I brought these to the church potluck for Father's Day and three people asked if I'd cater their cookouts.

This 5-ingredient slow cooker cheddar potato casserole is exactly what I brought to our church potluck for Father’s Day, and three different people pulled me aside to ask if I’d cater their cookouts. It has that classic Midwestern cheesy-potato comfort vibe, but made almost entirely from pantry and freezer staples so you can toss it together before church, work, or a busy family day. Frozen shredded hash browns keep it easy, the slow cooker does all the work, and a quick blast under the broiler at the end gives you that crispy, golden, game-day style cheese crust everyone fights over.

Serve this casserole straight from the slow cooker (or crock insert) with grilled burgers, brats, ribs, or pulled pork for a Father’s Day cookout or any casual get-together. It pairs really well with something fresh and crunchy like a simple green salad, coleslaw, or sliced watermelon to balance the richness. If you’re feeding a crowd, add baked beans and corn on the cob and you’ve basically recreated our church potluck spread. Leftovers are great with eggs the next morning, almost like a cheesy hash brown skillet.

Servings: 8-10

1 (32-ounce) bag frozen shredded hash browns, thawed just until breakable

Lightly grease the inside of a 5- to 6-quart slow cooker with cooking spray or a little butter so the potatoes don’t stick too much around the edges.

In a large mixing bowl, combine the thawed shredded hash browns, 2 1/2 cups of the shredded cheddar cheese, the condensed cream of chicken soup, sour cream, and kosher salt. Stir until everything is evenly coated and no big pockets of soup or sour cream remain. The mixture will be thick.

Taste a small bit of the mixture (if you’re comfortable tasting it at this stage) and add a pinch more salt if needed. Keep in mind the cheese and soup both have salt, so you don’t want to overdo it.

Spoon the potato mixture into the prepared slow cooker and spread it into an even layer, pressing down gently with the back of the spoon to remove air pockets. Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup shredded cheddar evenly over the top.

Cover the slow cooker with the lid and cook on LOW for 4–5 hours or on HIGH for 2 1/2–3 hours, until the potatoes are tender and the edges are bubbling and browned. Try not to lift the lid during the first couple of hours so the casserole cooks evenly.

For a crispy, golden top like a classic oven-baked casserole, carefully remove the ceramic insert from the slow cooker (use oven mitts; it will be hot) and place it on a baking sheet. Transfer to the oven and broil on HIGH for 3–6 minutes, watching closely, until the cheese on top is bubbly and deep golden brown with some crispy spots.

Let the casserole rest for at least 10 minutes before serving so it can set up a bit. This makes it easier to scoop and gives you that dramatic cheesy pull when you lift out the first spoonful.

Serve straight from the slow cooker insert (place it back in the base on the “warm” setting if you’re at a potluck or cookout) and keep it warm for up to 2 hours, stirring occasionally around the edges if they get too browned.

You can tweak this casserole a bunch of ways and still keep it simple. For a vegetarian version, swap the cream of chicken soup for cream of mushroom or cream of celery. If you like a little kick for game day, stir in 1–2 finely chopped jalapeños or a pinch of cayenne with the potatoes, or use pepper jack for part of the cheddar. For a bacon-loaded version, add 1–1 1/2 cups cooked, crumbled bacon to the mixture before cooking, or sprinkle it over the top after broiling so it stays crisp. You can also add 1/2 cup finely diced onion or green onions for extra flavor; just stir them in with the hash browns. If you need to make it ahead, you can mix everything the night before, cover, and refrigerate the insert (if your slow cooker manufacturer says this is safe) or a separate bowl; in the morning, transfer to the slow cooker and add about 30 extra minutes of cook time because it will be starting cold. Food safety tips: Keep the frozen hash browns refrigerated while they thaw—don’t leave them out at room temperature for more than 1–2 hours. Use sour cream and canned soup that are in date and have been properly refrigerated after opening, and never cook this on the slow cooker “warm” setting from the start; always start on LOW or HIGH so the casserole passes quickly through the temperature danger zone (40°F–140°F). If you broil the insert, double-check that your slow cooker crock is oven-safe and never put the heating base in the oven. Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours of serving and reheat thoroughly until steaming hot before eating.