Instant Pot Million Dollar Potato Casserole Recipe

If you re a fan of creamy, cheesy potato casseroles that melt in your mouth and bring everyone to the table, then I ve got something special for you. This Instant Pot Million Dollar Potato Casserole Recipe is one of those dishes that just feels like a warm hug in a bowl. It s perfect for busy weeknights, holiday gatherings, or whenever you want to impress without spending hours in the kitchen.

What I love most about this recipe is how the Instant Pot speeds things up while still delivering that indulgent, ‘million dollar’ flavor we all crave. You ll find that the potatoes get perfectly tender and the cheesy ranch mix gives it a sparkle of flavor that s just irresistible. Trust me, once you try this Instant Pot Million Dollar Potato Casserole Recipe, it will become your go-to comfort food staple.

this …

Ingredients You’ll Need

Each ingredient in this Instant Pot Million Dollar Potato Casserole Recipe comes together to create that luscious, velvety texture you re aiming for. Using frozen hashbrowns saves time without losing flavor, while the cream cheeses and cheddar add layers of richness.

• Frozen hashbrowns: Choosing the shredded kind keeps the texture just right and makes it super convenient.
• Cream cheese: Softens beautifully in the Instant Pot, giving the casserole its creamy core.
• Ricotta cheese or sour cream: Both add moisture and a slight tang to balance the richness.
• Dry ranch dressing mix: Packs a flavorful punch without extra effort.
• Cheddar cheese: Sharp cheddar melts into the dish for that perfect cheesy finish.
• Ritz crackers: Crushed and buttered for a crunchy, golden topping.
• Melted butter: Helps brown the cracker topping to crispy perfection.
• Diced green onion: Adds a fresh bite and pretty color when you serve.

Variations

I love making this Instant Pot Million Dollar Potato Casserole Recipe my own by switching up the cheeses or toppings. Don t be afraid to get creative – that s part of the fun with casseroles!

• Add bacon bits: My family goes crazy for it when I sprinkle crispy bacon on top before serving-it adds an irresistible smoky crunch.
• Swap ricotta with sour cream or Greek yogurt: Great if you want a bit more tang or a lighter option.
• Use a different cheese blend: Monterey Jack or mozzarella work well for a milder, creamier texture.
• Make it spicy: Toss in some diced jalapeños or a dash of cayenne for a kick that wakes up the flavors.

How to Make Instant Pot Million Dollar Potato Casserole Recipe

Step 1: Steam the Hashbrowns in the Instant Pot

This is where the magic begins. Pour 1½ cups of water into your Instant Pot and place the frozen hashbrowns in a steamer basket. Lower that basket carefully into the water. Lock the lid and make sure the valve is sealing. Set it to pressure cook for just 1 minute. Meanwhile, pop the cream cheese package on top of the Instant Pot lid-it softens perfectly with the heat. When time s up, release the pressure quickly, then gently remove the basket so you don t lose any of those tender potatoes. Pro tip: drying the Instant Pot liner before the next step is key to avoiding extra moisture.

Step 2: Mix the Creamy Potato Filling

Dump the steamed hashbrowns right back into the pot. Add the softened cream cheese, ricotta or sour cream, ranch dressing mix, and shredded cheddar cheese. Stir everything together until it looks like a fluffy, cheesy mashed potato base. This mixture is so rich and tasty, you might be tempted to sneak a bite right here!

Step 3: Add the Crunchy Ritz Topping

Crush about half a sleeve of Ritz crackers and sprinkle them evenly on top of your cheesy potato mixture. Drizzle with melted butter to help them brown beautifully. If you have an air fryer lid for your Instant Pot, place it on top and air fry at 400°F for 3 minutes-this gives a perfectly crisp finish. No air fryer lid? No worries-just transfer the pot pie into a baking dish and broil it in your oven for a few minutes until golden.

Step 4: Garnish and Serve

Once the topping is gloriously golden and crunchy, sprinkle diced green onions over the top for freshness and a pop of color. Serve warm and watch it disappear-trust me, you ll want seconds too!

How to Serve Instant Pot Million Dollar Potato Casserole Recipe

Garnishes

I always go for a generous sprinkle of fresh, diced green onions because they add the perfect bite of fresh sharpness against all that creamy cheese. Sometimes I add a little paprika or even some crumbled cooked bacon if I want to turn up the flavor. Simple green onion is classic and keeps things bright and pretty.

Side Dishes

This casserole is a rich side, so I like pairing it with lighter proteins like grilled chicken or baked fish. A fresh green salad with a zesty vinaigrette or steamed green beans also balances the meal nicely. For big meals, consider roasted veggies or a tangy coleslaw to cut through the richness.

Creative Ways to Present

For holiday dinners, I sometimes serve this casserole in small individual ramekins to make it feel extra special. Another fun idea I discovered is layering it in a clear glass baking dish, so those bright green onions and golden crackers show through-it makes a gorgeous presentation for potlucks or parties.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I like to store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. It holds together surprisingly well, but expect the topping to soften a bit after refrigeration-it s still tasty, just less crunchy.

Freezing

This casserole freezes beautifully! I generally freeze it before baking or after cooking but before adding the Ritz topping. When ready to eat, thaw overnight in the fridge and then bake, adding the cracker topping at the end for fresh crunch.

Reheating

The best way I ve found to reheat leftovers is in the oven at 350°F covered with foil to prevent drying. If you want to crisp the topping back up, remove the foil for the last 5 minutes. Microwaving works in a pinch but can make the casserole a little soggy.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

This Instant Pot Million Dollar Potato Casserole Recipe has become such a comfort food favorite in my home. It hits all the right notes: creamy, cheesy, easy to make, and with a crunchy topping that takes it over the edge. If you ve been hunting for a reliable, crowd-pleasing potato casserole that cooks almost itself, you re going to love this one. So grab your Instant Pot, gather the ingredients, and make this dish your next go-to – I promise you won t regret it!

Instant Pot Million Dollar Potato Casserole Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.8 from 66 reviews

• Author: Megane
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 minute (Instant Pot pressure cook) plus 3 minutes (air fry crisping)
• Total Time: 20 minutes
• Yield: 8 servings
• Category: Side Dish
• Method: Instant Pot
• Cuisine: American

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

---

Description

This Instant Pot Million Dollar Potato Casserole is a creamy, cheesy hashbrown dish that combines the ease of pressure cooking with a crispy topping for a comforting side. It features softened cream cheese, ricotta or sour cream, ranch seasoning, shredded cheddar, and a crunchy Ritz cracker topping finished with melted butter and green onions. Versatile cooking options include the Instant Pot with an air fryer lid, slow cooker with broiled topping, or classic oven baking.

---

Ingredients

Units USM Scale 1x2x3x

Potato Mixture

• 1 (30 ounce) package frozen hashbrowns
• 1 (8 oz) package cream cheese
• 1 cup ricotta cheese or sour cream
• 3 Tbsp dry ranch dressing mix
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Topping

• 1/2 of a sleeve of Ritz crackers (about 15-20 crackers), crushed
• 2 Tbsp melted butter
• 1/4 cup diced green onion

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Prepare the Instant Pot: Pour 1 ½ cups water into the Instant Pot. Place hashbrowns into a large steamer basket and lower it into the Instant Pot.
2. Pressure cook the potatoes: Secure the Instant Pot lid ensuring the valve is set to sealing. Select manual/pressure cook button and set time for 1 minute. While the pot heats, place cream cheese package on top of the Instant Pot lid to soften.
3. Release pressure and remove potatoes: When the cooking cycle finishes, carefully move the valve to venting to release pressure and remove the lid. Lift out the steamer basket with hashbrowns and set aside.
4. Prepare the potato mixture: Empty water from the Instant Pot and dry the liner. Return the hashbrowns to the Instant Pot. Add the softened cream cheese, ricotta (or sour cream), ranch dressing mix, and shredded cheddar cheese. Stir thoroughly until mixture becomes creamy and resembles mashed potatoes.
5. Add the topping and crisp it: Sprinkle crushed Ritz crackers evenly over the potato mixture and drizzle melted butter on top. Place the Instant Pot air fryer lid on and cook for 3 minutes at 400°F to crisp the topping. If you don’t have an air fryer lid, broil the topping in your oven as noted.
6. Garnish and serve: Remove from heat and sprinkle diced green onions over the casserole before serving.

---

Notes

• If you don’t have an Instant Pot air fryer lid, you can transfer the potato mixture to a baking dish, top with the Ritz crackers and melted butter, then broil in the oven for 3-5 minutes until golden and crispy.
• For slow cooker method: combine all ingredients except crackers and butter, cook on high for 2-4 hours, then top with buttered Ritz crackers broiled until crisp.
• Oven method: microwave hashbrowns briefly, mix with cheeses and seasoning, bake covered, then top with crackers and butter and bake again to crisp the topping.
• This dish serves approximately 8 people.
• Use room temperature cream cheese for the best mixing consistency.

---

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1/8 of recipe (about 1 cup)
• Calories: 280
• Sugar: 1.5g
• Sodium: 450mg
• Fat: 18g
• Saturated Fat: 9g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 20g
• Fiber: 1.5g
• Protein: 6g
• Cholesterol: 40mg