🫖 + 🧀 + 🥔
There is truly nothing like a hot, cheesy potato casserole on a hot summer day. I am not even being sarcastic. I could eat this buttery, cheesy, yumminess everyday. I will not do it though because my arteries would hate me for life if I did. You know when it is your birthday and your mom lets you pick the meal (literally the best day), this is what I would choose. It would be this and whatever everyone else wanted, just be sure to have the potatoes, and I am a happy birthday girl.
The Recipe.
I recently decided to attempt the recipe myself and let me tell you, it hit. I am eating the last of it as I sit here typing this. Here are the details . . .
1 32 oz bag of frozen potatoes (diced or shredded, whatever tickles your fancy)
2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese
2 cups of sour cream
1 onion, chopped
1 can of cream of chicken soup
1 stick of butter, melted
1 sprinkle of garlic powder
1 sprinkle of onion powder
1 sprinkle of parsley
Salt, Pepper
2 cups of corn flakes
Another stick of butter, melted
The Instructions.
👩🏼🍳 One. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
🧈 Two. Butter your casserole dish.
🧅 Three. Chop and saute your onions over medium heat.
🥔 Four. Mix together your potatoes, cheese, sour cream, onions, cream of chicken soup, melted butter, and seasonings
🫗 Five. Pour the mixture into your casserole dish.
🌽 Six. Mix together your corn flakes and melted butter.
🫗 Seven. Pour the cornflake mixture on top of the potato mixture.
⏲️ Eight. Bake for 35-45 minutes.
🍽️ Nine. Gather with your family and friends to feast.
🛋️ Ten. Lay on the couch for a solid hour until you are back to baseline.
The Lessons.
Okay, now that you have made your very own casserole, please sit back, read about the life lessons, enjoy your casserole, and then let me know about your experience in the comment section below.
One. It’s all a lie, and it doesn’t have to be.
Your mom was lying to you when she told you that she “slaved” over this meal. It is quite literally the easiest thing to make next to cereal. Don’t let her treat you like that. Also, stop lying to your kids because you think you are protecting them . . . you aren’t. In fact, when they find out that you are lying, you are going to lose credibility with them and create more of a disconnection when you thought you were doing them a solid. Now, I know what you are thinking, “Just wait until you have kids Alice. Just wait until you look into those sweet, innocent eyes and try not lying to them and crushing them.” I hear you, and I am not out to crush anyone (although, after eating this casserole I could accidentally if I sit down on something).. All jokes aside, perhaps we can find a way to reframe our verbiage such that spirits remain high and no lie is told in the raising of your children. Instead, try “glad you love the casserole, {insert child’s name here}, it was fun to make and can easily make it again.”
Two. Just because the recipe is easy, does not mean it is healthy.
While this can be the case, not always. Let me tell you, in the case of the cheesy potato casserole, it is NOT the case. Not even close to healthy given the butter, cheese, and more butter. Balance is good though. Just as you cannot have the light without the dark, you cannot have a healthy life without a little unhealthy. (I suppose you could, but we are only human). The point is, live a little. Have the mindset of doing good to others and give yourself a little grace for the times it does not go as planned. (Okay, calming down, it is only a potato recipe).
Three. Target casserole dishes are the move.
This little Figment ceramic piece of goodness came in a two pack, can go in the oven (obvi, she is for casseroles after all), and can go in the dishwasher. Do not tell anyone that I ate some of the casserole straight out of it. Shout out to my Aunt Jennifer for getting me this set for Christmas! Here is the link.
Four. Neighbors are friends, not food.
Bruce from Finding Nemo was right, your neighbor is a friend, not food. Shout out to Paul for saving the day and offering his can opener. The show could quite literally not have gone one without him. Here is a link to a cutie can opener in case you do not have a Paul in your life.
Five. Home cooked meals are good for the soul.
Especially when you are surrounded by family and friends. Brownie points if you are eating off a plate from the Georgene Collection at Gigi Frazier. (use code ‘cheese’ at checkout for a surprise).
Six. Keep it up.
I see you out here just doing great. Keep it up my friend.
Thanks for visiting Alice-Hilton. Share this blog with someone who is doing great. We hope you leave here feeling like you have emerged into the beautiful butterfly that you are.
AND, YOU ARE DOING GREAT 🦋.