Best Cheesy Hashbrown Casserole (Easy Recipe) - Miss in the Kitchen (2024)

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Cheesy Hashbrown Casserole is a delicious addition to any meal of the day. Popular for holiday dinners and weekend brunches. This easy recipe is completely from scratch made from fresh potatoes and no canned soup!

Hashbrown casserole is a classic side dish to serve for potlucks and holiday dinners. It’s so simple to make with simple ingredients and is sure to be a family favorite.

The first time I ever tried this easycheesy hashbrown casserolewas in Wyoming when we went to help the neighbors work their sheep. They called this dish branding potatoes because they were what everyone served for lunch when they branded cattle.

This cheesy potato casserole is known by different names such as funeral potatoes, party potatoes or cheesy potatoes. Whatever you call it, just add it to the menu!

Table of Contents

Ingredients for Cheesy Hashbrown Casserole Recipe

  • russet potatoes
  • onion
  • cheddar cheese
  • sour cream
  • heavy cream
  • butter
  • chicken base
  • black pepper
  • kosher salt

Budget Tip

I don’t ever remember to buy frozen hash browns or the refrigerated shredded hashbrowns from the grocery store. There’s no need for expensive pre shredded potatoes to make hashbrown casserole recipe! You can make them with the potatoes that you have in the pantry.

How to Shred Potatoes for Hashbrowns

  1. Wash and dry potatoes. Peel if desired.
  2. Shred on the large side of a box grater or use a food processor.
  3. Place in a colander and rinse thoroughly. Squeeze out excess liquid from the shredded potatoes over the sink or over a bowl to remove the excess liquid. This will keep your hashbrowns from being mushy.
  4. Place shredded potatoes in a large bowl.

This is the best way to make hash brown potatoes. This method works for hashbrown casserole or traditional fried crispy hash browns. Give it a try the next time you are making hashbrowns.

How to Make Hashbrown Casserole

  1. Shred 2 1/2 – 3 pounds russet potatoes. Place in a colander and rinse thoroughly and squeeze out any excess water. Place into a large mixing bowl.
  1. Dice 1 cup onion and add to shredded potatoes.
  1. Shred 8 ounces of cheddar cheese and add 2/3 of it to potato mixture.
  1. In another bowl combine melted butter, heavy cream, sour cream, chicken base, salt and pepper. Whisk together and pour over potato mixture.
  2. Mix potato and cream mixture until well combined.
  3. Spray a 9 x 13 baking dish or 2 1/2 – 3 quart casserole dish with cooking spray.
  1. Pour potato mixture into baking dish and spread evenly. Top with remaining shredded cheese.
  2. Bake 45 minutes to 1 hour or until potatoes are cooked through.Cheese will be melted and golden brown.

Variations for Cheesy Potato Casserole

  • Cream Soup:Use cream of chicken soup or cream of mushroom soup in place of the heavy cream and chicken base.
  • Cream cheesemakes a good substitute for the heavy cream.
  • Different Cheeses:Colby-Jack, Gruyere, Mozzarella cheese or Pepper-Jack are all great options for cheesy hashbrown potato casserole.
  • Make it a Main Dish:Add brownedbreakfast sausage,ground beefor even cooked chicken will turn these cheesy potatoes into a hearty dinner the whole family will love.
  • Crunch Toppings: Crushed corn flakes, crushed ritz crackers, potato chips or panko breadcrumbs can be sprinkled over the top of the casserole before baking.
  • Garnishes: After baking sprinkle the casserole with sliced green onions, candied jalapenos or chopped fresh herbs.

Hashbrown Casserole Notes

  • Make Ahead:Hashbrown casserole is one of those dishes that just gets better the next day. Prepare up to 2 days in advance. Mix it up and cover tightly with plastic wrap, do not bake. Refrigerate until ready to bake. Bake as directed. (If using a glass baking dish, allow to come to room temperature before placing in the oven.)
  • Leftovers:Cover the casserole dish with aluminum foil or plastic wrap in the refrigerator up to 4 days.
  • Reheat:Hashbrown casserole can be reheated in a non-stick pan over medium heat, stirring until heated through or place in a baking pan and bake for 12- 15 minutes until heated through.

We love this easy cheesy hashbrown casserole for any meal of the day. It’s the perfect breakfast casserole for any holiday morning. It’s also the perfect easy side for all holiday meals.

More Potato Recipes to Try

  • Garlic Mashed Potatoesare the perfect side dish for weeknight dinners and delicious enough for any holiday meal. Made so flavorful with homemade garlic butter.
  • Potato Gratinis just loaded with cheesy goodness. One of my favorite for celebrations and holiday dinners.
  • Creamy Dill Potato Saladis always a hit with the crowd. So easy to make and so creamy and delicious.
  • Air Fryer Roasted Potatoesare super easy to make for busy weeknights. Tons of flavor from garlic and rosemary.
  • Grilled Potatoesare simple to make with any dinner on the grill. Loaded with cheese and everything bagel seasoning, these potatoes are sure to be a family favorite.

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Kitchen Tools for Hashbrown Casserole

  • Budget-Friendly Side Dish: Making this recipe using whole potatoes in place of the packaged shredded hash browns is a money saver. This recipe is perfect to feed a crowd.
  • Favorite Side Dish:Everyone loves this potato side dish with lots of cheese. It is the perfect compliment to any meal of the day and it’s so easy to make with just a few minutes of prep.
  • Great for Holiday Dinners:Cheesy hash brown casserole is perfect for Christmas dinner, Thanksgiving dinner, Easter brunch and family gatherings

If you love Cracker Barrel hashbrown casserole, this is sure to be one of your favorite things. It’s just the most comforting side dish that is always a massive hit.

IF YOU LOVE THIS RECIPE AS MUCH AS I DO, PLEASE LEAVE A COMMENT AND A FIVE STAR REVIEW, AND BE SURE TO HELP ME SHARE ON PINTEREST!

Yield: 12 Servings

Cheesy Hashbrown Casserole

Best Cheesy Hashbrown Casserole (Easy Recipe) - Miss in the Kitchen (11)

Cheesy Hashbrown Casserole is a delicious addition to any meal of the day. This recipe is completely from scratch made from whole potatoes and no canned soups!

Prep Time10 minutes

Cook Time1 hour

Total Time1 hour 10 minutes

Ingredients

  • 2 1/2 - 3 pounds russet potatoes
  • 1 cup diced onion
  • 8 ounces shredded cheddar cheese, divided use
  • 12 ounces sour cream
  • 3/4 cup heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup melted butter
  • 1 teaspoon chicken base
  • 1 teaspoon pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375 °
  2. Scrub potatoes and peel if desired. Shred on large side of box grater.
  3. Shred 2 1/2 - 3 pounds russet potatoes. Place in a colander and rinse thoroughly and squeeze out any excess water. Place potatoes into a large mixing bowl.
  4. Add onions and 2/3 of shredded cheese, set aside.
  5. In another bowl, combine sour cream, heavy cream, melted butter, chicken base, pepper and salt. Whisk until well combined.
  6. Pour over potato mixture, stirring until mixed well.
  7. Pour into a greased 9 x 13 baking pan and top with remaining cheese.
  8. Bake 45 minutes to one hour or until potatoes have cooked through.

Notes

Variations

  • Cream Soup:Use cream of chicken soup orcream of mushroom soupin place of the heavy cream and chicken base.
  • Cream cheesemakes a good substitute for the heavy cream.
  • Different Cheeses:Colby-Jack, Gruyere, Mozzarella cheese or Pepper-Jack are all great options for cheesy hashbrown potato casserole.
  • Make it a Main Dish:Add brownedbreakfast sausage,ground beefor even cooked chicken will turn these cheesy potatoes into a hearty dinner the whole family will love.
  • Crunch Toppings: Crushed corn flakes, crushed ritz crackers, potato chips or panko breadcrumbs can be sprinkled over the top of the casserole before baking.
  • Garnishes: After baking sprinkle the casserole with sliced green onions,candied jalapenosor chopped fresh herbs.
  • Make Ahead:Hashbrown casserole is one of those dishes that just gets better the next day. Prepare up to 2 days in advance. Mix it up and cover tightly with plastic wrap, do not bake. Refrigerate until ready to bake. Bake as directed. (If using a glass baking dish, allow to come to room temperature before placing in the oven.)
  • Leftovers:Cover the casserole dish with aluminum foil or plastic wrap in the refrigerator up to 4 days.
  • Reheat:Hashbrown casserole can be reheated in a non-stick pan over medium heat, stirring until heated through or place in a baking pan and bake for 12- 15 minutes until heated through.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

12

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving:Calories: 333Total Fat: 25gSaturated Fat: 15gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 73mgSodium: 297mgCarbohydrates: 21gFiber: 2gSugar: 3gProtein: 8g

Nutritional calculations are estimated and may not be accurate.

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Best Cheesy Hashbrown Casserole (Easy Recipe) - Miss in the Kitchen (2024)

FAQs

Can I use fresh shredded potatoes instead of frozen in a casserole? ›

You'll want to rinse your freshly shredded potatoes before you cook with them, though; they release a lot of cloudy starch that holds water and might make your casserole goopy and/or keep it from getting crunchy on top. You probably also want to press the excess water out.

Why is my hash brown casserole soggy? ›

Frozen hash browns will leak moisture during cooking, which could leave a soggy, sad mess behind. For the best results, let the frozen hash browns thaw overnight in the fridge, then thoroughly pat them dry to remove as much moisture as possible before cooking them to crispy.

How do you shred potatoes for hash browns? ›

Use the largest holes on a box grater or a mandoline with grating blades set over a plate to shred potatoes. It's important to place a plate underneath the grater or mandoline as this will contain the mess and keep all your potatoes together instead of scattered in little ribbons across the countertop.

Can you freeze hash brown casserole before cooking? ›

You can freeze the hashbrown casserole, either before baking it or after it has been baked and cooled. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and foil and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator before baking or reheating in the oven.

What are funeral potatoes made of? ›

Full of tender potatoes, gooey cheese, sour cream and topped with crispy Kellogg's corn flake cereal this savory casserole cannot be beat. Funeral potato with real potatoes is easy, cheesy, and delicious.

Do you have to rinse shredded potatoes before cooking? ›

To ensure ultimate crispness, be sure to rinse the grated potatoes with cold water until the water runs nearly clear and to use a very hot, well-seasoned pan. As with all potato dishes, remember to season well.

How do you thicken a hash brown casserole? ›

Whisk together equal parts cornstarch and cold water in a small bowl. Use one tablespoon of cornstarch per cup of liquid you would like to thicken. Stir out all the lumps. A few minutes before your casserole is done, add it a little at a time until you are happy with the thickness.

How do you thaw hash browns for casserole? ›

Thaw the hash browns before you start: Thawing the frozen hash browns prevents the sauce from clumping when you mix them in, and helps the casserole cook faster. You can thaw your shredded hash browns overnight in the fridge directly in their bag or for about an hour at room temperature.

Why did my hash browns turn black? ›

A: Exposure to air or oxygen is the cause of this situation when the potatoes are cut and stored in advance for any future cooking.

Why do you soak shredded potatoes in water? ›

If you want to prepare your potatoes later after you have cut them soaking them in cold water will keep them from turning brown. Also, if you are going to fry them they will turn out crispier. Soaking them helps to remove the starch.

Should you soak shredded potatoes for hash browns? ›

Most recipes require soaking your raw, shredded potato in cold water to rinse off the excess starch, then squeezing every last bit of moisture out before tossing it in a pan.

How do you keep shredded hash browns from falling apart? ›

The biggest culprit that's making your hash browns come apart is moisture. You need to make sure the potatoes are dry before adding them to the flour and egg mixture. Whether you squeeze them out in a dish towel or use a salad spinner, get the potatoes as dry as they can be.

What to eat with hash brown casserole? ›

The Best Dishes to Serve With Hash Brown Casserole for Breakfast
  1. Fruit Salad with Honey Lemon Dressing. ...
  2. Bacon Gravy (Country Gravy) ...
  3. Ham and Potato Quiche. ...
  4. Sheet Pan Pancakes (+6 Variations) ...
  5. Stone Fruit Salad with Goat Cheese. ...
  6. Spinach Frittata. ...
  7. Breakfast Meatballs. ...
  8. Easy Cinnamon Roll Breakfast Casserole.
Apr 30, 2023

Does Cracker Barrel hashbrown casserole have onions? ›

Shredded potatoes, Colby cheese, chopped onions, our signature seasoning blend, salt and pepper baked together in the oven for our Signature Hashbrown Casserole. *May be cooked to order. Consuming raw or undercooked meats, poultry, seafood, shellfish or eggs may increase your risk of foodborne illness.

Does hashbrown casserole reheat well? ›

It's a quicker, even more versatile version of Twice Baked Potato Casserole that feeds a lot of people and is appropriate for pretty much any meal (which is probably why it's sometimes nicknamed “funeral potatoes” and “party potatoes”). It Stores, Freezes, and Reheats Like a Dream.

Can I substitute frozen potatoes for fresh potatoes? ›

Frozen diced potatoes can be swapped for fresh by stirring into soups and stews in the last few minutes of cooking. Or simmer a bag of frozen potatoes in chicken stock with some garlic and herbs, then purée. Instant comfort.

What is the difference between frozen and fresh potatoes? ›

POTATO FACTS

Freezing (if done correctly) simply places the food and its nutrients in “suspended animation,” so nutrient loss is minimal. similar nutrients as their fresh counterparts, but at slightly lower levels. vitamin C and 738 milligrams of potassium.

What's the difference between frozen and fresh hash browns? ›

Frozen hash browns often turn out crispier than homemade hash browns because of the way they are processed and prepared. Frozen hash browns are typically par-cooked before freezing, which means they are partially cooked to remove excess moisture and then frozen.

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