Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 6 Tablespoons butter, divided
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 10.5 oz can cream of chicken soup
- 12 oz French onion dip or sour cream
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 28-32 oz bag frozen hashbrowns
- 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese, divided
- 1½ cups crushed cornflakes
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9x13-inch baking pan to prevent the casserole from sticking.
- Sauté Onions: Melt 2 tablespoons of butter in a skillet over medium-low heat. Add the diced onion and cook gently until translucent and soft, which usually takes about 5 minutes. This step softens the onions and enhances their sweetness.
- Mix Base Ingredients: Transfer the sautéed onions to a large mixing bowl. Add the garlic powder, cream of chicken soup, French onion dip (or sour cream), salt, pepper, and 1½ cups of shredded sharp cheddar cheese. Stir thoroughly to combine into a creamy mixture.
- Add Hashbrowns: Gently fold the frozen hashbrowns into the mixture, ensuring all the potatoes are coated evenly with the creamy base.
- Assemble Casserole: Spread the hashbrown mixture evenly into the prepared baking pan. Sprinkle the remaining ½ cup of shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top.
- Prepare Topping: Melt the remaining 4 tablespoons of butter and toss the crushed cornflakes in the melted butter until well coated. Then, sprinkle the buttery cornflake crumbs evenly over the cheese layer to form a crunchy topping.
- Bake: Bake the casserole in the preheated oven for 50-60 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender and the cheese is bubbly and golden brown on top.
- Rest and Serve: Remove the casserole from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes before serving. This rest period helps the casserole to set for easier serving.
Notes
- You can substitute the French onion dip with an equal amount of sour cream if preferred.
- For a vegetarian version, use cream of mushroom soup instead of cream of chicken soup.
- If you like a spicier casserole, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or chili flakes to the creamy mixture.
- To save time, use thawed hashbrowns to reduce excess moisture and improve texture.
- This casserole pairs wonderfully with a fresh green salad or steamed vegetables for a complete meal.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
