Ingredients:
1/2 cup melted butter, then slightly cooled
1 (10.5 ounces) can condensed cheddar cheese soup
2 cups sour cream
1 1/2 teaspoons black pepper
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1 (30-ounces) bag plus 3 additional cups of frozen shredded hash browns, then completely defrosted
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
1/2 cup chopped green onions
8 small strips of fully cooked bacon, finely chopped
Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease an ovenproof 9-inch by 13-inch casserole pan with butter.
2. In a large bowl. Stir melted butter, condensed cheddar cheese soup, sour cream, black pepper, salt and red pepper flakes until combined. Stir in hash browns, 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (set aside 1/2 cup cheddar cheese for later) and green onions until combined.
3. Place large bowl mixture in the prepared casserole pan. Top with bacon and the remaining 1/2 cup of shredded cheddar cheese.
4. Bake for 70 minutes. Remove pan to a wire rack to cool.
Notes: Serve as a side for steak dinner. Wonderful even for breakfast eggs and toast. Or just stand alone as a snack.