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Cozy Hash Brown Casserole Recipe with Cheesy Crispy Crust

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A comforting hash brown casserole featuring a creamy cheesy center and a crispy golden crust, perfect for cozy mornings and holiday brunches.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb (450g) frozen shredded hash browns, thawed and moisture squeezed out
  • 2 cups (200g) sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 10.5 oz (300g) can cream of chicken soup (or cream of mushroom for vegetarian)
  • 1 cup (240ml) sour cream, full-fat preferred
  • 4 tbsp (55g) unsalted butter, melted
  • ½ medium onion, finely chopped
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp salt
  • ½ tsp black pepper
  • 1 cup (50g) French fried onions (optional, for topping)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Thaw the frozen hash browns completely and squeeze out excess moisture using a clean kitchen towel or paper towels.
  3. Optional: In a small pan, melt 1 tbsp butter over medium heat. Add chopped onions and sauté for 3-4 minutes until translucent and fragrant.
  4. In a large mixing bowl, combine the thawed hash browns, sautéed onions (or raw if skipping sauté), cream of chicken soup, sour cream, melted butter, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Stir until evenly mixed.
  5. Fold in 1½ cups (150g) of shredded cheddar cheese gently into the mixture.
  6. Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter and spread the mixture evenly in the dish.
  7. Sprinkle the remaining ½ cup (50g) cheddar cheese evenly on top, then add French fried onions if using.
  8. Bake in the preheated oven for 45-50 minutes until edges are bubbling and the top is golden brown. If the crust browns too quickly, tent loosely with foil halfway through baking.
  9. Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

Squeezing out excess moisture from thawed hash browns is essential to avoid sogginess. Mixing cheese into the base creates a creamy texture, while extra cheese and French fried onions on top form a crispy crust. For an even crispier crust, broil for 2-3 minutes at the end, watching carefully to prevent burning. The casserole can be assembled the night before and baked fresh in the morning. Freeze unbaked casserole wrapped in foil for up to 2 months.

Nutrition

Keywords: hash brown casserole, cheesy casserole, comfort food, brunch recipe, crispy crust, easy casserole

Find it online: https://sparklechew.com/cozy-hash-brown-casserole-recipe-with-cheesy-crispy-crust-easy-and-best/