Cheesy Hash Brown Casserole

This cheesy hash brown casserole comes together in less than 10 minutes and for just six ingredients it has amazing flavor. It’s the perfect side dish for potlucks, brunch, and Holidays.

The first time I was introduced to this recipe was at a funeral. It was one of those recipes when the first time you taste it, you immediately want to figure out who made it and ask them for the recipe. Huh, guess that is why this baked hash browns recipe is often referred to as funeral potatoes.

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This recipe has now been in our family for decades and we serve it often. It makes the perfect easy side dish for Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter, and brunch too.

Why are They Called Funeral Potatoes?

This side dish casserole is often served at funeral dinners. Therefore, this comfort food is often associated with funerals. Just as they were the first time that I had the opportunity to enjoy this dish.

 It is a tradition to serve them at potlucks, family gatherings, Holidays, and Sunday dinners. No matter what you call these potatoes or whether you serve them for brunch or dinner, it is a classic comfort food.

ld Fashioned Hash Brown Casserole

My family loves this version of the hash brown casserole. Since it is so easy to make, I am happy to make it for them. Even on a busy weeknight, this is a simple recipe to make.

In under 10 minutes, this delicious gooey bake is in the oven, and I can get to making something to serve with it.

What to Serve with Cheesy Hash Browns

Here are a few of our family favorites to serve with these shredded potatoes.

Four ingredient BBQ chicken is sweet, sticky, tender, and a little bit of heat is just the perfect combination to get everyone to the table.

This simple oven baked chicken is a staple at many wedding dinners. I should know, I made this for many years at a local restaurant for weddings as large as 600 people.

My grandmother never used a canned mix for making hers. Here is Grandma’s Sloppy Joe recipe.

 

Six Ingredients in This Cheesy Hash Brown Casserole Recipe

To make this easy recipe, you’ll need a few simple ingredients that I usually have in my pantry and freezer. I usually keep at least one bag of shredded potatoes in my freezer along with bags of shredded cheese. They are wonderful to have on hand for so many recipes.

Frozen Diced or Shredded Potatoes. If you are using fresh Russet potatoes or some other raw potato, they are great for using as the grated potatoes, I measure out 32 ounces. Normally, I grate them by hand using a box grater. However, frozen potatoes work well too. I like the shredded potatoes best, but my husband prefers the diced. Use whichever style you prefer.

Cheddar Cheese. This is used as part of the creamy cheese sauce for the potato mixture and as a melty cheesy topping. If you have the time, you can shred your own. If not, the shredded cheese in the grocer works just fine.

Mozzarella Cheese. The second cheese is added as a topping as it is a great melting cheese.

Cream of Mushroom Soup.  Soups are an easy way to get a rich sauce with a velvety texture.

Cream of Celery Soup. It adds just the right amount of creaminess and flavor to the potato bake.

Milk. My preference is a whole milk as it has the most creaminess; however, since you are using the cream soup with this recipe, any kind of milk that you prefer will work well with this recipe.

How to Make These Breakfast Potatoes

To make this casserole, simply add the cream of mushroom soup, cream of celery soup, and milk to a large bowl. Mix to combine.

Add the shredded cheese to the rest of the ingredients saving a cup for the topping. Next add the thawed shredded hash brown potatoes. Mix to combine.

Pour the potato mixture into a 9 X 13 pan prepared with spray oil. Bake for 30 minutes at 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

Recipe Variations

Swap out the soup. Replace one of the soups with sour cream. Or change out the types of soup for a cream of chicken soup.

Add Onions. There is just something about potatoes and onions that goes together. If you love this combination, go ahead, and add onions that have been sauteed in a bit of butter or olive oil until they are translucent. This way, they will be cooked enough ahead of time and the baking time will be the same. Just add them when you add the shredded potatoes to the mixture.

Crunchy Topping. Add crushed cornflakes and melted butter or Ritz crackers mixed with melted butter to the top of the potato mixture before baking. The melted butter coats the crumbs and when this bakes, the cornflakes or crackers become crunchy with a rich and buttery flavor. Restaurants use this as a topping often. Cracker Barrel uses a crunchy topping just like this.

Add More Cheese. Sometimes, if I have Pepper Jack, Parmesan, or Gouda cheese, I will add 1 cup of this cheese to the topping.

Freezer Friendly Instructions

These cheesy potatoes can be made ahead of time and frozen before baking. This makes it a great recipe for gifting or freezer meal prepping.

Often, when someone is going through a difficult time in the neighborhood, we bring casseroles over. This is perfect to get in the freezer, wrap up well in plastic wrap and foil and freeze before gifting. Then the recipient can thaw, bake, and enjoy when they are ready. If feels wonderful to help someone out in their time of need.

I prefer to add the potato mixture to a foil baking container and freeze it unbaked. When we are ready to enjoy this side dish, I just thaw and bake.

However, if you prefer, you can freeze this after baking. When I do that, it is usually with leftovers. Then I will divide up between airtight containers in serving sizes that are just enough for two people. When you are ready to enjoy this the second time around, just thaw and reheat in the microwave a few minutes until the potatoes are hot and the cheese is melted.

Do You Need to Thaw Hash Browns Before Baking?

While you can put these in frozen, they will bake more evenly throughout if you have them thawed first.

Therefore, I would recommend thawing. If you are like me, sometimes and come home from work and take them out of the freezer. When this happens, I thaw them a few minutes in the microwave before adding to the cream and cheese mixture. Works out perfectly.

Easy Brunch Side Dish

A great addition to a savory brunch menu. While you are making your eggs, meats, and sweets this can be baking. Save time too by assembling this the evening before.

This can be made the night before. Just mix the casserole ingredients together, cover and refrigerate it. Bake it up until it is hot and bubbly the next morning.

Perfect as a side dish for brunch or dinner, this creamy and crunchy hash brown casserole always satisfies.

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I hope that you liked this recipe. If you are looking for more ideas on what to make, here are a few other recipes that you may enjoy.