Crack Potatoes are the cheesiest frozen hash browns with bacon and ranch! This easy potato recipe is perfect for Christmas morning or just a comforting weeknight dinner with only 5 pantry ingredients and simple frozen potatoes.
Who doesn’t love bacon, cheese, and ranch when it’s mixed with potatoes?! Crack Potatoes is the cheesy hash brown casserole of your dreams for literally any meal!
You only need FIVE ingredients — frozen hash browns, bacon, cheese, sour cream, and ranch dip mix — to make this perfect side dish for breakfast, brunch or dinner. This is my go-to recipe for Christmas morning because it’s easy to throw it together and bake.
I’ve heard this bacon, cheese, and ranch potato casserole called a lot of things, but it’s super addictive. Your family will ask for it every week!
Ingredients
This is a basic shopping list for the perfect Crack Potatoes. For the full list of measurements and steps, keep scrolling for the recipe card at the end of this post!
- Diced potatoes — I use frozen!
- Sour cream
- Bacon — make sure it’s cooked first!
- Dry ranch dressing mix
- Shredded cheddar cheese
How to Make Crack Potatoes
Here’s some tips and tricks for the perfect Crack Potatoes every time! For the full list of ingredients and instructions, check out the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
This recipe is super simple, I barely even check the measurements anymore!
- First, cook your bacon until it’s brown and crispy. You can do this step a day early and keep the homemade bacon bits in your fridge.
- To make the casserole, mix the frozen hash browns, sour cream, bacon, ranch dressing mix, and some cheddar cheese together. Cover and bake.
- Then, with about 15 minutes remaining, add more cheese on top and keep baking until it’s all melted and bubbly. You can also top with more bacon, too!
Let this cool a few minutes before serving for a more solid piece. Or simply scoop and serve piping hot! We usually can’t wait for it to cool enough to slice.
Should I Thaw Frozen Hash Browns Before Cooking?
Frozen hash browns are so great! Potatoes freeze incredibly well, and it’s such a time saver.
However, like most frozen foods, they leak water as they thaw. For less wet Crack Potatoes, I like to thaw mine in advance.
You can easily do that in a colander to let all the liquid run away and leave your perfectly diced potatoes.
If you don’t have time to thaw, that’s ok! Your Crack Potatoes just may have a little more liquid than mine.
Can I Use Fresh Potatoes Instead of Frozen Hash Browns?
Usually I’d say fresh is better than frozen, but when it comes to potatoes, they’re pretty even.
Frozen potatoes aren’t easy to get a golden brown sear, but they’re perfect for casseroles.
That being said, if you have fresh potatoes to spare, feel free to chop them up and use in this Crack Potatoes recipe! Make sure to dice them evenly into bite-size pieces so they all cook together.
To check your potatoes, make sure they are fork tender. If so, it’s done!
What to Serve with Cheesy Crack Potatoes
This is such a great holiday breakfast recipe because it hits all the major food groups — carbs, cheese, and bacon! There’s no time of day these creamy bacon and ranch potatoes can’t be served, honestly.
I like to pair it with homemade sausage rolls for a little protein while we open presents. This recipe is just like the ones you get at the donut shop!
For a little extra sweet with your breakfast, skip the can and make these fluffy cinnamon rolls. They’re so easy with a bread machine.
If you want a new twist on the traditional pot roast, try this Pepperoncini Beef! It’s great for a weeknight dinner or an amazing sandwich.
Chicken is great, but grilled chicken is always better. This chicken recipe makes the PERFECT chicken every time with a simple method for the most tender, juicy chicken on the grill.
More Amazing Comfort Food Recipes
- No-Roux Macaroni and Cheese
- Beef Stew
- Fried Potatoes
- Southern Chicken and Dumplings
- Homemade Sloppy Joes
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Ingredients
- 32 ounces frozen hash browns diced
- 16 ounces sour cream 2 cups
- 8 bacon slices
- 1 packet dry ranch dressing mix
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese divided
Instructions
- Preheat an oven to 350⁰F.
- Prepare a 9 X 13 baking dish by coating it with baking spray.
- Cook the bacon in a skillet until brown and crispy. Remove from the pan and place on paper towels to drain.
- Once the bacon is cool, chop it into small pieces and set aside.
- In a large bowl, combine the hash browns, sour cream, bacon piece, ranch dressing mix, and 1 cup of cheddar cheese.
- Cover the baking dish with foil and place it into a preheated oven and cook for 45 minutes.
- Remove the foil from the pan, cover with the remaining 1 cup of cheddar cheese and continue baking for 15 minutes or until the cheese on the top has completed melted and started to bubble.
- Remove from the oven and serve.
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