Cheesy Christmas Potatoes Recipe (2024)

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Whip up the perfect side dish this holiday season with our Cheesy Christmas Potatoes recipe. Packed with sharp cheddar, green peppers, and a hint of pimento, this casserole dish adds a festive flair to your Christmas dinner table.

As the holiday season rolls around, what’s better than a cheesy potato casserole at your Christmas dinner? Our Cheesy Christmas Potatoes, a perfect side dish for the this time of year, are not only delicious but also festive.

Combining the rich flavors of sharp cheddar cheese with fresh green peppers and the colorful twist of pimentos, this casserole dish is the perfect addition to your traditional Christmas dinner menu. It’s a great recipe simple enough for a homestyle cook yet special enough to become a family favorite for your Christmas day traditions.

Cheesy Christmas Potatoes Recipe (1)

About this Christmas Cheesy Potatoes recipe:

  • Flavor: Cheesy goodness! This recipe features a homemade cheese sauce that takes center stage. The peppers and pimentos add just a touch of extra flavor.
  • Texture: The creamy cheese sauce pairs well with the tender tomatoes. It’s a smooth dish, even with the diced peppers added in.
  • Method: This recipe bakes in the oven in a casserole dish. You can use a round deep dish pie plate or any 1 ½ quart baking dishes.

They are the perfect addition to your holiday table!

Ingredients

Cheesy Christmas Potatoes Recipe (2)
  • Sharp Cheddar Cheese:The star of the dish! Buy a block of sharp cheddar and shred it at home for the smoothest sauce.
  • Green Peppers:Green peppers not only contribute to the taste but also bring a festive, vibrant color.
  • Pimentos:What is a Christmas dish without a pop of bright red color?
  • Potatoes:For best results, use red skin potatoes or Yukon Gold potatoes
  • Milk:Whole milk creates the creamy base for the cheese sauce. Use a lower fat milk if you prefer, but the sauce may not be as creamy.
  • All-Purpose Flour, Salt, and Black Pepper:These pantry staples help in thickening and seasoning the cheese sauce.
  • Bread Crumbs and Melted Butter:These combine to form a crispy, golden topping that adds a delicious texture contrast.

What potatoes are best for casseroles?

It’s important to choose theright kind of potatoesfor the recipe you are making. In this recipe, you don’t want the potatoes to mash together. Otherwise you end up with cheesy mashed potatoes (which really…not a bad thing, right?).Yukon gold, red potatoes, white potatoes and round potatoesall hold up well to boiling and baking.

Steer clear of Russet potatoes. They have a fluffy flesh and will “mash” together in your casserole.

How to Make Cheesy Christmas Potatoes

Plan ahead by cooking the potatoes, or use frozen cubed potatoes that you’ve allowed to thaw.

How long to boil potatoes?

The easiest way to cook the potatoes is to place them on the stovetop in a pan of boiling salted water. The exact amount of time it takes to cook the potatoes will depend on how big you’ve cut the cubes, but in general, they’ll take about 15 minutes.

Remember not to cook them too long because they’ll cook just a little bit more in the oven. They should be just barely soft so that you can pierce them with a fork.

Make the cheese sauce.

  • In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over low heat. Add the flour, salt and pepper, then use a whisk to blend it in.
  • Gradually stir in the milk.
  • Cook and whisk this mixture over medium-low heat until it is smooth and thickened, about 5 minutes. Remove from the heat.
  • Add the cheese to the sauce pan and mix until smooth.
Cheesy Christmas Potatoes Recipe (3)

Assemble the casserole.

  • In a lightly greased 1 ½ quart casserole dish, add the cooked potatoes, green pepper and pimentos. Stir slightly. (Reserve a few of the peppers and pimentos for adding on top of the cheese sauce if you’d like. It gives a pop of color.)
  • Pour the cheese sauce over the top of the potatoes. Gently stir to distribute the cheese sauce evenly. Sprinkle any reserved pimentos & peppers on top.
Cheesy Christmas Potatoes Recipe (4)

Make the topping and bake.

  • In a small bowl, combine the bread crumbs and the melted butter. Mix well.
  • Sprinkle the bread crumbs overtop the cheese covered potatoes.
  • Bake at 325 degrees for 40-45 minutes, or until the casserole is bubbly and heated through.
Cheesy Christmas Potatoes Recipe (5)

Recipe Variations

Every family has its unique touch when it comes to holiday cooking, and this cheesy potato casserole is no exception.

  • For those who enjoy a bit of heat, consider sprinkling in some diced jalapeños or a dash of cayenne pepper.
  • And for the meat lovers, crumbled bacon or diced ham can be a delightful addition, adding a smoky depth to the overall flavor.
  • For cheese lovers (like me), maybe more cheese is the answer. Try melting in 2 ounces of cream cheese to the cheese sauce. Or add a sprinkling of Parmesan cheese to the top.
Cheesy Christmas Potatoes Recipe (6)

Serving Suggestions

A great meal is all about balance, and finding the right pairings for your Cheesy Christmas Potatoes can turn a simple dinner into a festive holiday meal.

  • Try serving them alongside a roasted turkey or a glazed ham for a classic Christmas Eve dinner. Roast Beef is a delicious option, too.
  • For a lighter touch, a Christmas salad, steamed broccoli or your favorite vegetables make a nice pairing.
  • Don’t forget the bread – a warm, crusty loaf of traditional sourdough bread or some soft dinner rolls are perfect for mopping up any cheesy goodness left on your plate.
Cheesy Christmas Potatoes Recipe (7)

Make Ahead Christmas Potatoes

The holiday season can be hectic, so any dish that can be prepared in advance is a lifesaver. Luckily, these Cheesy Christmas Potatoes are just as delicious when made ahead.

Assemble the casserole a day or two before and keep it refrigerated until it’s time to bake on Christmas morning. Remove from the fridge one hour before baking, then bake as the recipe suggests.

When it comes to leftovers, they can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. Reheat in the oven or microwave until warm throughout.

Cheesy Christmas Potatoes Recipe (8)

Cheesy Christmas Potatoes Recipe (9)

Christmas Cheesy Potatoes

4.80 from 15 votes

Diced green peppers and pimentos give these Christmas cheesy potatoes a festive look. They’re the perfect, comforting side dish to your holiday meal.

Servings 7 servings

Prep Time 25 minutes minutes

Cook Time 45 minutes minutes

Total Time 1 hour hour 10 minutes minutes

Print RecipeSave Recipe

Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup butter
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/8 teaspoon pepper
  • 2 1/4 cups whole milk (I used whole milk)
  • 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • 1/2 cup finely chopped green peppers
  • 4 cups peeled, cubed and cooked potatoes
  • 1/4 cup chopped pimentos
  • 3/4 cup bread crumbs
  • 2 tablespoons melted butter

Instructions

  • In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over low heat. Add the flour, salt and pepper, then use a whisk to blend it in. Gradually stir in the milk. Cook and whisk this mixture over medium-low heat until it is smooth and thickened, about 5 minutes. Remove from the heat.

  • Add the cheese to the sauce pan and mix until smooth.

  • In a lightly greased 1 ½ quart casserole dish, add the cooked potatoes, green pepper and pimentos. Stir slightly. (Reserve a few of the peppers and pimentos for adding on top of the cheese sauce if you'd like. It gives a pop of color.)

  • Pour the cheese sauce over the top of the potatoes. Gently stir to distribute the cheese sauce evenly. Sprinkle any reserved pimentos & peppers on top.

  • In a small bowl, combine the bread crumbs and the melted butter. Mix well.

  • Sprinkle the bread crumbs overtop the cheese covered potatoes.

  • Bake at 325 degrees for 40-45 minutes, or until the casserole is bubbly and heated through.

  • Garnish with freshly snipped parsley.

Video

Notes

The calories shown are based on the recipe being divided 7 ways, with 1 serving being about ¾ cup. Since different brands of ingredients have different nutritional information, the calories shown are just an estimate.

Nutrition

Calories: 350kcal | Carbohydrates: 34g | Protein: 12g | Fat: 18g | Saturated Fat: 11g | Cholesterol: 50mg | Sodium: 678mg | Potassium: 674mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 815IU | Vitamin C: 28.1mg | Calcium: 271mg | Iron: 5.1mg

Author Julie Clark

Course Side Dish

Cuisine American

Calories 350

Keyword christmas dinner, christmas potatoes, christmas side dish, holiday dinner, potatoes side dish

Have you tried this recipe?

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Other Christmas Potato Recipes

Looking for more of our best potato recipes for the Christmas holiday? Try:

  • Crispy Roast Potatoes
  • Baked Sweet Potatoes
  • Hasselback Potatoes
  • Warm Potato Salad with Baby Potatoes

Other Christmas Side Dishes

  • Christmas Green Beans
  • Christmas Tree Pizza Appetizers
  • Roasted Brussels Sprouts
Cheesy Christmas Potatoes Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What are 3 of the most famous potato dishes? ›

French fries are the most popular potato food items in the U.S., according to DoorDash.
  • Hash browns.
  • Waffle fries.
  • Mashed potatoes.
  • Potato salad.
  • Tater tots.
  • Baked potato.
  • Potato skins.
  • Home fries.
Aug 19, 2019

Why are funeral potatoes called that? ›

What's in a name? You might be surprised to hear that Funeral Potatoes got their name because people bring them to funerals. Okay, so you're not surprised. In any case, according to Southern Living Magazine, “It's a widespread tradition to serve them at gatherings held after funerals, hence the name.”

What goes with cheesy scalloped potatoes? ›

Scalloped potatoes are rich and filling. Lean proteins and other veggies pair nicely, try grilled ham, pan-seared fish, roast chicken, broiled lobster, or even a filet of beef tenderloin. If no animal proteins are desired a lovely side salad with a sharp vinaigrette works great.

What is the most delicious potato in the world? ›

According to the announcement of the Chamber of Drama, the Kato Neurokopi Potato was voted first among many others from around the world, in the Taste Awards 2023-2024 competition of the Taste Atlas Guide for the World's Best Foods in the relevant category (“Potatoes”) with 4.39 points.

How many potatoes are eaten at Christmas? ›

But do you know how much food as a nation we will consume this Christmas? According to research, we will munch through 250 million roast potatoes, 208 million boxes of chocolates and 264 million slices of turkey. We also get through five portions of cheese per person – that's nearly 218 million portions.

What are Annabelle potatoes? ›

Annabelle potatoes are a small to medium-sized varietal with a long, oval to elliptical appearance. The tubers are mostly uniform in shape and have thin, smooth skin with shallow, flat eyes.

Is funeral potatoes a Mormon thing? ›

Commonly served after LDS funerals, this cheesy potato casserole is the ultimate comfort food. If you've ever encountered Mormon funeral potatoes, you can attest that the salty, crispy, cheesy casserole is one of the most oddly satisfying creations that exists in America — nay, the world.

What are Navajo potatoes? ›

Navajo Pride™ Potatoes are available in conventional and organic certified russets, reds, yellows, and purple in a full range of sizes and competitively priced. The NAPI farm has an ideal environment of center pivot irrigation on sandy to sandy-loam soil in an elevation ranging from 5,300-5,800 feet above sea level.

Why did the milk curdle in my scalloped potatoes? ›

High heat will cause the milk to curdle. Use milk or cream with higher fat content. Whole milk, half-and-half, or cream and full-fat cheeses are necessary. Skim milk and reduced-fat products will not be your friend in this dish.

Can you leave cheesy potatoes out overnight? ›

A: NO! This is the wrong way to do it and is not food safe. Cooked starch foods like potatoes can grow germs if not kept either refrigerated and cold or hot over 140º F.

How long is leftover cheesy potatoes good for? ›

How should you store cheesy potatoes? If you're lucky enough to have leftovers, store the cheesy potatoes in a tightly covered container in the fridge for up to 5 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.

How long can cheesy potatoes sit out? ›

However, after that time, bacteria can start to grow, increasing the risk of foodborne illnesses. It's best to refrigerate cooked potatoes within 2 hours to maintain their freshness and safety. If they've been left out longer than 2 hours, it's safer to discard them to avoid any potential health risks.

What is the most popular potato product? ›

1. French fries. Unsurprisingly, french fries are the best potato preparation out there. You can't go wrong with french fries, which are also an umbrella for potato products like tater tots and steak fries.

What is the most popular type of potato? ›

Most potatoes grown in the US are of the russet variety, meaning they're what most people picture when you say "potato." With a mildly rough brown-grey skin, the flesh once cooked is light and fluffy and the skin becomes chewy.

What is famous for potatoes? ›

Other countries that are well-known for their potatoes include Ireland, Germany, and the United States. Potatoes are a widely cultivated and consumed crop around the world, but the country that is perhaps most famous for its potatoes is Peru.

What are the top 3 states for potatoes? ›

The United States is amongst the top potato producers worldwide, and the states that produce the most potatoes in the country are Idaho, Washington, and Wisconsin. These states' hold in potato production results from their suitable climate, quality of soil, and well-established agricultural infrastructure.

References

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