If you're looking for a delicious side dish to serve at your next dinner, potluck, or holiday meal, look no further! This Loaded Hash Brown Potato Casserole is always a hit. Shredded hash browns, bacon, green onions and lots of cheese combine to create the perfect crunchy, cheesy comfort-food goodness.
1poundbaconcut into ¼-inch slices and cooked, divided
½medium yellow onionfinely chopped
130 ounce package frozen shredded hash browns
6tablespoonsbutterdivided
1can cream of mushroom/chicken soup
12ouncessour cream
½cupmilk
3cupsshredded cheeseyour favorite, divided
Toppings: (optional)
Cooked bacon
Chopped tomatoes
Crushed crackers
Sliced scallions
Sour Cream
Shredded cheese
Fried Onionssuch as French's
Instructions
Adjust oven rack to middle position and spray a 13x9-inch casserole dish with nonstick cooking spray.
Cook bacon over medium-low heat until crisp. Pour off all except 1-tablespoon bacon drippings, and reserve the drippings, in an airtight container, in the fridge for future use.
Cook the diced onions in the tablespoon of bacon drippings still in the pan over medium-low heat until translucent and softened.
In a large bowl, whisk together ¼ cup melted butter, soup, sour cream, milk, cooked onions, 1 cup cheese and ½ the crisped bacon pieces.
Add the potatoes, and stir well.
Transfer the potato mixture to the prepared pan and press it slightly down in an even layer. Top with 2 cups cheese.
Bake at 350°F for 45-60 minutes or until bubbly and hot throughout. If the cheese is browning too quickly, tent with aluminum foil. The internal temperature should register at least 165°F-175°F.
Remove from the oven and let set for 10 minutes before serving.