Ingredients
Potato Mixture
- 1 (30 ounce) bag frozen cubed or shredded hash browns, thawed
- ¼ cup salted butter
- ¾ cup diced yellow onion
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- 1½ cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 cup milk
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon salt (plus pepper to taste)
- 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 cup sour cream
Topping
- 3 cups Corn Flakes (measured then crushed)
- ¼ cup salted butter, melted
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Dish: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) and grease a 9×13 inch baking dish thoroughly to prevent sticking.
- Sauté Onions: In a large saucepan, melt ¼ cup butter over medium heat. Add the diced yellow onions and cook for about 3-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onions are soft and translucent.
- Make Sauce Base: Sprinkle the ¼ cup flour evenly over the onions and cook for 1 minute while stirring to form a roux. Slowly whisk in the chicken broth and milk over medium-high heat, continuously whisking until the mixture thickens into a smooth sauce. Stir in garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Adjust salt to taste, then remove from heat.
- Add Cheese and Sour Cream: Stir in the shredded sharp cheddar cheese and sour cream into the sauce until fully combined and smooth.
- Combine with Potatoes: Place thawed hash browns into a large bowl. Pour the cheese sauce over the hash browns and stir well to coat the potatoes evenly. Transfer this mixture into the prepared 9×13 baking dish and cover with foil.
- Bake Potatoes: Bake the covered casserole at 350 degrees F for 50-60 minutes until the potatoes are tender and the mixture is bubbling.
- Prepare Topping: While the potatoes bake, crush the Corn Flakes lightly in a Ziploc bag with a rolling pin or in a food processor. In a small bowl, mix the crushed Corn Flakes with the ¼ cup melted butter until evenly coated.
- Add Topping and Finish Baking: After 50-60 minutes, remove the foil from the casserole and evenly sprinkle the buttery Corn Flake mixture on top. Return to the oven and bake uncovered for an additional 10-15 minutes until the top is golden brown and crunchy, and the casserole is bubbly.
Notes
- Make sure the hash browns are fully thawed to ensure even cooking.
- You can substitute sharp cheddar cheese with your preferred cheese such as Monterey Jack or Colby for a different flavor.
- For a crispier topping, broil for the last 2-3 minutes but watch carefully to prevent burning.
- Sour cream adds creaminess; you can use Greek yogurt as a healthier alternative.
- This dish can be prepared a day ahead and reheated in the oven at 350°F until heated through.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American