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A bubbling hash brown casserole baked to golden perfection in a ceramic dish.

Irresistible Cheesy Hash Brown Casserole

This cheesy hash brown casserole is the ultimate comfort food, perfect for breakfast, brunch, or as a hearty side dish. It's packed with flavor and incredibly simple to make.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 55 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 400
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 30-32 ounce frozen hash browns, thawed
  • 10.5 ounce cream of chicken soup (or cream of mushroom for vegetarian)
  • 16 ounce sour cream
  • 1/2 cup melted butter (1 stick)
  • 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (sharp, mild, or Colby Jack blend)
  • 1/2 cup finely chopped onion (optional)
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Optional Topping
  • 1 cup crushed cornflakes or more shredded cheese mixed with melted butter with 2 tbsp melted butter

Equipment

  • oven
  • 9x13 inch baking dish
  • large mixing bowl
  • paper towel
  • baking sheet

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.
  2. Thaw the frozen hash browns completely, then gently press out any excess water.
Mixing
  1. In a large bowl, combine cream of chicken soup, sour cream, melted butter, chopped onion (if using), salt, and pepper; stir until smooth.
  2. Add the thawed hash browns and 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese to the soup mixture and fold gently until evenly coated.
Baking
  1. Pour the hash brown mixture into the prepared baking dish and spread evenly.
  2. If using a topping, sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese over the casserole, and for a crispy topping, mix crushed cornflakes with melted butter and sprinkle over the cheese.
  3. Bake for 45-60 minutes until golden brown, bubbly, and heated through; loosely tent with foil if the topping browns too quickly.
Serving
  1. Remove from the oven and let it rest for 5-10 minutes before serving to help it set.

Notes

For a richer flavor, consider using full-fat sour cream and a good quality sharp cheddar cheese. This casserole can be assembled the night before and baked in the morning; just add about 10-15 minutes to the baking time if baking from cold.