Description
A comforting and customizable cheesy potato casserole featuring thinly sliced potatoes layered with a creamy cheese sauce, bacon, broccoli, ham, and green onions, baked until bubbly and golden. Perfect for hearty family meals or impressive side dishes.
Ingredients
Scale
Potatoes
- 4 cups thinly sliced potatoes (Yukon gold or russet recommended)
Cheese Sauce
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 cups milk
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (divided: 1 1/2 cups for sauce, 1/2 cup for topping)
Add-ins
- 1/2 cup cooked bacon bits
- 1/2 cup chopped broccoli
- 1/4 cup sliced green onions
- 1/2 cup diced ham
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease an 8×8-inch baking dish or individual ramekins to prevent sticking.
- Prepare Sauce – Make Roux: In a saucepan, melt 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter over medium heat. Stir in 2 tablespoons of all-purpose flour and cook for about 1 minute, stirring constantly to form a smooth roux that will thicken the sauce.
- Prepare Sauce – Add Milk & Seasonings: Gradually whisk in 1 1/2 cups of milk, continuing to whisk until the mixture thickens and becomes creamy. Add 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/2 teaspoon onion powder, and salt and pepper to taste, mixing well.
- Prepare Sauce – Add Cheese: Remove the sauce from heat and stir in 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese until melted and smooth.
- Assemble Casserole – Layer Ingredients: In the greased baking dish, start layering the casserole by adding a portion of thinly sliced potatoes. Pour some cheese sauce evenly over the potatoes, then sprinkle your desired amount of the optional add-ins — bacon bits, chopped broccoli, sliced green onions, and diced ham. Repeat layering potatoes, cheese sauce, and add-ins until all ingredients are used, finishing with a layer of cheese sauce.
- Top with Remaining Cheese: Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of shredded cheddar cheese over the top layer of cheese sauce to create a golden crust during baking.
- Bake: Cover the casserole with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 40 to 50 minutes until the potatoes are tender. Remove the foil and bake an additional 15 minutes uncovered, or until the cheese topping is golden brown and bubbly.
- Serve: Allow the casserole to cool for 5 to 10 minutes before serving. Garnish with extra sliced green onions or fresh herbs if desired for added color and flavor.
Notes
- You can customize this dish by swapping cheddar for other cheese types like mozzarella or Gruyere for different flavors.
- Make sure potatoes are sliced thinly and evenly to ensure even cooking.
- Covering the casserole while baking helps cook the potatoes thoroughly before browning the cheese topping.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven for best results.
- For a vegetarian version, omit bacon and ham or substitute with plant-based alternatives.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
