Creamy Potato Bake Jack (Printable Version)

A rich and tasty dish with shredded potatoes in pepper jack sauce, topped with crunchy crackers and bacon bits.

# What You'll Need:

01 - 1 package (30-32 oz) frozen shredded potatoes.
02 - 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of chicken soup without salt.
03 - 2 cups grated pepper jack cheese.
04 - 1 1/2 cups heavy cream.
05 - 1/2 cup melted butter.
06 - 1/2 cup sour cream.
07 - 1 cup shredded Parmesan cheese, split in half.
08 - 1/2 teaspoon powdered onion.
09 - 1/4 teaspoon powdered garlic.
10 - Add a pinch of salt and black pepper.
11 - 1 sleeve of crushed Ritz crackers.
12 - 1/2 cup cooked bacon, chopped up.
13 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika.

# Steps to Follow:

01 - Set your oven to 400°F to get it ready.
02 - Lightly coat a 9x13-inch dish with grease.
03 - In a big bowl, combine shredded potatoes, soup, the pepper jack cheese, heavy cream, butter, sour cream, 1/4 cup of the Parmesan, and spices.
04 - Layer the potato mix evenly in your greased dish.
05 - In a smaller bowl, combine the crushed crackers, bacon bits, the rest of the Parmesan, and paprika.
06 - Scatter the topping mixture over the potatoes in the dish.
07 - Bake for 45-50 minutes until it turns bubbly and golden on top.
08 - Let it sit for a bit before serving.

# Additional Notes:

01 - You can prep this in advance and store it in the freezer.
02 - Use a milder cheese if you'd like it less spicy.
03 - Add protein options to make it a full meal.