Ingredients:

• 30 oz frozen shredded hash browns, thawed* and drained (Mr. Dell’s brand preferred)
• 3 T butter
• 3 T flour
• 1 1/2 cup milk (plus another 1/2 cup milk if not enough liquid)
• 1/2 cup sour cream (optional)
• 2 cups shredded Colby-Jack (or cheddar) cheese
• 1 1/3 cup french fried onions, separated into 2/3 cup each

Preparation:

White sauce: Saute butter and flour together and add 1 1/2 cup milk. Cook until thickened. (This can be made in advance and cooled in the fridge, otherwise stir just a little of it into the sour cream at a time so it doesn’t curdle)

In large bowl, combine white sauce and sour cream. Stir in cheese. Add hash browns and mix it all together. Add 2/3 cup of the french fried onions and observe. If it seems too thick, add 1/2 cup milk or more.

Pour into buttered 13×9″ dish and cover with foil.

Bake at 350 degrees for 45-60 minutes. Remove foil and top with remaining 2/3 cup french fried onions. Bake another 5 minutes.

*If using un-thawed hash browns, just bake a little longer

From the kitchen of: Rosemary Buckman