This Hash Brown Breakfast Casserole is a hearty and comforting dish that combines the crispy goodness of bacon with the creamy, gooey perfection of melted cheese, all nestled within a bed of golden, seasoned hash browns. Whether you're preparing a special brunch, celebrating the holidays, or simply craving a cozy morning meal, this recipe is a delicious way to start your day.
Course Breakfast
Cuisine American
Keyword Cracker barrel hash brown casserole, hash brown bacon casserole, hash brown breakfast casserole, hash brown casserole
Combine the sour cream or plain Greek yogurt, softened cream cheese, onions, and spices in a large bowl. Taste repeatedly and adjust spices to suit your taste. This is important to ensure the casserole isn't bland.
1 ½ cups sour cream or plain Greek yogurt, 4 oz cream cheese, ½ cup diced onions, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon Creole Seasoning, salt and pepper to taste
Add in the hash browns and stir.
1 pound frozen hash browns
Add the hash browns mixture to a greased 9x13 baking dish or 10inch cast iron skillet. Sprinkle the crumbled bacon and shredded cheese throughout.
6 slices cooked and crumbled bacon, 1 cup grated cheddar cheese, 1 cup grated mozzarella cheese
Cover the dish with foil and bake for 35-40 minutes or until the potatoes are soft and the cheese if bubbly.
foil
If you like a crunchy cheese topping remove the foil, adjust the temperature on the oven to 400 degrees and bake an additional 5-10 minutes until the cheese has browned.
Cool before serving.
Notes
Full-fat sour cream or Greek yogurt works best at achieving a creamy texture. You can use reduced-fat versions if you wish, but note they are thinner and will alter the texture of the dish.You can substitute Creole seasoning for any of your favorite spices or omit it completely.Thaw your potatoes before using them. After thawing, they may release some moisture. Squeeze out excess moisture by placing them in a clean kitchen towel or paper towel and pressing gently. This helps prevent the casserole from becoming too watery.Thawing helps the hash browns cook more evenly and prevents excess moisture in the casserole. You can thaw them in the refrigerator overnight or speed up the process by using the microwave or cold water thawing methods.Thawing the hash browns will produce a casserole with a more consistent texture, while using them frozen can provide a different texture and possibly save you some time. However, it may not save you much time, because you may also need to increase your bake time as well.