This delicious casserole is loaded with cheesy potatoes and is the perfect side dish for any party, potluck or event.
The main ingredient is simply potatoes. Add in your favorite cheese to make a creamy sauce and this recipe turns into the ultimate comfort food.
Casseroles are very easy to prepare and great for serving to large groups.
They come in handy for potluck dinners and contributing a side dish is easy when the holidays roll around.
Whether it’s a corn casserole, a breakfast pancake casserole or a buffalo chicken hash brown casserole, casseroles are ideal when you want an easy delicious meal.
Why you’ll love this simply potatoes hash brown casserole recipe
It serves a crowd. It’s the perfect dish to serve a large group. And it’s easy to make a double batch.
It’s a quick recipe. With about 5 to 10 minutes prep time, this cheesy hashbrown casserole mixes up in one large bowl. Pour it in a prepared casserole dish and bake it in about an hour.
It’s perfect for special occasions. These cheesy potatoes are perfect for holiday dinners and Christmas morning. This cheesy potato casserole is also called funeral potatoes because it’s a welcoming side dish for luncheons following a funeral.
Picky eaters love it. This easy recipe is a winner among the pickiest eaters. I promise they’ll ask for seconds.
It’s easy to adjust. Add your favorite protein, vegetables, or swap out cheddar cheese for something different for a unique flavor.
Ingredients for a hash brown casserole
A handful of simple ingredients is all you need to make this delicious hash brown casserole. It’s quick to prepare and is always a crowd favorite.
Fresh or frozen, shredded hash brown potatoes – fresh shredded potatoes like the Simply Potatoes brand that you can find in the refrigerated section of your grocery store. Otherwise purchase frozen shredded potatoes and allow the bag to thaw in the refrigerator before using.
Cheddar cheese – sharp cheddar cheese adds to the flavor of this recipe. Buy it bagged or shred a block of sharp cheddar yourself.
Sour cream – either the full fat or low fat versions yield a delicious casserole.
Cream of chicken soup – pick up one can of your favorite cream of chicken soup. Cream of celery or mushroom soup also works well.
Milk – I use 1 percent and just enough to allow for the best texture and consistency.
Cracker topping – add crumbled Ritz crackers, Panko breadcrumbs, or cornflake crumbs to give this recipe crunch.
Kosher salt and ground black pepper
Easy variations to this hash brown casserole
My family loves hash brown casserole made all different ways. Here are some variations you might like.
- Add spices. Add onion powder, garlic, rosemary or parsley.
- Add vegetables, such as chopped onions, jalapeno or red bell peppers.
- Use plain yogurt instead of sour cream to make it healthier.
- Use a different type of cheese like Colby Jack, pepper jack, Monterey Jack, Parmesan or Gruyere cheese.
- Substitute Corn Flakes crumbs or Panko breadcrumbs for Ritz crackers.
- Add cubed ham, crispy bacon, cooked ground sausage or chopped rotisserie chicken and make it a complete meal the entire family can enjoy.
- Make it a breakfast egg casserole by adding a few eggs.
How to make this hash brown casserole
- Combine all the ingredients except the cracker crumbs into a large bowl.
- Spread the hash brown casserole into a prepared baking pan.
- Cover the casserole dish with foil and bake for 45 minutes.
- Sprinkle cracker crumbs over the top of the casserole and return the dish to the oven for 5 minutes or until the cracker crumbs are gold brown and the mixture is bubbly.
- Remove from the oven and served immediately.
Tips
- Use fresh potatoes already shredded otherwise allow your bag of frozen potatoes to thaw completely in the refrigerator. You can use frozen potatoes, you’ll just want to cook them for about an hour so they bake and brown properly.
- This recipe works great with all types of hash browns including country style and O’Brien.
- To prepare the baking dish, use cooking spray for easy clean up.
- Make this recipe in a slow cooker. Just allow it to cook on low for 4 to 6 hours.
Storage suggestions
Make ahead. This recipe can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator until ready to go in the oven. Allow the casserole to come up to room temperature before baking or give it a few extra minutes cooking time.
Refrigerate and reheat. Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to four days. Reheat in a 350° oven using a piece of aluminum foil to keep the top of the casserole from burning.
Freeze. Make an extra casserole in a foil pan so you have one for later. Freeze it for up to three months. Allow it to thaw in the refrigerator before baking.
Serving ideas
This delicious casserole is great served alongside a honey baked ham for an Easter brunch, a pork tenderloin for a summer barbecue or as a side dish for a turkey meatloaf or oven baked beef brisket. The options are endless.
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Easy Hash Brown Casserole Recipe with Simply Potatoes
Ingredients
- 30 ounce bag fresh hash brown potatoes shredded
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- Salt and pepper
- 2 cups sour cream
- 1 10-ounce can cream of chicken soup
- 1/3 cup milk
- 2 cups Ritz cracker crumbs or corn flake crumbs
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
- Spray a 9 x 13 inch baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.
- In a large bowl, stir together the potatoes, cream of chicken soup, milk and sour cream. Add in 2 cups of shredded cheese and season with salt and black pepper then stir until combined.
- Pour the cheesy mixture into the pan using a spoon to spread it out to the edges of the prepared baking dish.
- Cover the top of the casserole dish with aluminum foil and bake for 45 minutes.
- Sprinkle the crushed crackers over the top of the casserole dish and bake for 5 minutes or until the crackers begin to turn golden brown.
- Remove the pan from the oven and serve.
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