Description
Comfort meets indulgence in this crack potatoes recipe, where crispy potato perfection dances with irresistible seasoning. Cheesy, zesty, and utterly addictive, these potatoes promise a mouthwatering experience you won’t forget.
Ingredients
Scale
Potatoes and Base Ingredients:
- 2 lbs (907 grams) frozen hash browns (thawed) or 5 cups peeled and shredded potatoes
- 1 (16 ounces/454 grams) container sour cream
- 1 (8 ounces/227 grams) package cream cheese, softened
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
Flavor Enhancers and Seasonings:
- 1 (10.5 ounces/298 grams) can cream of chicken soup
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Garnish and Topping:
- ½ cup cooked and crumbled bacon (reserve some for topping)
- 2 tablespoons chopped green onions or parsley (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare the culinary workspace by heating the oven to 375F (190C) and generously coating a 9×13-inch baking vessel with non-stick spray.
- Create a luscious flavor base by whisking together sour cream, cream of chicken soup, velvety cream cheese, sharp cheddar, aromatic garlic powder, zesty onion powder, and a sprinkle of salt and pepper until the mixture achieves a silky, uniform consistency.
- Incorporate thawed hash browns into the creamy blend, ensuring each potato strand is thoroughly enrobed with the decadent sauce.
- Gently fold crispy, crumbled bacon throughout the potato mixture, reserving a handful for a final dramatic garnish.
- Transfer the luxurious potato concoction into the prepared baking dish, spreading it evenly to create a tempting, uniform layer.
- Slide the dish into the preheated oven and bake for 40-45 minutes, watching for a golden-brown crust and bubbling edges that signal perfect doneness.
- Once emerged from the oven, crown the dish with the reserved bacon bits and a sprinkle of freshly chopped green onions or parsley for a burst of color and additional flavor complexity.
- Serve immediately while piping hot, allowing guests to indulge in this irresistible potato sensation.
Notes
- Customize heat levels by adjusting spices like adding red pepper flakes or cayenne for extra kick.
- Swap hash browns with cauliflower for a lower-carb version that maintains the creamy, cheesy texture.
- Prepare the dish ahead of time by assembling and refrigerating, then bake when ready to serve for convenient meal planning.
- Use turkey bacon or plant-based bacon alternatives to accommodate different dietary preferences while keeping the signature crunch and flavor.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Snacks, Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 334
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 796 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 27 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 10 g
- Cholesterol: 56 mg