My family’s favorite potato casserole tops a creamy layer of hash brown potatoes with buttery cornflake crumbs to add a golden crunch. A reliable crowd pleaser, this simple casserole easily adapts to the varied demands of a large gathering or holiday menu.
Holiday Menus
Festive meals are seldom innovative at my house. My family knows what they like and expects to see the same favorite dishes on our holiday table from year to year. That doesn’t mean I never add anything new to the holiday menu. It just means I take great care before I subtract a longtime favorite my family is looking forward to. On special occasions, evoking fond food memories is an important part of the celebration.
One longtime favorite recipe in our family is a potato casserole. It starts with hash brown potatoes and covers them in a gooey sauce of sour cream, cheese and a creamy canned soup. Then, to add an element of contrast, we top it with a crunchy layer of golden cornflake crumbs.
Having deconstructed it here, at the beginning, it may not sound all that appealing. It is, after all, a retro style casserole. It would seem quite at home on a mid-century table. But, believe me, no matter how it sounds, it looks good and it tastes fantastic! This potato casserole is unapologetically old-fashioned. It is also a satisfying comfort food that looks good and gets along well with others.
A Pretty Comfort Food
My sister-in-law gave me this recipe many years ago. She recommended it based on its similarity to a favorite side dish from Cracker Barrell. I tried it and found it is almost as reliably favored by picky eaters as, say, Macaroni and Cheese. It is also easy to put together. You can mix the potato layer in the baking dish, if necessary. Then, crush the cornflakes and toss them with the melted butter in a Ziploc bag. Altogether, the recipe is nearly foolproof.
This casserole also gets along well with other dishes competing for oven space. Though the recommended baking temperature is 350F, if the oven is set somewhat higher or lower to accommodate another need, this recipe can adapt. Just leave it in long enough for the contents to get bubbly and the top to achieve a golden brown.
The utility of this hash brown casserole recipe extends beyond the holidays. Its ease of preparation and wide appeal makes it a great choice for a special occasion buffet or a potluck dinner where the preferences of many are unknown and the goal is to simply serve a tasty dish that is a crowd pleaser. Leftovers, if you have any, are as welcome at breakfast time as at lunch or dinner. So here’s our recipe for what my children affectionately call Cornflake Casserole.
Cornflake Casserole with Hash Brown Potatoes
Course: Sides, VegetablesCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy12
servings10
minutes1
hour1
hour10
minutesMy family’s favorite potato casserole tops a creamy layer of hash brown potatoes with buttery cornflake crumbs to add a golden crunch.
Ingredients
1 (32-ounce) package southern style hash brown potatoes, thawed
1/4 cup melted butter (or milk)
1 (10 3/4-ounce) can condensed cream of chicken soup, undiluted
2 cups cheddar cheese
1 cup sour cream (use lite sour cream, if desired)
1/2 small onion, chopped
2 cups crushed corn flakes
1/4 cup melted butter
Directions
- Preheat oven to 350F.
- Spread thawed potatoes in a well-greased 13x9x2-inch baking pan.
- Mix the next five ingredients and pour over potatoes. Fold into potatoes.
- Combine crushed corn flakes with 1/4 cup melted butter and sprinkle over the top of the casserole.
- Bake for 1 hour or until hot and golden brown.
- Enjoy!
Notes
- Recipe Source: This recipe was shared with me by Pat, my Sister-in-Law.
We love leftovers for breakfast the next morning, instead of regular hashbrowns.
I've always had a special place in my heart for cornflake casserole. So simple and yet so good! Thanks for sharing!!
Take care,
— Chelsey
This sounds exactly like something I've eaten at family gatherings in Kentucky. Thanks for sharing the recipe!
What a brilliant recipe, love the addition of the cornflakes!
some elitists might think of this as white trash food, but i'm all for it. down-home goodness, i say. 🙂
These potatoes rock! We enjoy a variation of this recipe.