Hash Brown Casserole | What’s Cookin’ Italian Style Cuisine

Everyone raves about this super simple vintage 1970s potato dish, you may also know them by the name Funeral Potatoes, but they aren’t just served after memorial services.

Whether it’s a holiday feast, Sunday dinner, family reunion, church gathering, or neighborhood potluck, everyone comes back for seconds.

Rich, cheesy, creamy, and topped with a crispy buttery crust, this classic recipe has been passed down through generations for good reason.

Hash Brown Casserole is one of those comforting casseroles that instantly bring back memories of family dinners, potlucks, church suppers, and holiday gatherings.

Why You Will Love This Hash Brown Casserole

• Quick and easy to make using simple pantry staples and frozen hash browns.
• Rich, creamy, and cheesy with the perfect balance of comfort and flavor in every bite.
• Perfect for any occasion, from holiday dinners and potlucks to casual family meals.
• Feeds a crowd without spending hours in the kitchen.
• Budget-friendly ingredients make it an affordable side dish everyone can enjoy.
• Easy to prepare ahead, making entertaining and holiday cooking much less stressful.
• Completely customizable with your favorite cheeses, meats, vegetables, or seasonings.
• A guaranteed crowd-pleaser that both kids and adults request again and again.
• Pairs well with almost any main course, including ham, chicken, beef, pork, or turkey.
• Great for leftovers, reheating beautifully for lunch or dinner the next day.
• Freezer-friendly, so you can make one now and save another for later.
• The crispy buttery topping adds an irresistible crunch that perfectly complements the creamy filling.

Tips and Suggestions

• Mix the ingredients in a bowl, then blend with the hash browns
• Heavily grease the casserole dish with butter or oil spray, or line it with parchment paper
• The buttery cracker with melted butter gives the casserole a delicious crunch
• Thaw frozen hash browns before mixing for even baking.
• Freshly shred your own cheese for the creamiest texture.
• Don’t overbake or the casserole can dry out.
• Add the crunchy topping just before baking to keep it crisp.
• Let the casserole rest for 10 minutes before serving.
• Double the recipe for large gatherings.
• Prepare it a day ahead and refrigerate until ready to bake.
• Leftovers can be used in an egg  hash browns frittata
• Reheat leftovers in the microwave or air fryer, 
• store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days
• This casserole freezes well for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator and bake at 350 for 25 minutes
• Serve for breakfast as a side dish, as the restaurant Cracker Barrel has on its menu 
• Baked with meat on top: hot dogs or kielbasa, ham, smoked pork chops, cooked chicken tenders sliced up, or another cooked meat like pepperoni
• For those who dislike sour cream, substitute mayonnaise or  plain yogurt

Delicious Variations

• Add cooked bacon for smoky flavor.
• Stir in diced ham for a complete meal.
• Mix in shredded cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses.
• Add sautéed onions or garlic.
• Sprinkle with Parmesan before baking.
• Add diced green chiles for a Southwestern twist.
• Top with crushed potato chips instead of cornflakes.
• Use crushed Ritz crackers for extra buttery crunch.
• Add fresh herbs like parsley or chives before serving.

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Some Questions and Answers

1. Can I make Funeral Potatoes ahead of time? Absolutely! Assemble the casserole up to 24 hours ahead, refrigerate it, then add the topping just before baking.
2. Can I freeze it? Yes! It’s one of the best make-ahead freezer casseroles for busy holidays.
3. Can I use fresh potatoes? Yes. Cook and shred fresh potatoes first, although frozen hash browns save time and produce consistent results.
4. What makes the topping so crunchy? Traditional recipes use crushed cornflakes mixed with melted butter, but crackers or potato chips are delicious alternatives.

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potato recipes, casserole recipes, potato casserole recipe, hash brown potato recipes

American

Yield: 14

Author: Claudia Lamascolo

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Hash Brown Casserole

Hashbrown Casserole is a cheesy simple casserole made with potatoes, sour cream, and creamy chicken soup. Perfect side dish for breakfast or dinner.

Prep time: 15 MinCook time: 1 HourTotal time: 1 H & 15 M

Ingredients

• 2 pounds of r frozen hash brown potatoes, thawed, or use fresh potatoes sliced paper-thin cut from a mandolin
• 1 can of cream of chicken soup (or use my homemade version)
• 1/2 cup melted butter (1 stick)
• pint sour cream (1 cup)
• 8 ounces of shredded cheddar cheese and more for the top
• 1 teaspoon granulated garlic powder
• cayenne pepper to taste
• 1 package crushed butter-flavored cracker crumbs mixed with 1 tablespoon melted butter
• Note: Casserole can be baked with cooked meats on top: hot dogs or kielbasa, ham, smoked pork chops, cooked chicken tenders sliced up, or another cooked meat like pepperoni

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. In a small bowl, add crushed crackers and 1 tablespoon butter, and set aside.
3. Butter a 9 x 13 baking dish or use an oil cooking spray ( you can also line this with parchment paper).
4. In a large bowl, mix all ingredients, except cracker crumbs.
5. Pour the mixture into the buttered baking dish.
6. Top with buttery cracker crumbs.
7. Optional: add more shredded cheese on top
8. Bake for one hour at 350 degrees.
9. Note: if using a meat variation, place the meat on top of the casserole around 30 minutes before completing the baking.
10. Also, read the tips below for the best results.

Notes

Delicious Variations

• Add cooked bacon for smoky flavor.
• Stir in diced ham for a complete meal.
• Mix in shredded cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses.
• Add sautéed onions or garlic.
• Sprinkle with Parmesan before baking.
• Add diced green chiles for a Southwestern twist.
• Top with crushed potato chips instead of cornflakes.
• Use crushed Ritz crackers for extra buttery crunch.
• Add fresh herbs like parsley or chives before serving.

Tips and Suggestions

• Mix the ingredients in a bowl, then blend with the hash browns
• Heavily grease the casserole dish with butter or oil spray, or line it with parchment paper
• The buttery cracker with melted butter gives the casserole a delicious crunch
• Thaw frozen hash browns before mixing for even baking.
• Freshly shred your own cheese for the creamiest texture.
• Don’t overbake or the casserole can dry out.
• Let the casserole rest for 10 minutes before serving.
• Double the recipe for large gatherings.
• Prepare it a day ahead and refrigerate until ready to bake.
• Leftovers can be used in an egg  hash browns frittata
• Reheat leftovers in the microwave or air fryer, 
• store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days
• This casserole freezes well for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator and bake at 350 for 25 minutes
• Serve for breakfast as a side dish, as the restaurant Cracker Barrel has on its menu 
• Baked with meat on top: hot dogs or kielbasa, ham, smoked pork chops, cooked chicken tenders sliced up, or another cooked meat like pepperoni

Nutrition Facts

Sodium (milligrams)

404 mg

Cholesterol (grams)

58 mg

The default measuring system for this website is US Customary. Unit conversions are provided for convenience and as a courtesy only. While we strive to provide accurate unit conversions, please be aware that there may be some discrepancies.

https://www.whatscookinitalianstylecuisine.com/2011/11/potatoe-cheese-and-sour-cream-casserole.html

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