Hashbrown Breakfast Casserole – easy make-ahead breakfast casserole with tender hashbrowns and bacon in a creamy cheesy sauce baked until hot and bubbly. A delicious holiday or lazy days’ breakfast or brunch for the whole family!
Although I enjoy cooking more than ever, last weekend I found myself still under the sheets past 9 AM – just way beyond my breakfast prepping schedule. I quickly climbed out of bed and ran towards the kitchen while scrambling my head on what to prepare. There I saw my two boys (hubby and my kiddo), bustling around the kitchen as they set up the breakfast table.
And lo and behold, this scrumptious Hashbrown Breakfast Casserole sitting atop our table! 🙂
Then I remembered that I prepared the casserole the night before. Oh gosh! What a relief! Busy mornings (or in my case, lazy days) surely could use a quick and easy breakfast like this.
What is a Hashbrown?
The word “hash” came from a French word “hacher” which means to hack or chop. So to put it together, hashbrown potatoes literally translates to chopped and fried potatoes.
Well, if you’re a fan of McDonald’s, you’ve probably have seen them on the menu or at least ordered them for breakfast. Hashbrowns are actually a breakfast staple here in the U.S. or in North America, in general, and in the U.K. It first showed up on the menu in New York City in the 1890s referring to shredded, diced or julienned pan-fried potatoes. After being shredded or chopped, potatoes are then added with onions and formed into patties before frying.
So you probably get where I’m heading, right? This Hashbrown Breakfast Casserole is a dish usually made with shredded hashbrown potatoes, eggs, tomatoes, chopped onions, sour cream, cheese and more cheese ( 🙂 ) and then baked in a casserole for a lovely breakfast/brunch.
A variation of meat is also added to it like leftover shredded or diced chicken, ham, ground beef or sausages to make a complete meal on its own.
How to Make Shredded Potato Hashbrowns?
With the popularity of hashbrown here in America, there’s simply an abundance of frozen hashbrowns in grocery stores to make it more convenient for home cooks. But for those who don’t have frozen shredded hashbrowns available in their area, you can make yours easily. Here’s how to make shredded potato hashbrowns at home:
– Wash and peel potatoes, then grate them on the largest side of the grater.
– Transfer shredded potatoes in large bowl and soak them in water for 5 minutes.
– Rinse them in a colander or fine mesh sieve under cold running water until it runs clear.
– Using a clean tea towel, squeeze all the water from the rinsed shredded potatoes to draw the moisture.
– Place them on a baking tray or sheet to air dry.
– Lastly, store them in a ziploc freezer bags and place them in a freezer until ready to use.
Can I Freeze Hashbrown Breakfast Casserole?
This Hashbrown Breakfast Casserole is ideal for make-ahead breakfast and that’s what I love most about it! You can bake it first, let it cool and freeze for up to 3 months. When ready to serve, just thaw it overnight in the fridge and reheat. Meanwhile, you can also assemble it ahead uncooked, wrapped tightly in an aluminum foil or plastic wrap and then freeze. If you’re baking it within 24 hours or the next morning, you can assemble it ahead in the evening and store in the fridge tightly wrapped.
Other Casserole Recipes
Do you love more casseroles in your life? You’re in the right place. You can check my other scrumptious family-friendly casserole recipes below.
Chicken Broccoli and Rice Casserole
You may serve it as a side dish or on its own for breakfast holidays or busy mornings. Feel free to substitute the cheese with your favorite combo or those that melts easily like Fontina, Gouda, Gruyere or Monterey Jack.
Enjoy!
Hashbrown Breakfast Casserole
Ingredients
- 5-6 thick bacon , chopped and cooked
- 1-2 Tablespoons (butter, oil or bacon grease)
- 1 medium onion , diced
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- ½ cup diced green bell pepper
- 3 green onions , chopped
- ½ cup diced red bell pepper
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 cups milk
- 1 cup chicken stock
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Creole seasoning
- 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese , divided
- 1 cup sour cream (I used light sour cream)
- 30 ounce frozen shredded hashbrown potatoes , thawed
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F and grease a 9x13 baking dish with cooking spray or oil. Set aside.
- Heat skillet over medium heat , then add oil or butter until melted , followed by onions , garlic , bell pepper, and green onions - saute for about 2-3 minutes .Remove from skillet and set Aside
- Add butter to skillet until melted , Then add flour and whisk until fully dissolved.
- Slowly pour in the milk while stirring consistently followed by the chicken stock. Season with salt, freshly ground black pepper and Creole seasoning and stir.
- Throw in half of the shredded cheese and stir well until fully melted. Then add the sour cream and stir for about a minute. Remove from heat.
- In a large glass bowl, add thawed hashbrown, cooked bacon and saute bell pepper and onion combination. Stir well until fully combined.
- Transfer the mixture into the greased baking dish and top with remaining cheese . Place in the preheated oven and bake for 40-45 minutes.
- Let it stand for 10 minutes before serving.
Tips & Notes:
Nutrition Information:
How to Make Hashbrown Breakfast Casserole
Heat skillet over medium heat , then add oil or butter until melted , followed by onions , garlic , bell pepper, and green onions – saute for about 2-3 minutes. Remove from skillet and set aside.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F and grease a 9×13 baking dish with cooking spray or oil. Set aside. Heat butter in a skillet over medium heat until melted. Then add flour and whisk until fully dissolved. Slowly pour in the milk while stirring consistently followed by the chicken stock. Season with salt, freshly ground black pepper and Creole seasoning and stir.
Throw in half of the shredded cheese and stir well until fully melted. Then add the sour cream and stir for about 2-3 minutes. Remove from heat.
In a large glass bowl, add thawed hashbrown, cooked bacon, onion, garlic, diced red and green bell pepper and the sauce. Stir well until fully combined.
Stir well until fully combined.
Transfer the mixture into the greased baking dish and top with remaining cheese and chopped green onions, if desired. Place in the preheated oven and bake for 40-45 minutes. Let it stand for 10 minutes before serving
Nika says
This is hands down the best hashbrown casserole I’ve ever tasted. I make this regularly and my family and friends love it. One week I literally made this casserole 5 times!! Thank you so much for sharing. I also make your jambalaya, gumbo and baked crispy wings regularly. I already know if I try a recipe from your site, it’s going to be delicious!!
Imma says
Wow, 5 times! That’s a record :)! I am so glad you love my recipes, Nika. Thank you so much for the feedback.
Hollybloxam says
If I make it on Monday but not cooked and I need it for Wednesday do I need to freeze it?
ImmaculateBites says
No, I would leave it in the fridge, tightly covered and cook on Wednesday .
Ammi says
Hi imma, do i have to use sour cream, what can i use as a substitute?
imma africanbites says
Hi, Ammi. You may replace sour cream with yogurt or this other options here >>> https://www.thespruceeats.com/sour-cream-substitutions-and-equivalents-1807479
Wendy says
Can I use fresh potatoes instead of the thawed ones.
imma africanbites says
Hi, Wendy. Yes, you can. Please see the post above with sub heading “How to Make Shredded Potato Hashbrowns?”. Please do let me know how it works for you.
Rooswvelt says
Am gonna try this weekend it looks good
imma africanbites says
Yes, please. I have been making this more often these past few weeks.
Rose Mary George says
This casserole looks really delicious!
ImmaculateBites says
Thanks Rose.