Hearty Potato Casserole

🕒 Prep: 15 min
🔥 Cook: 1 hour
🍽 Serves: 8
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Get ready to indulge in a warm, comforting Hearty Potato Casserole that's perfect for family gatherings or a cozy night in. This dish combines layers of tender potatoes, rich cream, and gooey cheddar cheese, creating a symphony of flavors that will have everyone coming back for seconds.

Ingredients for Hearty Potato Casserole

Russet potatoes are the backbone of this dish, offering a sturdy texture that holds up well during baking. Cheddar cheese adds a sharp, creamy element, balancing the richness of the sour cream and heavy cream. The unsalted butter ensures a smooth, cohesive sauce, while the onion and garlic provide a savory depth of flavor. A touch of salt, black pepper, and paprika adds just the right amount of seasoning, and fresh parsley gives a pop of color and freshness.

Tips & Tricks

  • For even cooking, slice potatoes as uniformly as possible.
  • If you prefer a bit more kick, consider adding a pinch of cayenne pepper.
  • Use a mandoline slicer to achieve consistently thin potato slices with ease.

Serving Suggestions

This Hearty Potato Casserole pairs beautifully with roasted chicken, grilled meats, or a fresh green salad. It’s also a delightful addition to a holiday spread, complementing dishes like turkey or ham.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I prepare this casserole in advance?
Yes, you can assemble it a day ahead and store it in the refrigerator. Just bake it when you're ready to serve.
Can I use a different type of cheese?
Absolutely! Try using Gruyère or Monterey Jack for a different flavor profile.
What if I don't have heavy cream?
You can substitute half-and-half, though the sauce will be slightly less rich.

Hearty Potato Casserole Recipe Walkthrough

Before you begin, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking. Start by peeling the potatoes and slicing them thinly and evenly. This step is crucial to ensure they cook uniformly.

Next, in a large saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter and add the chopped onions and minced garlic. Sauté them until they become translucent, which should take about 5 minutes. This allows the flavors to meld beautifully.

Once your onions and garlic are ready, stir in the heavy cream, sour cream, salt, pepper, and paprika. Heat the mixture gently until it's just combined; you want a smooth sauce that will coat the potatoes evenly.

Now, arrange half of the potato slices in your prepared baking dish. Pour half of the cream mixture over the potatoes and sprinkle generously with cheddar cheese. Repeat the layering with the remaining potatoes, cream mixture, and cheese.

Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake in your preheated oven for 45 minutes. After this, remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 15 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown. Once done, let the casserole cool for about 10 minutes to set before serving. Garnish with fresh parsley for a delightful finish.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

  • Packed with flavor from onions, garlic, and cheddar cheese.
  • Simple, straightforward steps that make it easy to prepare.
  • Perfect for chilly evenings or as a crowd-pleasing side dish.
  • Customizable with your favorite herbs or additional spices.

Ingredients

5 lbs russet potatoes
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
1 cup sour cream
1 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup unsalted butter
1 medium onion, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley for garnish

Step-by-step Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
2. Peel and thinly slice the potatoes evenly.
3. In a large saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter and sauté the onions and garlic until translucent.
4. Stir in the heavy cream, sour cream, salt, pepper, and paprika, and heat until just combined.
5. Layer half of the potato slices in the prepared baking dish.
6. Pour half of the cream mixture over the potatoes and sprinkle with cheddar cheese.
7. Repeat the layers with the remaining potatoes, cream mixture, and cheese.
8. Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 45 minutes.
9. Remove foil and bake for an additional 15 minutes or until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
10. Let cool for 10 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh parsley.

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