Introduction
Dolly Parton’s 5-Ingredient Casserole is the kind of dish that feels like a warm hug—rich, cheesy, and comforting with almost no prep work. It’s beloved for being easy enough for busy home cooks yet delicious enough for potlucks, holidays, or Sunday suppers.
This crowd-pleasing casserole relies on freezer and pantry staples, making it perfect when you want something cozy without spending much time in the kitchen.
Origin
While Dolly Parton is known for her music, movies, and philanthropy, she has long shared a love for simple Southern cooking. Many recipes linked to her feature down-home ingredients, church-social style cooking, and minimal fuss. This casserole aligns with the classic Southern potluck tradition—creamy potatoes, cheese, and a can-based shortcut.
Though not published as an official Dolly recipe, it’s become widely known through interviews and fan cookbooks as “her style” of cooking: big flavor, no complication.
Cultural Significance
This casserole reflects the heart of Southern hospitality:
- Comfort over complexity
- Sharing food at gatherings, funerals, church events, holidays, and family suppers
- Reliance on affordable, accessible ingredients
Ingredients & Quantities
- 1 (32-oz) bag frozen shredded hash browns, thawed
- 1 (10.5-oz) can cream of chicken soup
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup sour cream
- ½ cup melted butter (1 stick)
Optional Additions
- Toppings
- Crushed Ritz crackers
- Cornflakes tossed in butter
- French fried onions
- Mix-ins
- Diced ham, cooked bacon, or breakfast sausage
- Green onions
- Jalapeños or mild green chiles
- Chopped bell pepper
- Grated parmesan
- Substitutions
- Greek yogurt for sour cream
- Cream of mushroom or celery soup
- Pepper jack or Colby cheese blends
Tips for Success
- Thaw hash browns fully to avoid excess water.
- Grease the baking dish for easy cleanup.
- Don’t overmix—just fold ingredients until combined.
- Cover with foil for the first half of baking to keep it moist.
- Let rest 5–10 minutes before serving so it sets.
- Add toppings in last 10 minutes if using a crunchy finish.
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter or cooking spray.
- In a large bowl, combine:
- Cream of chicken soup
- Sour cream
- Melted butter
- Stir in the shredded hash browns and shredded cheese.
- Mix gently until well-coated.
- Spread evenly into the prepared baking dish.
- Bake for 45–55 minutes, until hot and bubbly and the top is lightly golden.
- If adding a crunchy topping, sprinkle it on for the last 10 minutes of baking.
- Cool slightly before serving.
Description
The casserole bakes into a rich, creamy base with gooey cheese and tender potatoes. The edges caramelize slightly, and the top can be left smooth or topped with a buttery crumble. It’s savory, indulgent, and deeply satisfying—classic comfort food with almost no effort.
Nutritional Information (Approx. per serving, 12 servings)
- Calories: 260–320
- Carbohydrates: 18–22 g
- Protein: 6–8 g
- Fat: 18–22 g
- Saturated Fat: 10–12 g
- Sodium: 450–600 mg
- Fiber: 1–2 g
Conclusion
Dolly Parton’s 5-Ingredient Casserole is everything you want in a Southern comfort dish: affordable, fast, nostalgic, and universally loved. It works for breakfast, brunch, dinner, holidays, reheats beautifully, and disappears at potlucks every time.
Recommendation
Serve it with:
- Fried chicken or ham
- Green beans or collard greens
- Scrambled eggs or biscuits for brunch
- A salad to balance richness
Embracing Healthful Indulgence
You don’t have to skip the comfort—just tweak if desired:
- Use reduced-fat sour cream
- Try cream of chicken with reduced sodium
- Swap in plain Greek yogurt
- Use half potatoes, half riced cauliflower
- Add vegetables or lean protein for balance
- Serve with fresh greens or roasted veggies