Cheesy Hashbrown Casserole Easy Holiday Side Dish

Cheesy hash brown casserole is the one side dish that shows up on our holiday table every single year, no exceptions. It started as a Thanksgiving tradition years ago, and now my grandkids ask for it at birthdays, graduations, and every summer cookout too.

Heads up: this recipe makes a big batch. It fills two full 9×13 casserole dishes, perfect for a crowd or for freezing one to bake another day. Cut everything in half if you only need one dish.

This dish is creamy, cheesy, and made with just seven ingredients you probably already have on your list. Mix everything together, pour it into your dishes, and let the oven do the rest.

It’s simple to make ahead of time too, so you can spend the holiday with your family instead of standing over the stove.

Family Story and Other Name

This casserole has become the dish everyone looks for at our family get togethers. It started at Thanksgiving and Christmas, and now it shows up at every celebration we have.

 I love making it the night before when I’m also making my Easy Slow Cooker Thanksgiving Turkey Breast Recipe. All I have to do the next day is slide it in the oven.

You’ll also see this dish called funeral potatoes or cheesy potatoes at church dinners and potlucks. Same comforting casserole, just a different name depending on where you grew up.

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Why You’ll Love This Cheesy Hashbrown Casserole

• Ready with about 10 minutes of prep, then the oven does the work
• Made with 7 simple ingredients you can find at any grocery store
• Makes two full casserole dishes, so it easily feeds a crowd
• Freezes well, so you can make it ahead for a busy holiday
• A true family tradition that turns any dinner into something special

We dress up our table with our Spode Dishes for every Thanksgiving and Christmas Holiday.  Christmas goes by so fast, and I love my Spode Dinnerware. We set our Thanksgiving table with our Spode dinnerware. We received Spode plate sets from my Mother-in-Law when we were first married and did not have the money to buy Thanksgiving dishes, so it became a family tradition to use our best dishes at Thanksgiving.

Ingredients You’ll Need

• 2 large bags frozen hash browns, thawed (shredded or diced both work)
• 2 (16-ounce) containers of sour cream
• 2 cans of cream of chicken soup (cream of mushroom works too)
• 1/2 stick butter, melted
• Onion flakes, to taste (or 1/2 cup finely diced fresh onion)
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 2 small packages shredded mild cheddar cheese (about 4 cups)

Tips:
Thaw your hash browns completely and pat them dry so the casserole doesn’t turn watery.
Shred your own cheese when you can. It melts smoother than the bagged kind.
Save a little cheese back to sprinkle on top for a prettier finish.

Equipment Needed

• Large mixing bowl
• Two 9×13-inch casserole dishes
• Measuring cups
• Mixing spoon

How to Make Cheesy Hash Brown Potato Casserole:

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F. Pro tip: Let the oven fully preheat before baking so the casserole cooks evenly.
2. Combine everything in a large mixing bowl. Add the hash browns, sour cream, cream of chicken soup, melted butter, onion flakes, salt, pepper, and most of the cheese. Stir until well combined. Pro tip: Hold back about a cup of cheese for the topping.
3. Divide the mixture between your two casserole dishes and spread it out evenly.
4. Top with the remaining cheese, covering the top of both dishes.
5. Bake for 60 minutes, until the top is golden brown and bubbly around the edges. Pro tip: If the cheese browns too fast, cover loosely with foil for the last 15 minutes.

Variations

• Loaded style: Stir in cooked, crumbled bacon and a handful of chopped green onions.
• Spicy kick: Swap in pepper jack cheese and add a pinch of cayenne pepper.
• Cornflake topping: Sprinkle crushed cornflakes tossed in melted butter over the cheese before baking for a crunchy top.
• Lighter version: Use plain Greek yogurt instead of sour cream.
• Turn it into dinner: Stir in diced ham or cooked sausage to make this a main dish.

Bake and serve in style this holiday season! This versatile deep-dish casserole dish is perfect for all your favorite recipes. You will love this deep dish casserole that is non-stick ceramic,

What to Eat With This Recipe

This casserole is perfect next to turkey, ham, or grilled chicken. Round out your holiday table with:

• Old Fashioned Candied Sweet Potatoes with Marshmallows,
• Traditional Green Bean Casserole Recipe, or
• Cornbread Stuffing Copycat Liberty Tree Tavern Recipe.

Storing and Freezing Cheesy Hashbrown Casserole

Let the casserole cool to room temperature before storing.

Cover tightly with foil or move leftovers to an airtight container. It keeps in the fridge up to 4 days.

To freeze, wrap tightly and freeze up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight, then reheat at 350°F until warm and bubbly.

Frequently Asked Questions

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