French Onion Potatoes (Print Version)

# Ingredients:

→ Potatoes

01 - 32 ounces frozen cubed hash browns, thawed
02 - ¼ cup (57 g) unsalted butter, melted
03 - 2 cups (226 g) sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
04 - 1 ½ cups (345 g) sour cream

→ Sauce

05 - ¼ cup (57 g) unsalted butter
06 - 1 small yellow onion, diced
07 - 2 teaspoons garlic, minced
08 - ¼ cup (31 g) all-purpose flour
09 - 1 teaspoon kosher salt
10 - ½ teaspoon black pepper
11 - ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
12 - ½ teaspoon dried mustard
13 - ½ cup (120 g) chicken broth, room temperature
14 - ½ cup (122.5 g) whole milk, room temperature

→ Fried Onions

15 - 2 large yellow onions, thinly sliced, layers separated (about 4 cups onions)
16 - 4 cups (32 ounces) vegetable oil
17 - ½ teaspoon kosher salt

# Instructions:

01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick spray.
02 - In a large bowl, combine the potatoes, butter, shredded cheese, and sour cream. Mix well and set aside.
03 - In a medium non-stick skillet over medium heat, melt butter. Add onions and cook until softened (3-5 minutes). Add the garlic and cook for one more minute.
04 - Add flour, salt, pepper, cayenne pepper, and dry mustard to the skillet. Cook for another minute. Slowly add milk and chicken broth, whisking until well combined. Continue cooking and whisking until thickened.
05 - Pour the sauce into the potato mixture. Mix well. Transfer to the prepared baking dish.
06 - Bake the casserole for 45-50 minutes, until it is bubbly and heated through.
07 - While the casserole is baking, prepare the fried onions. Line a large baking sheet with two layers of paper towels and set aside. In a large saucepan over high heat, heat oil to 350°F.
08 - Working in batches, add about 1 cup of onions to the hot oil. Fry, stirring occasionally, until the onions turn pale golden brown, about 2-5 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon and place in an even layer on the prepared baking sheet. Repeat with remaining onions, ensuring the oil temperature is 350°F before each batch.
09 - Sprinkle fried onions with salt and toss to coat evenly. Set aside.
10 - After the casserole has baked for 45-50 minutes, remove it from the oven. Sprinkle the fried onions evenly over the top of the hot casserole. Serve immediately.

# Notes:

01 - Ensure the oil temperature remains consistent at 350°F for crisp and evenly fried onions.