This homemade hash brown casserole is pure comfort food! It is great for family brunch, holidays, Christmas morning, Easter Sunday, and many occasions. This casserole is also great for meal prep and leftovers. Make it once and have it all week long! It is ultra cheesy and creamy. We even found healthier cornflakes for a crunchy buttery topping!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Hash Brown Casserole is more than just a simple breakfast option. It is a crowd-pleasing comfort food that can be enjoyed at any time of the day. Here are some reasons why you will adore this recipe.
- It is quick and easy to make.
- This casserole is a breeze to whip up, making it perfect for busy mornings or when you have guests over. Minimal effort, maximum flavor!
- This casserole is versatile.
- This hash brown casserole is made without cream of chicken soup.
- It contains healthy ingredients.
- While it shines as a breakfast dish, it is also an excellent side for brunch, lunch, or dinner.
- Pair it with your favorite protein or enjoy it as a standalone dish.
- The creamy sauce and gooey cheese blend perfectly with the crispy hash browns.
- Great for feeding a crowd or a big family! So is this Chicken Casserole.
- Whether you are hosting a family gathering or a potluck brunch, Hash Brown Casserole is a crowd-pleaser that disappears quickly.
- Feel free to add your favorite ingredients like diced ham, sautéed veggies, or even some spices to give the casserole your personal touch.
- This recipe is naturally gluten-free and added sugar-free.
- Check out this Huevos Rancheros Casserole for another breakfast favorite!
What is Hash Brown Casserole?
Hash Brown Casserole is a comfort food classic made with shredded or diced potatoes, a creamy sauce, and cheese.
While variations exist, the fundamental components remain the same.
The star of the show is the hash browns. They can be either store-bought or freshly grated potatoes.
Hash brown casserole is cheesy, creamy, and cozy. It can be served any time of the day!
Ingredients & Substitutes
Scroll down to the recipe card for the full hash brown casserole recipe.
Use either freshly grated potatoes or thawed frozen hash browns. Both work well.
Unsalted butter helps make the filling extra creamy.
Plain Greek yogurt and nutritional yeast combine for a cheesy creamy mixture. This takes the place of cream of chicken soup.
Finely chop the onion.
Shredded cheddar cheese adds a sharp flavor.
Garlic powder, sea salt, and pepper add a little bit of flavor!
Crushed cornflakes add a crunchy and crispy topping. We love Real Cereal Company for healthier cornflakes!
A little melted butter adds the classic buttery flavor to the topping.
Taste & Texture
Hash brown casserole is creamy, cheesy, and savory.
The cornflakes create a crispy and golden crust on the top. The inside stays moist and tender, thanks to the creamy sauce.
The melted cheese adds a rich and gooey texture.
How to Make
Step 1
First, preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Grease a 9-inch by 13-inch dish and set aside.
Step 2
Make the casserole. In a small bowl, combine the Greek yogurt and nutritional yeast.
Step 3
Then, add the yogurt, hash browns, melted butter, sour cream, chopped onion, shredded cheese, garlic powder, salt, and pepper to a large mixing bowl. Mix until well combined.
Step 4
Pour the hash brown mixture into the greased baking dish. Spread it out into one even layer.
Step 5
In a small bowl, combine the crushed cornflakes and melted butter. Sprinkle this mixture over the top of the casserole.
Step 6
Bake in the preheated oven for 45 to 50 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the casserole is bubbly.
Step 7
Finally, remove the hash brown casserole from the oven. Let it cool for a few minutes before serving.
Expert Tips for Success
To ensure your hash brown casserole comes out perfect every time, consider these expert tips and tricks.
If using frozen hash browns, thaw them completely. Then, drain any excess water before assembling the casserole. This prevents the dish from becoming watery during baking
While cheddar is the traditional choice, feel free to experiment with other cheeses like Swiss, Gouda, or a blend of your favorites.
For an added crispy texture, mix crushed cornflakes with melted butter and sprinkle over the top before baking. While this step is optional, it adds the best crunchy top!
How to Serve & Store
Serve your freshly baked hash brown casserole as a delicious side dish or marine meal.
It can be enjoyed as breakfast, brunch, or dinner.
It tastes like Cracker Barrel Hashbrown Casserole!
Pair it with some fried eggs and bacon for a hearty breakfast.
If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 to 4 days.
Reheat in the oven to maintain the crispy texture.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Yes, thaw the frozen hash browns.
Serve with bacon, eggs, French toast, overnight oats, pancakes, waffles, or fresh fruit. This casserole pairs well with classic breakfast foods.
Yes. Add in cooked bacon, ham, ground beef, or shredded chicken.
Sure! Add all of the ingredients to a slow cooker. Cook on high for 3 hours. Sprinkle some more cheese on top and stir until melted. Serve!
Equipment Needed
Grater: Use this grater to freshly grate the potatoes if desired.
9 Inch by 13 Inch Pan: This pan is great for baking casseroles.
You May Also Enjoy
If you enjoyed this hash brown breakfast casserole recipe, please leave a rating and comment! For more inspiration, check out my Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest. For 5 free weekly meal plans and more free resources, sign up to receive my free newsletter! Check out these Breakfast Recipes.
Hash Brown Casserole
Ingredients
Casserole
- 32 ounces shredded hash browns
- ½ cup unsalted butter (melted)
- 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 2 tbsp nutritional yeast
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 small onion (finely chopped)
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp sea salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
Topping
- ½ cup crushed cornflakes (see note)
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter (melted)
Instructions
- First, preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Grease a 9-inch by 13-inch baking dish and set aside.
- Make the casserole. In a small bowl, combine the Greek yogurt and nutritional yeast.
- Then, add the yogurt, hash browns, melted butter, sour cream, chopped onion, shredded cheese, garlic powder, salt, and pepper to a large mixing bowl. Mix until well combined.
- Pour the hash brown mixture into the greased baking dish. Spread it out into one even layer.
- In a small bowl, combine the crushed cornflakes and melted butter. Sprinkle this mixture over the top of the casserole.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 45 to 50 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the casserole is bubbly.
- Finally, remove the casserole from the oven. Let it cool for a few minutes before serving.
Notes
- Fully thaw out frozen shredded hash browns.
- Feel free to shred your own potatoes if desired.
- We searched everywhere for real food cornflakes and found them! The Real Cereal Company makes cornflakes made with whole-grain corn.
- You can also buy them 15% off from the Real Cereal website.
- We even emailed them to confirm their cereal is made with only organic corn grits and sea salt.
- Mix the Greek yogurt and nutritional yeast completely. This replaces cream of chicken soup in this recipe.
- Bake until bubbly and cheesy.
- Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 4 days.
- Freeze for up to 2 months if needed.
Enjoy this hash brown potato casserole recipe!
