Ultimate Cheesy Hash Brown Potato Casserole: Your Go-To Comfort Food Classic

Discover the secret to the most irresistible Hash Brown Potato Casserole! This beloved dish features a delightfully cheesy and creamy interior, crowned with a perfectly crunchy topping that will have everyone clamoring for a second helping. It’s more than just a side dish; it’s a celebration of comfort food, perfect for any gathering.

Our family’s cherished Easy Cheesy Potatoes with Ore Ida Hash Browns recipe is a staple for holidays, potlucks, and any occasion that calls for hearty, satisfying fare. Originating from my mom’s kitchen, this particular version has been perfected over the years, becoming our absolute favorite. My husband especially looks forward to this dish at Christmas meals, and its popularity means leftovers are a rare occurrence!

Often known as “Funeral Potatoes,” this casserole is widely regarded as the epitome of comfort food. This rich, cheesy, and au gratin style potato dish has become famously associated with the Church of Latter-Day Saints. It earned its distinctive nickname because it’s a consistently crowd-pleasing side often served at post-funeral luncheons and receptions, offering solace and sustenance during difficult times. Its ability to feed many people easily and provide deep comfort solidified its place in American culinary tradition.

Are you searching for more savory potato creations to master in your kitchen? Explore our other fantastic recipes, including the hearty Beef & Kraut Tater Tot Casserole, the comforting Sausage & Potato Casserole, or the indulgent Loaded Baked Potato Casserole!

Hash Browns: Fresh vs. Frozen – Understanding Your Options

While many recipes call for the convenience of frozen hash browns, you certainly have the option to use fresh potatoes if you prefer. Choosing fresh requires a bit more preparation, but can be a rewarding experience for those who enjoy cooking from scratch. To prepare fresh potatoes for this casserole, you’ll need to peel them and then either shred them or dice them into small, uniform cubes, mimicking the texture of traditional hash browns.

Once shredded or diced, it’s crucial to place the potato pieces in a bowl of cold water. This step helps to remove excess starch, which is essential for preventing a gummy or soggy casserole. Stir the potatoes in the water, then drain, and repeat this process a few times until the water runs clearer. After the final rinse, pat the potatoes thoroughly dry with a clean kitchen towel or paper towels. Removing as much moisture as possible is key to achieving that desired crispy texture and preventing a watery casserole. This extra effort ensures your fresh potato casserole will be just as delicious as one made with frozen!

Frozen hash browns, on the other hand, offer unparalleled convenience. They come pre-peeled, pre-shredded (or diced), and flash-frozen, saving you significant time and effort. They are also incredibly versatile, lasting an extended period in the freezer, ready to be transformed into a delicious meal with minimal fuss. When using frozen hash browns for this casserole, remember one critical step: always thaw them completely and drain any excess moisture before mixing them with the other ingredients. This simple action is vital for preventing a soggy casserole, ensuring every bite is perfectly creamy and flavorful.

Freezing the casserole, either before or after baking, is an excellent way to prepare this meal ahead of time for future enjoyment without compromising its texture or flavor. Proper thawing and draining are your best defense against a disappointing, watery dish!

Essential Ingredients for Your Hash Brown Casserole

Crafting the perfect cheesy hash brown casserole begins with a selection of simple, yet impactful ingredients that work in harmony to create its signature creamy texture and savory flavor. Here’s a closer look at what you’ll need:

Frozen Hash Brown Potatoes: The star of our show! You can opt for either diced or shredded hash browns, depending on your preferred texture. Shredded hash browns tend to create a more cohesive, tender casserole, while diced offer distinct potato bites. Ensure they are thawed and well-drained before use.
Salt: A fundamental seasoning that enhances all the other flavors in the dish. Adjust to your personal taste.
Butter: Provides a rich, buttery depth and a luxurious mouthfeel to the casserole. It’s also crucial for binding the topping and giving it that golden, crunchy finish.
Onion: Finely minced or dried minced onion adds a subtle aromatic sweetness and savory depth that perfectly complements the potatoes. It’s a classic pairing in many potato dishes.
Black Pepper: Offers a gentle warmth and a hint of spice, elevating the overall flavor profile. Freshly ground black pepper is always recommended for the best aroma.
Parsley Flakes: These dried herbs contribute a touch of fresh, herbaceous flavor and a pleasant visual contrast to the rich, creamy elements. They help balance the savory notes.
Cream of Chicken Soup: This canned soup is a foundational ingredient for many classic casseroles, providing a creamy, savory base that binds the hash browns and cheeses together, ensuring a wonderfully moist interior.
Sour Cream: Paired with the cream of chicken soup, sour cream adds a delightful tanginess and contributes to the casserole’s incredibly smooth and rich texture, preventing it from becoming too heavy.
Shredded Cheddar Cheese: The quintessential cheese for this casserole! It melts beautifully, creating those irresistible pockets of gooey, savory goodness. You’ll use it both in the mixture and as part of the topping for maximum cheesy impact. Feel free to experiment with other melting cheeses like Colby Jack or Monterey Jack for a different flavor profile.
Corn Flake Crumbs: The secret to that iconic crispy topping! When mixed with melted butter and sprinkled over the casserole, they bake into a golden, crunchy layer. If you’re out of corn flakes, crushed Ritz crackers or even Panko breadcrumbs make excellent substitutes, offering a similar delightful crunch.

Mastering the Cheesy Potatoes Recipe: A Step-by-Step Guide

Creating this beloved Cheesy Hash Brown Potato Casserole is remarkably straightforward, requiring minimal fuss for maximum flavor. Follow these simple steps to bring this family-favorite dish to life:

PREHEAT Your Oven and Prepare Your Dish

Begin by preheating your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius). This ensures the oven is at the correct temperature when your casserole is ready to bake, promoting even cooking and a beautifully golden crust. While the oven heats, lightly spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with non-stick cooking spray. This crucial step prevents the casserole from sticking, making cleanup a breeze.

THAW and Drain the Hash Browns

Place your fully thawed hash browns into a large mixing bowl. It’s incredibly important that the hash browns are completely thawed to ensure they cook evenly and integrate well with the creamy mixture. Additionally, squeeze out any excess moisture from the thawed potatoes using a clean kitchen towel or paper towels. This prevents the casserole from becoming watery or soggy, ensuring a rich and dense texture.

MIX the Creamy Foundation

In a separate medium-sized bowl, combine the can of cream of chicken soup, sour cream, 1/4 cup of the melted butter, 1 1/2 cups of the shredded cheddar cheese, dried minced onion, black pepper, and parsley flakes. Mix these ingredients thoroughly until the mixture is smooth and well combined. This creamy concoction forms the luscious, cheesy base of your casserole. Once smooth, pour this mixture over the thawed and drained hash browns in the large bowl. Stir gently but thoroughly to ensure every potato strand is evenly coated with the rich, flavorful sauce.

POUR into Dish and Create the Crunchy Topping

Transfer the entire hash brown mixture into your prepared 9×13-inch baking dish, spreading it evenly to form a consistent layer. Now, prepare your irresistible crunchy topping: in a small bowl, combine the crushed cornflake crumbs (or your chosen substitute like Ritz crackers) with the remaining 1/4 cup of melted butter. Stir until the crumbs are fully coated. Generously sprinkle this buttery crumb mixture, along with the reserved 1/2 cup of shredded cheddar cheese, over the top of the hash brown mixture in the baking dish. This creates a beautiful golden crust and adds an essential textural contrast.

BAKE to Golden Perfection

Carefully place the baking dish into your preheated oven. Bake uncovered for approximately 50 to 60 minutes, or until the casserole is bubbly around the edges, heated through, and the topping is golden brown and delightfully crispy. Baking uncovered allows the topping to achieve its perfect crunch. Once baked, remove the casserole from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes before serving. This allows the internal temperature to equalize and prevents it from falling apart when scooped.

Make-Ahead and Storage Tips for Your Casserole

This Cheesy Hash Brown Potato Casserole is an excellent candidate for make-ahead meal prep, which is one of the many reasons it’s a favorite for busy holidays and potlucks. You can assemble the entire casserole, including the creamy potato mixture and the cornflake topping, up to 24 hours in advance. Simply cover the baking dish tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil and refrigerate. When you’re ready to bake, remove it from the refrigerator about 30 minutes before baking to allow it to come closer to room temperature, then bake as directed, adding a few extra minutes to the baking time if it’s still very cold.

For longer storage, this casserole freezes beautifully! You can freeze it unbaked or baked. If freezing unbaked, assemble it completely (including the topping), cover it tightly with a double layer of plastic wrap and then foil, and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before baking. If freezing after baking, allow the casserole to cool completely, then cover tightly and freeze. Reheat thawed portions in the oven until warmed through. This versatility makes it ideal for preparing for future gatherings or simply ensuring you always have a delicious comfort meal on hand.

Love it? Pin it!

Don’t let this incredibly tasty and easy recipe slip away! Pin this Cheesy Hash Brown Potato Casserole to your favorite recipe board on Pinterest before you leave. It’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser you’ll want to make again and again!

Cheesy Potatoes and Ham: A Classic Pairing

There’s an undeniable magic when cheesy potato casserole meets a perfectly cooked ham. In my opinion, few pairings are as satisfying! For several years now, our tradition has been to prepare our Easter ham on the Traeger grill. This method not only imparts an incredible smoky flavor to the ham but also strategically frees up valuable oven space for other critical holiday dishes, like this very potato casserole recipe and my personal holiday favorite, Mom’s Broccoli Rice and Cheese Casserole.

Another fantastic strategy to optimize your oven usage during holiday meal prep is to cook your ham in a slow cooker. Our Slow Cooker Glazed Ham recipe is a definite keeper, allowing the ham to cook slowly to tender perfection while keeping your oven open for other delicious sides and desserts. Whether it’s for a holiday feast or a simple family dinner, the combination of savory ham and creamy, cheesy potatoes is always a winning one.

More Delightful Recipes You’ll Love

If you’re a fan of comfort food, easy casseroles, or simply delicious home cooking, then you’ll undoubtedly enjoy these other fantastic recipes from our collection. They are perfect for family meals, entertaining, or just satisfying a craving for something hearty and delicious:

Breakfast Hashbrown Pizza: A creative and satisfying way to start your day, turning classic hash browns into a breakfast masterpiece.
Egg & Hash Brown Breakfast Pie: Another amazing breakfast or brunch option, combining eggs and hash browns in a savory pie format.
Pork Chop & Potato Bake: A complete one-pan meal that’s hearty, flavorful, and incredibly easy to clean up.
Carrot Cake Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting: A sweet treat to balance out all the savory goodness, these bars are moist, spiced, and topped with a luscious cream cheese frosting.
Copy Cat – Cracker Barrel Hash Brown Casserole (with BACON!): If you love the famous restaurant version, you’ll adore our copycat recipe, elevated with crispy bacon!
Tater Tot Casserole: A timeless family favorite, this casserole is easy to make and universally loved.
Reuben Breakfast Casserole with Crescent Rolls: A unique and delicious breakfast spin on the classic Reuben sandwich.
Sophisticated Green Bean Casserole (pictured above): A fresh, elevated take on a traditional holiday side dish, perfect for impressing your guests.
Spicy Tater Tot Casserole with Sausage & Mushrooms: For those who enjoy a little kick, this casserole combines savory sausage, earthy mushrooms, and spicy notes with the classic tater tot crunch.

Let’s make these incredibly delicious Cheesy Potatoes! Your taste buds (and your guests) will thank you.

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Hash Brown Potato Casserole

This Hash Brown Potato Casserole is cheesy and creamy inside, with a crunchy topping that will have your guests coming back for seconds!

Prep Time
10 mins

Cook Time
1 hr

Additional Time
40 mins

Total Time
1 hr 50 mins

Cuisine:
American

Keyword:
cheesy potato casserole, funeral potatoes, Hash Brown Potato Casserole

Servings:

12 servings

Calories:

235kcal

Author:
Michaela Kenkel

Equipment

9×13 Pyrex Baking Dish with a Lid

Ingredients

2 pounds frozen hash brown potatoes (thawed and well-drained)
1 teaspoon salt
1 stick (1/2 cup) butter, melted and divided
2 Tablespoons dried minced onion
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon parsley flakes
1 (10 ounce) can cream of chicken soup
2 cups sour cream
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (reserve 1/2 cup for topping)
2 cups corn flakes (crumbled, or substitute Ritz crackers)

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 C) and spray a 9×13 baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.
Place thawed and well-drained hash browns in a large bowl. Ensure all excess moisture is removed.
In a separate bowl, combine cream of chicken soup, sour cream, 1/4 cup of the melted butter, 1 1/2 cups of the shredded cheddar cheese, dried minced onion, black pepper, and parsley flakes. Mix until smooth. Pour this creamy mixture over the hash browns and stir thoroughly to combine everything evenly.
Pour the hash brown mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading it out evenly. In a small bowl, combine the cornflake crumbs (or Ritz crackers) and the remaining 1/4 cup of melted butter. Sprinkle this crumb mixture and the reserved 1/2 cup of shredded cheese over the top of the hash brown mixture in the dish.
Bake for 50-60 minutes uncovered, or until golden brown, bubbly, and heated through. Let stand for a few minutes before serving.

Notes

This casserole can be made ahead. Assemble the entire dish, including the corn flake topping, cover tightly, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking.

Nutrition

This recipe was originally posted on March 30, 2016. It has been thoroughly updated to improve user experience, enhance SEO, and provide more comprehensive content, and was reshared on April 8, 2022.