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This Crispy Potato Hash with Bacon and Ranch Dressing makes a hearty, comforting dish topped with crunchy potatoes, flavorful bacon, tangy ranch seasoning and melty cheddar cheese. It's great for weeknight dinners, party spreads or game nights - a real crowd-pleaser that works for any occasion.
A Crowd-Pleasing Comfort Dish
This bake combines all your favorite comfort flavors and textures. The ranch seasoning adds a zingy kick while the cheddar and bacon create a rich, savory balance. The crispy potatoes work as the perfect foundation for this tasty casserole that's super easy to make and impossible to turn down.
Key Ingredients You'll Need
- Frozen Hash Browns: 2 pounds that turn golden when baked for maximum crunch.
- Dry Ranch Mix: 1 ounce packet evenly distributed for bold flavor.
- Cheddar: 2 cups shredded sharp cheese for extra taste.
- Bacon: 1 pound cooked until crispy then crumbled.
- Sour Cream: 1 cup for creaminess and tang.
- Chives or Green Onions: 1/4 cup finely chopped for garnish (optional).
Simple Step-by-Step Guide
- Get Your Potatoes Ready
- Heat oven to 425°F. Spread frozen potatoes in one layer on a baking sheet and cook as directed until they're golden and crispy.
- Add Flavor
- Put the cooked potatoes in a big bowl. Sprinkle with ranch mix and toss gently to coat everything.
- Build Your Bake
- Turn oven down to 350°F. In a greased 9x13 inch baking dish, spread half the seasoned potatoes. Top with 1 cup of cheddar and half the bacon bits. Repeat layers.
- Bake It
- Stick it in the oven for 15-20 minutes until the cheese has completely melted and turned bubbly.
- Finish and Enjoy
- Take it out of the oven. Drop spoonfuls of sour cream on top and scatter with chives or green onions if you want. Serve it while it's hot.
Tasty Twists to Try
To bump up the flavor, throw in some shredded cooked chicken or sautéed veggies like bell peppers and onions. You can also switch up the cheese with pepper jack or mozzarella to make the dish your own.
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Storage Tips and Make-Ahead Options
Keep any leftovers in an airtight container in your fridge for up to 3 days. To bring back the crispiness, warm it up in a 350°F oven for 10-15 minutes. Want to prep ahead? Just put the whole thing together without baking, cover it well, and stick it in the fridge for up to 24 hours. When you're ready, bake as normal but add an extra 5-10 minutes if needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
- → Can you make it ahead of time?
- You can prep ingredients beforehand but put everything together right before baking. The tater tots need to stay crispy.
- → How do you keep tater tots crispy?
- Cook them thoroughly until golden on the first bake. Don’t let them cool before adding the cheese.
- → Can you swap out ranch dressing?
- Sure, try garlic herb seasoning or a tex-mex spice mix for a fresh twist.
- → What cheese works best?
- Sharp cheddar is great, but you can also mix it with Monterey Jack or Colby for extra flavor.
- → How do you reheat leftovers?
- Pop them in the oven at 180°C for 10-15 minutes to keep them crispy. Avoid the microwave; it’ll make them soggy.