Get ready to transform your dinner table with the ultimate comfort food that will have everyone begging for seconds! These Cracker Barrel-inspired Cheesy Potatoes are the magical side dish that turns an ordinary meal into an extraordinary culinary experience. Imagine creamy, cheesy hash browns with a golden crispy top that melts in your mouth - this recipe is about to become your new family favorite that's so good, you'll want to hide the leftovers for yourself!
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 1 hrs
Total Time: 1 hrs 15 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 8 servings
Ingredients
- 2 pounds of frozen hash browns
- 1 cup of sour cream
- 1 can of cream of chicken soup
- 2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup of melted butter
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Prepare a 9x13 inch baking dish by lightly greasing it with cooking spray or butter to prevent sticking.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the frozen hash browns. Allow them to thaw slightly at room temperature for easier mixing.
- Add sour cream to the hash browns, stirring gently to ensure even distribution. The sour cream will help create a creamy texture and add richness to the dish.
- Pour in the cream of chicken soup and mix thoroughly. This will help bind the ingredients and add additional flavor and creaminess.
- Sprinkle in the shredded cheddar cheese, reserving a small handful for topping. Stir to evenly distribute the cheese throughout the mixture.
- Drizzle the melted butter over the potato mixture, ensuring it coats all ingredients evenly.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste. Mix all ingredients until well combined.
- Transfer the potato mixture to the prepared baking dish, spreading it evenly with a spatula.
- Sprinkle the reserved cheese over the top of the potatoes for an extra cheesy crust.
- Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil to prevent excessive browning.
- Place in the preheated oven and bake for 45 minutes covered.
- Remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 15 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the edges are crispy.
- Remove from the oven and let the dish rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. This allows the potatoes to set and makes serving easier.
- Serve hot as a delicious side dish, garnishing with chopped fresh parsley or green onions if desired.
Tips
- For maximum flavor, let the hash browns partially thaw before mixing to ensure even distribution of ingredients.
- Use high-quality sharp cheddar cheese for a more robust flavor profile.
- Don't skip the foil cover in the first baking stage - this helps the potatoes cook evenly and stay moist.
- For extra crispiness, you can sprinkle some crushed cornflakes or breadcrumbs on top during the final 15 minutes of baking.
- Make sure to let the dish rest after baking, which helps the ingredients set and makes serving easier.
- This dish can be prepared ahead of time and refrigerated - just add an extra 10-15 minutes to the baking time if cooking from cold.
- For a lighter version, you can substitute low-fat sour cream and cream of chicken soup without sacrificing too much flavor.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 380kcal
Carbohydrates: 25g
Protein: 12g
Fat: 27g
Saturated Fat: 15g
Cholesterol: 70mg
