When it comes to easy and delicious comfort food, Crock Pot Hash Brown Casserole is a must-try! Whether you’re hosting a family gathering, meal prepping, or looking for a simple side dish for weeknights, this cheesy, creamy hash brown casserole made in the slow cooker is perfect. Plus, with minimal prep and hands-off cooking, you’ll love how stress-free this side dish recipe is.
Nothing beats this shredded hashbrown casserole except maybe mashed potato party potatoes. I love using my casserole crockpot, and the crock pot smoked sausage hashbrown casserole. Anytime you can mix frozen hashbrowns, onions, cream of chicken soup, sour cream, and cheese, you know it will be amazing.
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Family-Friendly: Kids and adults alike love the creamy texture and cheesy goodness.
- Easy to Prepare: With just a few ingredients, you can quickly throw everything into your Crock Pot and let it work its magic.
- Crowd-Pleaser: This cheesy casserole is a hit at potlucks, holiday dinners, or brunches.
- Make-Ahead: Set it up in the morning, and by dinnertime, you have a warm, delicious side dish ready to go.
Ingredients You'll Need
Use a clear shot of the ingredients for this recipe, prepped, and labeled if necessary. Add a paragraph of content describing why these ingredients were chosen. Insert the ingredients into the list below, omitting quantities.
- 1 (30-ounce) bag frozen hash browns, thawed
- 1 (10.5-ounce) can cream of chicken soup (substitute with cream of mushroom for a vegetarian version)
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 small onion, finely diced
- ½ cup melted butter
- 1 teaspoon seasoning salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- Optional toppings: crumbled bacon, green onions, additional cheese
See recipe card for quantities.
How to Make Crock Pot Hash Brown Casserole
Start by thawing the frozen hash browns. Add the seasoning salt to the shredded potatoes or hash browns.
Dice your onion and gather the remaining ingredients.
- Step 1—Mix Everything Together: In a large mixing bowl, combine the hash browns, cream of chicken soup, shredded cheddar cheese, sour cream, diced onion, melted butter, and black pepper. Stir until well combined.
- Step 2 - Cook in the Crock Pot: Grease the inside of your slow cooker with non-stick spray or butter. Pour the hash brown mixture into the crock pot and spread it out evenly.
- Step 3 - Slow Cook: Cover and cook on low for 4–6 hours or on high for 2–3 hours, until the casserole is bubbly and the cheese is melted.
- Step 4 - Add Toppings: In the last 30 minutes of cooking, sprinkle crumbled bacon, green onions, or more cheese on top, if desired.
Once the casserole is fully cooked, serve it warm. It's perfect as a side for breakfast, brunch, or dinner.
This Crock Pot Hash Brown Casserole is the ultimate no-fuss comfort food, perfect for any occasion. It’s easy to customize, loved by all, and makes your kitchen smell amazing. Whether you're serving it for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, it's sure to be a hit!
Hint: Keep an eye on the casserole towards the end of the cooking time to ensure it doesn’t dry out.
Substitutions
Here are ways to make some ingredient substitutions for a frozen hashbrown casserole.
- Hash Browns: If you can’t find frozen hash browns, you can use fresh potatoes. Shred them and pat dry to remove excess moisture. You can also substitute diced potatoes for a chunkier texture.
- Cheese: Cheddar cheese is classic, but you can swap it out for Monterey Jack, mozzarella, or a Mexican cheese blend for a different flavor profile. For a sharper bite, try smoked Gouda or pepper jack.
- Sour Cream: No sour cream? Plain Greek yogurt is a great substitute that also adds a bit more protein to the dish. You can also use cream cheese or cottage cheese blended smooth.
- Butter: You can replace butter with margarine or a neutral cooking oil like vegetable or olive oil. For a richer flavor, try using ghee.
- Cream of Chicken Soup: If you're avoiding canned soup, try making your own with chicken broth, milk, and a thickener like flour or cornstarch. You can also use cream of celery or cream of mushroom soup for a different flavor.
Variations
Here are ways to customize this base hash brown casserole recipe.
- Protein Boost: Add cooked and crumbled bacon or smoked sausage to the mix for extra flavor and protein. You can also add diced ham or shredded chicken to make this a complete meal.
- Spicy Twist: Stir in some diced jalapeños or use pepper jack cheese for a spicy kick.
- Vegetarian Option: Use cream of mushroom soup instead of cream of chicken and skip the bacon to make it vegetarian.
See this crock pot smoked sausage and hash brown casserole on my website!
Equipment
If you don't have a casserole crock pot, you need to add one to your Amazon cart. Here are the recommendations for casserole crock pot recipes.
Storing Leftovers
- Refrigerator:
- Allow the casserole to cool completely.
- Transfer leftovers to an airtight container or cover the casserole dish tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil.
- Store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
- Freezer:
- For longer storage, place the cooled casserole in an airtight, freezer-safe container or wrap it tightly with plastic wrap followed by aluminum foil.
- Store in the freezer for up to 3 months.
- You can also freeze before slow cooking.
Reheating Leftovers
- Microwave: You can microwave from frozen in short intervals on medium power until fully reheated, but for best results, thaw first.
- In the Oven (Best for large portions):
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Place the casserole in an oven-safe dish.
- Cover with foil to retain moisture and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until heated through.
- In the Microwave (Best for individual servings):
- Transfer a portion to a microwave-safe plate or dish.
- Heat on medium power for 2-3 minutes, stirring halfway through to ensure even heating.
- Add a little cheese or extra cream to refresh the texture if needed.
From Frozen:
- Oven: Thaw overnight in the refrigerator first, then reheat as instructed above.
- Crock Pot: For the uncooked frozen casserole, thaw overnight in the refrigerator and then slow cook the same way you would the day you made the hash brown casserole.
Instructions for Oven Preparation:
- Bake: Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 45–55 minutes, or until the casserole is bubbly, golden, and the cheese is fully melted.
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Mix the Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the thawed hash browns, cream of chicken soup, shredded cheddar cheese, sour cream, diced onion, melted butter, garlic powder, and black pepper. Stir until well combined.
- Prepare the Baking Dish: Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with non-stick spray or butter to prevent sticking.
- Assemble: Spread the hash brown mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish.
Tips for the Best Crock Pot Hash Brown Casserole
- Don’t Overcook: Keep an eye on the casserole towards the end of the cooking time to ensure it doesn’t dry out.
- Thaw the Hash Browns: Be sure to thaw your hash browns completely to avoid excess moisture in your casserole.
- Grease Your Crock Pot: This prevents the cheese and potatoes from sticking to the sides.
FAQ
Yes! You can mix the ingredients the night before and store them in the refrigerator. When you’re ready to cook, just transfer the mixture to your slow cooker.
Yes! You can freeze leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 months. To reheat, thaw in the fridge overnight and cook according to instructions.
Absolutely! Just be sure your Crock Pot is large enough to accommodate the extra ingredients, and you may need to adjust the cooking time slightly.
What to Serve Alongside?
Crock Pot Hash Brown Casserole is a versatile dish that pairs well with just about anything. Serve it alongside:
- Smoked Honey Garlic Wings
- Delicious Grilled Baby Potato Kabobs Recipe
- Pickle Brined Grilled Chicken
- The Best Grilled Pork Chops Dry Rub Recipe
More Potato Recipes
These are my favorite potato recipes:
- Parmesan Crusted Potatoes
- Cheesy Au Gratin Potatoes with Yellow and Sweet Potatoes
- Party Potatoes - Irresistible Mashed Potato Casserole
- Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes - Cubed, Diced, or Fries
๐ Recipe
Crock Pot Hash Brown Casserole
Ingredients
- 30 ounces shredded hashbrowns, partially thawed
- 1 onion
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 can cream of chicken soup
- 3 cups shredded Colby-Jack Cheese divided
- ยผ cup butter
- 2 teaspoons season salt
- 1 teaspoon pepper
Instructions
- Pour the shredded hashbrowns into a large bowl. Break apart so there are no clumps. Add the seasoning salt.
- Dice the onion and add to hashbrowns. Add 2 of the three cups of shredded cheese, sour cream, cream of chicken soup, and pepper to the hashbrowns.
- Melt the butter completely and pour over the hasbrowns. Stir to combine completely.
- Pour the mixture into a greased casserole crock pot. Top with the remaining cup of shredded cheese.
- Cook on high for 2-3 hours or on low for 4 hours.
Nutrition
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