The Best Easy Cheesy Potato Casserole Recipe

Creamy, cheesy, and golden on top, easy cheesy potatoes are a kind of side dish that disappears fast. Made with frozen diced hash browns, sour cream, cream of chicken soup, and plenty of cheddar cheese, this cheesy hash brown casserole is simple to make and always a crowd favorite.

Potato Casserole- cheesy, easy, and a shortcut tip!

You may know them as funeral potatoes, cheesy potatoes, party potatoes, or hash brown casserole. Whatever you call them, they are one of those dependable recipes that seem to fit just about any occasion.

And while I hope you never need to bring them to a funeral, bring a batch to a sick friend, they are absolutely perfect for holidays, potlucks, BBQs, family dinners, and weekend brunches.

The best part is that this recipe starts with frozen hash browns, so there is no peeling or chopping potatoes. Just mix everything together, bake until hot and bubbly, and let the oven do the work.

Why You’ll Love These Cheesy Potatoes

This is one of those recipes that gets requested often in my kitchen. It makes a large casserole, feeds a crowd, and can easily be doubled when you’re cooking for a bigger group.

A combination of creamy potatoes and melted cheddar cheese makes this casserole incredibly comforting. A little garlic and black pepper add extra flavor, while green onions add a fresh bite if you want to finish it with something colorful.

Plus, it goes with almost everything.

Serve it alongside chicken, ham, beef, or pork. It is also right at home next to burgers, hot dogs, ribs, and grilled vegetables at a summer BBQ.

And don’t forget breakfast. Serve a scoop of cheesy potatoes with fried eggs for an easy and satisfying brunch.

Shortcut That Makes This Recipe So Easy

It all starts with frozen diced hash browns.

That’s right. No peeling potatoes. No chopping. No boiling.

Just grab a bag of frozen diced potatoes and you’re ready to go.

You can thaw the potatoes first if you’d like to shorten the baking time, but you can also bake the casserole straight from frozen. If you’re in a hurry, using a larger, shallower baking dish will also help it cook more quickly.

I usually make this in a large casserole dish, but I’ve also doubled the recipe and baked it in two half-size chafing dish pans for parties and get-togethers.

Easy Ways to Change It Up

One of the things I love about this cheesy potato casserole is how flexible it is.

Add diced green onions for a little freshness. Cooked bacon is delicious mixed in, and diced jalapeños add a nice kick.

You can also turn it into a one-dish meal by adding about 2 cups of cooked diced, sliced, or shredded chicken, turkey, or ham.

Want it extra cheesy? Add more cheddar or swap in another cheese you love. Monterey Jack, mozzarella, Havarti, and pepper jack all work well.

If you like a saucier casserole, add a little more sour cream or cream of chicken soup.

You can also use shredded frozen hash browns instead of diced potatoes. Either style works, so use whichever you have on hand.

What Do You Eat With Cheesy Potatoes?

These cheesy potatoes make an easy side dish for just about any meal.

Serve them with:

• Chicken
• Ham
• Beef
• Pork
• Burgers and hot dogs
• BBQ ribs
• Grilled vegetables
• Fried eggs for breakfast or brunch

They are also hearty enough to serve as a vegetarian main dish. Add mushrooms or your favorite vegetables to make them even more substantial.

Can You Freeze Cheesy Potatoes After Baking?

Yes. I’ve frozen portions of this casserole with very good results.

Let the potatoes cool, portion them into airtight containers, and freeze. Thaw in the refrigerator, then reheat in the oven, in a skillet on the stove, or in the microwave.

Can You Use Shredded Frozen Hash Browns Instead of Cubed Potatoes?

Absolutely. This recipe is very flexible, so you can use shredded or diced frozen hash browns.

You can even use fresh potatoes if that’s what you have available. Just keep in mind that the cooking time may vary.

Make Them Ahead

These cheesy potatoes are also a great make-ahead side dish, especially when you’re cooking for a holiday or feeding a crowd.

You can assemble the casserole ahead of time, refrigerate it, and bake it when you’re ready. If the potatoes are very cold when they go into the oven, you may need to add a little extra baking time.

For a faster weeknight version, thaw the frozen potatoes first and use a larger, shallower baking dish.

A Crowd-Pleasing Potato Casserole

I’ve made these cheesy potatoes countless times, and they always seem to disappear.

I’ve made single batches for family dinners, doubled the recipe for parties, and even made four times the recipe when I needed enough to fill two half-size chafing dish pans.

That’s why this recipe has earned its place as one of my favorite holiday and party side dishes.

Call them funeral potatoes, cheesy potatoes, party potatoes, or cheesy hash brown casserole.

Whatever you call them, everyone will call them delicious!

More Potato Recipes

• Baked Potato Soup
• Potato Latkes (Potato Pancakes)
• Roasted Holiday Potatoes
• Greek No Mayo Potato Salad
• Mashed Potato Cakes
• Scalloped Potatoes
• How to Make the best Mashed Potatoes, with tip reheating and freezing