Simple Cheesy Potatoes Recipe for Effortless Cooking

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Sometimes all you need is comfort in a casserole dish. These Simple Cheesy Potatoes are that kind of dish—easy to prepare, packed with flavor, and always a crowd-pleaser. Whether you’re serving them as a side for a weeknight dinner or bringing them to a potluck, this dish promises warmth, nostalgia, and just the right amount of gooey indulgence.

The magic lies in how these humble ingredients come together. The soft, tender potatoes soak up the creamy cheese mixture, creating a melt-in-your-mouth texture that’s hard to resist. A golden crust forms on top while the inside stays perfectly rich and soft. This is the kind of dish that people go back to for seconds.

Why You’ll Love This Simple Cheesy Potatoes Recipe

This dish ticks every box when it comes to comfort and simplicity. It uses basic pantry staples, can be made ahead of time, and is forgiving if you’re cooking in a rush. The cheesy richness appeals to kids and adults alike, making it a dependable family favorite. Plus, it’s a versatile canvas—you can add bacon, green onions, or even diced ham to tailor it to your taste.

What Kind of Potatoes Should I Use?

For the best texture, go with Russet or Yukon Gold potatoes. Russets are starchy and break down slightly while baking, which helps the dish get that creamy, almost mashed quality inside. Yukon Golds offer a slightly buttery taste and hold their shape a bit better, giving you soft chunks throughout. Avoid waxy potatoes like Red Bliss—they don’t absorb the sauce as well.

Ingredients for the Simple Cheesy Potatoes Recipe

This dish uses simple staples that come together to create rich, savory flavor. Each ingredient serves a purpose—melting into the perfect comforting bake.

• Russet potatoes
• Shredded cheddar cheese
• Sour cream
• Cream of chicken soup
• Unsalted butter
• Yellow onion
• Salt
• Black pepper

The Russet potatoes are the foundation—starchy and soft, perfect for absorbing the creamy mixture. Shredded cheddar cheese adds that essential gooey, cheesy bite. Sour cream brings tang and creaminess, balancing the richness. Cream of chicken soup is the shortcut ingredient that adds savory depth instantly. Unsalted butter enhances everything with its smooth flavor, while yellow onion gives aromatic sweetness. Finally, salt and black pepper tie all the flavors together.

How To Make the Simple Cheesy Potatoes Recipe

Step 1: Prep Your Ingredients

Peel and dice the potatoes into bite-sized chunks. Dice the onion finely so it blends into the dish. Preheat your oven to 350°F.

Step 2: Make the Creamy Mix

In a large bowl, combine the sour cream, cream of chicken soup, melted butter, shredded cheese, diced onions, salt, and pepper. Stir everything together until smooth and well-blended.

Step 3: Fold in the Potatoes

Add the diced potatoes to the creamy cheese mixture. Use a spatula to gently fold everything together, ensuring the potatoes are fully coated.

Step 4: Transfer and Bake

Pour the potato mixture into a greased baking dish and spread evenly. Bake uncovered at 350°F for 60 to 70 minutes or until the top is golden and bubbling and the potatoes are fork-tender.

Step 5: Cool and Serve

Let the dish sit for about 10 minutes before serving to set slightly and make scooping easier.

Watch Out for These Mistakes While Cooking

One common mistake is undercooking the potatoes. Since they’re raw going in, they need the full bake time to become soft. Cutting them too large will slow down cooking, so make sure they’re evenly diced. Another issue is skipping the butter or sour cream—they’re not just for flavor but for texture, creating that creamy consistency everyone loves.

Overmixing is another pitfall. Stirring too vigorously can break up the potatoes, making the dish mushy. Fold gently to keep their shape intact. Lastly, resist the temptation to cover the dish while baking. That golden top needs direct heat to form.

How to Serve and Store This Simple Cheesy Potatoes Recipe

This recipe feeds about 8 people as a generous side dish, making it perfect for gatherings, holidays, or Sunday family dinners. Serve it warm, straight from the oven, paired with your favorite protein or veggie dish.

To store leftovers, let the dish cool completely and then cover tightly or transfer to an airtight container. Refrigerate for up to 4 days. To reheat, place it in the oven at 300°F covered with foil until warmed through. For quicker reheating, microwave individual portions.

What to Serve With Simple Cheesy Potatoes?

Grilled Chicken Thighs

The smokiness from grilled chicken balances the creamy richness of the potatoes beautifully.

BBQ Ribs

Tender, saucy ribs pair like a dream with cheesy sides. It’s a backyard BBQ favorite.

Green Beans Almondine

This classic vegetable dish adds crunch and freshness, balancing the carbs and creaminess.

Baked Ham

The saltiness of ham complements the mild potatoes, especially during holiday meals.

Garlic Butter Salmon

Savory, flaky salmon adds elegance and heart-healthy fats to your meal.

Chopped Salad

For a lighter touch, a crisp salad with vinaigrette offers great contrast.

Fried Eggs

Perfect for brunch—top your potatoes with a runny egg and dive in.

Crispy Tofu

For a vegetarian pairing, crispy tofu adds protein and texture without overpowering the dish.

Want More Potato Side Dish Ideas?

If you loved these Simple Cheesy Potatoes, you’ll want to explore these other comforting potato dishes on Nina Dishes:

• Try the cozy richness of the Funeral Potatoes—perfect for holidays and gatherings.
• Add a spicy twist with Mexican Potatoes, a zesty favorite.
• For oven-baked comfort, these Cheesy Ranch Oven Roasted Potatoes bring bold flavor.
• Brighten your plate with Oven Roasted Root Vegetables for a hearty, healthy addition.
• Or go full indulgence with the Best Scalloped Potatoes Recipe that’s creamy and elegant.

Save This Recipe For Later

📌 Save this recipe to your Pinterest side dish board so you can come back to it any time.

And let me know in the comments how yours turned out. Did you try adding bacon or jalapeños? Or maybe swapped in cream of mushroom for a twist?

I love seeing how you customize these recipes and hearing your kitchen stories. Questions are welcome too—we’re all here to cook smarter and eat well.

Explore beautifully curated comfort food and home-style favorites on Nina Dishes on Pinterest and discover your new go-to recipes.

Conclusion

Simple Cheesy Potatoes are the side dish everyone fights over—creamy, melty, and always satisfying. Whether you serve them as a weeknight indulgence or a potluck standout, they bring that unbeatable homemade warmth to the table. Easy to make, endlessly adaptable, and impossible to forget.

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