Optional Add-ins & Swaps: For a heartier dish, add cooked, crumbled bacon or diced ham. Garnish with chopped fresh chives or green onions. For a subtle kick, add a pinch of cayenne pepper. Substitute Greek yogurt for some sour cream for a lighter tang (texture may vary slightly).

Quality & Seasoning Tips: Use good quality, sharp cheddar or a melty blend like Colby-Jack. Full-fat sour cream ensures maximum creaminess. Ensure butter is unsalted to control the overall saltiness.

Troubleshooting: If potatoes are not tender, cover the dish with foil for part of the baking time to steam, then uncover to brown. If casserole is too dry, next time, ensure potatoes are fully thawed (if desired) or add a splash of milk to the creamy base.

Diet Note: To make this recipe vegetarian, ensure you use Cream of Mushroom Soup instead of Cream of Chicken.

Nutrition Note: Nutritional information is an estimate based on standard ingredient values, as it was not provided in the original article.