🥔 Million Dollar Potato Casserole – Creamy, Cheesy, and Absolutely Irresistible

If you’re looking for a rich, comforting side dish that will steal the spotlight at any dinner or holiday gathering, this Million Dollar Potato Casserole is it. Creamy, cheesy, buttery, and packed with irresistible flavor, it tastes like a million bucks — but is made with simple, affordable ingredients.

This easy recipe combines tender potatoes with a luscious cream cheese and sour cream mixture, topped with crispy bacon and melted cheese for the ultimate comfort food experience.

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💛 Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Ultra-creamy & cheesy – Every bite melts in your mouth.
• Crowd favorite – Perfect for holidays, potlucks, or Sunday dinners.
• Easy to make ahead – Just assemble and bake when ready!
• Customizable – Add veggies, swap cheeses, or make it lighter.

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🧀 Ingredients

For the Potato Mixture:

• 6 cups frozen hash browns (thawed) or boiled cubed potatoes
• 1 cup sour cream
• 1 cup cream cheese, softened
• 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of chicken soup (or cream of mushroom for vegetarian version)
• ½ cup melted butter
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided

For the Topping:

• 1 cup crushed Ritz crackers (about 1 sleeve) or panko breadcrumbs
• ¼ cup melted butter
• 6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
• 2 tablespoons chopped green onions (optional)

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👩‍🍳 Instructions

1. Preheat and Prep

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter or nonstick spray.

2. Make the Creamy Base

In a large bowl, combine cream cheese, sour cream, cream of chicken soup, melted butter, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Mix until smooth and creamy.

3. Add Potatoes and Cheese

Gently fold in the hash browns and 1½ cups of cheddar cheese until everything is evenly coated in the creamy mixture.

4. Transfer to Baking Dish

Spread the potato mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish.

5. Prepare the Topping

In a small bowl, mix crushed Ritz crackers with ¼ cup melted butter. Sprinkle the mixture evenly over the potatoes.

6. Bake

Bake uncovered for 40–45 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the casserole is bubbling around the edges.

7. Add Finishing Touches

Remove from the oven and sprinkle the top with remaining cheddar cheese, crumbled bacon, and green onions. Return to the oven for 5 minutes or until the cheese melts.

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🌿 Tips & Variations

✨ Make it loaded: Add chopped green peppers, jalapeños, or caramelized onions.
✨ Healthier twist: Use Greek yogurt instead of sour cream and light cream cheese.
✨ Vegetarian version: Use cream of mushroom soup and skip the bacon.
✨ Extra crispy topping: Mix a handful of shredded Parmesan with the cracker crumbs.

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🧊 Storage

• Refrigerate: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
• Freeze: Assemble the casserole (without the topping), cover tightly, and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight and add the topping before baking.
• Reheat: Warm in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 15–20 minutes or until heated through.

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🍽️ Perfect Pairings

Serve this Million Dollar Potato Casserole alongside:

• Roast chicken, ham, or beef tenderloin
• Green bean casserole or steamed broccoli
• Crisp garden salad for balance

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✨ Final Thoughts

This Million Dollar Potato Casserole truly lives up to its name — it’s rich, indulgent, and full of layers of creamy, cheesy goodness. Whether it’s served at Thanksgiving, Christmas, or a simple family dinner, it’s sure to be the dish everyone asks for seconds (and the recipe for!).

With its buttery cracker topping and melt-in-your-mouth potatoes, this casserole is the definition of comfort food done right.

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