Cheesy hash brown casserole is the answer to all of my potato dreams! It’s hot and bubbly, creamy and cheesy and the hash browns are just perfectly cooked and seasoned and irresistible. You really can’t beat the cheesy layers of potato deliciousness that you have going on here. It’s just perfection. Plus, this recipe is just 6 ingredients and takes less than 10 minutes to prep! It’s just so easy and that creamy potato goodness is going to have you putting this in your regular rotation. And you’ll be happy to since it’s so simple and so dang yummy! Oh and if you’re looking for a hash brown breakfast casserole, that recipe is utter deliciousness and great for holiday breakfasts! Or you might also like to try cheesy potatoes and peas, a favorite side of mine! Back to today’s recipe though. Let’s dive in. Now, I’ve got some notes, tips and substitutions coming up below on how to make cheesy hash brown casserole. Just tryin’ to be helpful. If you want to jump on down to the recipe, simply scroll through the rest of the text. The recipe card is near the bottom of the page, above the comments section.
Ingredient Notes:
Hash browns: Feel free to use a refrigerator package of hash browns or a frozen one. Just make sure it’s thawed completely if yours was frozen. Soup: I use a condensed cream of chicken soup, but you could also use a cream of mushroom soup if you want (or to keep this vegetarian). Butter: I always use unsalted butter so I can control the amount of sodium. If you only have salted butter, that’s fine, but reduce the amount of salt in the recipe to ¼ teaspoon. Greek yogurt: A plain nonfat (or 2% or 5% fat) Greek yogurt works well, as does sour cream. Cheese: I tend to stick with sharp cheddar cheese for this casserole, but you could certainly try making it with Monterey Jack cheese or a Mexican blend cheese if you’d like.
Very easy, very adaptable. And that’s why you’re gonna want to make it again and again and again! As for serving, this is ready to go all on its own. That cheesy, hot potato goodness pretty much speaks for itself. However, you can certainly add some fun toppings if you want to dress it up! It can be as simple as some fresh herbs or you can get all savory and add some toppings like you would on tacos or nachos.
Topping Ideas:
Chopped fresh chives Sliced green onions Pickled jalapeños Hot sauce Diced avocado or guac Salsa or pico de gallo
Pick and choose your favorites! Last thing, let’s talk about what to do with leftovers. And while I normally serve this as a side dish with dinner, I have to say, I love the leftovers reheated for breakfast. So do my kids! I hope you give this cheesy potato dish a try soon. I think it’ll be everyone’s new favorite. Enjoy! XO, Kathryn Hash browns: Feel free to use a refrigerator package of hash browns or a frozen one. Just make sure it’s thawed completely if yours was frozen. Soup: I use a condensed cream of chicken soup, but you could also use a cream of mushroom soup if you want (or to keep this vegetarian). Butter: I always use unsalted butter so I can control the amount of sodium. If you only have salted butter, that’s fine, but reduce the amount of salt in the recipe to ¼ teaspoon. Greek yogurt: A plain nonfat (or 5% fat) Greek yogurt works well, as does sour cream. Cheese: I tend to stick with sharp cheddar cheese for this casserole, but you could certainly try making it with Monterey Jack cheese or a Mexican blend cheese if you’d like. Topping ideas: Chopped fresh chives, sliced green onions, pickled jalapeños, hot sauce, diced avocado or guac, salsa or pico de gallo, etc. Storing: Once cooled, the leftovers can be stored, covered, in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Reheat individual portions in the microwave until hot. Freezing: You can freeze the casserole before OR after it’s baked. To freeze before baking, prepare the casserole and place in a freezer-safe container and cover tightly with foil. Label and date the casserole then freeze for up to 3 months. Allow it to thaw overnight in the refrigerator and then bake as directed, adding 5-10 minutes to the bake time as needed. To freeze leftovers after baking, allow them to cool completely then transfer to a freezer safe container. Or wrap in foil and then place in a freezer bag. Label and date. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator and then reheat. Make ahead: You can assemble the casserole in advance. Cover with plastic wrap or foil and store in the refrigerator for up to a day. Remove from the fridge as you preheat the oven then bake as directed.
