Creamy, cheesy, and packed with bacon - this Easy Loaded Hash Brown Casserole is everything a side dish should be. Blend frozen (thawed) diced hash browns with cream cheese, sour cream, cheddar, melted butter, chicken broth, and seasonings.
Not only is this a flavorful side dish, but it can also be a hearty breakfast casserole when served with scrambled eggs, fruit salad, and even a biscuit on the side. It bakes up bubbly and golden with almost no prep. This easy recipe uses one bowl and a 9"x13" dish!
If you love all kinds of hash browns, diced, shredded, or in patty form, then you'll love these Hawaiian Roll Breakfast Sliders - using hashbrown patties keeps all the ingredients nicely layered and in one place.
Jump to:
- Why You Need this Casserole in Your Life
- Hash Brown Casserole Ingredients
- How to Substitute with Fresh Potatoes
- Flavor Variations (ingredient additions)
- Let's Make Hash Brown Casserole (photos included!)
- Favorite Ways to Serve Hash Brown Casserole
- Easy Meal Plan
- Recipe Tips for Success
- What to do with Leftover Hash Brown Casserole
- FAQs
- More Potato Recipes
- Get a Free 5-Day Meal Plan
- Leave me a Comment
- Follow me on Pinterest
- Recipe
- Comments
Why You Need this Casserole in Your Life
Hash brown casserole is easy and delicious - everybody I know loves it!
- No peeling, chopping, or boiling potatoes - frozen diced hash browns make this extra easy; just let the hash browns thaw first.
- Layers of flavor from sour cream, sharp cheddar, and seasonings (smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper).
- Bacon makes it better - thick-cut crumbled bacon adds a salty, crunchy flavor and texture to every bite. Use pre-cooked bacon to save time.
- Bakes up creamy and golden - with just the right texture making it a true comfort food.
Hash Brown Casserole Ingredients
Every ingredient has a job to do - here's how they all work together to make this potato casserole top notch.
- Frozen diced hash browns
Sometimes referred to as "Southern Hash Browns." Diced potatoes hold their shape better than shredded and give you a hearty, chunky texture. Just be sure to thaw them first! - Cream cheese
Makes it rich and velvety. It melts into the casserole and gives it that ultra-creamy bite. - Sour cream
Adds a little tang and helps keep everything smooth and moist. - Shredded sharp cheddar cheese
For bold, cheesy flavor. Sharp cheddar stands out and melts beautifully. - Thick-cut bacon (cooked and crumbled)
Smoky, salty, and just a little crispy. You can cook your own or if you're in a hurry, use the pre-cooked bacon. Most will go in the casserole, but save some for garnish. - Melted butter
Adds that buttery goodness we all love in casseroles. - Chicken broth
Thins the mixture just enough so it doesn't bake up too thick. - Salt, Pepper, Garlic Powder
Just enough to bring everything together. Adjust salt depending on how salty your bacon and broth are. - Smoked paprika
Gives it a warm, smoky depth that pairs perfectly with the bacon. - Green onions
Adds a very mild onion flavor. Plus, a nice pop of color as a topping. Keep some extra onions on the side for those who like more onion flavor!
How to Substitute with Fresh Potatoes
- Use 5-½ cups of peeled and diced fresh potatoes (½-inch cubes).
- Parboil the potatoes for 5-7 minutes, until the potatoes are just starting to get tender but still firm.
- Drain and spread the potatoes on paper towels or a clean kitchen towel to dry.
- Continue with recipe steps 4-8 in the recipe card.
Steak and potatoes have always gone hand in hand, like your bestie! That's why I love to serve this potato casserole with this tender New York Strip Steak.
Flavor Variations (ingredient additions)
- Spicy: Stir in diced jalapeños or a pinch of cayenne.
- Extra meaty: Add browned breakfast sausage or cooked chopped ham.
- Veg it up: Toss in sautéed bell peppers or mushrooms.
Let's Make Hash Brown Casserole (photos included!)
Step 1. Place the thawed hash browns in a baking pan.
Step 2. Blend cream cheese, sour cream, shredded cheese, bacon, butter, broth, salt, smoked paprika, garlic powder, black pepper, and green onions.
Step 3. Spread hash brown mixture into baking pan.
Step 4. Bake for 30-40 minutes. Garnish with chopped bacon and green onions.
Favorite Ways to Serve Hash Brown Casserole
- Serve as a side for baked ham or grilled chicken.
- Hash brown casserole is excellent with these juicy brined pork chops!
- Add a fried egg on top and turn it into brunch.
- Spoon leftovers into a tortilla with scrambled eggs for a loaded breakfast burrito.
Easy Meal Plan
Here's a no-fuss menu that's full of comfort and flavor. Plus, all can be made a day in advance!
Main entree: Southern Style Meatloaf
Side dish(es): Loaded Hash Brown Casserole and a simple green salad
Dessert: Mandarin Orange Cake (make the day before)
Recipe Tips for Success
- Don't skip thawing your hash browns. If they're still frozen, they'll release too much moisture and make the casserole watery.
- Soften your cream cheese fully so it mixes smoothly.
- Taste before baking. Depending on your bacon and broth, you might need a touch more or a touch less salt.
What to do with Leftover Hash Brown Casserole
- Keep Leftovers Fresh: First and foremost, store leftovers tightly covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Breakfast Bake Cups: Scoop leftover hash brown casserole into muffin tins and bake for portable leftovers.
- Stuffed Peppers: Use as a filling to stuff halved bell peppers and bake.
- Potato Cakes: Shape into patties, pan-fry, and serve with a dollop of sour cream.
FAQs
Common things people want to know about Loaded Hash Brown Casserole:
Yes because if they're still frozen, they'll release water while baking and could make the casserole runny. Just spread them on a sheet pan or let 'em sit in the fridge overnight.
Absolutely. Mix everything together, cover it tightly, and refrigerate overnight. Bake it the next day as directed, adding 5-10 extra minutes if it's cold from the fridge.
Of course. The casserole will still be rich and flavorful without it. You could stir in sautéed mushrooms or chopped ham if you want something meaty but different.
Plain Greek yogurt works in place of sour cream. For cream cheese, try a garlic and herb Boursin or even ricotta in a pinch (though it'll be a bit less rich).
More Potato Recipes
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Serve this dish alongside my Classic Savory Carrot Casserole for a crowd-pleasing, holiday-style spread full of cozy flavors.
Recipe
Easy Loaded Hash Brown Casserole
Equipment
- large mixing bowl
- measuring cup(s)
- measuring spoons
- cheese grater/shredder
- 9x13-inch baking pan or dish
Ingredients
- 32 oz bag of frozen diced hash browns, thawed and patted dry with paper towels Not shredded hash browns
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 8 oz sour cream
- 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese Please shred your own cheese
- 6 strips cooked, crumbled thick-cut bacon To save time, I use the pre-cooked thick-sliced bacon
- ½ cup melted butter
- ½ cup chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ cup sliced green onions (plus extra for garnish)
GARNISHES
- 2-4 strips cooked, crumbled thick-cut bacon
- A sprinkle of sliced green onions
Instructions
- Tip: spread the frozen hashbrowns onto a sheet pan to thaw on your counter. It may take a couple of hours for them to completely thaw out. Then pat them dry with a paper towel to remove any extra liquid.
- Preheat oven to 375°F, and spray a 9x13-inch baking pan or casserole dish with non-stick spray.
- Place the thawed potatoes in the baking pan.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the cream cheese, sour cream, shredded cheese, bacon, butter, broth, salt, smoked paprika, garlic powder, black pepper, and green onions until well combined.
- Fold in hashbrowns, making sure all the potatoes are coated.
- Pour the hashbrown mixture into the pan and spread it out evenly.
- Bake uncovered for 35-40 minutes. The edges should be slightly crispy.
- Give the potatoes a good stir, and garnish with extra green onions and 2 slices cooked and chopped bacon. If you're using the pre-cooked bacon, crisp up the slices in the microwave per package directions, then sprinkle on top.
Notes
-
- Don't skip thawing your hash browns. If they're still frozen, they'll release too much moisture and make the casserole watery.
-
- Soften your cream cheese fully so it mixes smoothly. Quick Method: submerge the unopened foil-wrapped block of cream cheese in a bowl of very warm water for 5 minutes!
-
- Taste before baking. Depending on your bacon and broth, you might need a touch more or a touch less salt.
-
- Spicy: Stir in diced jalapeños or a pinch of cayenne.
-
- Extra meaty: Add browned breakfast sausage or cooked chopped ham.
-
- Veg it up: Toss in sautéed bell peppers or mushrooms.
-
- Use 5-½ cups of peeled and diced fresh potatoes (½-inch cubes).
-
- Parboil the potatoes for 5-7 minutes, until the potatoes are just starting to get tender but still firm.
-
- Drain and spread the potatoes on paper towels or a clean kitchen towel to dry.
-
- Continue with recipe steps 4-8 in the recipe card.
Nutrition
Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy to my readers. I'm not a nutritionist and I don't guarantee the accuracy of this data. The data may differ according to the brands I used versus the brands you use. To calculate the data yourself using your brands, try using an online nutrition calculator or app.
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