Mashed Potato Casserole

Mashed Potato Casserole - great make-ahead side dish for the holidays! SO easy and tastes AMAZING!!! Instant mashed potatoes, hash browns, cream cheese, butter, Monterey Jack cheese, sour cream, garlic, salt, pepper, and french fried onions. Can make in advance and refrigerate or freeze for later. Great for a crowd!

Easy Mashed Potato Casserole for Thanksgiving

Mashed Potatoes are a MUST for Thanksgiving. You can't have turkey and gravy without mashed potatoes. We LOVE to make this Mashed Potato Casserole for the holidays. It is super easy to make and tastes fantastic! Mashed potatoes and hash browns loaded with CHEESE and topped with French fried onions. YASSS! I could honestly just eat these mashed potatoes and be happy! LOL!.

How to Make Mashed Potato Casserole with Instant Mashed Potatoes

This Mashed Potato Casserole is super easy to make. It starts with some instant mashed potatoes. Next, you mix in frozen shredded hash browns, butter, cream cheese, Monterey Jack cheese, sour cream, garlic, salt, and pepper. Transfer to a deep-dish 9x13-inch pan. Top the casserole with some French fried onions and bake.

If you aren't a fan of Monterey Jack cheese, you can substitute your favorite cheese. Cheddar, mozzarella, gouda. Whatever you like will be fine!

I did not thaw my shredded hash browns before adding them to the casserole. You can thaw them, but it isn't necessary. I just take the hash browns out of the freezer when I start making the mashed potatoes and break up any frozen clumps before mixing into the casserole.

Can Mashed Potato Casserole be Made in Advance and Frozen?

This Mashed Potato Casserole is a great make-ahead recipe. You can make this the day before and refrigerate overnight. You may need to add a few minutes to the cooking time if baking straight from the refrigerator.

You can also make the casserole and freeze it for later. I freeze the casserole unbaked. To bake the casserole after freezing, thaw completely and bake as directed below.