Name: Cheesy Potato Casserole Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 1 h
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1/4 cup butter; 4 green onions, chopped; 1 cup sour cream; 10 oz can cream of chicken soup; 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded; 6 cups frozen shredded potatoes (approximately a 26oz-28oz bag); 1/2 cup butter, melted; 3 cups corn flakes, lightly crushed

There's something irresistibly comforting about a cheesy, creamy potato bake that’s both crispy on top and meltingly soft inside. This Cheesy Potato Casserole Recipe hits all those notes with a touch of green onion freshness and a crunchy cornflake topping that makes it a real crowd-pleaser any time of year.

A close-up view of a white dish filled with a layered casserole, showing a thick bottom layer of creamy pale mixture with shredded pieces, topped with a crunchy, golden-brown layer of cornflakes. A black spoon is scooping out a portion from the side, lifting both the creamy and crispy layers. The background surface is white marbled texture. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Cheesy Potato Casserole Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Cheesy Potato Casserole Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Cheesy Potato Casserole Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I’ve made this Cheesy Potato Casserole Recipe more times than I can count, especially when hosting family dinners or potlucks. Its rich, comforting flavors and that golden crunchy top always get people asking for seconds. What’s not to love?

Perfectly Creamy and Cheesy: The combination of sour cream, cheddar, and cream of chicken soup turns these potatoes into a luscious, velvety delight that melts in your mouth.
Simple and Quick to Prepare: Using frozen shredded potatoes keeps things super easy—no peeling or grating required, saving you tons of time.
Crunchy Topping Magic: The cornflake crust isn’t just for show, it adds an addictive crispy layer that elevates this casserole from ordinary to show-stopping.
Great for Feeding a Crowd: This recipe serves about a dozen, making it ideal for big gatherings or meal prepping for the week ahead.

The image shows a close-up of a cheesy dish with two visible layers. The bottom layer is a creamy, off-white textured mixture with melted cheese, slightly gooey and smooth. The top layer is a thick, golden brown crust made of crunchy corn flakes, breaking into small clusters. A black spatula is lifting a portion of the dish, showing the contrast between the creamy inside and the crunchy outside. The background is a white marbled surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Everything in this Cheesy Potato Casserole Recipe comes together for a reason—each ingredient adds a layer of flavor or texture that makes the dish irresistible. And the best part? These staples are easy to find in most grocery stores.

Flat lay of a simple white ceramic bowl of pale yellow butter, a small white bowl of smooth white sour cream, a small white bowl of creamy light beige cream of chicken soup, a neat pile of finely shredded bright orange sharp cheddar cheese, a mound of fresh shredded white potatoes with bits of light yellow, a small white bowl filled with lightly crushed golden corn flakes, and a group of four fresh green onions with white bulbs and vibrant green stalks, all arranged in perfect symmetry on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p awthu7i m7354615311229779997

Butter: Used twice—once to sauté green onions and again melted for the topping, butter brings richness and helps those cornflakes crisp up beautifully.
Green onions: They add a subtle, fresh, slightly sharp flavor that balances the richness of cheese and sour cream.
Sour cream: This adds tang and creaminess, giving the casserole a luscious, moist texture.
Cream of chicken soup: The secret creamy base that binds everything together without being overpowering.
Sharp cheddar cheese: Offers bold flavor and meltability—go for a good quality shredded cheese for best results.
Frozen shredded potatoes: A huge time saver, these provide the perfect fluffy potato base without any fuss.
Corn flakes: Lightly crushed, they create that iconic crunchy topping that everyone loves.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

One of my favorite things about this Cheesy Potato Casserole Recipe is how easy it is to customize. Over the years, I’ve tweaked it to suit different tastes and occasions, and you can too!

Variation: I love adding a handful of cooked bacon bits or diced ham for a smoky, meaty twist—that salty richness makes the casserole even heartier.
Vegetarian option: Simply swap the cream of chicken soup for cream of mushroom, and you’re all set without losing any creaminess.
Extra veggies: Toss in some sautéed mushrooms or spinach if you want to sneak in more greens—just be mindful of moisture to prevent it from getting too soggy.
Cheese swap: Try mixing in pepper jack or gouda for a fun change in flavor that’s still melty and delicious.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Cheesy Potato Casserole Recipe

Step 1: Sauté Your Flavor Base

Start by melting ¼ cup of butter in a skillet over medium heat. Then add those chopped green onions and sauté for about 3 minutes until they’re soft and fragrant. This step releases their sweetness and sets the flavor foundation for the casserole.

Step 2: Stir in the Creamy Goodness

Next, add the sour cream and the can of cream of chicken soup to the pan. Stir gently until everything’s combined and just starts to bubble. Avoid boiling—just a gentle heat to bring all those creamy flavors together.

Step 3: Melt in the Cheese

Add in the shredded sharp cheddar cheese, stirring until it melts smoothly into the mixture. This step makes the sauce irresistibly cheesy and rich—the heart and soul of the entire dish.

Step 4: Combine With Potatoes

Remove the pan from heat and gently fold in the frozen shredded potatoes, stirring until they’re fully coated in all that cheesy sauce. Don’t worry if the potatoes release a little water—it’ll bake off in the oven.

Step 5: Prepare the Crunchy Topping

Pour the potato mixture into a lightly greased 9x13 inch casserole dish and spread it out evenly. Then, combine the crushed corn flakes with half a cup of melted butter, stirring to coat the flakes evenly. Sprinkle this mixture on top for a golden, crispy crust.

Step 6: Bake to Perfection

Bake your casserole at 350°F for 40–45 minutes until the center is hot and bubbly and the topping is beautifully golden. You’ll know it’s done when the edges start bubbling up around the sides and the cornflake crust is crisp and fragrant.

Top Tip

This recipe has become a go-to for me because of a few little tricks I picked up along the way that make a big difference for texture and flavor.

Don’t skip sautéing the green onions: This step really enhances their flavor instead of leaving them raw and sharp.
Use sharp cheddar cheese: It melts flawlessly and adds a richer, tangier flavor than mild cheeses.
Lightly crush your corn flakes: If they’re too chunky, they won’t stick as well; too fine, and they lose crunch—aim for bite-sized pieces.
Bake uncovered at 350°F: This allows the topping to crisp while the interior heats evenly without drying out.

How to Serve Cheesy Potato Casserole Recipe

cheesy potato casserole - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

For garnish, I like to sprinkle a touch of fresh chopped parsley or extra sliced green onions right before serving—it brightens the rich, creamy casserole beautifully. Sometimes a little crispy bacon crumble on top takes it over the edge!

Side Dishes

This cheesy potato casserole pairs perfectly with roasted chicken or grilled sausages for a comforting meal. A crisp green salad or sautéed green beans balances the richness nicely, making the meal feel complete and fresh.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I’ve served this in individual ramekins topped with extra herbs and a sprinkle of paprika for color. It’s also great layered in a shallow trifle dish to show off all those textures and colors, making it a centerpiece side dish.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftovers store beautifully in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. I find reheating in the oven helps maintain the crunchy topping better than the microwave, but the microwave works in a pinch.

Freezing

I usually freeze the casserole right before adding the cornflake topping—wrap tightly with plastic wrap and foil. When ready to bake, thaw overnight in the fridge, add the topping, and bake longer until bubbly and hot inside.

Reheating

Reheat leftovers in a 350°F oven for about 20 minutes, uncovered, until warmed through and the crispy topping revives. Cover loosely with foil if it seems to be browning too quickly.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use fresh potatoes instead of frozen?

Yes! You can substitute freshly shredded potatoes. Just make sure to drain and dry them well to avoid excess moisture, and reduce the baking time to about 30 minutes since fresh potatoes will cook faster.

How do I avoid a soggy casserole?

To keep your casserole from getting soggy, be sure not to skip sautéing the green onions to evaporate some moisture and lightly crush the corn flakes so they soak up any excess liquid. Also, avoid covering it during baking so the topping can crisp up.

Can I make this recipe gluten-free?

Absolutely! You can substitute the corn flakes topping with gluten-free corn flakes or crushed gluten-free crackers to keep that crunchy texture. Just double-check your cream soup label or make a homemade gluten-free cream sauce.

How long does this casserole stay good in the fridge?

Stored properly in an airtight container, this casserole should stay fresh in your fridge for about 3 days. For best texture, reheat in the oven instead of the microwave.

Final Thoughts

This Cheesy Potato Casserole Recipe is one of those dishes I keep coming back to because it’s so reliably delicious and flexible. Whether you're busy weekday night dinner-ing or planning for a crowd, this cozy casserole feels like a warm hug on a plate. Give it a go—you’ll be so glad you did.