Crack Potatoes – The Best Potato Casserole You Will Ever Eat!

September 26, 2020 3 Comments

Calling all the single ladies. I have it on good authority that this casserole has been known to elicit marriage proposals. It’s that good!!! I am legend with family and friends for this recipe. The recipe supposedly feeds 6…at my house it barely feeds 3. My guys LOVE this casserole!

Just look at that cheesy, potatoey, bacony goodness!

I came across it years ago at PlainChicken.com and I have seen different variations of this basic recipe all over the internet. This is the one I go back to over and over, it’s so easy to make and just that darn good! Never have 5 simple ingredients come together to produce anything that even comes close to this deliciousness.

Not only is it one of the most delicious sides you will ever taste but it is ridiculously easy to make. Get all the ingredients together, stir it up and bake it, bada-bing…bada-boom. Easy peasy!!!

Here are the cast of characters.

Combining these five simple ingredients produces a casserole like none other!

Start by cooking up some bacon and chopping it all up into 1/2 inch bits. The recipe calls for 1/2 pound, but no judgement if you add more.

I think more bacon is needed…LOL!

Check out these various methods for cooking bacon. One of these will surely be the perfect method for easily cooking up the bacon needed in this recipe. Let’s face it, is life even worth living without bacon? It would be a very sad world indeed if bacon wasn’t in it!

How to Cook Bacon

Moving on to the next ingredient…cheese. Shred up a pile of cheddar cheese. The recipe calls for just 2 measly cups, I use more. Just shred away until your arm is ready to fall off, then you probably have just about enough! LOL!

Place thawed hash brown potatoes in a large mixing bowl and add the Ranch dressing mix and 1/2 the shredded cheese to the bowl.

Add the sour cream to the bowl.

Finally add the chopped bacon.

Give it all a good stir to combine it. Add more sour cream if mixture seems too dry. You want a nice creamy mixture when everything is combined together.

Just take a look at that dreamy, creamy bowl of deliciousness!!!

Spray a casserole dish with nonstick cooking spray.

Spread out potato mixture evenly in the prepared casserole dish.

I topped with a little more bacon. I couldn’t help myself. I know, shameful.

Top with the remaining shredded cheddar cheese.

My mouth is watering and it isn’t even cooked yet.

Cover casserole with foil and bake in a 400 degree oven for 45 minutes.

Remove foil and continue to bake for another 10-15 minutes until casserole is hot, bubbly and the edges are lightly browned.

Remove from the oven and allow the casserole to rest for 10 minutes before digging in. Try to resist the best you can. I know it’s hard but it will be smoking hot and you will burn the roof of your mouth if you don’t let it cool down for a few minutes. Trust me on this, I speak from personal experience.

See those crispy brown edges? There is flavor deliciousness right there!

Look at that cheesy, bacony, creamy, luscious, delectable goodness! I bet this becomes one of your new favorites!

TIP: You can easily double this recipe to feed a crowd.

Crack Potatoes

Barbara
Hands down the BEST potato casserole you will ever eat!!!
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Course Side Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 6 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 16 oz shredded hash browns, thawed
  • 8 oz sour cream
  • ½ lb bacon
  • 2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded
  • ½ envelope dry Ranch dressing mix

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 400° F.
  • Spray a casserole dish with nonstick spray.
  • Cook bacon until crisp. Drain on paper towel lined plate. Chop bacon into bits.
  • Shred cheddar cheese.
  • In a large mixing bowl combine thawed hashbrowns, bacon bits, ½ the shredded cheddar cheese, sour cream and Ranch dressing mix.
  • Spread potato mixture evenly in prepared casserole dish.
  • Top potato mixture with remaining cheese and cover casserole with foil.
  • Bake covered for 45 minutes.
  • Remove foil and continue baking for another 10-15 minutes or until casserole is hot, bubbly and the edges are lightly browned.
  • Let casserole sit for 10 minutes before serving.
Keyword bacon, cheddar cheese, potato, Ranch, sour cream

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