How To Make Easy Cheesy Potatoes (oven bake or air fry!)

Ohhhh you NEED these easy cheesy potatoes in your life! Loaded with extra cheese and chipotle seasoning, they're the side dish you need to put on repeat!

You're Going To LOVE These Cheesy Potatoes! Here's Why! 

So Easy To Make - we use cooking cheat's in the recipe so it's quick and easy to throw together, which is just what you need on busy work days.

Go Alongside Anything - you can literally serve these creamy, cheesy potatoes alongside anything! Chilli or casserole, salads, grilled chicken, or fish. Plus you can change the seasonings to match what you're eating.

Completely Delicious! Oh this cheesy potato casserole is just so tasty, tender potatoes in a creamy, cheesy sauce topped with melted cheese and chipotle, they're addictive! You'll be digging that spoon back in for seconds, every time you make them! It's the perfect side dish.

Easy Cheesy Potatoes Recipe

Serves – 4

Prep Time – 10 minutes 

Cook Time – approx 40 minutes

Total Time – around an hour

Our Most Popular Alternative – Herby Diced Potatoes

Equipment Needed 

• Large saucepan with lid
• Colander - for draining the potatoes
• Casserole dish - or baking dish
• Cheese grater
• Teaspoon
• Chopping board
• Vegetable knife

Cheesy Potatoes Ingredients

• 2lb potatoes - peeled and diced into bitesize chunks, we usually use russet potatoes
• 24oz ready to use cheese sauce (700g cheese sauce)
• 2 cups grated Cheddar cheese
• 2 teaspoon chipotle seasoning
• 1 bunch scallions (spring onions) - chopped
• 2 teaspoon dried chives
• pinch salt

How To Make Cheesy Potatoes 

You can make these cheesy potatoes in the oven, or cook in two portions in the air fryer - either way is super easy!

Oven Bake Method

Step One - boil the potatoes on the hob

• Firstly cook the potatoes - placed the peeled bitesized potatoes into a pan and cover with cold water, add a pinch of salt. Bring the pan to the boil, then reduce the heat and simmer with the lid on for around 10-15 minutes or until the potatoes are fork tender. (larger potatoes will take longer than smaller ones)

Step Two - preheat the oven

• Preheat the oven to 400F/200C

Step Three - make up the cheesy potato casserole

• Drain the potatoes using the colander and tip them into an ovenproof casserole dish.
• Pour over the shop-bought cheese sauce.
• Sprinkle over the grated sharp Cheddar cheese, chipotle seasoning and chopped scallions (spring onions) and dried chives.

Step Four - bake the cheesy potatoes

• Bake in the hot oven for around 20 minutes or until the cheese sauce is bubbling and the Cheddar melted and golden on top.
• Remove from the oven, allow to cool for around 5-10 minutes, then serve.

Air Fryer Method

You can absolutely cook these cheesy potatoes in the air fryer - you'll probably have to do them in two batches, depending on the size of your air fryer basket.

When I cook these in the air fryer I make them in disposable tin foil trays as they fit really well into the air fryer basket.

Just follow the method above, and make up the cheesy potatoes in two batches using two trays - then air fry on 400F/200C for around 10 minutes.

Easy Cheesy Potatoes Recipe Tips And Ingredient Add-Ins 

Add a little twist and make this cheesy potato casserole your own

Make Your Own Cheese Sauce

You can make your own cheese sauce for the potatoes if you prefer. When we make these from scratch we use the cheese sauce recipe here.

Make It Gluten Free

This is an easy recipe to convert to a gluten-free diet. Use shop bought gluten-free cheese sauce and seasonings or make up your own homemade variety at home.

Try Different Seasoning

We love the cheesy potatoes topped with a smoky chipotle seasoning, but they're also great made using Cajun seasoning, peri peri seasoning, or just a good spicy Italian seasoning mix.

Use A Different Sauce In The Cheesy Potatoes

You can make this potato casserole using cream of chicken soup, cream of celery or cream of mushroom soup in place of the cheese sauce. Then top with cheese, seasonings and bake.

Make A Crunchy Topping For Your Cheesy Potatoes

If you like a little crunch on your potato casserole then add some crushed up cornflakes for a cheesy cornflake topping, ritz crackers, or potato chips

Use Hash Browns To Make Cheesy Potatoes

If you want to cut corners, use defrosted hash browns layered in a single layer in the baking dish to make the cheesy potato casserole. Be sure to cook them until heated through properly.

Add Extra Ingredients To Your Potato Casserole

You can add in any extras you like to the potato casserole - try fried green onion, sautéed bell peppers, or even sprinkle in some ham or bacon bits.

Make-Ahead 

When making our cheesy potatoes ahead of time, be sure to cool the potatoes completely before making up the potato casserole. Then wrap in aluminum foil and store in the fridge for up to 24 hours. When baking from cold in the fridge cook the potatoes on a lower heat for longer to be sure it reheats and cooks properly all the way through.

Storage And Reheating Tips

You can store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge and eat within 24 hours. Do not reheat these if you have made them with shop bought cheese sauce (as the sauce has already been reheated, and you should not reheat products twice)

What To Serve With Easy Cheesy Potatoes

The cheesy potato casserole goes great with air fryer roast chicken, chicken tenders, grilled bacon, gammon, grilled fish, casseroles, stews and more!

Get More Potatoes Recipes Here

Need Some New Family Meal Ideas?

Check out our meal planning here – it’s filled with recipes, meal planning tips and pre-filled printable meal plans weekly or seasonally. We’ve got hundreds of the BEST family recipes and meal ideas  your whole family will LOVE!

More Tasty Potato Side Dishes To Make

• Mexican Potatoes 
• Air Fryer New Potatoes
• Crispy Breakfast Potatoes
• Best Jersey Royals Recipe
• Air Fryer Potato Wedges