Start by turning on your oven. Set the heat to 350 degrees. Let the oven get hot while you work. This helps the potatoes cook very evenly. A hot oven is key for good food.

Find a large baking pan for the potatoes. Spray the pan with some non-stick oil. This stops the cheese from sticking. It makes cleaning up much faster later. Every corner should have a little oil.

Put the butter in a small bowl. Place it in the microwave for a bit. Let the butter melt until it is liquid. Do not let it get too hot. Set it aside for a few minutes.

Get your large mixing bowl ready now. Add the sour cream and the soup. Pour in the melted butter as well. Use your whisk to mix them together. The mix should look very smooth.

Put the diced onions into the bowl. Add the salt and the black pepper. Stir these into the creamy sauce. This ensures every bite has good flavor. The onions add a nice smell too.

Add most of the shredded cheese now. Keep a little bit for the top. Mix the cheese into the wet sauce. Cheddar cheese makes this recipe very special. It will melt and become very gooey.

Open the bag of frozen hash browns. Pour them into the large mixing bowl. Use a big spatula to stir them. Make sure all potatoes are covered in sauce. Take your time with this part.

Pour the potato mix into your baking dish. Spread it out with your spatula. Make the top level and very flat. This helps the dish bake at the same speed. It looks very nice in the pan.

Crush the cornflakes in a small bag. Sprinkle them over the top of the potatoes. Add the rest of the cheese here too. This creates a very tasty crust. The crunch is the best part.

Place the pan in the hot oven. Let it bake for forty-five minutes. The top should be golden and brown. The edges will look bubbly and hot. Check it after forty minutes of cooking.

Take the pan out of the oven. Let it sit for five minutes. This helps the sauce thicken up. Then you can cut it into squares. Serve it while it is still warm.