To tell you a secret, I had never really cooked anything (besides my momma’s chocolate chip cookies) until I got married four years ago. The wake up call? My grandmother loudly pondering why I would even need all these nice kitchen gadgets at my bridal shower. “She’s never going to use these things anyhow.”
Yikes! Well, I really showed her. And my grandma is proud of me for getting lots of use out of my lovely kitchen items. But, I don’t really do anything fancy or difficult in the kitchen. I just like simple and yummy recipes. So, I wondered why Amanda said she liked my recipes and wanted me to share.
Then I realized – I guess lots of us are looking for simple recipes that people rave over.
And that’s what this recipe is. EASY – only four ingredients. And something people will love. I know lots of you make cheesy potatoes. But I’m telling you. This is the best and easiest cheesy potatoes recipe ever. And sometimes they are gone before I even get some.
And of all the recipes I’ve posted on our blog, I get the most response from this one. Someone just emailed me last week to tell me that it was the hit of the party on the 4th. So, there. My invisible friends tell me it’s good.
I find this to be the end-all-be-all of potluck recipes. It’s something my mom made, and I can remember eating this as a kid. I don’t even bother to make anything else anymore. It’s just not worth it. One time I dared to show up at Easter with homemade brownies. My family nearly revolted.
One of the last times I made them, Ryan told me that his buddies were all asking, “who made the potatoes?” Oh yeah…. they were that good. Even had the guys talking about them.
What these potatoes are not is healthy. So, if you are dieting, don’t even try it. You’ll eat the entire pan in one sitting. (Not that I’d do that. Master of self-control.) This is why it’s best to make this for a potluck. It’s just not worth the (beautiful) agony of eating it all yourself.
So, that’s about the most set-up you’ll ever get for a quick and easy recipe…
My momma’s cheesy potatoes
Melt together the following in the microwave until thick and smooth:
1/2-3/4 stick of Velveeta cheese (I usually err on the more-Velveeta side.)
1 stick butter
1 cup shredded cheese (cheddar)
1/2 cup half-and-half
Pour melted mixture over one bag of shredded, frozen potatoes (hash browns). Mix together until cheese is spread evenly throughout the potatoes. Refrigerate over night to soak up the cheese. Top with another cup of shredded cheddar and bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes.
Eat and promptly die over how good it is. You’re welcome. 😉
And now the most important question….
What’s your favorite potluck recipe?
Wow does this look good!!!! I’m curious if by a stick of velvet a you mean the smallest size? Or the large brick????? Thanks!!!!!
I use a large brick.
Do you mean the 2 lb brick? My store has 3 sizes.
Came to this post after your casserole carrier post. I made it for my husband last night, added a little onion and bacon, sort of the stuffed baked potato theory. He said it was the BEST potatoes he has ever eaten. Thank you for the recipe.
Yum. I have a version of this that I, too, love. It’s so sinfully delicious!
Yum! We’ll have to try that!
I have an aversion to Velveeta as well, friends, but I think it’s a must for this recipe. It truly doesn’t taste like velveeta but it gives it the creamy, cheesy texture.
Oh I love cheesy potatoes….so much so that I am going to have to pay attention to your warning. Because I would be the girl that would eat the entire pan in one sitting.
so, that looks AMAZING, i’ll give you that. but do you have any substitution suggestions for the velveeta? that stuff is nasty. it’s certainly not cheese; i’m not sure it even qualifies as food.
yum! I have a similar recipe, but it uses all shredded cheese and hash brown taters rather than shredded.
Oooh, wow. Cheese. Potatoes. Butter. What’s not to love??!!! I like to sign up for desserts. I’m good at those!
This looks like heaven in a pan. All my favorite ingredients (cheese, potatoes, butter, and more cheese). Making this for football season, for sure.
These look great! Question.. while their baking do you cover with foil?
Congrats on having the best dish.. I’ll have to try it sometime..
But I dont plan in Dying over how good it is 😉 haha.
freak these look amazing!! i bring different things … meatballs are always a hit; mini ham sandwiches; a three bean salad (that is to die for) … yummy!
I don’t know that I could eat the velveeta… but that looks yummy!! 🙂
that looks deelish! can’t wait to try it!
that looks deelish! can’t wait to try it!
Kim, really? I’m supposed to be loooosing the baby weight, not trying to convince people I’m having the longest pregnancy ever. I want to make these, turn off the lights, sit on the couch and eat the whole pan. Then feel the shame! Sounds like a good night to me.
These look and sound divine!! How can you go wrong with Velveeta and Half and Half over potatoes? Really!!
Thanks for sharing!
Holy crap. That is so.much.cheese. YUM!!! {bookmark}
must not remember recipe, those look so good and I’m trying to be good. lol!!
My fav potluck recipe also comes from my mom, her famous ten layer bean bean dip. It’s a goodness of ten layers of yummy. People have been know to pull up a chair and site next the dip with there chips and forks. It’s a dip that requires forks!! 🙂
I should NOT have read this at 11:00. Because now I want them for lunch. Which is complicated, since I’m sitting in a cube and all. But seriously….those looks SO GOOD. And easy. I like easy.
that looks amazingly delicious. need some asap.
That looks really really good…
YUM!!! It’s taking all I have not to start licking my screen. And running immediately in my bra-less, shoe-less, pajama-ed glory to Hy-Vee.
PS – I love that your mom comments on your blog. Mine does that too. 🙂
Now not only is my stomach growling… I’m sure my pants will fit tighter after the weekend because I am soooooo making cheesy potatoes :+)Thanks for such a easy recipe!
Yummy………you kids ALWAYS loved them. And now you carry on the tradion. What a proud mommy I am! I ♥ U sweetie!
oh wow… that looks like heaven!