Name: Cheesy u0026amp; Creamy Shredded Hashbrown Casserole - Easy Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 1 h
Ingredients: 6 cups frozen shredded hashbrowns, thawed and drained; 1 cup sour cream; 1 can (10.5 oz) condensed cream of chicken soup; 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided; ½ cup melted butter; ½ cup finely chopped onion; ½ teaspoon garlic powder; ½ teaspoon salt; ¼ teaspoon black pepper; ¼ teaspoon paprika

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Shredded Hashbrown Casserole

A shredded hashbrown casserole is one of those dishes that brings together everything we love about comfort food warmth, texture, and rich flavor in every bite. It’s creamy, cheesy, and satisfying without being complicated. The beauty of this dish lies in its versatility. You can serve it as a hearty breakfast, a family dinner side, or even a main course when loaded with protein. The shredded potatoes absorb flavor beautifully and bake into a tender, creamy interior with a golden, crisp top.

More Casserole Recipes

What makes this casserole special is its adaptability. Whether you’re preparing a classic version or experimenting with Mexican Hashbrowns for a little spice, this recipe provides the foundation for countless variations. Many home cooks love this dish because it’s convenient and family-friendly. You can even start with Boxed Hashbrown Recipes when short on time, and the result still tastes homemade.

The flavor is a perfect balance of creamy sauce, melted cheese, and tender potatoes. When baked, the edges brown beautifully, creating that irresistible contrast between crispy top and soft center. It’s easy to understand why shredded hashbrown casserole is a staple on holiday tables, weekend brunches, and comforting family meals.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This shredded hashbrown casserole offers the best mix of ease and flavor. Every chef knows that comfort food depends on balance creamy, savory, and just the right amount of texture. This recipe achieves all that without requiring complicated techniques. You’ll love it because:

It uses simple ingredients that most kitchens already have.
The recipe is flexible perfect for turning into a Taco Casserole With Hashbrowns or Mexican Hashbrown Casserole.
It’s a great make-ahead dish, perfect for busy mornings or gatherings.
It pairs easily with any protein, from bacon and sausage to Ground Beef Hashbrown Recipes.
The result is a golden, bubbly casserole that’s both comforting and impressive.

For home cooks, this dish represents the kind of recipe that feels indulgent yet approachable. Once you master this base, you can adapt it into a variety of Hash Brown Meals for any occasion.

Preparation and Cooking Time, Also Serving

Preparation Time: 15 minutes
Cooking Time: 45 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour
Serves: 6 to 8

This recipe serves beautifully as a side dish for breakfast or dinner, or as a standalone Taco Potato Casserole variation when loaded with ground beef, cheese, and seasonings.

Ingredients

6 cups frozen shredded hashbrowns, thawed and drained
1 cup sour cream
1 can (10.5 oz) condensed cream of chicken soup
1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
½ cup melted butter
½ cup finely chopped onion
½ teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper
¼ teaspoon paprika

Substitution Notes

Hashbrowns: You can use refrigerated or Boxed Hashbrown Recipes mixes; just rehydrate or thaw completely before using.
Soup: For a vegetarian option, use cream of mushroom or cream of celery soup instead of chicken.
Cheese: Sharp cheddar gives depth, but Monterey Jack or a Mexican blend adds a smoother melt.
Butter: Can be replaced with olive oil or unsalted margarine if preferred.
Add-ins: For a Mexican Hashbrown Taco Casserole, add seasoned ground beef, black beans, and diced green chilies.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Hashbrowns

If using frozen hashbrowns, thaw them completely and drain off excess moisture. Damp potatoes can prevent proper crisping. Spread the shredded hashbrowns on paper towels and pat dry to remove extra water.

Step 2: Mix the Creamy Base

In a large mixing bowl, combine sour cream, condensed soup, melted butter, chopped onion, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and half of the shredded cheese. Stir until smooth and creamy. The goal is to create a rich, cohesive mixture that will coat every shred of potato evenly.

Step 3: Combine Hashbrowns and Sauce

Add the shredded hashbrowns to the bowl and gently fold until they’re fully coated. Take care not to mash them the texture of the shreds is what gives the casserole its structure. Mix just enough to distribute the sauce throughout.

Step 4: Transfer to Baking Dish

Grease a 9×13-inch casserole dish lightly with butter or cooking spray. Spread the potato mixture evenly in the dish, smoothing the top with a spatula.

Step 5: Top with Cheese and Seasoning

Sprinkle the remaining cheddar cheese evenly across the surface. For a bit of color and flavor, dust the top with paprika. This will help create that signature golden crust once baked.

Step 6: Bake Until Golden

Place the casserole in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) and bake for 45 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and bubbly. The edges should crisp slightly while the center stays creamy.

Step 7: Rest and Serve

Let the casserole rest for about 10 minutes before serving. This allows it to set and makes slicing easier. Serve warm with your favorite sides or sauces.

How to Serve

This shredded hashbrown casserole is wonderfully versatile. It can be the star of breakfast or a side at dinner.

Breakfast: Serve with eggs, bacon, or sausage for a complete morning meal.
Dinner: Pair with grilled chicken, steak, or even as a base for Ground Beef Hashbrown Recipes.
Taco Style: Top with seasoned ground beef, salsa, and sour cream for a quick Hashbrown Taco Casserole.
Mexican Style: Turn it into Mexican Hashbrown Casserole by layering jalapeños, black beans, and shredded cheese before baking.

For presentation, serve in the baking dish or transfer to a warm white ceramic platter. Add a sprinkle of green onions or chives for a touch of color.

Additional Tips

Drain hashbrowns completely before mixing moisture can make the casserole soggy.
Shred your own potatoes for fresher texture and natural starch, which binds ingredients better.
For crispier edges, use a slightly larger baking dish so the layer is thinner.
For a deeper flavor, sauté onions in butter before mixing.
Add crunch: Top with crushed cornflakes, potato chips, or breadcrumbs before baking for texture contrast.
Rest before slicing to let the creamy sauce firm up.

Recipe Variations

Mexican Hashbrown Taco Casserole: Add cooked ground beef seasoned with taco spices, black beans, corn, and a layer of salsa. Top with Mexican cheese blend before baking.
Taco Potato Casserole: Mix taco seasoning directly into the sauce, then top with cheddar, diced tomatoes, and scallions. Serve with sour cream.
Breakfast Hashbrown Bake: Add scrambled eggs, diced ham, and bell peppers to make a hearty breakfast version.
Loaded Cheesy Hashbrown Casserole: Stir in cooked bacon bits, green onions, and extra cheese for an indulgent twist.
Vegetarian Version: Use Mexican Hashbrowns with black beans, bell peppers, and onions, skipping meat entirely but keeping the same creamy texture.

Freezing and Storage

Refrigeration: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven at 350°F for 10–15 minutes.
Freezing (Unbaked): Assemble the casserole, cover tightly with plastic wrap and foil, and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before baking.
Freezing (Baked): Let cool completely before freezing. Reheat from frozen, covered with foil, at 350°F for 45–50 minutes.
Make-Ahead Tip: Assemble the night before and bake the next morning for quick breakfasts or brunches.

Nutritional Information (Approx. per serving)

Calories: 340
Protein: 9g
Fat: 22g
Carbohydrates: 25g
Fiber: 2g
Sodium: 540mg
Sugar: 2g

This makes shredded hashbrown casserole a satisfying yet balanced choice among Hash Brown Meals, especially when served with lean proteins or fresh vegetables.

Final Words

There’s something timeless about a good shredded hashbrown casserole. It’s the kind of dish that feels like home no matter when you serve it warm, hearty, and made with ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen. Every spoonful brings that perfect balance of creamy and crispy textures, with melted cheese binding the soft potatoes together into pure comfort. Whether you’re cooking for family brunch, a Sunday dinner, or bringing a dish to a potluck, this casserole never fails to impress.

As a chef, I love how flexible it is. You can transform it from a simple side into a full main course just by adjusting a few ingredients. Want something bold? Turn it into a Mexican Hashbrown Casserole with seasoned beef, corn, and jalapeños. Craving a breakfast classic? Fold in scrambled eggs, sausage, and extra cheese for a hearty morning bake. Need a quick dinner idea? Add ground beef and taco seasoning for a flavorful Taco Potato Casserole. It’s one recipe that adapts to your taste, time, and mood without sacrificing flavor.

What sets this dish apart from other Hash Brown Meals is how consistently satisfying it is. Even when made ahead or frozen, the texture and flavor hold up beautifully. It reheats well, feeds a crowd, and requires minimal effort a real gift for busy home cooks. And for anyone learning their way around casseroles, this recipe is an ideal starting point. You’ll learn how layering, seasoning, and moisture control come together to create a dish that feels professional yet comforting.

Don’t underestimate the power of simple ingredients treated well. A few minutes of care draining the potatoes, seasoning thoughtfully, and baking just until golden can turn an everyday meal into something memorable. It’s these small touches that elevate home cooking to something special.

So the next time you need a dish that’s easy, filling, and guaranteed to please, turn to this shredded hashbrown casserole. It’s more than a side dish; it’s a foundation for creativity and a reminder that comfort food doesn’t have to be complicated. Every bite tells a story of warmth, familiarity, and the joy of sharing good food with the people who matter most.

FAQ’s

Yes. You can assemble it a day before, cover tightly, and refrigerate. Bake just before serving.

Absolutely. Boxed Hashbrown Recipes work well just hydrate them according to the package instructions and drain thoroughly before using.

Yes. Add cooked ground beef, ham, or sausage to make it a complete meal. Ground Beef Hashbrown Recipes are especially popular for dinner versions.

Cheddar provides sharpness and melts well, but Monterey Jack or Mexican blends add creaminess and stretch.

Yes. Add diced jalapeños, chili flakes, or taco seasoning to turn it into Mexican Hashbrown Taco Casserole.

Ensure hashbrowns are completely drained before mixing. Baking uncovered helps evaporate moisture and crisp the top.

It pairs beautifully with eggs, bacon, roasted vegetables, or salads. For dinner, try it with grilled meats or Taco Casserole With Hashbrowns variations.