THE ULTIMATE Cracked Out Potatoes – cheddar, bacon and ranch. SO addictive!! I could make a meal out of this potato casserole!! Cheddar, bacon, ranch, cream of chicken soup. sour cream, frozen shredded hash browns. Can freeze for later. We usually bake half and freeze half for later. SO GOOD!
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Pin This RecipeOur Crack Potato Casserole is one of our all-time favorite side dishes. It is so simple and tastes incredible! The recipe was created by accident. We forgot to take our Crack Dip to the tailgate and I ended up making a potato casserole with the dip. It is one of our favorite recipes. I love happy accidents!!
This recipe is an updated version of the original recipe. We really think these are THE ULTIMATE Cracked Out Potatoes!! Cheddar, Bacon, Ranch, cream of chicken, sour cream and hash browns. CRAZY good! They are so creamy and full of AMAZING flavor!! I could seriously make a meal out of just these potatoes. They are my absolute favorite!!!
This makes a lot of potatoes. I usually split the recipe between 3 or 4 small foil pans and freeze the extra pans for later. I actually have 2 pans of this potato casserole in the freezer right now! To bake the frozen potatoes, I let the pan thaw in the refrigerator all day and then bake them. You can bake them frozen, you will just need to add more time to the cooking time. I might cover them for a little while also if putting the pan in the oven completely frozen.
THE ULTIMATE Cracked Out Potatoes
Ingredients:
- 2 (10.5-oz) cans Unsalted Cream of Chicken Soup
- 1 (16-oz) container sour cream
- 1 (1-oz) package ranch dressing mix
- ¾ cup cooked chopped bacon
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 (32-oz) package shredded hash brown potatoes
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 400º F. Lightly spray a 9×13-inch pan with cooking spray. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, stir together cream of chicken soup, sour cream, Ranch mix, bacon and cheese. Stir in hash browns and coat thoroughly. Spoon into prepared pan.
- Bake uncovered for 40 to 50 minutes, until heated through.
Notes:
- I suggest using Unsalted Cream of Chicken Soup in this dish to control the sodium.
- You can buy it by the case at Amazon: https://amzn.to/49n4uZE
- Need Gluten-free Cream of Chicken Soup? You can buy it here: https://amzn.to/3MtqQ1s
- Here is our recipe for Homemade Cream of Chicken Soup: https://www.plainchicken.com/homemade-cream-of-chicken-soup/
- Can assemble casserole and freeze for later.
- To bake after freezing, thaw completely and bake as directed above.
- No need to thaw hash browns before making the casserole.
Steph
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Can I freeze this in a freezer Ziploc or vacuum seal?
Absolutely!
Can you use the real bacon bits found in the salad dressing isle at the store or would you recommend making the bacon bits yourself?
The real bacon bits work great! I buy the big bags of bacon pieces at Costco and Sams. It is delicious and such a time saver!
I made it for a family gathering and everyone loved them. I was hoping to have a few leftovers but nope.
Going to make it again soon!
Can I put this together the day before and put it in the refrigerator until I’m ready to bake it?
Absolutely!
If I Double this recipe and bake it all in the same dish. Would I need longer baking time?
It would depend on the size of the dish. You would probably need to add a few minutes to the cooking time.
When you divide this batch into smaller pans do you adjust the baking time?
It just depends on how small the pans are. They need to cook at least 30 to 40 minutes. Look at the potatoes – if they are bubbling and starting to brown, they are good.
Very easy, actually mixed mine up ahead of time and put in the fridge to bake later in the eve. Big hit!
Can you substitute cream of mushroom for cream of chicken?
Of course. Any condensed cream of soup will work.
Can you substitute heavy cream for sour cream… not a fan of sour cream.
How many people does the current recipe serve?
In the pictures ~ it almost looks like Ritz crackers are in it…did you garnish with those? Can't wait to try this one!
There aren't any Ritz crackers in this recipe. You can certainly add some on top if you desire.
Can fresh hash browns be used?
You can but you should soak the potatoes in cold water to remove the starch before making the casserole.
Can this be reheated in a crockpot for a potluck?
ABSOLUTELY DELICIOUS !!
I’m unable to buy threaded hash Browns in NZ can I cook and shread potatoes or use frozen hash brown patties
Would it be ok to substitute the hasbrowns with cubbed potatoes? I forgot my hasbrowns at home!and would I need to increase the cook time?
What a great idea! But unfortunately, without further recipe testing, I cannot answer with certainty. As always, please use your best judgment regarding substitutions and modifications.
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Hi. Do you use frozen or refrigerated hash browns? Thank you!
Frozen
Would love to make this for a large bbq I’m having next weekend. Should be about 40-50 people there… do you think I could/should triple this? Bad at estimating things.
I would make 4 or 5 pans. I figure 10 people per pan.
Can I cook these in a slow cooker?? I want to make for camping and think it would be easier in a slow cooker
They should be fine in the slow cooker
how long should they cook in the slow cooker
I’ve always cooked mine in a slow cooker. Usually start it in the morning and it’s done around noon. About 4-6 hours. I add green onions to mine as well. Sadly there’s never any left overs
how long should they cook for in the slow cooker
Do i use the ranch dressing mix that goes in sour cream or the vinaigrette type? This was great! Im making it again.
You use a 1-ounce packet of Original Hidden Valley Ranch mix – I linked to it in the ingredients if you want to see the packaging
1/13/2018: I made this to go along with Lobster and it was a real treat… everyone loved it. When things like, "it's a keeper" and "can I get that recipe?" are things people say, you know you have a winner. Thanks for sharing!
I took a risk and made this on a whim for the company holiday luncheon yesterday. I've never made it before but figured how can you go wrong with those ingredients? I mixed everything together the night before and popped it in the oven yesterday morning while I was getting ready for work. It was the biggest hit! Everyone raved about it, there weren't any leftovers, and several people asked for the recipe. It was even unofficially discussed as a "best side dish" (tied with a coworkers delish sweet potatoes). Thanks for the home run recipe.
Oh my GOSH! This casserole is delicious! I made it last night. It's hard to stop eating it! I added organic green onions (diced) to mine and also a teaspoon of black pepper. Out of this world! Thanks so much!!
Have you every made these in a slow cooker. If so how long did you cook them?
She has a very similar recipe for Crock Pot Cheesy Potatoes we make all the time…takes 4 to 6 hours on Low and can be doubled for a crowd!!!
Oh boy do those cracked out potatoes look amazing or what! There is something I have some precooked chopped bacon in my freezer already…I am thinking I need to make these!
Pinning!
Do the hashbrowns need to be thawed or do you mix them while they are frozen?
I usually just mix them up frozen, but thawed is fine too.
Looks delicious and love your first shot.