixing bowl you have for this recipe. This will make it easier to thoroughly mix all of the ingredients.

Other Cookware You’ll Need: A large, rounded silicone spatula, also known as a “spoonula,” lets you quickly mix the ingredients and get every little bit of the mixture into your baking dish. If you don’t have a silicone spatula, a large wooden spoon is a good alternative.

How to Make Cheesy Potatoes

This classic casserole couldn’t be easier to make! Cooks who’ve tried it appreciated the quick, fuss-free prep.

1. Mix Ingredients in Bowl

First, use a large spoon or spatula to stir together the sour cream, soup, and butter for a smooth base. Then, stir in the garlic salt, onions, potatoes, and cheese until completely combined.

2. Spoon into Baking Dish

Add the mixture to the baking dish and spread evenly, taking care to keep the sides of the dish tidy to avoid burning.

3. Bake and Let Stand

There’s no need to cover the dish—just bake until bubbly and hot in center, then let the casserole stand for a few minutes to cool slightly and set up a bit before serving.

Possible Variations

We’ve heard from your comments that you love these cheesy hash brown potatoes as much as we do, so why not try a few variations for even more ways to enjoy this classic, comforting casserole.

Add Stir-Ins and Toppings: One reviewer has a fun twist. “I take the cream of chicken and put it on the stove with a block of cream cheese to mix it all together. When it's creamy and smooth take off the stove put the hashbrowns, a bag of bacon pieces, chopped green onion and sour cream. Put it in greased baking dish and put shredded cheese on top.” We also love the idea of stirring in cooked bacon or diced ham and topping with sliced green onions or chopped fresh chives.

Slow Cook It: You can also try Slow Cooker Cheesy Casserole, with bacon, onion, and green chiles. Great for brunches and potlucks, it comes together with just 15 minutes of prep.

Make it Crunchy: Garlic Herb Cheesy Potatoes take the basic version up a notch with diced potatoes and a crunchy crouton topping.

Storing & Reheating

Leftovers are a good thing, especially with these guidelines for storing and reheating.

Refrigerator

Cover and store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator up to 4 days. 

Freezer

After years of baking cheesy casseroles, we don’t recommend freezing dairy rich dishes like this casserole. Freezing and thawing can cause the dairy components to separate, creating an undesirable texture.

Reheating

To reheat, spoon individual servings into microwavable bowls. Cover loosely and microwave, stirring once, on medium-high (70%) for about 2 minutes or until steaming. Stir again before serving.

Why Pillsbury Users Love This Recipe

With over 1700 reviews and counting, our Cheesy Potato Casserole is a hit with our community! Litolladdy said, “This recipe was a keeper from the first time I made it 10 yrs ago maybe longer. I usually end up making a large pan of these we like it that well. I even eat it cold on a hot day. My only change is I use cream of mushroom soup.”

Other commenters say it's a quick dish that doesn't require much effort, making it perfect for busy days. Cooks also love the cheesy, creamy flavor but have fun making substitutions and additions, including different types of toppings and proteins like chicken or ham. Best of all, this family-friendly dish is a favorite even for picky eaters. Easy, comforting, crowd-pleasing, this cheesy potato bake is a side dish that everyone enjoys.