Description
Comfort meets excitement in this pepper jack potato casserole, where spicy cheese melts into creamy potatoes for an irresistible dish. Hearty layers of flavor promise a crowd-pleasing meal that you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 (30 to 32 ounces) bag frozen shredded hash browns
- 2 cups shredded pepper jack cheese
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese, divided
Dairy and Cream:
- 1.5 cups heavy whipping cream
- 0.5 cup butter, melted
- 0.5 cup sour cream
- 1 (10.5 ounces) can unsalted cream of chicken soup
Seasonings and Toppings:
- 0.5 teaspoon onion powder
- 0.25 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 sleeve Ritz crackers, crushed
- 0.5 cup cooked chopped bacon
- 1 teaspoon paprika
Instructions
- Combine thawed hash browns with a creamy mixture of pepper jack cheese, tangy sour cream, and savory soup to create a rich potato base.
- Whisk together heavy cream, melted butter, and seasonings like onion and garlic powder to enhance the flavor profile of the potato blend.
- Thoroughly incorporate all ingredients in a large mixing bowl, ensuring even distribution of cheese and spices throughout the hash brown mixture.
- Spread the potato mixture uniformly into a generously greased baking dish, creating a smooth, level surface.
- Craft a crispy topping by blending crushed crackers with crumbled bacon, grated Parmesan, and a sprinkle of paprika for added texture and depth.
- Scatter the crunchy topping evenly across the potato layer, covering the entire surface to ensure a consistent golden-brown finish.
- Position the casserole in a preheated oven at 400ºF, allowing it to bake for 45-50 minutes until the edges bubble and the top transforms into a crisp, golden crust.
- Remove from the oven and let the casserole rest for a few minutes, allowing the filling to set and flavors to meld before serving.
Notes
- Swap hash browns with diced fresh potatoes for a more rustic texture that adds homemade charm to the casserole.
- Reduce heavy cream and replace with milk to create a lighter, less calorie-dense version perfect for health-conscious eaters.
- Use gluten-free crackers and cream of chicken soup to transform this dish into a celiac-friendly recipe without compromising flavor.
- Experiment with different cheese combinations like sharp cheddar or smoked gouda to personalize the casserole’s taste profile and keep things exciting.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 490
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 34 g
- Saturated Fat: 20 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 13 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg