Cheesy Baked Hashbrowns: The Ultimate Comfort Food Side Dish

Breakfastsides
Written By Savannah Hoban

Cheesy Baked Hashbrowns: The Ultimate Comfort Food Side Dish

Warm, cheesy, and loaded with creamy comfort, these Cheesy Baked Hashbrowns are the ultimate crowd-pleasing side dish. Perfect for brunch, potlucks, or holiday dinners. Easy to make and always delicious!

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If you're looking for the perfect comfort food side dish that's crowd-pleasing, cheesy, and incredibly simple to make—look no further than these Cheesy Baked Hashbrowns. Whether you’re hosting a holiday brunch, serving a hearty dinner, or bringing a side dish to a potluck, this creamy, cheesy potato casserole is always a winner.

In this post, you’ll find the full recipe, helpful tips for perfecting it, substitution ideas, why it’s such a beloved classic, and a list of optimized keywords and metadata to help your content shine.




Why You'll Love These Cheesy Baked Hashbrowns

  • Comforting & nostalgic: This dish hits all the cozy notes—creamy, cheesy, golden, and satisfying.

  • Easy to make: Minimal prep required. Using thawed frozen hash browns means no peeling, shredding, or rinsing potatoes.

  • Perfect for any occasion: This recipe works just as well on a weeknight as it does for Easter brunch, Christmas dinner, or Sunday potluck.

  • Crowd-pleaser: Kids and adults alike love it, and it pairs beautifully with just about any main course.




Ingredients Breakdown

Let’s talk through each ingredient and why it plays a key role:

2 pounds frozen hash brown potatoes, thawed

These are the base of the dish. Using thawed hashbrowns cuts down on prep time and helps everything cook evenly.

Tip: Make sure your hashbrowns are fully thawed and patted dry if there’s excess moisture to avoid a soggy casserole.

4 tablespoons butter, softened

Adds richness and helps bind everything together while enhancing that golden, indulgent texture.

½ teaspoon salt & ½ teaspoon ground black pepper

Balances out the creaminess with just enough seasoning.

½ teaspoon garlic powder

A little goes a long way. Garlic powder adds depth and that savory warmth we all crave in comfort food.

⅓ cup chopped onion

For a bit of crunch and a pop of savory flavor. You can sauté the onions beforehand if you want a mellower flavor, but raw works perfectly.

1 (10.75 oz) can condensed cream of chicken soup

The creamy glue that binds it all. Feel free to sub with cream of mushroom or celery for different flavor profiles—or to keep it vegetarian.

8 ounces sour cream

Gives it that creamy tang and luscious texture. This is what makes each bite melt in your mouth.

1 cup shredded cheddar cheese & 1 cup shredded Colby Jack cheese

The star of the show! This combo melts perfectly and gives that cheesy pull and crispy golden top layer. Use freshly shredded cheese for the best melt.

Garnish: Chopped chives or green onions

Adds freshness, color, and a little zing to balance the richness.

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How to Make Cheesy Baked Hashbrowns

Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 35 minutes
Total time: 45 minutes
Servings: 8

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).

  2. Grease a 9x13 baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.

  3. In a large mixing bowl, combine:

    • Thawed hashbrowns

    • Softened butter

    • Salt, pepper, garlic powder

    • Chopped onion

    • Cream of chicken soup

    • Sour cream

    • HALF of the shredded cheese

  4. Mix until everything is evenly combined.

  5. Spoon mixture into the prepared baking dish. Do not press it down tightly—leave it a bit fluffy so it bakes up light.

  6. Top with remaining shredded cheese.

  7. Bake uncovered for 35 minutes or until the top is golden and bubbly.

  8. Garnish with fresh chives or green onions right before serving.


Recipe Tips

  • Let it rest: Allow the casserole to sit for 5–10 minutes after baking. This helps it set and makes it easier to serve.

  • Make it ahead: Assemble the night before, cover tightly, and refrigerate. Remove from the fridge 30 minutes before baking.

  • Spice it up: Add a dash of cayenne or a few dashes of hot sauce for a spicy twist.

  • Make it meatier: Stir in some cooked, crumbled bacon or diced ham before baking for a full-on breakfast casserole.

  • Freezer-friendly: Make a double batch and freeze one before baking. Thaw overnight in the fridge and bake as directed.