You want your casserole to cook evenly. So, kick things off by preheating your oven to 350°F. This ensures it's hot and ready for your delicious creation.

In a large bowl, combine your melted butter, creamy chicken soup, sour cream, minced onion, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and black pepper. Mix well until everything is incorporated. This creamy mixture will envelop the hash browns.

Now, it's time for the star of the show: the hash browns! Stir in the frozen hash browns. Make sure they’re evenly coated with the creamy mixture. This step is essential for achieving that delightful texture.

Next, add one cup of shredded cheese to the bowl. Storing the other cup for later is a good idea. Mix everything together again until the cheese is evenly distributed.

Grab your preferred baking dish and grease it lightly. Pour the mixture into the dish, spreading it evenly. This ensures that every piece of casserole cooks uniformly.

Finish by sprinkling your remaining cheese on top. This creates a nice crust as it bakes.

Place your casserole in the preheated oven. Bake for about 45 minutes or until the top is golden brown and bubbly. Resist the urge to check too often; you want to keep the heat in!

Once done, remove it from the oven and let it sit for a few minutes. This resting period allows it to set slightly, making serving easier. Then, dig in!