Breakfast Casserole with Hashbrowns Recipes

Look, I’ll be blunt: Hash brown casserole is not something you ask yourself whether or not to eat for breakfast or a potluck. If you’ve ever found yourself in the kitchen staring at a bag of frozen hash browns and thought, Can I really do something great with this?—the answer is yes, and here’s how. This is one of those recipes that I have made way more times than I should probably admit (and my cholesterol is not happy about it), but every time there are brunch people to feed, a lazier-than-usual Sunday morning situation, or an in-law dinner party to host with minimal effort involved—this hashbrown casserole will be the first thing gone. Let’s get into it.

Ever wondered why this dish is such a hit? Here’s the secret sauce:

Minimal prep, maximum flavor. You can throw this together in under 10 minutes—unless you get distracted by TikTok. (No judgment.)
Crowd-pleaser. Kids, adults, picky eaters, and even that one friend who claims to “hate potatoes” (they’re lying)—everyone loves it.
Versatile AF. Breakfast, brunch, dinner, midnight snack. It fits in everywhere, like a culinary chameleon.

Hashbrown Casserole Recipe (Trust Me, You Want This)

Ingredients You’ll Need

Let’s keep it simple and classic. Here’s what you need for the base recipe:

32 ounces frozen shredded hashbrowns (thawed—don’t skip this or you’ll end up with a watery mess)2 5 7
½ cup melted butter (because life’s too short for low-fat everything)2 5
1 can (10.5 oz) condensed cream of chicken soup (or cream of cheddar/mushroom for a twist)2 5 7
16 ounces sour cream (full fat, obviously)2 5 7
½ cup finely diced onion (yellow or white, your call)2 5 7
2 cups shredded cheddar or Colby cheese (divided—half goes in, half on top)2 5 7
¼ teaspoon black pepper (or more if you like a kick)2 5
Salt to taste (I usually go with 1 teaspoon)5 7

Optional, but highly recommended:

Chopped green onions for garnish
Crushed cornflakes or Ritz crackers for a crunchy topping (seriously, don’t skip this if you want that “wow” factor)5 7

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Preheat and Prep

Crank your oven to 350°F (177°C). Grease a 9×13-inch casserole dish. (If you forget to grease it, just pretend you like scraping stuck cheese off the pan.)

2. Mix the Magic

In a big bowl, combine:

Thawed hashbrowns
Melted butter
Cream of chicken soup
Sour cream
Diced onion
1½ cups of cheese
Pepper and salt

Stir it all together until it looks like a glorious, cheesy mess. (Pro tip: Taste a little. You know you want to.)

3. Assemble the Casserole

Pour the mixture into your prepared dish. Spread it out evenly—no one wants a lopsided casserole.

4. Top It Off

Sprinkle the remaining cheese over the top. If you’re feeling fancy, add a layer of crushed cornflakes or Ritz crackers mixed with a little melted butter. This gives you that crispy, golden crust that’ll make everyone think you’re a kitchen genius5 7.

5. Bake

Pop it in the oven for 45–55 minutes. You want it hot, bubbly, and golden brown around the edges. If you see someone hovering near the oven, they’re probably just “checking” on the cheese. (Or maybe that’s just me.)

6. Rest and Serve

Let it sit for 10 minutes before serving. This helps everything set up and keeps you from burning the roof of your mouth. (Not that I’ve ever done that… more than twice.)

Variations: Because Sometimes You Gotta Shake Things Up

Look, I love a classic, but sometimes you want to spice things up. Here are my favorite ways to remix this casserole:

Add Protein

Toss in diced ham or cooked bacon for a breakfast vibe6.
Shredded rotisserie chicken turns it into a hearty dinner.

Go Veggie

Add sautéed bell peppers, mushrooms, or spinach for a veggie boost.
Swap in sweet potato hashbrowns for a slightly sweeter, earthier flavor6.

Spice It Up

Mix in a can of green chiles or pickled jalapeños for a little heat5.
Use pepper jack cheese instead of cheddar for extra zing.

Make It Mexican

Stir in black beans, corn, and taco seasoning. Top with salsa and avocado after baking6.

Pro Tips: How to Nail Hashbrown Casserole Every Time

I’ve made every mistake in the book (so you don’t have to). Here’s what I’ve learned:

Thaw your hashbrowns. Seriously, don’t skip this. If you use them frozen, your casserole will be watery and sad5 9.
Don’t overmix. You want everything combined, but not mushy.
Use full-fat ingredients. This is not the time for “lite” sour cream. Trust me.
Let it rest. Ten minutes makes all the difference for slicing and serving.

Can You Make Hashbrown Casserole Ahead? (Spoiler: Yes!)

Ever wanted to sleep in but still serve a hot breakfast? I feel you. Good news: you can prep this casserole ahead of time.

Assemble everything up to the baking step.
Cover and refrigerate for up to 2 days5 7.
When you’re ready, bake as directed. Add 5–10 extra minutes if it’s cold from the fridge.

You can also freeze it (unbaked or baked and cooled). Just thaw overnight in the fridge before baking or reheating5 7. IMO, this is meal prep at its finest.

What to Serve with Hashbrown Casserole

Wondering what goes with this cheesy masterpiece? Here are my go-to pairings:

Scrambled eggs or omelets. Because more breakfast is always better.
Fresh fruit salad. For a little balance (and so you can say you ate something healthy).
Crispy bacon or sausage links. If you’re not doubling down on protein, are you even brunching?
A mimosa or strong coffee. I mean, obviously.

Frequently Asked Questions (Because I Know You’re Wondering)

Can I use fresh potatoes instead of frozen hashbrowns?

Technically, yes, but you’ll need to shred and dry them thoroughly. Otherwise, you’ll end up with a watery casserole, and nobody wants that5.

Can I make it vegetarian?

Absolutely! Swap the cream of chicken soup for cream of mushroom or cheddar, and skip any meat add-ins5 7.

How do I store leftovers?

Store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat in the oven or microwave. FYI, it makes a killer breakfast sandwich filling the next day5 7.

Can I make a single serving?

Yes! Just scale down the ingredients and use a smaller baking dish. Perfect for when you want comfort food but don’t want to share6.

Honest Comparisons: Why This Recipe Wins

Let’s be honest—there are a million hashbrown casserole recipes online. So why is this one the GOAT?

Feature	This Recipe	Others
Prep Time	10 min	20+ min
Cheese Factor	High	Medium
Customizable	Totally	Sometimes
Freezer-Friendly	Yes	Not always
Crowd-Pleaser	100%	Meh

I’ve tried versions with less cheese (why?), weird veggies (no thanks), and even “healthy” swaps (just… no). This classic combo nails it every time.

My Personal Take: Why I’ll Never Stop Making This

Look, I grew up in a family where casseroles were basically a food group. This one always stole the show. I remember my grandma pulling it out of the oven, the cheese bubbling, the smell filling the house. Every bite felt like a hug from the inside out.

Now, I make it for friends, family, and sometimes just myself (no shame). It never fails to bring people together. And IMO, that’s what good food is all about.

Final Tips: Don’t Overthink It—Just Make It!

If you’re still on the fence, let me say this: just make the casserole. It’s easy, it’s delicious, and it’ll make you look like a rockstar in the kitchen. Plus, if anyone asks for the recipe, you can just wink and say it’s a “family secret.” 😉