Frederic Melton
Cheesy potatoes are a delicious, comforting dish that can be served as a side or a main course. The recipe is versatile, allowing for the use of various types of potatoes and cheeses, making it a great option for satisfying different tastes and dietary preferences. The potatoes can be boiled, baked, or mashed, and the cheese sauce can be made from scratch or with canned soup as a base. The dish is typically baked until golden brown and bubbly, and it can be topped with cornflakes, crackers, or breadcrumbs for added crunch. Cheesy potatoes are a crowd-pleaser and can be served at holidays, family gatherings, or weeknight dinners.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cheese options | Sharp cheddar, mozzarella, pepper jack, Gruyere, Swiss, Parmesan, taco blend, velveeta |
| Potato options | Russet, Yukon gold, red, yellow, hash browns, frozen diced potatoes |
| Other ingredients | Butter, sour cream, mayonnaise, green onions, garlic, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, chicken stock, whole milk, flour, cornflakes, crushed Ritz crackers, potato chips, panko breadcrumbs |
| Baking instructions | Bake at 350°F for 25-40 minutes, until golden brown and bubbling |
| Make-ahead instructions | Can be assembled up to 48 hours in advance and stored in the fridge |
| Storage instructions | Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4-5 days |
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What You'll Learn
Cheddar, mozzarella, Gruyere, and more
Cheesy potatoes are a versatile dish that can be made with various types of cheese, depending on your preference. Here are some popular options:
Cheddar
Cheddar cheese is a classic choice for cheesy potatoes. It has a bold, sharp flavour that pairs well with the potatoes. You can use pre-shredded cheddar cheese or grate your own for the best flavour. Sharp cheddar cheese is commonly used, but you can also use extra-sharp cheddar for an even stronger flavour.
Mozzarella
Mozzarella cheese adds a creamy texture and mild flavour to the dish. It melts well and combines smoothly with other ingredients, such as sour cream and mayonnaise.
Gruyere
Gruyere cheese is a Swiss cheese that adds a fancy touch to your cheesy potatoes. It has a unique, distinct flavour and is known for its excellent melting properties, making it ideal for creating a rich and creamy sauce.
Other Cheeses
You can also experiment with other cheeses to create your own unique flavour combinations. Some options include pepper jack cheese for a spicy kick, a taco blend, or even a combination of multiple cheeses. Additionally, you can include ingredients like sour cream, mayonnaise, butter, and various spices to enhance the flavour and creaminess of the dish.
Remember, the beauty of making cheesy potatoes is that you can customise the recipe to your taste preferences. So, feel free to mix and match different cheeses and ingredients to create your perfect cheesy potato dish!
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Potato types: russets, reds, and hash browns
Russet potatoes are a popular choice for making cheesy potatoes. They have a fluffy texture and a mild flavour that pairs well with cheese. Russets are often used in baked recipes, such as casseroles or Hasselback potatoes, where the potato is sliced and baked with cheese and other toppings. The skin of a Russet potato is particularly nutritious. When using Russets for cheesy potatoes, it is recommended to peel and cut the potatoes into small pieces before boiling and mixing with cheese and other ingredients.
Red potatoes are also a suitable option for cheesy potato dishes. They have a slightly waxier texture and a more robust flavour compared to Russets. Red potatoes hold their shape well during cooking, making them ideal for dishes like roasted cheesy potatoes or potato salads. Similar to Russets, it is generally recommended to peel red potatoes before using them in cheesy potato recipes.
Hash browns are another convenient option for making cheesy potatoes, especially when you're short on time. Hash browns are typically made from shredded or diced potatoes, often including Russets or red potatoes, that have been mixed with seasonings and sometimes onions or other vegetables. When using hash browns for cheesy potatoes, you can skip the boiling step and simply mix them with cheese and other desired ingredients before baking. This creates a tasty, crispy, and comforting casserole.
When it comes to cheese selection, sharp cheddar is a popular choice for its bold flavour. Other options include Swiss cheese, mozzarella, Mexican four-cheese blends, or a combination of different varieties. For a crunchy texture, a topping of crushed cornflakes, Ritz crackers, or potato chips can be added before baking.
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Cornflakes, crackers, and other toppings
Instead of cornflakes, you could use crushed Ritz crackers, potato chips, or panko breadcrumbs for the crunchy topping. For an extra savory twist, try kettle-cooked potato chips like Miss Vickie's. If you're using potato chips, it's best to add them to the dish right before serving rather than baking them on top.
If you want to make your cheesy potatoes into a one-pot meal, you can add a cup or two of diced ham or shredded chicken, as well as steamed broccoli or fried mushrooms.
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Make it a meal: add ham, chicken, or broccoli
Cheesy potatoes are a great side dish, but with the addition of ham, chicken, or broccoli, they can become a full meal.
If you're looking to add some protein to your cheesy potatoes, consider adding some diced ham or shredded chicken. For a simple ham and cheese casserole, you can combine hash browns, ham, cheese, onion, condensed soup, sour cream, and butter in a large bowl. Season with salt and pepper to taste, transfer the mixture to a greased baking dish, and bake until bubbly and browned. If you're short on freezer space, you can even use dehydrated hash browns that have been rehydrated with hot water. For a chicken version, simply substitute the ham with shredded chicken and follow a similar process.
For a vegetarian option or to add some extra greens, you can include steamed broccoli in your cheesy potatoes. Broccoli and cheddar is a classic combination, and you can easily integrate this into your baked potato casserole. Simply chop up some potatoes with the skin on, add butter, salt, and pepper, and stir until the butter is melted. Then, add sour cream, chives or green onion, and cheese, stirring to combine. Finally, add your cooked broccoli florets and gently mix before transferring to a casserole dish and baking until heated through and the cheese is melted.
Feel free to experiment with different types of cheese to find your preferred flavour. Sharp cheddar is a popular choice, but you can also try Swiss cheese or cheddar jack cheese for a slightly different taste.
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From scratch: homemade cheese sauce
Cheesy potatoes are a delicious, comforting, and simple dish to make. The cheese sauce is key to the recipe and can be made from scratch with a few simple steps.
Ingredients
- Butter
- Flour
- Milk
- Chicken stock
- Sour cream
- Cheese (cheddar, mozzarella, Gruyere, or a mix of your choice)
- Salt
- Pepper
- Garlic
- Scallions
Method
Start by making a roux with flour and butter, then whisk in the chicken stock and milk. Simmer this mixture until it thickens. Season with salt and pepper and add the scallions and garlic. Whisk in the sour cream and grated cheese, and continue to whisk until you have a thick, creamy sauce.
Tips
- You can use salted or unsalted butter, but be mindful of how much salt you add if you opt for salted butter.
- The cheese sauce will thicken quickly, so keep an eye on it and take it off the heat as soon as it coats the back of a spoon.
- You can mix up the cheeses to suit your taste. Try sharp cheddar, pepper jack, or Gruyere for a fancy twist.
- For a creamier sauce, add in some full-fat sour cream.
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Frequently asked questions
The best cheeses to use will be those with bold flavours, such as sharp cheddar, mozzarella, Gruyere, or Swiss cheese. For a spicy kick, you can use pepper jack cheese.
You can use most varieties of potatoes, such as Russets, Yukon golds, yellow potatoes, or red potatoes. If you want to save time, you can use frozen hash browns or country-style hash brown potatoes.
Cheesy potatoes are a great side dish and go well with BBQ sandwiches, slaw, and fresh summer tomatoes with mozzarella and basil. You can also add ham or shredded chicken to make it a one-pot meal.
