Cheesy Potato Delights: Perfect Pairing Ideas For Your Next Meal

Cheese and potatoes are a match made in heaven. Whether it's a baked potato with melted cheese or a more complex dish like potatoes au gratin, scalloped potatoes, or a cheesy potato casserole, this combination is the ultimate comfort food. But what else goes well with potatoes and cheese? For a savoury kick, try adding some garlic, black pepper, or onion powder. If you're feeling adventurous, throw in some diced jalapeño for a spicy twist. In the mood for something crunchy? Top your cheesy potatoes with crushed cornflakes, ritz crackers, or potato chips. And don't forget the classic side dishes that pair perfectly with cheesy potatoes, like roasted chicken, turkey, or ham. So, the next time you're craving cheese and potatoes, get creative and experiment with different ingredients to take your dish to the next level!

Cheesy potatoes with chicken, turkey, or ham

Cheesy potatoes are a delicious and comforting dish, and they go perfectly with chicken, turkey, or ham. This dish is versatile, and you can use various types of potatoes and cheeses to create a flavourful and creamy meal. Here is a recipe and some tips to guide you through making cheesy potatoes with chicken, turkey, or ham.

Ingredients

For this recipe, you will need the following ingredients:

• Potatoes (russets, yellow, or red potatoes)
• Cheese (sharp chedder, Swiss, or a mix of Red Leicester and mozzarella)
• Canned soup (condensed cream of chicken soup or cheddar cheese soup)
• Sour cream
• Butter
• Green onions or onion powder
• Spices (garlic, garlic powder, black pepper, onion powder)
• Cornflakes, Ritz crackers, or potato chips (optional)
• Chicken, turkey, or ham

Instructions

First, preheat your oven to 375°F and grease a 9x13-inch baking dish. If using russet or baking potatoes, peel and cut them into 1/2-inch pieces. Add the potatoes to a saucepan with cold salted water, bring to a boil, and gently boil for 12-14 minutes or until fork-tender. Drain and let them cool slightly.

In a medium bowl, whisk together melted butter, sour cream, condensed soup, and green onion or onion powder. Add 1 1/2 cups of shredded cheese and the slightly cooled potatoes, mixing them well.

Transfer this mixture to your prepared baking dish. Top with the remaining 1/2 cup of cheese. If you want to add some crunch, you can also top it with crushed cornflakes, Ritz crackers, or potato chips.

Bake your cheesy potatoes for 28-30 minutes, or until they are browned and bubbly. If you're preparing this dish ahead of time and it's chilled, add 15-20 minutes to the cooking time.

Adding Chicken, Turkey, or Ham

To make this dish a complete meal, you can add diced ham, shredded chicken, or even turkey. Simply include a cup or two of your chosen meat to the mixture before transferring it to the baking dish. This addition transforms the side dish into a hearty and satisfying main course.

Variations and Tips

You can use various types of potatoes, such as Russets, yellow, or red potatoes. If you're short on time, you can also use country-style hash brown potatoes instead of boiling potatoes.

When it comes to cheese, sharp cheddar is a popular choice, but you can also experiment with other varieties like Swiss, Red Leicester, mozzarella, or a mix of these cheeses.

Feel free to add extra spices like garlic, garlic powder, black pepper, or onion powder to enhance the flavour. You can even add a kick of spice with some chopped jalapeño peppers.

If you're preparing this dish for a holiday gathering or a party, you can easily double the recipe and assemble it ahead of time. Simply bake it when you're ready to serve, adjusting the cooking time as needed.

Cheesy potatoes with broccoli

Ingredients

This recipe is a great way to add more veggies to your plate! The ingredients are super basic and likely things you already have on hand.

• Medium cheddar cheese (or a combination of gouda and sharp cheddar)
• Fresh broccoli florets
• Ground cayenne pepper
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Yukon Gold, yellow, or russet potatoes
• Olive oil
• Garlic (or garlic powder)

Method

First, preheat your oven to 425°F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.

Cut the potatoes into 1/2-inch cubes and toss them in olive oil, salt, and pepper. Bake for 15 minutes.

While the potatoes are baking, toss the broccoli florets in a bowl with olive oil and garlic.

Take the potatoes out of the oven, toss them, and add the broccoli to the sheet pan. Bake for another 15 minutes.

Take the potatoes and broccoli out of the oven and sprinkle with cheese. Bake for another 3 minutes or until the cheese melts.

Tips

For the cheese sauce, always grate the cheese from a block. Pre-shredded cheese has anti-caking agents that will affect the creaminess of the sauce.

If you're short on time, you can microwave the potatoes instead of baking them. This takes around 6-9 minutes.

Serving Suggestions

This dish goes well with Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Thighs or Brie Grilled Cheese.

Cheesy potatoes with garlic

Ingredients

• 3 pounds potatoes or 30 ounces country-style hash browns, thawed
• 1/4 cup melted butter
• 1 cup sour cream
• 10.5 ounces condensed cream of chicken soup or cheddar cheese soup, 1 can
• 1/4 cup sliced green onions or 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided (sharp cheddar is best for flavour)
• Garlic powder
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Optional

• Crushed cornflakes, ritz crackers, or potato chips for a crunchy topping
• Diced ham or shredded chicken and steamed broccoli or fried mushrooms to make it a one-pot meal
• Chopped jalapeno for a kick

Method

• Preheat your oven to 375˚F and grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
• If using baking potatoes or russets, peel the potatoes and cut them into 1/2-inch pieces.
• Add the potatoes to a medium saucepan and fill with cold salted water 1 inch above the potatoes. Bring to a boil and gently boil for 12 to 14 minutes or until fork-tender. Drain and let cool slightly.
• In a medium bowl, whisk together the melted butter, sour cream, condensed soup, and green onion. Add 1 1/2 cups of cheese and the slightly cooled potatoes.
• Transfer the warm potato mixture to the prepared baking dish.
• Top with the remaining 1/2 cup of cheese and bake for 28 to 30 minutes, or until browned and bubbly.
• For a crunchy topping, combine 1 1/2 cups of cornflakes with 4 tablespoons of melted butter and sprinkle over the casserole before baking.
• If you're preparing this ahead of time, chill it in the fridge and add 15 to 20 minutes to the cooking time.
• To freeze, either bake first and then cool, or keep the mixture raw. Thaw it in the fridge overnight and bake for about an hour, or until piping hot and browned.

Serving Suggestions

Cheesy potatoes are a great side dish and go well with roasted chicken, turkey, ham, or steak. They are also perfect for holiday dinners and family gatherings.

Cheesy potatoes with jalapeno

Cheesy Potatoes with Jalapeño

Ingredients

• Potatoes (russets, yellow, or red)
• Cheese (sharp cheddar, swiss, or pepper jack)
• Jalapeño peppers
• Butter
• Sour cream
• Green onions or onion powder
• Flour
• Black pepper
• Garlic powder
• Salt
• Bread crumbs (optional)
• Bacon (optional)
• Cream cheese (optional)
• Evaporated milk (optional)

Method

First, preheat your oven to 350–375 °F and grease a baking dish. For this recipe, you'll need around 3 pounds of potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch pieces. Place the potatoes in a saucepan and cover with salted water. Bring to a boil and cook until fork-tender, about 12–15 minutes. Drain and let cool slightly.

While the potatoes are cooking, prepare the cheese sauce. In a saucepan, heat some butter or milk over medium heat. Whisk in flour, salt, pepper, and garlic powder until smooth. Stir in the shredded cheese of your choice (sharp cheddar or swiss are great options) and jalapeño peppers. You can also add in some cream cheese and/or evaporated milk for extra creaminess. Continue cooking until the cheese is completely melted.

Combine the slightly cooled potatoes with the cheese sauce and pour them into the prepared baking dish. Top with additional shredded cheese and/or breadcrumbs, and bake for about 25–30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and bubbly.

If you want to add some extra protein, you can also chop up some bacon and sprinkle it over the potatoes before baking.

Serving Suggestions

These cheesy potatoes with jalapeño make a great side dish and can be served alongside grilled meats, burgers, or other vegetables. They can also be served as a main course, paired with a fresh salad or roasted vegetables. For a heartier meal, add some diced ham, shredded chicken, or steamed broccoli to the potato mixture before baking.

Storage

Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days. To reheat, simply pop them back in the oven or microwave until warmed through. You can also freeze any leftovers for up to 2 months.

Cheesy potatoes with spinach

A delicious and comforting dish, this recipe combines the goodness of potatoes, cheese, and spinach. It's a simple yet hearty meal that can be prepared as a main or side dish. The smaller the potatoes, the more flavourful the dish will be. You can use any variety of potatoes, such as Russets, yellow, or red potatoes. Fresh spinach leaves add a boost of nutrition, and the cheese melts beautifully, bringing everything together.

Ingredients:

• 4 pounds potatoes, peeled and diced
• 2 tablespoons oil
• 1 onion, minced
• 8 cups fresh spinach leaves
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 7 ounces sour cream
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, or to taste
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 8 ounces Cheddar cheese, grated
• Salt to taste

Instructions:

Preheat your oven to 400° Fahrenheit (200° Celsius).

Place the peeled and diced potatoes in a pot and add just enough water to cover them. Don't forget to season the water with salt; this step is crucial for flavourful potatoes. Bring the water to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer until the potatoes are almost cooked. Be careful not to overcook them.

While the potatoes are cooking, heat oil in a large frying pan over medium heat. Add the minced onion and sauté until it becomes translucent, which should take about 4 minutes. It's now time to add the spinach, but do it in batches so it wilts evenly. Stir in the minced garlic and cook until your kitchen is filled with that familiar garlicky aroma. Once the spinach is wilted and the garlic is fragrant, turn off the heat.

In a separate bowl, prepare a sour cream mixture by combining sour cream, salt, black pepper, oregano, and garlic powder. Stir well until you have a smooth, well-combined mixture.

Now, it's time to bring everything together. Drain the water from the potatoes and combine them with the spinach and sour cream mixture. You can do this directly in an oven-proof dish or use a pot and then transfer the mixture. Top the dish generously with grated Cheddar cheese.

Pop the dish into the preheated oven and bake until the cheese is golden brown and the potatoes are soft, which should take around 25 minutes. Keep an eye on it to ensure it doesn't overcook.

Serving Suggestions:

This cheesy potatoes with spinach dish is incredibly versatile. It can be served as a main course or a side dish. If serving as a main, it pairs well with chicken, pork, or steak. As a side, it's a delicious companion to grilled meats or roasted vegetables.

Customisation:

Feel free to add more cheese if you're a true cheese lover! You can also experiment with different types of cheese, but be mindful that some shredded cheese doesn't melt as well, so grating a block of cheese yourself might be a better option.

Additionally, you can include more than 8 cups of fresh spinach if you want an extra boost of nutrition. However, it's not recommended to use less, as it may make the dish bland.

Frequently asked questions