If you re looking for a cozy, crowd-pleasing side dish that feels like a warm hug on a plate, this Million Dollar Potato Casserole Recipe is where it s at. I absolutely love how this turns out every time – it s creamy, cheesy, and topped with buttery Ritz crackers for a perfect crunchy finish. Whether it s a holiday feast, a potluck, or just a comforting weeknight dinner, this casserole always steals the show.
When I first tried this recipe, I was amazed at how simple ingredients come together to create something that tastes so rich and indulgent. You ll find that the combination of cream cheese, sour cream, and cheddar gives the potatoes a velvety texture without needing a ton of fuss. Plus, it reheats beautifully, so it s amazing for leftovers or making ahead.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Creamy, Comforting Flavor: The mix of cheeses and sour cream creates a luscious texture that’s pure comfort food.
- Easy to Make: Just toss your ingredients together and bake – perfect for busy days or holiday prepping.
- Crowd-Pleaser: I ve served this at many family gatherings, and it s always a hit – everyone asks for seconds!
- Make-Ahead Friendly: You can prep in advance or freeze for later, making meal planning stress-free.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These ingredients come together beautifully to make a hearty, indulgent casserole with layers of creamy and crunchy textures. Using frozen shredded hash browns saves time but still delivers great flavor and consistency.
- Frozen Shredded Hash Browns: Using frozen makes this recipe super easy and consistent; no peeling or grating required.
- Unsalted Cream of Chicken Soup: Choose unsalted to control the sodium and keep flavors balanced.
- Cream Cheese: Softened cream cheese melts into the potatoes giving that rich, velvety texture.
- Cottage Cheese: Adds a subtle tang and creamy body without heaviness.
- Sour Cream: Balances richness with a touch of tanginess that brightens the casserole.
- Onion Powder: Provides gentle allium flavor that melds well without overpowering.
- Garlic Powder: Adds warmth and depth – feel free to adjust based on your love of garlic!
- Shredded Cheddar Cheese: Sharp cheddar is my favorite here, but you can swap with Colby or Monterey Jack.
- Ritz Crackers: Crushed Ritz pack a buttery crunch on top that I dream about.
- Butter: Melted butter to mix with the crackers, ensuring a golden, crispy topping that seals the deal.
Variations
I love to switch things up depending on the season or what I have on hand. This Million Dollar Potato Casserole Recipe is flexible, so feel free to customize it and make it your own!
- Vegetarian Version: Swap the cream of chicken soup with cream of mushroom or a homemade veggie-based cream soup; I ve made this for a vegetarian crowd and no one missed the chicken flavor.
- Extra Cheesy: Add a cup of mozzarella or pepper jack for a cheesier, gooier casserole. My family went crazy for the spicy twist with pepper jack!
- Gluten-Free: Use gluten-free crackers and a gluten-free cream of chicken soup; this trick saved me when hosting a gluten-sensitive guest.
- Add Bacon: Sprinkle cooked, crumbled bacon in the mixture or on top for a smoky boost – because bacon makes everything better, right?
How to Make Million Dollar Potato Casserole Recipe
Step 1: Prep the Dish and Mix the Ingredients
Start by preheating your oven to 375ºF and lightly spraying a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray. In a large bowl, combine frozen shredded hash browns, cream cheese, cottage cheese, sour cream, cream of chicken soup, garlic powder, onion powder, and shredded cheddar cheese. I like to soften the cream cheese beforehand-microwaving it for about 20 seconds helps it blend better. Once everything is mixed evenly, pour the mixture into your prepared baking dish. The key here is to mix gently but thoroughly so every bite has that perfect cheesy, creamy goodness.
Step 2: Make the Crunchy Topping
While the casserole base is ready, crush a sleeve of Ritz crackers – I usually put them in a ziplock bag and crush with a rolling pin for even crumbs. Mix the crushed crackers with ¼ cup of melted butter until the crumbs are evenly coated. This topping is what makes this recipe feel truly special. Sprinkle it generously over the potato mixture. The butter helps the topping turn golden-brown and crispy, adding a fantastic contrast to the creamy casserole below.
Step 3: Bake Until Bubbly and Golden
Bake uncovered for 50 to 60 minutes, or until the casserole is bubbly around the edges and the cracker topping is golden and crispy. If you notice your topping browning too quickly, tent the casserole loosely with foil during the last 10 minutes of baking. This step is crucial to get that perfect balance between bubbly creaminess and crunchy topping. I always let mine rest for about 5 minutes after baking – it sets up nicely and makes it easier to serve.
Pro Tips for Making Million Dollar Potato Casserole Recipe
- Use Unsalted Soup: Controlling the salt makes a big difference – you can always add salt later, but you can t fix a salty dish.
- Softened Cream Cheese: Let the cream cheese come to room temperature or warm it just a bit for smooth blending with the other ingredients.
- Crush Crackers Evenly: Aim for small crumbs rather than super fine powder for the perfect crunchy topping texture.
- Check for Bubbling: Bake long enough until the edges are bubbly – this is the best sign your casserole is fully cooked and creamy inside.
How to Serve Million Dollar Potato Casserole Recipe
Garnishes
I often sprinkle chopped fresh chives or green onions on top for a pop of color and mild onion flavor. Sometimes a little extra shredded cheddar goes perfectly melted on the top right before serving if you want to double down on cheesiness.
Side Dishes
This casserole pairs wonderfully with roasted meats like chicken or ham, and some steamed green veggies like broccoli or green beans brighten up the plate. For holiday dinners, I love serving it alongside a fresh salad with a lemon vinaigrette to cut through all that richness.
Creative Ways to Present
For special occasions, I like serving the casserole in individual ramekins topped with an extra sprinkle of cracker crumbs for a personalized touch. It makes dinner feel a little fancy but stays easy. Another fun idea is to make smaller casserole muffins in a muffin tin for bite-sized sides at a cocktail party or potluck.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I store leftover casserole in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. When I reheat it, I cover the dish with foil in the oven to keep moisture in and prevent the topping from getting too hard. It tastes almost as good as freshly baked, which I love!
Freezing
This Million Dollar Potato Casserole Recipe freezes beautifully. I portion it into airtight containers or wrap the entire unbaked casserole tightly in foil and plastic wrap. When I m ready, I thaw it overnight in the fridge before baking, and sometimes add a few extra minutes to the baking time to ensure it s heated through.
Reheating
Reheat leftovers at 350ºF in a covered casserole dish or in individual portions covered with foil to keep the topping from drying out. I check it after 20 to 30 minutes and uncover it towards the end for a minute or two if I want to refresh that crispy top.
FAQs
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Can I use fresh potatoes instead of frozen hash browns in the Million Dollar Potato Casserole Recipe?
Yes! You can grate fresh potatoes yourself, but be sure to squeeze out as much moisture as possible to prevent the casserole from becoming watery. Frozen hash browns are convenient and provide consistent results, so that s why I usually stick with them.
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Is there a way to make this casserole dairy-free?
You could try using dairy-free cream cheese, sour cream, and cheese substitutes, along with a dairy-free cream of chicken or mushroom soup. The texture will be different, and you might want to adjust seasonings, but it s totally possible to adapt for dairy-free diets.
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How long can I make the Million Dollar Potato Casserole Recipe ahead of time?
You can assemble the casserole up to 24 hours in advance and keep it covered in the fridge before baking. Just add a few extra minutes to the baking time if it s chilled. If freezing, plan to thaw overnight before baking.
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Can I add other mix-ins like vegetables or meats?
Absolutely! I ve added cooked broccoli, cooked bacon, or sautéed mushrooms for extra flavor and texture. Just mix them in before baking and keep the overall moisture balance in mind.
Final Thoughts
This Million Dollar Potato Casserole Recipe is a staple in my recipe collection – it s one of those dishes that balances ease, comfort, and flavor just perfectly. I genuinely recommend giving it a try whether you re making dinner for your family or bringing a dish to a gathering. I promise, once you bake it up, your family and friends will be asking for your secret. And hey, you ll have one more go-to recipe that feels like a warm, cheesy hug anytime you need it.
Print
Million Dollar Potato Casserole Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 10 servings
- Category: Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Million Dollar Potato Casserole is a creamy, cheesy comfort dish featuring shredded hash browns blended with a mixture of cream cheese, sour cream, cottage cheese, and cheddar, topped with a buttery Ritz cracker crust baked to golden perfection. Perfect for family gatherings and potlucks, this casserole is both rich in flavor and simple to prepare.
Ingredients
Potato Mixture
- 1 (32-oz) bag frozen shredded hash browns
- 1 (10.5-oz) can Unsalted Cream of Chicken Soup
- 1 (8-oz) package cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup cottage cheese
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1/4 tsp onion powder
- 1/4 tsp garlic powder
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
Topping
- 1 sleeve Ritz crackers, crushed
- 1/4 cup butter, melted
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375ºF and lightly spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Mix Ingredients: In a large bowl, thoroughly combine the frozen shredded hash browns, unsalted cream of chicken soup, softened cream cheese, cottage cheese, sour cream, garlic powder, onion powder, and shredded cheddar cheese until well incorporated.
- Assemble Casserole: Pour the potato mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish, spreading it out smoothly.
- Prepare Topping: In a separate small bowl, mix the crushed Ritz crackers with melted butter until the crumbs are evenly coated.
- Add Topping: Sprinkle the buttery Ritz cracker mixture evenly over the top of the potato mixture in the baking dish to create a crunchy crust.
- Bake: Bake the casserole uncovered in the preheated oven for 50 to 60 minutes, or until the casserole is bubbly and the topping is golden brown.
Notes
- Using Unsalted Cream of Chicken Soup helps control the sodium content.
- The cream of chicken soup can be purchased in bulk on Amazon for convenience.
- If you need a gluten-free option, gluten-free cream of chicken soup is available online.
- A homemade version of cream of chicken soup can be used for a fresher taste and to control ingredients.
- The casserole can be prepared ahead of time and refrigerated or frozen for later use.
- If baking from refrigerated, you may need to add a few extra minutes to the cooking time.
- If baking from frozen, ensure the casserole is completely thawed before baking as directed.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/10 of casserole (about 200g)
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 480 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0.3 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 10 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg
