Cowboy Approved Potato Casserole

By popular request, here is the potato casserole recipe that has been served numerous at Sanford Ranch Branding, and is also included in my cookbook KEEP ‘EM FULL AND KEEP ‘EM ROLLIN’. It’s cowboy approved! This has become my go to for company and covered dish events. It’s easy but tastes fancy.

The recipe comes from Belinda Sursa, who helps us in the kitchen at spring roundup and branding every year. She is a former team roper, all around ranch hand, and being married to a New Mexico cowboy, she has fed day workin’ crews for many years. Along with her sister-in-law. Tavia Manes Vinson, who runs the kitchen at the Sanford Ranch, they are experts at cooking hearty meals for hard-working cowboys.

Belinda told me that her New Mexico guys were never fans of the traditional cold potato salad, so she came up with this hot potato dish as a side for the BBQ brisket.  She added her own New Mexico twist. She buys the hatch green chilis fresh every year. The roasted peppers store well in the freezer. If you don’t have fresh, Belinda suggests using the frozen variety from the freezer section.

BELINDA’S POTATO CASSEROLE

1 large package Frozen potatoes, hashbrown or cubed, plain or pre-seasoned

1 can Cream of Chicken Soup

1 carton Sour Cream

Hatch green chilis, chopped (as many as you’d like!)

4-6 slices Bacon, fried and chopped

2 cups shredded cheese

Salt

Pepper

Garlic Powder

Mix the above ingredients, except for bacon and cheese. Cook at 325 degrees until potatoes are tender. Top with grated cheese (your choice), and bacon which has been fried and chopped. Return to the oven until the cheese is melted. Double or triple the recipe as needed, depending on the size of your group.

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KEEP ‘EM FULL AND KEEP ‘EM ROLLIN‘ features authentic recipes from the cattle trail along with ranch photography and history of the great cattle driving era. Pre-order it now where ever fine books are sold.

Natalie Bright is an author, blogger, and speaker. Her new WILD COW RANCH series is available now, a Christian Western Romance from CKN Christian Publishing written with co-author Denise McAllister. Book #1 – MAVERICK HEART. Book #2 – WILD COW WINTER. Book #3 – FOLLOW A WILD HEART. Three more book in the series will be here this Fall.