Hash Brown Casserole Wellplated Com

It’s a rich, creamy casserole side dish that’s made with frozen hash browns, a buttery, crispy topping (if you’re asking my family, that topping better be corn flakes), and a number of other ingredients that—in the words of my mother, a potato casserole queen—“you don’t want to know.” What you should know:

Hash brown casserole tastes like pure comfort.It’s easy to make for a crowd.It freezes and reheats like a dream.You can serve it for everything ranging from a breakfast hash brown casserole, to a side with a holiday dinner, to an occasion that earned it the nickname, “funeral potatoes.”

In fact, I’ve eaten hash brown casserole for Christmas Eve dinner (and Thanksgiving), at family reunions, and, yes, at my grandma’s funeral. It’s a hug from the inside that hits the spot every time.

How to Make Hash Brown Casserole from Scratch

Most standard 4 ingredient hash brown casserole recipes, as well as those along the lines of the Pioneer Woman hash brown casserole and copycat Cracker Barrel hash brown casseroles involve cans of “cream of” soup, pints of sour cream, and cheese out of a bag. No offense to those classic casseroles (or to Cracker Barrel—I do have a soft spot for their biscuits), but when I am craving comfort food, I want more than a can of this and a bag of that. We need homemade hash brown casserole! This is hash brown casserole without soup, without sour cream, and I am going to ask you to go a little extra distance and grate your own cheese to make sure it is as supremely creamy as possible. You better believe we are making this crispy hash brown casserole with corn flakes on top, however. That topping is one of the best parts!

The Ingredients

Frozen Hash Browns. The convenient base for our casserole. You’ll need one 30- to 32-ounce bag. Frozen hashbrowns are both a timesaver AND you actually achieve better results than if you use freshly grated potatoes, because the thawed hash browns are drier. Save your hash brown efforts for Sweet Potato Hash Browns and Cauliflower Hash Browns instead.

Milk + Chicken Broth + Butter + Cornstarch. Forget the chicken soup in a can! You can create your own creamy base from this simple list of ingredients instead.Greek Yogurt. Secret ingredient #1. It’s how we get away with making a rich hash brown casserole without sour cream.

Poultry Seasoning. Secret ingredient #2 for a from-scratch casserole that has the nostalgic flavor of the cream of soup, without cream of chicken soup itself.Worcestershire Sauce. Secret ingredient #3. It gives the casserole depth and savoriness.Seasonings. Garlic powder, onion powder, and mustard powder make this casserole the best version of itself.Cheese. We’re making a cheesy hashbrown casserole. Cheddar makes the casserole creamy and rich; Parmesan adds nuttiness and a touch of saltiness.

Corn Flakes. It’s not crispy hash brown casserole without the topping!

The Directions

Storage Tips

To Store. Refrigerate leftovers for up to 5 days.To Reheat. Rewarm leftovers in a baking dish in a 350 degrees F oven (best method) or gently in the microwave.To Freeze. You can freeze this entire casserole either baked or unbaked for 3 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then bake as directed.

What to Eat with Hash Brown Casserole

Holiday Mains. Hash brown casserole is right at home on an Easter, Thanksgiving, or Christmas table. Try it with Roasted Turkey.Meat. This just the cheesy carb to pair with Air Fryer Steak, Stuffed Pork Tenderloin, or Smothered Pork Chops.Seafood. Hearty, meaty fish like Baked Salmon in Foil or Fish and Chips go well with hash brown casserole.Breakfast Casserole. Like classic hash browns, you can serve hash brown casserole with savory breakfast favorites like Easy Quiche, Savory Crepes, and Vegetarian Breakfast Casserole.

Recommended Tools to Make this Recipe

Dutch Oven. This versatile piece will last a lifetime. I use mine almost daily!Baking Dish. This one transitions seamlessly from oven to table.Two-Sided Measuring Spoons. Ideal for recipes with a long list of spices. You don’t need to stop between ingredients to clean them!

The next time the mood is comfort food, this light hash brown casserole has your number. I hope it finds a nostalgic place in your heart (and tummy!) the way it has for us. For another fun breakfast comfort dish, side, or snack to make with shredded potatoes, try these homemade Tater Tots! A 7-ounce-sized small container of yogurt will yield the perfect amount for this recipe (Fage sells one this size).

Ritz Crackers. A popular, extra-buttery choice.Potato Chips. How the Pioneer Woman makes her hash brown casserole.Panko Breadcrumbs. A classic option you’ll find used often in this collection of casserole recipes.

Leave a rating below in the comments and let me know how you liked the recipe.