Cheesy Hashbrown Casserole Recipe {without soup} - Inside BruCrew Life (2024)

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This Cheesy Hashbrown Casserole is the easiest, cheesiest, homemade dish you can make without having to open a can of condensed soup. It is the perfect comfort dish for holidays, breakfast brunches, or potluck dinners.

Cheesy Hashbrown Casserole Recipe {without soup} - Inside BruCrew Life (1)

This easy hash brown casserole is a tried and true meal. I think everyone has a version of this side dish in their house. I remember having them at church dinners where everyone called them funeral potatoes. Quite the name for this cheesy casserole, huh?

This easy side dish is a staple in most homes. It is a true favorite for holidays, dinners, or potlucks because it is pure comfort food for sure.

Cheesy Hashbrown Casserole Recipe {without soup} - Inside BruCrew Life (2)

This copycat Cracker Barrel hashbrown casserole is also a delicious side dish that can be served at most dinners.

We like having these cheesy hash browns along with these stuffing muffins, this simple broccoli salad, and easy corn casserolefor big holiday dinners throughout the year.

It is also a delicious side dish when served at church potlucks or summer barbecues.

Cheesy Hashbrown Casserole Recipe {without soup} - Inside BruCrew Life (3)

Ingredients Needed

Thischeesy hash brown casserole without soup is so easy to make and is perfect for breakfast, brunch, or dinner.

  • Onions - you can also use a mixture of red and green peppers with the onions
  • Butter andFlour - the flour combines with the butter and milk to create a homemade roux
  • Milk andChicken Broth - the mixture of both adds a great flavor to the casserole
  • Sour Cream - Greek yogurt would also work great
  • Shredded Cheddar Cheese - shred your own cheese because it makes such a big difference in casseroles
  • Hash Brown Potatoes - shredded or cubed are fine
  • Garlic Powder, Salt, and Pepper - for flavor
Cheesy Hashbrown Casserole Recipe {without soup} - Inside BruCrew Life (4)

How to make Homemade Cheesy Hash Brown Potatoes

You may have your own variation to this homemade hash browncasserole, but I wanted to share how I make our hashbrown casserole recipe a little different than others.

  1. Sauté the diced onions and butter in a large pot.
  2. Add some flour and cook for one minute, then whisk in the chicken broth and milk. Cook over medium heat until thickened.
  3. Stir in the sour cream and shredded cheese.
  4. Add the bag of thawed hash browns, seasonings, and more cheese and stir until mixed together.
  5. Spoon the mixture into a greased casserole dish and top with another layer of cheese.
  6. Bake until heated through. Serve with parsley and pepper.

Recipe Variations

  • Make cheesy hash brown potatoes with corn flakes. Crush 2 cups of corn flakes slightly. Stir in ¼ cup melted butter and add this to the top of the casserole.
  • You can also use Ritz crackers or potato chips for the topping.
  • Add cooked crumbled bacon or ham to the potato mixture before pouring it into the baking dish.

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Recipe Questions

Do you have to thaw the hash browns?

Not necessarily. If you forget to thaw the hashbrown potatoes, bake the casserole covered for 50 minutes and then uncovered for 10.

Can this hashbrown casserole recipe be made ahead of time?

Yes. Make the potatoes but do not bake them. Spoon the mixture into a greased pan, cover, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking. Make sure to remove the pan from the fridge 30 minutes before baking. You may need to add extra time if they are still cold.

Can I make these cheesy potatoes in a crock pot?

Yes you can. Spoon the potato mixture into a greased crock pot or slow cooker and cook on low for 2-3 hours or until heated through and bubbly.

Is this hashbrown casserole freezer-friendly?

Yes. Prepare the copycat Cracker Barrel hashbrown casserole without baking, store in an airtight freezer-friendly container, and freeze for up to 3 months. To serve, thaw in the refrigerator overnight and bake as directed.

More Easy Side Dish Recipes

  • Easy Sweet Potato Souffle
  • Roasted Veggies
  • Easy Corn Casserole
  • Banana Split Dessert Salad
  • Classic Green Bean Casserole

Other Dinner Casserole Recipes

  • Cheesy Chicken Pasta Casserole
  • Bacon Broccoli Mac and Cheese
  • Creamy Stovetop Mac and Cheese
  • Cheddar Bacon Mac and Cheese

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Recipe

Cheesy Hashbrown Casserole Recipe {without soup} - Inside BruCrew Life (7)

Cheesy Hashbrown Casserole Recipe

Yield: 12 servings

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 40 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour

This Homemade Cheesy Hash Brown Casserole is an easy side dish for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Shredded hash browns and melted cheese make this comfort food dinner a favorite with everyone.

Ingredients

  • 4 Tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 cup diced onion
  • 4 Tablespoons all purpose flour
  • 1 cup milk
  • 1 cup chicken broth
  • 1 cup sour cream
  • 4 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
  • 1 - 30 ounce bag frozen shredded hash brown potatoes, thawed
  • 2 teaspoons garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon pepper
  • *Optional Topping idea below

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Spray a 9x13 casserole dish with nonstick spray.
  2. Melt the butter in a large saucepan. Add the onions and saute until soft.
  3. Sprinkle the flour over the mixture. Stir and cook for an additional minute.
  4. Whisk in the milk and broth slowly. Cook for a few minutes until thickened.
  5. Stir in the sour cream and 2 cups of shredded cheese until melted and creamy.
  6. Stir in the thawed potatoes, garlic powder, salt and pepper, and 1 cup of shredded cheese.
  7. Spoon into prepared pan. Sprinkle the remaining cheese on top.
  8. Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Uncover and cook 10 minutes longer. Top with parsley and pepper and serve immediately.

Notes

  1. Crush 2 cups Corn Flakes slightly. Stir in ¼ cup melted butter. Sprinkle this on top of the top layer of cheese before baking. You can also use Ritz crackers or potato chips for the topping.
  2. Add bacon or ham to the potato mixture before pouring it into the baking dish.
  3. This is a great casserole to freeze for a later meal. Prepare and pour into a foil pan. Let cool, then cover and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before baking.
Nutrition Information:

Yield: 12Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving:Calories: 313Total Fat: 21gSaturated Fat: 12gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 61mgSodium: 781mgCarbohydrates: 20gFiber: 2gSugar: 2gProtein: 12g

Did you make this recipe?

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*The post for Homemade Cheesy Hash Brown Casserole was first published on November 18, 2015. The pictures and the post were updated and republished November 11, 2019.

Cheesy Hashbrown Casserole Recipe {without soup} - Inside BruCrew Life (2024)

FAQs

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.

Should I 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.

What can I add to my hash browns? ›

Hash browns are mixed with Cheddar cheese, sour cream, crumbled bacon, and ranch dressing seasoning for plenty of bold flavor.

Can I use fresh potatoes instead of frozen hash browns? ›

Substitute fresh potatoes for 30 ounces of frozen hashbrowns. Substitute diced green onions for 3 tablespoons dried chives.

Why is my breakfast casserole soupy? ›

This is often due to high water content in some vegetables and dense meats that are used in these dishes. Browning /cooking the meats (and draining off any excess liquid) and sautéing the vegetables before cooking often helps this issue.

How do you make a casserole not soggy? ›

10 Tips To Fix Or Prevent Watery Casseroles
  1. Prep Vegetables Ahead Of Time. Vegetables boiling on a stove - Solstock/Getty Images. ...
  2. Add A Starch. ...
  3. Experiment With Pasta Or Grains. ...
  4. Take The Lid Off. ...
  5. Drain Fat From Meat. ...
  6. Choose A Dry Or Low-Fat Cheese. ...
  7. Sprinkle Seeds Into Your Bake. ...
  8. Remove Excess Liquid.
Oct 29, 2023

Is it better to cook hash browns frozen or thawed? ›

A: Yes, you should because you need to get rid of the. excess moisture.

How do you know when hash brown casserole is done? ›

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. In a large bowl, stir together all of the ingredients until thoroughly combined. Pour into prepared baking dish and bake until golden brown and bubbling, 30 to 45 minutes. Let rest for 10 minutes before serving.

Should I thaw frozen potatoes before baking? ›

The best thing about cooking with frozen potatoes is that you don't generally need to defrost them before using: spontaneous home-cooked chips, quick-as-a-flash mash and easy-peasy baked potatoes are all within your reach. Need some inspiration for your frozen spuds?

What makes hash browns unhealthy? ›

The problem with prepared hash brown patties is that, typically, they are deep-fried in vegetable oil. This tips the scale to the side of not-so-healthy because of high fat content. Also of note: If you're eating a low-carb diet, be aware that 60 to 70 percent of a potato is starch, a type of carbohydrate.

What kind of potatoes are good for hash browns? ›

Starchy potatoes like Russets work best for hash browns. Waxy potatoes like red new potatoes have a higher moisture content and tend to hold their shape better than starchy potatoes, and as such do not develop the crispiest of edges when fried.

How do restaurants get hashbrowns so crispy? ›

They are steamed, peeled, steamed again or boiled, shredded and cooked partially in oil, oven dried and IQF before going into a bag to be cooked at home once again. IQF equals individually quick frozen strands. Cooking the potato twice is the key and is something that is hard to replicate at home.

Why won t my hash browns get crispy? ›

Most recipes for shredded hash browns advise squeezing the potatoes to release as much liquid as possible before they're cooked. This makes sense—potatoes are loaded with moisture, which makes browning difficult. By getting rid of excess water, you enable the potatoes to brown more evenly and quickly.

Should potatoes be rinsed for hash browns? ›

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.

Why is my potato casserole runny? ›

My sauce is watery

If you stored your potatoes in water to prevent discoloring, be sure to drain them well and pat them dry before adding to your casserole. Some of the waxier potatoes can release more water than starchier ones, so look for good baking potatoes like russet or Yukon golds.

How do you keep hash browns from getting gummy? ›

Swirl the grated potatoes around the bowl and drain the excess water. Repeat this at least 3 times or until the water runs clear. What you are doing here is rinsing away the excess starch. Eliminating the extra starch is a key step that ensures a texture that is not gummy.

How do you make frozen hash browns not mushy? ›

If you're reheating frozen hash browns, I suggest preheating your oven to 350 and covering the tray with foil. Pop this into your oven for about 20 minutes. Then, remove the foil and let them cook uncovered for another 5-7 minutes depending on how much crispiness you want.

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