Ultimate Million Dollar Potato Casserole
Million Dollar Potato Casserole is a rich, creamy hashbrown casserole made with sour cream, cream cheese, ranch seasoning, cheddar cheese, and a buttery Ritz cracker topping. It’s worth making when you need a cozy side dish for holidays, potlucks, Sunday dinner, or any meal where plain potatoes aren’t enough. The frozen hashbrowns fold right into the creamy mixture, bake until hot and bubbly, then get finished with bacon pieces and green onions for a loaded potato-style finish.
Before You Get Started
Soften the cream cheese before mixing so it blends smoothly with the sour cream. If it’s too cold, you’ll end up with little cream cheese pockets throughout the casserole.
Use frozen hashbrowns straight from the bag unless your recipe card says otherwise. They’ll bake in the creamy mixture and soften as the casserole cooks.
Wait to add the cracker topping until after the first bake. This keeps the crackers buttery and crisp instead of letting them sink into the potatoes too early.
What You Need To Make Million Dollar Potato Casserole
All exact amounts are listed in the recipe card below. Here’s what you’ll be working with:
- Frozen hashbrowns for the potato base. Ore-Ida hashbrowns work well here.
- Cream cheese to make the casserole extra rich and creamy.
- Sour cream to loosen the filling and add a little tang.
- Cheddar cheese for a melty, cheesy potato layer.
- Ranch seasoning for quick savory flavor throughout the casserole.
- Ritz crackers for the buttery, golden topping.
- Butter to coat the cracker crumbs and help them brown.
- Bacon pieces for a salty, loaded-potato finish.
- Green onions for a fresh topping after baking.
You’ll also need measuring cups and spoons, a small microwave-safe bowl, spoon, large bowl, silicone spoon, 9×13 inch casserole dish, cutting board, and knife.
How To Make Million Dollar Potato Casserole
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9×13 inch casserole dish.
Dice the green onions and set them aside for topping.
In a large bowl, stir together the softened cream cheese, sour cream, ranch seasoning, and shredded cheddar cheese until combined.
Fold in the frozen hashbrowns until they are evenly coated in the creamy mixture.
Spread the potato mixture into the prepared casserole dish. Bake for 40 minutes.
💡 Tip: The casserole should look hot around the edges before you add the cracker topping. If the center still looks very cold or stiff, give it a few more minutes before moving on.
Melt the butter in a small microwave-safe bowl. Crush the Ritz crackers, then stir them into the melted butter until evenly coated.
Remove the casserole from the oven and sprinkle the buttered cracker crumbs evenly over the top.
Return the casserole to the oven and bake for 20 more minutes, or until the topping is golden and the casserole is bubbly.
Remove from the oven and top with bacon pieces and diced green onions before serving.
Commonly Asked Questions
Can I use shredded hashbrowns instead of diced hashbrowns?
Yes. Shredded hashbrowns work well and mix easily into the creamy filling. Diced hashbrowns will give the casserole a chunkier potato texture, so use whichever one you prefer.
Do I need to thaw the hashbrowns first?
No, you can fold the frozen hashbrowns right into the creamy mixture. If yours are frozen in a solid clump, break them apart a bit first so they mix evenly.
Can I use a different cheese?
Yes. Cheddar is classic, but Colby jack, Monterey jack, or a sharp cheddar blend would all work well. Sharp cheddar gives the casserole a stronger cheesy flavor.
Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes. Assemble the potato mixture in the casserole dish, cover it tightly, and refrigerate it until you’re ready to bake. Add the cracker topping after the first bake so it stays crisp.
What can I serve with Million Dollar Potato Casserole?
This is great with ham, roast chicken, turkey, meatloaf, pork chops, or grilled steak. It also fits right in with holiday sides like green beans, corn, rolls, and salad.
Can I leave off the bacon?
Yes. The casserole is still rich and flavorful without it. You can skip the bacon completely or add extra green onions on top for a fresh finish.
Million Dollar Potato Casserole
Equipment
- Measuring cups and spoons
- small microwave safe bowl
- Spoon
- Large bowl
- Silicone spoon
- 9×13 inch casserole dish
- Cutting board
- Knife
Ingredients
- 30 oz bag of frozen hashbrowns I like Oreida for this recipe
- 8 oz cream cheese softened
- 8 oz sour cream
- 1 ½ cups cheddar cheese shredded
- 1 oz packet ranch seasoning
- 1 sleeve ritz crackers crushed
- 3 tbsp butter melted
- ¼ – ½ cup bacon pieces
- 2 green onions diced
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9×13 inch casserole dish.
- Dice the green onions.
- In a large bowl, stir together the softened cream cheese, sour cream, ranch seasoning, and cheddar cheese. Fold in the hashbrowns.
- Pour the mixture into the prepared casserole dish and bake for 40 minutes.
- Remove from the oven. Melt the butter and crush the crackers, then stir together and sprinkle over the top of the casserole dish. Bake for an additional 20 minutes.
- Remove from the oven and top with bacon pieces and green onions.