A creamy, comforting cheesy potato casserole elevated with garlic and fresh herbs. Perfect for holidays or potlucks, this dish is rich, flavorful, and easy to prepare in advance.
Author:Sophia
Prep Time:15 minutes
Cook Time:50 minutes
Total Time:1 hour 5 minutes
Yield:8 servings
Category:Side Dish
Method:Baking
Cuisine:American
Diet:Vegetarian
Ingredients
6 cups diced peeled potatoes (about 4–5 medium Russet or Yukon Gold)
1 small onion, finely diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons butter
1 cup sour cream
1 can (10.5 oz) cream of chicken soup (or mushroom for vegetarian)
2 ½ cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese, divided
¼ cup chopped fresh parsley
1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves (or ½ teaspoon dried)
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
1 ½ cups crushed cornflakes or panko breadcrumbs (optional topping)
2 tablespoons melted butter (for topping)
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add diced potatoes and cook for 8–10 minutes until just fork-tender. Drain and cool slightly.
In a skillet over medium heat, melt 2 tablespoons butter. Sauté onion for 4–5 minutes, then stir in garlic and cook 30 seconds.
In a large bowl, combine sour cream, cream of chicken soup, sautéed onion and garlic, 2 cups cheddar cheese, parsley, thyme, salt, and pepper. Mix well.
Fold in the cooked potatoes until evenly coated.
Transfer mixture to the prepared baking dish and spread evenly.
Top with the remaining ½ cup of cheddar cheese.
If using, combine crushed cornflakes or breadcrumbs with melted butter and sprinkle over the top.
Bake uncovered for 40–50 minutes until golden and bubbling.
Let sit for 5–10 minutes before serving to allow the sauce to set slightly.
Notes
Use frozen diced hash browns (thawed and drained) as a time-saving alternative.
For a vegetarian version, use cream of mushroom soup and verify cheese is vegetarian-friendly.
Add a pinch of cayenne or smoked paprika for extra flavor depth.
Can be assembled ahead of time and baked the next day with topping added fresh.