Springtime Sunday Supper: Just 4 simple ingredients. I make it when I want an inexpensive crowd-pleaser that frees up my hands for the holiday.

This is the kind of Spring Sunday supper I lean on when the house is full, the table is crowded with ham and asparagus, and I want one big, bubbling dish that practically takes care of itself. It’s just four simple ingredients, built around humble shredded potatoes, but it comes out of the oven with a golden, crackling top and a creamy, starchy middle that reminds me of the church basement potlucks I grew up with in rural Minnesota. Back then, the older ladies called this sort of thing a “company casserole” because it fed a crowd without fuss and didn’t cost much. I still make it for Easter and Mother’s Day, when I’d rather be holding a grandbaby or visiting on the porch than hovering over the stove. You mix it, slide it into the oven, and let that umami-rich crust and caramelized interior do the talking.

Serve this casserole piping hot right in its ceramic baking dish, set in the middle of the table so everyone can scoop out big, steamy spoonfuls. It’s lovely alongside glazed ham, roasted chicken, or a simple pork loin, plus a bright green vegetable like buttered peas, roasted asparagus, or a tossed salad with a sharp vinaigrette to cut through the richness. Warm dinner rolls or a crusty loaf are perfect for catching the creamy edges that cling to the spoon. For a true Midwestern-style spread, add a simple fruit salad or pickled beets on the side and plenty of strong coffee to finish the meal.

Servings: 8-10

2 pounds frozen shredded hash brown potatoes, thawed

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9x13-inch ceramic baking dish; the heavier the dish, the better it will hold the heat and give you that deep, caramelized edge.

In a large mixing bowl, combine the thawed shredded hash brown potatoes, 2 cups of the shredded sharp cheddar cheese, the sour cream, and the condensed cream of mushroom soup. Stir gently but thoroughly until every strand of potato is coated and the mixture looks evenly creamy.

Taste a small bit of the mixture if you like (keeping in mind the cheese and soup are salty); add a pinch of salt and pepper only if needed, but remember the beauty of this recipe is how it leans on those four pantry staples to season itself.

Spoon the potato mixture into the prepared ceramic baking dish and spread it out into an even layer, pressing lightly with the back of the spoon so there are no big air pockets. This helps the interior cook up tender and creamy while the top gets that lovely crust.

Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top, making sure to reach into the corners; this cheese will melt, brown, and form the glistening, umami-rich golden crust.

Place the baking dish on the center rack of the preheated oven and bake, uncovered, for 55–70 minutes. Ovens vary, so start checking at 55 minutes. The casserole is done when the edges are deeply golden and caramelized, the top is bubbling and browned in spots, and you can see the creamy interior gently simmering around the sides.

For an extra-deep crust and a bit more color, you can move the dish to the top rack for the last 5–10 minutes of baking, watching closely so the cheese doesn’t tip from golden to burned.

Remove the casserole from the oven and let it rest for 10–15 minutes before serving. This brief rest allows the starchy interior to settle and thicken so each scoop holds together, with steam rising and that crackling, cheesy top giving way to the creamy, caramelized potatoes underneath.

Carry the baking dish straight to the table and serve family-style, scooping generous portions with a large spoon. The casserole will stay hot and steamy for quite a while, freeing up your hands to carve the meat, pour drinks, or simply sit and enjoy your company.

If you’d like to dress this up without adding more core ingredients, play with what you already have: a different cheese changes the personality of the dish entirely—try half sharp cheddar and half Swiss or Gruyère for a nuttier, more elegant flavor, or use a smoked cheddar to deepen the umami and bring out the caramelized edges. You can also adjust the texture by letting the hash browns thaw just until they can be broken apart; slightly frosty shreds give a looser, more layered interior, while fully thawed potatoes bake up extra creamy. For a bit of color on top without changing the ingredient list, let the cheese brown more deeply by moving the dish closer to the broiler for the last few minutes, watching carefully. If you need to feed an especially large crowd, this recipe doubles well: bake it in two ceramic dishes rather than one oversized pan so you keep that coveted ratio of crust to creamy center. To work ahead for a holiday, assemble the casserole earlier in the day, cover, and refrigerate; when ready to bake, uncover and add 10–15 minutes to the oven time, baking until the top is bubbling vigorously and the edges are richly browned. Leftovers reheat beautifully—cover with foil and warm in a 325°F oven until hot, which will revive the creamy interior while keeping the crust from drying out too much.