5 Ingredient Hash Brown Casserole

Hamburger Hashbrown Casserole

There are LOTS of tweaks you can make to this sort of Copycat Cracker Barrel casserole. If you need it dairy free you can use lactose free sour cream and cheddar. Daiya has a great brand for those. Want to add meat? Sure! We did something like that with our Meatball Hashbrown Casserole here. If you wanted to brown just the meat, I’d keep it to about 1/2 of a cup cooked. Just fold that into the mix.

Got leftovers after the holidays?? This is a great leftover ham recipe too! After Easter and Christmas I love different ways of using that diced meat I just can’t bear to throw away. Incorporate that into the mixture before pouring into your dish and it bakes up real nice. You may need a bit larger baking dish but no worries.

Chicken Hashbrown Casserole

And diced up rotisserie chicken is yet another winner winner chicken dinner idea. 😉 I mean breakfast for dinner is always a win with us. Want it meatless? That is what we are going to show you here. You change it up from there to your liking. The basic 5 items you need are;

• 2.5 c hashbrowns thawed, or shredded fresh potatoes work too
• 1/2 c sour cream
• 1 c cream of chicken soup
• 3 tbsp buttter melted
• 2 c cheddar cheese

The other items I do use are optional such as diced onion, seasonings I don’t even count, and whatever you want to add to the top. I will say a casserole with corn flakes sounds weird but really you have to try it. have a few other options for the topping here;

1. Toasted breadcrumbs mixed with melted butter can create a crunchy topping for casseroles. You can season the breadcrumbs with herbs, spices, and grated cheese for extra flavor.
2. Crushed Ritz crackers works as another option for a bit of crunch for this breakfast casserole recipe.
3. Grated or shredded cheese can be melted on top of casseroles to add richness and a gooey texture. Cheddar, mozzarella, Parmesan, and Gruyère are commonly used options.
4. Crushed potato chips, like in our Crockpot Funeral Potatoes is amazing and can provide a salty and crunchy topping.
5. Crispy fried onions can be used to top casseroles like green bean casserole, adding a savory crunch.
6. Chopped nuts like almonds, pecans, or walnuts can provide a satisfying crunch and a hint of nutty flavor.
7. A drizzle of sauce, such as hollandaise, marinara, or gravy, can enhance the flavors of certain dishes.

Remember to consider the flavors and textures of the casserole’s main ingredients when choosing a topping. Experimenting with different combinations can lead to delightful results and make your dish even more enjoyable.

Hashbrown Casserole with Cornflakes

Now if you are using bagged frozen shredded potatoes you will want to thaw them ahead of time for this. If not it will have too much moisture once it cooks down. There are a few methods of how to defrost frozen hashbrowns, the most common methods:

How to Defrost Frozen Hashbrowns

1. How to defrost frozen Hashbrowns in the Refrigerator; This is the safest method as it prevents the growth of harmful bacteria. Follow these steps:
   • Place the frozen hash browns in a sealed container or a resealable plastic bag to prevent any potential drips or cross-contamination.
   • Put the container or bag in the refrigerator.
   • Allow the hashbrowns to defrost in the refrigerator for several hours or overnight. The exact time will depend on the size and thickness of the hashbrowns.
2. How to Defrost frozen Hashbrowns at Room Temperature; If you need to defrost hashbrowns more quickly, you can use the room temperature method, but make sure to cook them immediately after defrosting to avoid bacterial growth. Here’s how:
   • Place the frozen hashbrowns in a sealed plastic bag.
   • Let the bag sit at room temperature for about 15-30 minutes. The outer layers will start to thaw while the inner layers may remain frozen.
   • Once the hashbrowns have partially thawed, separate them and cook them immediately.
3. How to Defrost frozen Hashbrowns in the Microwave; The microwave can be used for quicker defrosting, but you’ll need to be careful not to cook the hashbrowns during the process:
   • Place the frozen hashbrowns on a microwave-safe plate, spreading them out to allow even defrosting.
   • Use the defrost setting on your microwave or set it to a low power level.
   • Microwave the hashbrowns in short intervals, usually around 1 minute each.
   • Check and rearrange the hashbrowns after each interval. As they start to thaw, you can separate them.
   • Once partially thawed, cook the hashbrowns immediately to avoid any potential bacterial growth.

Remember that when using quicker defrosting methods like the microwave or room temperature, you should plan to cook them immediately afterward to ensure they avoid any risk of bacterial growth. Most of the time, like when making our Hashbrown Soup I don’t bother heating at all.

Ham and Hashbrown Casserole

Preheat the oven to 360 F. Pulse thawed shredded hash browns in a food processor or chop up with a knife. Pour on to a few paper towels, roll up and gently press down to squeeze out excess water.

• Transfer to a large bowl.
• Add chopped onion, salt, pepper, half of the cheddar.
• In another bowl, mix cream of chicken soup, melted butter and sour cream until smooth.
• Pour liquid ingredients into a bowl with potatoes and cheese. (could add 1/2 cup precooked meat too now like we did with our Ground Beef Hash Brown Casserole)
• Mix everything gently with a spatula. Transfer the potato mass into a baking dish sprayed with non stick spray inside. Sprinkle the remaining cheese on top. Bake for 20 minutes.

Top with corn flakes or crispy French’s fried onions (optional) and bake for another 7-10 minutes for added texture. Let the casserole cool slightly, then cut into portions and serve with fresh fruit or as a side dish with your main protein. You’re going to love this recipe, even saved with aluminum foil and reheated the next day it’s fabulous. Jump to recipe and try!

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