Make Ahead Classic Delmonico Potatoes Recipe

Make this classic Delmonico Potatoes recipe for family dinners or special occasions. This make-ahead casserole is the perfect side dish for beef, pork, or chicken. This recipe is easy, beautiful, and so delicious! 

delmonico potatoes recipe after baking

There are many, many different versions of Delmonico potatoes, and most of them claim to be the “original” or “real” recipe. I have no idea if the recipe I’m sharing today falls under either of those categories. It was given to me before I was married by a friend…so that’s at least 40 years ago. I’ve been making this Delmonico Potatoes recipe for so long that I don’t need to pull out the tattered recipe card…but I still have it!

shredded potatoes in square baking dish

Why are they called Delmonico potatoes?

According to many sources online, Delmonico potatoes got their name from a New York City restaurant called Delmonico’s, where the recipe originated in the late 1800’s. The original Delmonico’s closed in 1923, but the recipe lived on. Back then, and for a very long time, the potatoes had to be boiled, peeled, and shredded. It was a lot of work, and it took time, but the end result was so worth the effort. I used this method for years, until I discovered a product called Simply Potatoes. Simply Potatoes are just that…real potatoes that come shredded, ready to use, and are NOT frozen. They can be found in the refrigerated section of the grocery store, usually around the packaged deli meats. There are a few different varieties, but we like the shredded hash browns the best.

delmonico potatoes before baking

Real Potatoes or Simply Potatoes?

Using Simply Potatoes literally cuts your time in half, but if you prefer, whole potatoes can be used. You will need 4 to 5 medium to large potatoes, that have been boiled (skins on) until they are fork-tender. It’s better for the potatoes to be slightly undercooked, than overcooked. Peel the cooled potatoes and shred them into a buttered 8 x 8 inch square baking dish. At this point, pick up at step 3 in the recipe card.

*Note: There are recipes on Pinterest that call for frozen hash browns, or frozen cubed potatoes. The honest truth is that I have never tried either, so I don’t know how the potatoes would taste. There would be more moisture, and I don’t know how the frozen potatoes would absorb the liquid. If you try it, let us know!

baked delmonico potatoes recipe

This dish is the ultimate “cheesy potatoes” recipe, and they are so good. They are the perfect side dish for a family dinner or gathering, because they need to be made a day ahead, and refrigerated overnight. (Our families will be gathering together again someday!) The ingredient amounts featured in this post fill an 8 x 8 inch baking dish. The recipe can easily be doubled and baked in a 9 x 13 inch baking dish. The baking time will need to be slightly increased for a double batch.

closeup of delmonico potatoes after baking

baked delmonico potatoes recipe

Classic Delmonico Potatoes

Make this classic Delmonico Potatoes recipe for family dinners or special occasions. This make-ahead casserole is the perfect side dish for beef, pork, or chicken. This recipe is easy, beautiful, and so delicious! 
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4.67 from 42 votes
Servings: 4 people
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Refrigeration time 12 hours
Total Time 13 hours

Ingredients

  • 1 bag Simply Potatoes (20 oz.)
  • 3/4 cup milk (Any kind. I use 1%.)
  • 3/4 cup whipping cream
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon dry mustard
  • generous dash of pepper & nutmeg
  • 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • 3 tablespoons butter (divided into 6 slices)
  • Paprika

Instructions

  • Generously butter an 8 x 8 inch casserole dish.
  • Place entire bag of potatoes in casserole, and spread to the sides. Set aside.
  • In a medium saucepan, over medium-high heat, combine the following: milk, whipping cream, salt, mustard, pepper, nutmeg.
  • Whisk to combine. Continue to stir until almost boiling. (5 to 10 minutes)
  • Add cheddar cheese.
  • Lower heat, stir, and continue to cook until cheese is completely melted.
  • Remove from heat and pour over potatoes in casserole.
  • Cool slightly.
  • Dot with slices of butter. Sprinkle with paprika.
  • Cover tightly with plastic wrap.
  • Refrigerate 12 hours or overnight.
  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Remove potatoes from refrigerator.
  • Bake uncovered for 45 minutes.

Notes

This recipe can be easily doubled and baked in a 9 x 13 inch casserole dish.
Like this recipe?Follow me at @onsuttonplace

Delmonico Potatoes Recipe: Freezing & Reheating

Unfortunately, this is not a recipe that freezes well. It’s best to make them fresh one day, and bake them the next. They do, however, reheat very well in case you have leftovers. My favorite way to reheat them is in the oven.

  • Place leftover Delmonico potatoes in a foil-lined baking dish. (Do not use your original baking pan. The bits and pieces left on the sides will burn, and are very hard to remove.)
  • Bake in a 375 degree F oven until bubbly and hot.

*Affiliate links included. Click HERE for my disclosure statement.

My family loves these potatoes, and they make an appearance at most big family dinners, except Thanksgiving. If you decide to give them a try, and love them, please come back and give the recipe a 5 star review. I would appreciate it very much!

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27 Comments

  1. Nancy Melvin says:

    Great recipe. For reheating…375 degrees until bubbly…how long is that? Covered or uncovered?

  2. Stephanie | Gathered In The Kitchen says:

    These potatoes look delicious! I’ve got to add these to my meal planning! I know my kids would love these!

  3. This is quite similar to a family recipe that we have been making for years. I had no idea where the name “Delmonico” came from but now I know! Although our recipe does vary a bit I am sure this one is as delicious as ours. It’s always been a favorite with ham, particularly for a larger gathering, although it does go well with other meats too.
    I plan to try the shortcut of the prepared potatoes to make this a bit simpler – simpler translates to making them more often. I have always used cubed, freshly cooked potatoes.

  4. 5 stars
    We love these so much! I have made them for Christmas the last 2 years.

  5. Oh, they look so good! I’d want to eat the entire thing myself.

  6. Judy Ludovise says:

    I’m not familiar with Simply Potatoes. Are they in the frozen section?

    1. No, they are not frozen…look for them around eggs and stuff in refrigerated section

    2. They are in the section at Walmart where they keep the bacon, packaged lunch meat, bacon, and Claussen pickles. I recommend this recipe-simple and so good.

  7. Looks yummy! We have a similar Family standby that has sour cream. I do use the frozen hashbrowns and they do great. I let them thaw first though so that when I stir in melted butter, it doesn’t automatically freeze up the butter.

  8. Grandma Calypso says:

    5 stars
    Excellent recipe. I doubled it and cooked it for a full hour. The whole family loved it!

  9. 5 stars
    I made these potatoes for Christmas and everyone LOVED them!

  10. 5 stars
    I made the dish for my husband’s and my Christmas dinner. No big family gathering this year. It was very good and interesting flavor with the dash of nutmeg and the cream. I must confess, however, that I didn’t read the recipe carefully and didn’t refrigerate overnight before baking. Soooo, I can just imagine how good it will be the next time when I do as instructed! Thanks for sharing with us! All the best in 2021!

  11. 5 stars
    Put your recipe together Christmas Eve afternoon and served it for Christmas dinner along with a baked ham, red cabbage and applesauce. It was just the two of us so I scaled down the side dishes.
    It was the easiest holiday meal I’ve ever served and the flavors were superb! Thank you for this recipe keeper and a happy, healthy new year to you and your family. E

  12. Edie Smoak says:

    5 stars
    Delicious!
    Merry Christmas!

  13. Louise Radford says:

    4 stars
    I love recipes that are prepared the night before, one less thing to do on a busy day of family cooking. The only drawback is what do I do with the rest of the whipping cream? Got any extra recipes to use for the rest of the whipping cream? Being a thrift store DIY, I love your blog, and even find myself searching for items that you would redo. My favorite this year is the banana holder Charlie Brown Christmas tree and ornament. I’m still looking for mine but I will persist to find it before next year.

    Here’s wishing you a Carolina Christmas from the mountains to the shores from this Carolina Girl.

  14. Betty Young says:

    Hi Ann,
    I love your blog. I use your Christmas tags every year and your recipes are so delicious. I love the pork loin with apples and I am going to do this potato recipe today. Thank you so much for being an inspiration to me. I love my home and I love to cook and craft. Merry Christmas to you and your family.
    Betty

  15. Charlotte Farley says:

    5 stars
    Sorry I confused my recipes. This recipe looks delicious, can be prepared ahead and easily adjusted to make a larger amount.
    It is easy to make and would be a recipe with ingredients probably already in your fridge.

  16. Charlotte Farley says:

    5 stars
    I love the fact that Delmonico potatoes can be frozen when left over and served at another time. This is my go to recipe.
    Thanks for the recipe.

  17. 5 stars
    They are delicious and so easy

  18. Karen E Serpa says:

    5 stars
    Love this recipe! I have also used canned sliced potatoes! Yummy too!

  19. These sound delicious. I am going to bake these over the holidays . I’m thinking I’ll sprinkle top with bacon bits the last few minutes

  20. Debbie Goins says:

    5 stars
    This is a great make ahead dish…as time is limited during the holidays! My family really enjoyed these.

  21. Thank you for the recipe. I am anxious to try it. It sounds delicious.

  22. This recipe sounds delicious will try for Christmas dinner. The snickerdoodle bread is wonderful I will be giving them as Christmas gifts and thank you for the food wrapping ideas. I look forward to your posts as one former Buckeye to another. Have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

  23. 5 stars
    30+ years ago I was given a similar recipe by my friend Cristina, so we call ours “Cristina potatoes”. Her recipe does call for frozen potatoes amd some finely chopped onion. It has been a family favorite ever since and has been requested for many birthday dinners.
    Also a great dish if you are cooking for someone else as all they have to do it pop it in the oven.
    Merry Christmas

  24. The name Delmonico Potatoes is ringing in my memory somewhere, but your story of the history is delightful ! This dish looks delicious, and seems pretty simple to put together! I am definitely pinning this, but it will be several months before I will be cooking something this perfect for a family get together. Thank you so much for sharing this recipe with us !

  25. Sounds yummy; thanks, Ann. Merry Christmas to you.