Million Dollar Potato Casserole Recipe

If you ve been searching for that perfect side dish to truly wow your family or guests, this Million Dollar Potato Casserole Recipe is going to be your new go-to. I absolutely love how creamy, cheesy, and comforting it turns out every single time. It s the kind of dish that s great for holiday dinners, potlucks, or any time you want to bring a little extra delight to the table.

When I first tried this recipe, I was hooked instantly – the combination of sour cream, cream cheese, and a buttery cracker topping makes it feel luxurious yet homey. You ll find that it s easy enough for weeknight cooking but also impressive enough to serve at your next special meal. Trust me, once you make this Million Dollar Potato Casserole Recipe, it ll become a staple in your recipe collection.

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Ingredients You’ll Need

The magic behind this Million Dollar Potato Casserole Recipe comes from using quality cheeses and that classic crunchy cracker topping. Choosing good sour cream and a flavorful cheddar will really level up the taste, so don t skimp here!

• Cooking spray: To ensure your casserole comes out cleanly without sticking to the pan.
• Frozen diced hash brown potatoes: Thaw them fully for the best texture; these form the hearty base of your casserole.
• Cream cheese: Softened cream cheese adds that silky richness everyone loves.
• Sour cream: Brings tanginess and creaminess to balance the flavors perfectly.
• Whole-milk ricotta cheese: Gives a lovely mild creaminess without overpowering the dish.
• Cream of chicken soup: Acts as a convenient binder and adds a subtle savory depth.
• Kosher salt: Enhances all the flavors without being too harsh.
• Garlic powder: A gentle garlic kick without any chopping required.
• Onion powder: Adds warmth and complexity.
• Shredded Cheddar cheese: Make sure it s sharp or extra sharp for maximum flavor punch.
• Green onions: Thinly sliced, they re perfect for folding into the mixture and garnishing at the end.
• Unsalted butter: Melted and used to coat the cracker topping for that golden crunch.
• Buttery round crackers: Like Ritz – crush em coarsely for the ideal topping texture.
• Fresh parsley: For a pop of color and fresh herbal notes when served.
• Freshly ground black pepper: Adds just the right amount of spice when finished.

Variations

While the classic Million Dollar Potato Casserole Recipe is amazing as is, I like to mix it up depending on what I have on hand or the occasion. Don t be afraid to make it your own!

• Add cooked bacon or ham: I love adding bits of cooked bacon for a smoky crunch that makes the casserole feel even more indulgent.
• Use Greek yogurt instead of sour cream: For a lighter twist, swapping in Greek yogurt can work well and keeps it tangy.
• Make it vegetarian: Skip the cream of chicken soup and use cream of mushroom soup or a homemade veggie sauce for a meatless version.
• Spice it up: Try adding a pinch of cayenne or smoked paprika if you want a little smoky heat.

How to Make Million Dollar Potato Casserole Recipe

Step 1: Prep Your Baking Dish and Oven

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F and lightly spray your baking dish with cooking spray. I like using a 9×13-inch glass or ceramic dish because it distributes heat evenly and cleans up easily after. Having your oven preheated ensures the casserole cooks consistently and gets that perfect bubbly finish.

Step 2: Whisk Together the Creamy Base

In a large bowl, whisk the softened cream cheese, sour cream, ricotta cheese, cream of chicken soup, kosher salt, garlic powder, and onion powder until it’s smooth and combined. I discovered that letting the cream cheese come to room temperature first makes this so much easier and prevents lumps. This combo is the heart of the casserole, giving it that rich, luscious texture you want.

Step 3: Fold in Potatoes, Cheese, and Green Onions

Next, gently fold in your thawed hash browns, shredded Cheddar cheese, and most of the sliced green onions, keeping a little aside for garnish. Be careful not to overmix – you want everything coated but still a bit chunky for texture. This is the moment when the casserole starts coming together, and already smells incredible.

Step 4: Spread Mixture and Create Cracker Topping

Spoon your potato mixture into the prepared baking dish and spread it out evenly. Then, mix your melted butter with the crushed buttery crackers until they’re evenly coated-this little trick gives you that golden, crunchy topping. Sprinkle it evenly over the casserole to cover the top well but not so thick that it overpowers the creamy layer underneath.

Step 5: Bake Until Bubbly and Golden

Bake your casserole for about 50 to 55 minutes or until you see it bubbling around the edges and the cracker topping turns a beautiful golden brown. If the topping browns too quickly, you can loosely tent the dish with foil halfway through baking. I like to check around 45 minutes to make sure it s cooking evenly and to avoid overdone edges.

Step 6: Garnish and Serve

Once out of the oven, sprinkle the reserved green onions, chopped parsley, and freshly ground black pepper on top. This final touch adds brightness, color, and a fresh pop of flavor that contrasts perfectly with the rich casserole. Now, it s ready to serve and impress!

How to Serve Million Dollar Potato Casserole Recipe

Garnishes

I love finishing my casserole with fresh green onions and parsley-they brighten up the dish visually and flavor-wise. A touch of freshly ground black pepper adds just enough bite to wake up all those creamy, cheesy flavors.

Side Dishes

This Million Dollar Potato Casserole goes wonderfully with roasted chicken, glazed ham, or a nice grilled steak. For lighter sides, try steamed green beans or a crisp garden salad to balance the richness.

Creative Ways to Present

For holiday meals, I ve served this casserole in individual ramekins topped with extra crisp crackers and a sprig of parsley-looks elegant and makes serving a breeze. You can also sprinkle some extra sharp cheddar or smoked paprika on top before baking for a fun twist.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge, and it keeps well for up to 4 days. Before reheating, I let it come to room temperature a bit to help it warm evenly without drying out.

Freezing

Million Dollar Potato Casserole freezes surprisingly well. I like to freeze it before baking, tightly wrapped, then thaw it overnight in the fridge before popping it in the oven. This way, it tastes freshly baked and delicious.

Reheating

To reheat, I cover the casserole loosely with foil and warm in a 325°F oven for about 20-25 minutes. This helps retain moisture and crisp up the topping nicely without burning.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

This Million Dollar Potato Casserole Recipe has earned a special place in my kitchen rotation because it s consistently delicious, comforting, and easy to prepare. Whether you re feeding a crowd or just want a fantastic side that pairs with just about anything, this recipe hits all the right notes. I m confident you ll enjoy making and sharing it just as much as I do-once you try it, it ll likely become one of your favorite go-to comfort foods, too.

Million Dollar Potato Casserole Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.9 from 109 reviews

• Author: Bertha
• Prep Time: 15 mins
• Cook Time: 50-55 mins
• Total Time: 65-70 mins
• Yield: 10 to 12 servings
• Category: Side Dish
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

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Description

This Million Dollar Potato Casserole is a creamy, cheesy, and comforting side dish perfect for family meals and gatherings. Featuring thawed hash browns mixed with a rich blend of cream cheese, sour cream, ricotta, and cream of chicken soup, topped with a buttery, crunchy cracker crust, it bakes to golden perfection and is garnished with fresh green onions and parsley for a burst of flavor.

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Ingredients

Units USM Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients

• Cooking spray (for greasing)
• 1 (32-oz.) pkg. frozen diced hash brown potatoes, thawed
• 4 oz. cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup sour cream
• 1 cup whole-milk ricotta cheese
• 1 (10.5-oz.) can cream of chicken soup
• 1/2 tsp. kosher salt
• 1/2 tsp. garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp. onion powder
• 2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese (about 8 oz.)
• 4 green onions, thinly sliced (reserve 2 tbsp for garnish)

Topping

• 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 32 buttery round crackers (such as Ritz), coarsely crushed
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
• Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

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Instructions

1. Prepare oven and baking dish: Preheat your oven to 350°F. Lightly grease a 9- x 13-inch or 3-quart baking dish with cooking spray to prevent sticking and ensure easy cleanup.
2. Mix wet ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the softened cream cheese, sour cream, whole-milk ricotta cheese, cream of chicken soup, kosher salt, garlic powder, and onion powder until smooth and well combined.
3. Add hash browns: Gently fold the thawed hash brown potatoes, shredded Cheddar cheese, and most of the sliced green onions into the creamy mixture, reserving about 2 tablespoons of onions for garnish later.
4. Add to baking dish: Spoon this combined mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish, spreading it out to form a uniform layer.
5. Make cracker topping: In a medium bowl, stir together the melted unsalted butter and coarsely crushed buttery crackers until the crackers are fully coated with butter.
6. Apply topping and bake casserole: Sprinkle the butter-coated cracker crumbs evenly over the potato mixture in the baking dish. Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 50-55 minutes, or until it is bubbly around the edges and the topping is golden brown.
7. Add garnishes and serve: Remove the casserole from the oven and immediately sprinkle the reserved green onions, chopped fresh parsley, and freshly ground black pepper evenly over the top. Serve warm and enjoy this rich, comforting casserole.

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Notes

• Make sure the hash browns are fully thawed to ensure even cooking and a creamy texture.
• Using whole-milk ricotta cheese adds extra creaminess, but part-skim ricotta can be used as a lighter alternative.
• For a vegetarian version, substitute cream of chicken soup with a cream of mushroom or vegetable-based soup.
• The buttery cracker topping adds a delicious crispy texture—avoid skipping it!
• Leftovers can be refrigerated and reheated in the oven for best texture retention.
• You can add extra shredded cheese on top before baking for an even cheesier casserole.

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Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1/12 of casserole (approx. 1 cup)
• Calories: 320
• Sugar: 2g
• Sodium: 450mg
• Fat: 21g
• Saturated Fat: 11g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8g
• Trans Fat: 0.5g
• Carbohydrates: 23g
• Fiber: 2g
• Protein: 8g
• Cholesterol: 55mg