Description
Personalized Cheesy Potato Casserole is a comforting baked dish featuring thinly sliced potatoes layered with a creamy cheese sauce, bacon, ham, broccoli, and green onions. This easy-to-make casserole is perfect for a hearty family meal, combining rich cheddar cheese and flavorful add-ins baked to golden perfection.
Ingredients
Scale
Potatoes
- 4 cups thinly sliced potatoes (Yukon gold or russet recommended)
Cheese Sauce
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 cups milk
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (or any preferred cheese), divided
Add-Ins
- 1/2 cup cooked bacon bits
- 1/2 cup chopped broccoli
- 1/4 cup sliced green onions
- 1/2 cup diced ham
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease an 8×8-inch baking dish or individual ramekins for single servings to prevent sticking.
- Prepare Cheese Sauce: In a saucepan, melt the unsalted butter over medium heat. Stir in the all-purpose flour to create a roux and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly to avoid burning. Gradually whisk in the milk, continuing to cook and whisk until the sauce thickens and coats the back of a spoon. Stir in garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper to taste. Remove the saucepan from heat and mix in 1 1/2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese until the sauce is smooth and the cheese is melted.
- Assemble Casserole: In the prepared baking dish, place a layer of thinly sliced potatoes. Pour some of the cheese sauce evenly over the potatoes. Add desired amounts of cooked bacon bits, chopped broccoli, diced ham, and sliced green onions. Repeat layering potatoes, cheese sauce, and add-ins until all ingredients are used, finishing with a layer of cheese sauce on top. Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the final layer.
- Bake: Cover the baking dish with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 40 minutes. Then remove the foil and bake for an additional 15 minutes until the cheese on top is golden and bubbly, and the potatoes are tender when pierced with a fork.
- Serve: Allow the casserole to cool for 5-10 minutes before serving. Garnish with extra green onions or fresh herbs if desired for added flavor and presentation.
Notes
- You can customize the cheese and add-ins to suit your taste or dietary needs.
- Using thinly sliced potatoes ensures even cooking and a tender texture.
- Make sure the cheese sauce is thick enough to coat the potatoes but not too thick to become gloopy.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven.
- For a vegetarian version, omit bacon and ham and add more vegetables like mushrooms or bell peppers.
