Creamy Cheesy Potato Casserole
What this is
Tender potatoes baked in a creamy, cheesy sauce, bubbly on top with golden edges. Think classic, crowd-pleasing, and endlessly customizable.
🧾 Ingredients (serves 6–8)
Potatoes
2½ lbs potatoes (Yukon Gold or Russet), peeled and thinly sliced
Salt (for boiling)
Creamy Sauce
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1½ cups milk (whole or 2%)
½ cup heavy cream (optional, extra richness)
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
½ teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon onion powder
Cheese
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
½ cup shredded mozzarella or Monterey Jack
¼ cup grated Parmesan
Optional Add-ins
½ cup sour cream
Chopped green onions
Cooked bacon bits
Paprika (for topping)
🥣 Instructions
1️⃣ Prep Potatoes
Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
Add sliced potatoes and parboil 5–7 minutes (just tender, not mushy).
Drain and set aside.
2️⃣ Make the Creamy Sauce
In a saucepan, melt butter over medium heat.
Whisk in flour and cook 1 minute.
Slowly whisk in milk and cream.
Add salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder.
Cook until thickened (3–5 minutes).
Remove from heat and stir in half the cheese.
3️⃣ Assemble
Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
Layer potatoes evenly in the dish.
Pour cheese sauce over the top.
Sprinkle remaining cheeses and optional toppings.
4️⃣ Bake
Cover with foil and bake 30 minutes.
Uncover and bake 15–20 minutes, until bubbly and golden.
Rest 10 minutes before serving.
❓ Q & A
Q: Can I skip boiling the potatoes?
Yes, but slices must be very thin and bake time increases to ~75 minutes total.
Q: What’s the best cheese to use?
Sharp cheddar for flavor, mozzarella/Jack for melt, Parmesan for depth.
Q: Can I make this ahead?
Absolutely.
Assemble, cover, and refrigerate up to 24 hours. Bake when ready.
Q: Can I freeze potato casserole?
Yes, but texture may soften.
Freeze unbaked or baked up to 2 months.
Q: How do I make it extra creamy?
Add sour cream
Use all heavy cream
Add an extra ½ cup cheese 😄
Q: How do I reheat leftovers?
Cover and reheat at 350°F until warm, or microwave individual portions.
✨ Pro Tips
Use a mandoline for evenly sliced potatoes
Let casserole rest so it sets cleanly
Sprinkle paprika or chives for color.
