Easy Cheesy Potatoes Casserole (with Real Potatoes)

There’s something about a hot, bubbling, cheesy potato casserole that just feels like home. This easy recipe uses real potatoes — no frozen hashbrowns, no box mix — and comes together with ingredients you probably already have. It bakes up creamy on the inside with those irresistible crispy, cheesy edges on top. Whether you’re feeding your family on a Tuesday night or bringing a dish to pass, this one always gets eaten down to the last scoop.

Simple ingredients that you probably already have on hand come together quickly for a delicious side dish from a traditional baked ham to smoked brisket. When you want a comforting, cheesy side dish this easy cheesy potato casserole recipe is the answer.

Why You’ll Love This Cheesy Potato Casserole Recipe

• Make ahead. You can make and freeze as many unbaked potato casseroles as you like so that they are ready to go. Then thaw them in the refrigerator and bake as needed.
• Easy recipe. You won’t find any complicated steps or bewildering ingredients in this recipe. Just prepare and bake.
• Feeds a lot of people. Our recipe for the best cheesy potatoes goes a long way! You can even add chunks of ham so that it becomes the main dish.
• Goes with any kind of meat. Serve up cheesy potatoes with anything off the grill, any meat baked in the oven, and any kind of meat you would fry. It’s a perfect match for everything!

Equipment Needed to Make the Best Cheesy Potatoes

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• Mixing Bowls – I use these bowls for everything including mixing and storage.
• 9×13 Baking dish – I’ve got a couple of these dishes that make holiday baking a breeze.
• Spatulas – Treat yourself with this set. We hang on to those worn out gadgets way too long.

Ingredients for Cheesy Potatoes Casserole

• Russet Potatoes. Substitute red potatoes if needed.
• Cream of Mushroom Soup. I use a low-sodium variety but any will work. You can substitute another creamy soup such as cream of celery or cream of chicken.
• Heavy Cream. Half and Half or whole milk can be substituted.
• Salt and Pepper.
• Onion Powder.
• Shredded Colby Jack Cheese. You can use cheddar or a blended cheese of your choice.
• Cooking Oil. Olive oil or vegetable oil.
• Unsalted Butter. If you use salted butter, only use 1 tsp of salt.

Tips for the Best Cheesy Potato Casserole

A few simple things make a big difference with this recipe:

• Slice your potatoes evenly. Aim for about ¼-inch thick pieces. Uneven slices mean some potatoes will be mushy while others are still firm.
• Shred your own cheese. Pre-shredded cheese has a coating on it that keeps it from melting as smoothly. A block of Colby Jack takes about 2 minutes to shred and makes the casserole noticeably creamier.
• Spray the underside of your foil. Before you cover the pan, give the foil a quick spritz of cooking spray. This keeps the cheese from sticking to it when you pull it off.
• Don’t skip the rest time. Let the casserole sit for 5 minutes after it comes out of the oven. This gives the sauce a chance to thicken up so it doesn’t run all over the plate.
• Add toppings right before baking. If you’re using cornflakes or breadcrumbs on top, wait until right before the casserole goes in the oven — especially if making it ahead. This keeps them nice and crunchy.

Please note, that the printable recipe card has the full list of ingredients, quantities, complete instructions, and nutritional information. The following is a quick overview of the recipe.

How to Make Cheesy Potatoes Casserole

Making our cheesy potato casserole recipe is so easy! Simply cut the potatoes and then mix all the ingredients. Bake it and serve hot! Here are step-by-step instructions.

Step One. Preheat the oven.

Step Two. Slice the potatoes.

Step Three. Mix all of the ingredients except the potatoes until all are combined. 

Step Four. Add the potatoes to the mixture.

Step Five. Place oil and butter in the bottom of the baking dish.

Step Six. Spread out the potatoes evenly. 

Step Seven. Bake for 30 minutes until it is nice and bubbly, and you have a slight crisp on the edge.

Step Eight. Take the aluminum foil off and bake for an additional 20 minutes.

Step Nine. Add more cheese and bake again.

Step Ten. Let it rest for 5 minutes before serving.

What Main Dish Goes With Cheesy Potatoes?

Any kind of meat is going to work perfectly with this recipe as a side dish. Choose from this list!

• Baked Corned Beef Brisket
• Cheese Stuffed Meatloaf
• Baked Blackened Salmon with Brown Butter Lemon Drizzle
• Hamburger Steak With Mushroom Onion Gravy

Substitutions & Additions

• Cheese – I used Colby Jack because it melts really well and adds a bit of color. Cheddar, Mozzarella, Gouda, or a mix of your favorite cheeses will work.
• Add thinly sliced onion or bell pepper.
• Exchange Cream of Mushroom soup for Cream of Celery or your favorite cream-based soup.
• Add crumbled bacon or diced ham.
• Top with Bread crumbs or cornflakes
• Replace half of the cream with yogurt or sour cream if you like to add some tang.
• Add or substitute garlic powder for onion powder
• Cream – half and half or any milk variety can be substituted.

How To Reheat & Store Cheesy Potatoes Casserole

Can you make cheesy potatoes ahead of time?

Yes. Keep the unbaked casserole for up to 2 days in the fridge. Freeze unbaked or baked casserole for up to 2 months.

Best Way To Store Cheesy Potato Casserole with Real Potatoes

How Long Will Cheesy Potatoes Casserole Last In the Fridge?

You can make this up to 2 days ahead of time, and keep it covered with foil in the fridge. Wait and add cornflakes or bread crumbs until right before baking. Freeze unbaked. Thaw in the refrigerator and bake as instructed.

Can I Freeze/Thaw Cheesy Potatoes?

Baked Cheesy Potatoes Casserole can be frozen for up to two months. Unbaked cheesy potatoes can also be frozen for two months. Thaw in the refrigerator and bake or reheat as instructed.

Can you freeze cheesy potatoes before baking?

Yes! Thaw in the refrigerator and bake as instructed.

How To Reheat Easy Cheesy Potato Casserole

Reheat leftovers in single portions in the microwave for one minute at a time until you reach the desired level of heat and melted cheesiness.

Frozen single portions can be reheated in the microwave in the same manner.

Reheat frozen casserole-size portions by thawing them first in the refrigerator and then placing them in the oven until heated through and bubbly. Use the same temperature as when first baked.

Reheat frozen unbaked casseroles by thawing them first and then following the original instructions.

Best Cheesy Potatoes FAQs

Do I have to peel the potatoes?

No. I scrub the peeling and then dice the potatoes.

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Can I use frozen potatoes? Yes.

You can use either diced or sliced frozen potatoes. However, if you want to use hashbrowns, check out our Cheesy Hashbrown Casserole.

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How do I know if my cheesy potato casserole is done?

The cheese on top will be melted, bubbly, and starting to crisp up on the edges. The potatoes will be tender when pierced with a knife or fork.

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How do I make a ham and cheesy potato casserole?

To add ham to the recipe, simply cube 1 to 2 cups of baked ham or leftover ham and bake it in the mixture with the potatoes.

Love the idea of adding meat? Our Corned Beef Au Gratin takes cheesy potatoes to the next level with leftover corned beef — it’s a reader favorite!

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What’s the best potato for cheesy potato casserole?

Russet potatoes are the go-to because they’re starchy and soak up all that creamy, cheesy goodness while they bake. Yukon Gold potatoes also work great if you want a slightly buttery flavor and a little firmer texture.

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Can I make cheesy potato casserole without cream of mushroom soup?

Yes! If you’d rather skip the canned soup, substitute with a simple homemade sauce: melt 2 tablespoons of butter, whisk in 2 tablespoons of flour, then slowly stir in 1 cup of chicken broth and ½ cup of cream until thickened. Season with salt and pepper. It swaps in perfectly.

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How do I keep my cheesy potato casserole from getting watery?

Two things help: First, don’t rinse your potatoes after slicing — the starch helps thicken the sauce. Second, make sure you’re using cream or whole milk rather than a low-fat substitute. Thin liquids can cause a watery casserole.

Tips to Make the Perfect Cheesy Potatoes Casserole Recipe

I don’t recommend using previously cooked sliced or diced potatoes. Rebaking them will make a mushy casserole.

Cut the potatoes all approximately 1/4 inch thick so they cook at the same rate.

Lightly spray the underside of the foil that will cover the casserole so the ingredients don’t stick to it.

Shred your own cheese. Pre-shredded cheese has an anti-caking agent that will throw off the final cheesiness of the dish.

Other Potato Recipes You’ll Love

• Easy Twice Baked Potatoes
• Crispy Parmesan Roasted Potatoes
• Roasted Garlic Fingerling Potatoes Recipe
• Grilled Sweet Potatoes In Foil
• Easy Sweet Potato Casserole
• Twice Baked Potatoes

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This recipe is in celebration of National Dairy Month. I’m teaming up with some very talented bloggers for this event. Just look at all of these amazing recipes!

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Originally published: June 24, 2022. Updated on March 27, 2026– Enhanced with more detailed instructions, tips, and serving suggestions. No changes were made to the recipe.