If you’re anything like me, you probably adore those cozy dishes that feel like a warm hug on a chilly night. That s exactly why I m so excited to share this Instant Pot Million Dollar Potato Casserole Recipe with you! It s creamy, cheesy, and just downright comforting-perfect for family dinners, potlucks, or whenever you want to treat yourself without spending hours in the kitchen.
What really makes this recipe special is how the Instant Pot simplifies the whole process, cutting down on wait time while still delivering that rich, indulgent flavor you expect from a casserole. Trust me, the blend of ranch seasoning, cream cheese, and those crispy Ritz crackers on top will have your family going crazy for this comforting classic!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Super Quick and Easy: Using the Instant Pot speeds up cooking so you can enjoy this hearty meal in no time.
- Creamy and Comforting: The mix of cream cheese, ricotta, and cheddar creates a velvety texture everyone’s sure to love.
- Crunchy Topping: The buttery Ritz cracker crust adds the perfect golden crunch that balances the smooth potatoes.
- Versatile for Any Occasion: Whether it s a holiday side or a weeknight treat, this casserole always fits the bill.
Ingredients You’ll Need
I love how simple and approachable the ingredients for this Instant Pot Million Dollar Potato Casserole Recipe are. Most of them are pantry staples, and they come together effortlessly to create that classic, crowd-pleasing flavor.
- Frozen hashbrowns: Using frozen makes prep quick and keeps the texture perfect without boiling or peeling potatoes.
- Cream cheese: Softened cream cheese adds rich creaminess and tang-don’t skip softening it first for easy blending.
- Ricotta cheese or sour cream: Either works beautifully to boost creaminess and a subtle tang.
- Dry ranch dressing mix: This is the secret flavor bomb that adds a savory, herby kick.
- Shredded cheddar cheese: Sharp cheddar melts beautifully and gives that irresistible cheesy flavor.
- Ritz crackers: They bring that buttery crunch on top-totally worth crushing a sleeve for.
- Melted butter: Coats the crackers so they toast up nice and golden under heat.
- Diced green onion: Adds a fresh, mild onion flavor and a pop of color when sprinkled on top.
Variations
This Instant Pot Million Dollar Potato Casserole Recipe is wonderfully flexible, so feel free to make it your own. I often tweak it based on what I have in the fridge or who I m cooking for.
- Make it vegetarian: I sometimes add sautéed mushrooms or spinach for extra veggies without losing creaminess.
- Dairy-free option: Use dairy-free cream cheese and cheddar alternatives, plus coconut cream instead of ricotta to keep it lush.
- Spicy kick: Sprinkle in some smoked paprika or a dash of cayenne to jazz it up when we want something a bit bold.
- Herb swaps: Try fresh chopped dill or parsley instead of green onions for a slightly different herbaceous note.
How to Make Instant Pot Million Dollar Potato Casserole Recipe
Step 1: Steam the Hashbrowns to Perfection
Start by pouring 1½ cups of water into your Instant Pot and placing your frozen hashbrowns in a large steamer basket. Lower the basket inside, secure the lid, and set the valve to sealing. Pressure cook on manual for just 1 minute-this quick steam softens the potatoes without turning them mushy. Here s a tip: while the potatoes cook, place your cream cheese on top of the Instant Pot lid-it will soften beautifully by the time your potatoes are ready, making mixing much easier.
Step 2: Mix Until Creamy and Smooth
Once the timer goes off, carefully quick-release the pressure and remove the steamer basket. Dump out the water and pat the pot dry. Transfer your tender hashbrowns back into the pot, add your softened cream cheese, ricotta (or sour cream), ranch dressing mix, and shredded cheddar cheese. Stir everything really well-the hashbrowns will take on a lovely, mashed-potato-like texture. When I first made this, I was surprised by how creamy and indulgent the mixture got at this stage!
Step 3: Add the Buttery Crunch on Top
Sprinkle crushed Ritz crackers evenly over the top, then drizzle with melted butter. If you have an air fryer lid for your Instant Pot, pop it on and air fry at 400°F for 3 minutes-this crisps up your topping perfectly. No air fryer lid? No worries! Just transfer the potato mixture to a baking dish and broil the cracker topping for 3-5 minutes in your oven until golden and crunchy. This step is where the magic really happens-crispy, buttery, and so satisfying.
Pro Tips for Making Instant Pot Million Dollar Potato Casserole Recipe
- Softening the Cream Cheese: Placing it on top of the Instant Pot during cooking is my go-to hack for perfect, no-lumps blending.
- Steaming Time: Don t overcook the hashbrowns; one minute on manual pressure is all you need for tender, not mushy.
- Crunchy Topping Perfection: If you don t own an air fryer lid, broiling the crackers in the oven works just as well-just watch closely so they don t burn!
- Mixing Care: Stir gently once you add the cheeses to keep the potatoes fluffy, not gluey.
How to Serve Instant Pot Million Dollar Potato Casserole Recipe
Garnishes
I always top this casserole with a generous sprinkle of diced green onions-they add such a fresh, mild crunch that brightens up every bite. Sometimes, I like to add a little extra shredded cheddar right on top just before the broil for double cheesy goodness!
Side Dishes
This Million Dollar Potato Casserole is sturdy enough to stand on its own, but I love pairing it with simple grilled chicken or a crisp green salad for a balanced meal. It also shines alongside baked ham or roasted veggies if you’re putting together a holiday spread.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist at potlucks, I ve served this casserole in individual ramekins topped with crushed crackers and green onions. Everyone loves having their own personalized portion, and it makes for a pretty presentation that s way easier to serve!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge and find they stay creamy and delicious for up to 3 days. Just press a layer of plastic wrap directly onto the surface to avoid drying out the top layer.
Freezing
I ve frozen this casserole both before and after baking. For best results, cool it completely, then freeze in a sealed container. When ready to eat, thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Reheating
Reheat leftovers gently in the oven at 350°F, covered with foil to keep the moisture in, until warmed through. To revive the crispy topping, uncover and broil for a few minutes at the end-just watch closely when you do this!
FAQs
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Can I use fresh potatoes instead of frozen hashbrowns?
You absolutely can! However, fresh potatoes will need to be peeled, grated, and cooked before assembling the casserole. Frozen hashbrowns save so much time and give a consistent texture, which is why I recommend them for this Instant Pot Million Dollar Potato Casserole Recipe.
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What if I don t have an air fryer lid for the Instant Pot?
No worries! You can bake or broil the cracker topping in a regular oven. Just transfer the potato mixture into a baking dish, sprinkle the crushed Ritz crackers and melted butter on top, then broil for 3-5 minutes until golden and crispy.
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Can I make this recipe dairy-free?
Yes! Substitute dairy-free cream cheese, cheddar cheese alternatives, and use coconut cream or a non-dairy sour cream in place of ricotta. The texture won t be exactly the same but still wonderfully creamy and flavorful.
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How long does this casserole keep in the fridge?
Stored in an airtight container, your leftover Instant Pot Million Dollar Potato Casserole Recipe will stay fresh and tasty for about 3 days. Just remember to cover the surface well to prevent drying out.
Final Thoughts
I honestly can t recommend this Instant Pot Million Dollar Potato Casserole Recipe enough-it s one of those dishes that s easy enough for weeknights but indulgent enough to impress company. Every time I make it, it brings a little extra joy to the table. I hope you give it a try and enjoy it as much as my family and I do. You ve got a winner here that s creamy, crispy, and totally comforting!
Print
Instant Pot Million Dollar Potato Casserole Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Instant Pot
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Instant Pot Million Dollar Potato Casserole is a creamy, cheesy comfort dish made with frozen hashbrowns, cream cheese, ricotta or sour cream, ranch dressing mix, and cheddar cheese. Topped with buttery Ritz cracker crumbs and fresh green onions, it’s perfect for a hearty side or a cozy main dish. Ready in under an hour using an Instant Pot, it also offers versatile cooking options including slow cooker and oven methods.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 (30 ounce) package frozen hashbrowns
- 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese
- 1 cup ricotta cheese or sour cream
- 3 tablespoons dry ranch dressing mix
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 sleeve Ritz crackers
- 2 tablespoons melted butter
- 1/4 cup diced green onion
Instructions
- Prepare Instant Pot: Pour 1½ cups water into the Instant Pot and place the frozen hashbrowns in a large steamer basket inside the pot.
- Steam Hashbrowns: Secure the lid and set the valve to sealing. Use the manual/pressure cook button to set for 1 minute. Place the cream cheese package on top of the Instant Pot lid to soften while cooking.
- Release Pressure and Remove Hashbrowns: When the timer ends, carefully move the valve to venting to release pressure. Remove the lid and take out the steamer basket with hashbrowns. Discard the water and dry the pot liner.
- Combine Ingredients: Add the steamed hashbrowns back into the Instant Pot. Add the softened cream cheese, ricotta or sour cream, ranch dressing mix, and shredded cheddar cheese. Stir well until the hashbrowns become creamy and similar to mashed potatoes.
- Add Topping: Sprinkle crushed Ritz crackers over the top and drizzle with melted butter.
- Crisp the Top: Place the air fryer lid on the Instant Pot and cook at 400°F for 3 minutes to brown and crisp the cracker topping. (If you don’t have an air fryer lid, transfer the mixture to a baking dish and broil in the oven for 3–5 minutes.)
- Serve: Garnish with diced green onions and serve warm.
Notes
- If you don’t have an air fryer lid for your Instant Pot, you can finish the casserole by placing it in a baking dish, topping with crushed Ritz crackers and butter, and broiling in your oven for 3-5 minutes until golden brown.
- You can substitute sour cream for ricotta cheese if preferred.
- Be careful when releasing pressure from the Instant Pot to avoid burns.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/8 of recipe (about 1 cup)
- Calories: 270
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 16 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 24 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg
