It Happens in a Blink

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • Home
  • Crafts
    • Craft Through the Bible
    • HandPrint the Alphabet Preschool Series
  • Cricut Tutorials and Projects
  • Traveling with Kids
  • Quick and Easy Recipes
  • New? Start Here
    • Welcome!
    • Contact Me
    • Privacy Policy
    • Disclosure Policy
  • Blog

March 28, 2014 by: Melanie

Cheesy Potato Casserole with Ore-Ida Shredded Hash Brown Potatoes #shop

I am a member of the Collective Bias®  Social Fabric® Community.  This Cheesy Potato Casserole with #OreIdaHashbrown has been compensated as part of a social shopper amplification for #CollectiveBias and its advertiser.

Those who are regular readers on my blog and those who follow me on Instagram know that I’ve been a bit, well, whiny here lately regarding my grocery bill. I had never dreamed when our family doubled in size a year ago that I would already be making double portions of every meal. Last night we polished off two boxes of shells and cheese, a can of green beans, and a rotisserie chicken with no left overs in sight. An hour later the boys all had a yogurt. Thirty minutes after that they were at their dad’s knees begging like puppies for a taste of his smoothie. Feeding a big family is tough. But could you imagine being responsible for feeding TEN children and teenagers every day and night? I’ve been blessed to know one community hero for several years now who does exactly that. I recently took the opportunity to hopefully be a blessing to her by giving her a night off of cooking dinner and providing her family a Cheesy Potato Casserole with delicious Ore-Ida Shredded Hash Brown Potatoes.

Cheesy Potato Casserole for a Crowd #OreIdaHashbrown #shop #cbias

I met Ms. Penny close to ten years ago now. At that time, she was a foster parent with two children in her care. But she had love for these children that desired to give them a permanent home. So she adopted the two small boys that I have been thrilled to watch grow up to turn into awesome teenagers. Yet Ms. Penny’s heart for children didn’t stop there. Throughout the years, I’ve witnessed many foster children come through her home, and I saw her strength when her husband passed away. Her resilience is amazing, and through it all her big heart for children never changed. She is a true community hero with a deep love for those without a home. Ms. Penny now has three adopted children, three foster children who have been in her home for several years, three children whom she has unofficially adopted who stay in her home, and a grandchild whom she keeps regularly. And since I’m something akin to a math wizard, I know that tallies up to TEN children and teens who eat under her roof multiple times a day. Wow!

The big meals that I’ve been cooking lately inspired me to think about her. Surely for one night I could ease her burden by providing a home cooked meal for her family. A meal to feed eleven calls for one specific dish- Cheesy Potato Casserole made with Ore-Ida Shredded Hash Brown Potatoes. I doubled the dish to guarantee that there would be enough for the entire crew (and maybe enough for left overs!). This hearty dish has everything growing kids love- cheese and potatoes! Recipe is courtesy of Ore-Ida.

Ingredients {for a double portion}:

  • 2 (10.5 oz.) cans of condensed cream of chicken soup
  • 4 Cups Sour cream, divided
  • 2 Teaspoon Salt
  • 1/2 Teaspoon Ground black pepper
  • 4 Cups Shredded cheddar cheese, divided
  • 2/3 Cup Sliced green onions, divided
  • 2 Packages (30 oz.) Ore-Ida® Shredded Hash Brown Potatoes
  • 4 Cups Crushed corn flake cereal, divided
  • 1/2 Cup Butter, melted and divided
  • If taking the casseroles to a large group or organization, I recommend using disposable aluminum 13×9 baking pans.

Ore-Ida Shredded Hash Brown Potatoes #OreIdaHashbrown #shop #cbias

Begin by measuring out and dividing all the ingredients. When making a double or triple batch of a dish, I get easily confused. If I begin organized, surely I’ll stay organized– right?

Ore-Ida Ingredients #OreIdaHashbrown #shop #cbias

Preheat oven to 350°F. Coat the 13×9 baking dishes with nonstick cooking spray. Take two large bowls, and whisk together 1 can soup soup, 2 cups sour cream, 1 Teaspoon salt and 1/4 Teaspoon pepper in each bowl.

Ore-Ida Cheesy Potato Casserole Step One #OreIdaHashbrown #shop #cbias

Stir in 2 cups cheese, 1/3 cup onion, and 1 package hash browns in each bowl until well mixed.

Ore-Ida Cheesy Potato Casserole Step Two #OreIdaHashbrown #shop #cbias

Spoon the contents of each bowl evenly into two baking dishes.

Ore-Ida Cheesy Potato Casserole Step Three #OreIdaHashbrown #shop #cbias

Mix together 2 cups cereal and 1/4 cup butter in a medium sized bowl, then repeat in a separate medium sized bowl.

Ore-Ida Cheesy Potato Casserole #OreIdaHashbrown #shop #cbias

Sprinkle each bowl evenly on top of the two hash brown mixtures.

Ore-Ida Cheesy Potato Casserole #OreIdaHashbrown #shop #cbias

If using the aluminum baking dishes, place each dish on top of a cookie sheet before placing it into the oven. This is a hearty dish, and the cookie sheet will help to support the disposable dishes.

Bake uncovered for 45 to 50 minutes, or until hot and bubbly. Allow to rest for about 10-15 minutes before covering with aluminum foil for delivery.

Ore-Ida Cheesy Potato Csserole #OreIdaHashbrown #shop #cbias

I also tossed together a quick salad as a side for the meal. The teenagers in the home are a big fan of my Chocolate Eclair Pudding, so I included that as a special treat for them.

Ore-Ida Cheesy Potato Casserole #OreIdaHashbrown #shop #cbias

My hubby and I loaded our meal in the car and set out for a special delivery. The hubby was the designated driver while I strapped the food in the car seat. He makes a pretty good looking delivery driver. Don’t you think so? I’d deliver food with him anywhere. Oh, wait, I’m getting totally off track here. Pardon me.

 

We arrived at the house to a hungry crew! My daughter sneaked in the photo, too.

 

We didn’t stay for dinner. We only left the food and visited for a few minutes. I was pleased to get some awesome text messages after we left, though! I could try to use words to express how thankful the family was and how much they enjoyed the meal, but I think these picture messages that my husband and I received speak for themselves!

Texts from Cheesy Potato Casserole Delivery #OreIdaHashrown #shop #cbias

Want to surprise a community hero or charity with a home cooked dish large enough to feed a crowd? This Hash Brown Recipe is sure to please! Purchase the Ore-Ida Shredded Hash Brown Potatoes from Walmart with the coupon from their website to save a little jingle in your pocket, too!

Ore-Ida Shopping at Walmart #OreIdaHashbrowns #shop #cbias

 

12 Sunday Dinner Slow Cooker Recipes
Edible Paint Dots with #VIPFruitFlavors #shop

Comments

  1. amy @ one artsy mama says

    March 28, 2014 at 9:35 am

    Oh, Melanie, what a wonderful thing to do! I can’t imagine feeding that many people every day!! I’m so glad you were able to find such a practical way to bless that family!

    • Melanie says

      March 28, 2014 at 10:50 am

      I can’t imagine it either, Amy! Thank you for your sweet comment!

  2. Kristy says

    March 28, 2014 at 10:16 am

    What a wonderful way to give back and be a blessing! Love this!

    • Melanie says

      March 28, 2014 at 10:49 am

      Thank you Kristy!

  3. Kara says

    March 28, 2014 at 11:35 am

    This looks super yummy! I am definitely adding this to my list 🙂

    • Melanie says

      March 28, 2014 at 11:54 am

      Let me know if you try it. I would love to hear about your experience with this dish!

  4. Jessica (Savory Experiments) says

    March 28, 2014 at 11:35 am

    Cheese plus potatoes- YES PLEASE!!!!!

    • Melanie says

      March 28, 2014 at 11:52 am

      And the large portions mean left overs for another meal! Excellent, right?!?

  5. Claire @ A Little Claireification says

    March 28, 2014 at 12:02 pm

    Oh my goodness this post made me tear up – what a sweet thing for you to do and what an angel that Ms. Penny is!! Wow. Mind. Blown. This looks delicious and I am SO using this recipe the next time I need to feed a crowd. Pinned!

    • Melanie says

      March 28, 2014 at 12:04 pm

      Thanks, Claire! This is an excellent crowd-pleaser recipe and is great to surprise someone who needs it!

  6. Danielle says

    March 28, 2014 at 12:58 pm

    I absolutely LOVE a good hashbrown casserole but I’ve never heard of putting cereal on top! I’ll have to try it!

    Danielle at Framed Frosting

  7. Alicia says

    March 28, 2014 at 3:47 pm

    That is a lot of mouths to feed! I’m sure she was extremely thankful and touched by your act of kindness. #client

  8. Kait @ ChickadeeSays says

    March 28, 2014 at 8:58 pm

    What a group of wonderful people (yourself included!) The generosity and big hearts of ladies like you always make me smile- and the recipe looks fabulous as well!

  9. Marlys (This and That) says

    March 29, 2014 at 4:38 am

    Growing up in a family of 9 I know all to well how it was to feed a big family and the 3 boys ate twice to three times as much as us 6 girls. This sounds like a wonderful meal to feed a big group.

    • Melanie says

      March 29, 2014 at 9:57 am

      Wow- you do know all about it!

  10. Holly Lefevre says

    March 29, 2014 at 7:09 pm

    What a great story. I can only imagine e how appreciative that family was. Totally pinning thus recipe!

  11. ChiWei says

    March 29, 2014 at 10:14 pm

    What a great story, Melanie! And yes, 10 kids, not 9. I loved those photo messages too!

    • Melanie says

      March 30, 2014 at 1:30 pm

      Thanks, ChiWei! And there may even be more than that in this picture- my daughter sneaked in it, too!

  12. Summer Davis says

    March 30, 2014 at 11:24 am

    What a touching story! That lady is a saint . I can hardly take care of my own three children, let alone other people’s. I’m just so touched. And kudos to you for feeding them all with that delicious casserole and extras. You are a kind friend and they are blessed to have you in their lives. Bonus: Hurray for easy to make, enormous, delicious casseroles. #client

    • Melanie says

      March 30, 2014 at 1:27 pm

      Thanks, Summer. I always say that giving back sometimes gives more to the giver than to the receiver. I know it did in this case!

  13. Potato lover says

    September 29, 2014 at 11:02 am

    I love this recipe and have made a similar version of this for years. Always a big hit and soooo easy! To really take this over the top, add a dry packet of Uncle Dan’s Ranch dressing mix. Thanks Melanie!

  14. Sam says

    December 8, 2014 at 7:08 pm

    I need to make cheesy potatoes for a crowd of about 30+ people. Do you think this recipe would make enough?

  15. Mammie says

    February 25, 2015 at 12:37 am

    Love this recipe but haven’t used the shredded potatoes before, will do that next time! I am on the Bereavement Committee at church and will for sure use this recipe. Also, I looked for the chocolate eclair recipe but couldn’t find it, would love to have this one also to feed a lot of folks. Bless you for helping feed an army of kids and I have to agree, that is a pretty cute “co-food delivery guy”! Any guy that goes that extra mile to help others is a mighty good man in my book! Got one of those myself and we have been cooking and delivering food when needed for 38 years, yep, he’s a keeper too! Thanks so much and if you could steer me in the right direction of the pudding it would be most appreciated!

  16. Monica says

    November 22, 2016 at 10:12 am

    I’ ve always loved this dish. A simple trick my family does is switching the hashbrowns for Potatoes O’Brien. The Potatoes O’Brien already has onions and peppers in it so you can cut out the extra step of buying and chopping green onions.

    • Melanie says

      November 22, 2016 at 10:36 am

      That’s a good tip! Thank you!

   
   
  !-- Home Page Ad 1 -->    
DISCLAIMER: While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and effectiveness of all information on this website, It Happens in a Blink, LLC, makes no guarantee to the procedures shared here. It Happens in a Blink, LLC, is not responsible or liable for direct, indirect, or consequential damages or personal grievances resulting from the use of any information on ItHappensinaBlink.com. This website is not intended to be a substitute for the advice of a professional.
    I love sharing my ideas and projects, and I love when others like them enough to want to share them too! If you would like to share a pattern or project, please refer to my Terms of Use for copyright details.This is a personal blog written and edited by me. If you have any questions, you may always contact me. I take great pride in maintaining the integrity of this site and building it as an honest and reliable source of information and inspiration for my readers. Please note that no photos of my children are to be republished on another blog under any circumstances. Read my full Privacy Policy Here: https://ithappensinablink.com/privacy-policy/ Read my full Disclosure Policy Here: https://ithappensinablink.com/disclosure-policy/

Crafts

Easy DIY Mother’s Day Mugs with the Cricut Mug Press

Let's customize mom a Mother's Day mug! Whether your favorite mom is a people … [Read More...]

Blog Partners

Recipes

Making Sweet Potato Bisque with Apple Salsa

Making Sweet Potato Bisque with Apple Salsa

I'm making sweet potato bisque with apple salsa for the first time. The spicy … [Read More]

Kid’s Crafts

Make One of These Three DIY Solar System Project Ideas

Are you debating which solar system project idea is best for you child's science … [Read More...]

© 2022 · ithappensinablink.com