Cheesy Hashbrown Casserole Recipe (2024)

HomeRecipe ListSide DishesCheesy Hashbrown Casserole Recipe

Posted by Aimee 129 comments
Published: Apr 02, 2023 Last Updated: Mar 8, 2024

Jump to Recipe Jump to Video

This Cheesy Hashbrown Casserole recipe is true comfort food. Made with frozen hash browns and plenty of cheese, I can guarantee your family is going to enjoy this one! Often served at potlucks and funerals, everyone digs this cheesy dish.

Love holiday sides? You can’t go wrong with a a classic sweet potato casserole or pistachio salad.

Cheesy Hashbrown Casserole Recipe (1)

Table of Contents

  • Why this Hashbrown Casserole is Best
  • Funeral Potatoes
  • Ingredient Notes
  • How to Make Hashbrown Casserole
  • Recipe FAQs
  • More Comfort Food Recipes
  • Cheesy Hashbrown Casserole Recipe

Why this Hashbrown Casserole is Best

This recipe has been in our family for over 40 years. Back when corn flakes were one of the only breakfast cereal choice, ha!

Cheesy Hashbrown Casserole is such a great addition to any meal as it can be prepared ahead of time. All you need to do is pop it in the oven when it’s time to cook the meal.

  • Corn flakes mixed with melted butter are the perfect crunchy, buttery topping for Cheesy Potato Casserole.
  • My mom’s recipe also uses pre-shredded cheddar cheese. You know, the orange stuff in the bag (which we all love of course).

However, if you’re looking to take this to the next level of deliciousness, try using a good quality cheddar, that you shred yourself.

It gives this dish such an intense, tangy flavor you can’t resist. And, it melts so creamy mixed up with the rest of the ingredients!

Need a new holiday side dish? Try our cheesy hashbrown casserole with our green bean casserole today! Or give our candied sweet potatoes a try next.

Cheesy Hashbrown Casserole Recipe (2)

Funeral Potatoes

My family calls this recipe Cheesy Hashbrown Casserole, but I have also heard it called Funeral Potatoes.

Why, you ask? If you have ever been to a funeral in the Midwest, you know that these Cheesy Funeral Potatoes almost always make an appearance at the meal afterwards.

They’re not just a staple at funerals, though – Funeral Potatoes are a part of just about any potluck or gathering in the Midwest.

They’re great to serve as a side dish with my favorite mississippi roast or Oven Baked Pork Chops too!

If you love Cracker Barrel Hashbrowns, skip the cornflake topping and add shredded cheese on top instead!

Ingredient Notes

Cheesy Hashbrown Casserole Recipe (3)
  • Hashbrowns – thawed or frozen will work just fine. We prefer the cubed hashbrowns, but the shredded potatoes will also work, just a different texture.
  • Cream of Chicken Soup
  • Sour Cream – provides that creamy base!
  • Cheese – a good cheddar cheese is what you’ll need for best flavor.
  • Corn Flakes – provides the perfect crunchy topping. You can also use ritz crackers (like we do with our homemade mac and cheese).

How to Make Hashbrown Casserole

  1. Mix it all together in a large bowl.
  2. Pour it in a pan. We use a 13×9 baking dish.
  3. Add the topping. Crush the cornflakes slightly, you don’t want tiny crumbs!
  4. Bake. Cover the casserole dish with foil and bake until bubbly.

It’s that easy! Add it to your holiday list today. Or serve it up with mom’s meatloaf recipe.

Cheesy Hashbrown Casserole Recipe (4)

Recipe FAQs

Should I thaw hashbrowns before cooking?

With my recipe, you can use hashbrowns straight from frozen!

Can I use fresh potatoes instead of frozen hashbrowns?

Yes! Grate potatoes using food processor. Use in recipe as directed.

What are cracker barrel potatoes?

Want to make this more like Cracker Barrel? Add the cheese on top before baking (skip the corn flakes).

How do you store hashbrown casserole?

Store leftovers in airtight container in refrigerator for up to 5 days. Reheat individual scoops in microwave for 15-30 second intervals until desired temperature.

More Comfort Food Recipes

  • Classic Stuffing Recipe
  • Cole Slaw Recipe
  • Sweet Potato Casserole
  • Jalapeno Cheddar Cornbread
  • Panera Mac and Cheese
  • Banana Pudding Recipe – don’t forget dessert!

Holiday Side Dishes

See all Side Dishes recipes

Soups and Stews

Chicken Pot Pie Soup Recipe

Appetizers

Deviled Eggs Recipe

Side Dishes

Seven Layer Salad Recipe

Cheesy Hashbrown Casserole Recipe (9)

SavePinPrint

Cheesy Hashbrown Casserole

4.64 from 282 votes

By: Aimee

This Cheesy Hashbrown Casserole, also known as Cheesy Funeral Potatoes, makes an appearance at all family gatherings. So easy and delicious and perfect for a crowd!

Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour hour 10 minutes minutes

Total Time: 1 hour hour 25 minutes minutes

Servings: 12 servings

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds frozen hashbrowns cubed
  • 16 ounce sour cream
  • 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1 can cream of chicken soup 10 1/2 ounce
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 Tablespoons minced onion
  • ¾ cup unsalted butter melted, divided
  • 2 cups corn flakes crushed

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350 degree F.

  • In a large mixing bowl, combine frozen hashbrowns, sour cream, cheese, soup, salt, pepper, onion and 1/2 cup of the melted butter. Mix until thoroughly combined. Pour into a 13×9 baking dish.

  • In a small bowl, combine remaining 1/4 cup melted butter with crushed corn flakes. Sprinkle over top of casserole.

  • Cover dish with foil and bake for about 60 minutes. Remove foil and bake an additional 5-10 minutes to add some crunch to the topping. Serve and enjoy!

Notes

  • May be prepared ahead of time and stored in refrigerator. If doing this, the hashbrowns will be thawed. You can now bake it for about 45 minutes covered, and 5 minutes uncovered.
  • Store leftovers in airtight container in refrigerator for up to 5 days. Reheat individual scoops in microwave for 15-30 second intervals until desired temperature.
  • See blog post for more recipe tips and tricks.

Video

Nutrition

Calories: 395kcal, Carbohydrates: 30g, Protein: 8g, Fat: 28g, Saturated Fat: 10g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 15g, Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 44mg, Sodium: 805mg, Fiber: 3g, Sugar: 3g

Course: Side Dishes

Cuisine: American

Did you make this recipe?Mention @shugarysweets or tag #shugarysweets!

Cheesy Hashbrown Casserole Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is the hashbrown casserole at Cracker Barrel made of? ›

Shredded potatoes, Colby cheese, chopped onions, our signature seasoning blend, salt and pepper baked together in the oven for our Signature Hashbrown Casserole. *May be cooked to order. Consuming raw or undercooked meats, poultry, seafood, shellfish or eggs may increase your risk of foodborne illness.

Why is my hash brown casserole soggy? ›

Frozen hash browns will leak moisture during cooking, which could leave a soggy, sad mess behind. For the best results, let the frozen hash browns thaw overnight in the fridge, then thoroughly pat them dry to remove as much moisture as possible before cooking them to crispy.

What will prevent the hash browns from becoming crispy? ›

You'll want to remove as much moisture as possible because this will prevent your hash browns from getting as crisp as possible. All the water will just create steam and as any additional starch is released from the potato it's going to get gummy, just not as gummy as before. So get them dry!

Can I use fresh potatoes instead of frozen hash browns? ›

Substitute fresh potatoes for 30 ounces of frozen hashbrowns. Substitute diced green onions for 3 tablespoons dried chives.

What are funeral potatoes made of? ›

Ingredients For Funeral Potatoes

Funeral potatoes accommodate numerous substitutions, but all include potatoes as a base ingredient. Most include cheese, a cream-based soup, onions, butter, and a flaky, crunchy topping, which is usually made of potato chips or cornflakes. Some include additions of ham or other meats.

What is Cracker Barrel cheese made of? ›

Pasteurized Milk, Cheese Culture, Salt, Enzymes, Annatto (Color), Natamycin (A Natural Mold Inhibitor).

Why did my hash browns turn black? ›

When slicing they were exposed to air (which will cause them to quickly turn dark). One method to avoid this is to peel the potatoes, place in water covering the potatoes, remove and slice on a cutting board with a knife that is steel (some blades have iron in them and till will turn the potato dark).

Should you soak shredded potatoes for hash browns? ›

Most recipes require soaking your raw, shredded potato in cold water to rinse off the excess starch, then squeezing every last bit of moisture out before tossing it in a pan.

Should you rinse shredded potatoes? ›

To ensure ultimate crispness, be sure to rinse the grated potatoes with cold water until the water runs nearly clear and to use a very hot, well-seasoned pan. As with all potato dishes, remember to season well.

Should you cover hashbrowns when cooking? ›

Cover and cook just until the perimeters start to get golden, about 5 minutes. Use a spatula to press the top down. Season with salt and pepper and flip. Cook, uncovered, until the bottom is golden and crispy, another 3 to 5 minutes.

What makes hash browns unhealthy? ›

The problem with prepared hash brown patties is that, typically, they are deep-fried in vegetable oil. This tips the scale to the side of not-so-healthy because of high fat content. Also of note: If you're eating a low-carb diet, be aware that 60 to 70 percent of a potato is starch, a type of carbohydrate.

Why did my potatoes turn GREY when I cook them? ›

This process, which is called oxidation, happens because potatoes are a naturally starchy vegetable. And when exposed to oxygen, starches turn gray, brown, or even black. An oxidized potato is completely safe to eat. The process doesn't affect the flavor or texture of the vegetable.

How do restaurants get hashbrowns so crispy? ›

They are steamed, peeled, steamed again or boiled, shredded and cooked partially in oil, oven dried and IQF before going into a bag to be cooked at home once again. IQF equals individually quick frozen strands. Cooking the potato twice is the key and is something that is hard to replicate at home.

What can you use instead of corn flakes on cheesy potatoes? ›

Topping Alternatives – Crushed Ritz crackers (about 40 crackers), crushed potato chips, canned fried onions, or panko breadcrumbs. Make-Ahead – Mix together the soup, cheese, sour cream, and potatoes and spread it in the baking dish, then cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to 1 day.

Are shredded potatoes precooked? ›

Commercially the potatoes are steamed and tumbled to get the skin off, then shredded and blanched in water or oil and then (this is key) individually flash frozen in huge freezers by running the potato pieces thru on a conveyor belt. Then bagged and ready for the customer to oven bake or finish fry.

Is there pork in Cracker Barrel Hashbrown Casserole? ›

The original Cracker Barrel hashbrown casserole does not contain meat, unless you get the “loaded” menu item.

Does Cracker Barrel Hashbrown Casserole have bacon? ›

Our Hashbrown Casserole grilled and topped with Colby Cheese, and bacon pieces. *May be cooked to order. Consuming raw or undercooked meats, poultry, seafood, shellfish or eggs may increase your risk of foodborne illness.

Is Cracker Barrel Hashbrown Casserole vegetarian? ›

WE WANT TO LET YOU KNOW THAT OUR HASHBROWN CASSEROLE IS MADE THE TRADITIONAL WAY USING MEAT SEASONINGS AND IS NOT STRICTLY VEGETARIAN. *MAY BE COOKED TO ORDER.

What is traditionally the main ingredient of hash browns? ›

Hash browns, also spelled hashed browns and hashbrowns, are a popular American breakfast dish consisting of finely julienned potatoes that have been fried until golden browned.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: The Hon. Margery Christiansen

Last Updated:

Views: 6561

Rating: 5 / 5 (50 voted)

Reviews: 89% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: The Hon. Margery Christiansen

Birthday: 2000-07-07

Address: 5050 Breitenberg Knoll, New Robert, MI 45409

Phone: +2556892639372

Job: Investor Mining Engineer

Hobby: Sketching, Cosplaying, Glassblowing, Genealogy, Crocheting, Archery, Skateboarding

Introduction: My name is The Hon. Margery Christiansen, I am a bright, adorable, precious, inexpensive, gorgeous, comfortable, happy person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.