This Cheesy Hash Brown Casserole without soup from a can is a delicious side dish for any holiday, weeknight family dinner, or potluck. Just 15 minutes prep time and then the oven does the rest with 45 minutes cook time.
There is nothing better in the entire world than ooey gooey cheesy potatoes and this Cheesy Hash Brown Casserole without soup from a can does not disappoint! It’s warm, creamy, and full of flavor!
This Hash Brown Casserole Recipe says goodbye to the canned soup, but is still super easy with a simple roux with milk and broth added to create a thickened flavorful sauce. Add in a little sour cream, cheese, scallions, and oregano and you have the most comforting and flavorful side dish or main (I’m just saying)!
Easy Ingredients for this Hash Brown Casserole
This recipe comes from my Mom who made it for Christmas dinner a few years back and I remember thinking, hmmm, another casserole, not very exciting. But, then I tasted it and FELL IN LOVE! It was creamy, cheesy, comforting, and utterly addictive, just like my Mom loved food to be. Today it brings back sweet warm memories, which is what is so wonderful about family recipes.
I did change up a couple things from my Mom’s recipe, though. I think she would approve! First, my canned cream soup substitute is a homemade thickened sauce with broth and milk. I also replaced the onions with scallions. I love the mild flavor from scallions that melts into the casserole and gives it a bit of beautiful green color. Finally, I added dried Oregano, which gives just a hint of herby flavor that goes so well with the cheese.
Here is what you need
Freezer and Fridge Ingredients
- Frozen Shredded Hash Browns
- Butter (I used salted)
- Milk (I used 1%)
- Vegetable Broth (or chicken broth)
- Sour Cream
- Shredded Sharp Cheddar (or mild)
- Scallions (also known as green onions)
Pantry Ingredients
- All Purpose Flour
- Dried Oregano
- Salt
- Fresh Ground Pepper
Such an Easy Recipe for Hash Brown Casserole
Main dishes to go with this Cheesy Hash Brown Casserole
What else should you serve with this Cheesy Hash Brown Casserole Recipe? How about a spoon, lol?
Here are some ideas, starting with Holiday dinners. My top recipes for the holidays, aside from a glorious roast turkey, are as follows. For a beef roast, my Mushroom Stuffed Flank Steak with is an absolutely delicious make-ahead roast. For a pork roast, my Pork Tenderloin with Caramelized Onions and Mushrooms is amazing. And we cannot forget these decadent Slow Cooker Short Ribs.
If you want to make this for a more casual dinner, how about these Awesome Oven Fried Chicken Breasts with Bacon Crumbs? My 4-Ingredient Doritosยฎ Chicken Roll Ups with Asparagus are a two-for-one with the veggie rolled right up inside!
EASY PREP FOR THIS HASH BROWN CASSEROLE WITHOUT SOUP FROM A CAN
This recipe is so easy, as you simply mix all of the ingredients with the frozen hash brown potatoes and bake. You do need to first create the simple sauce, which starts with a simple butter and flour roux. Slowly whisk in the broth and then milk until the roux is completely and smoothly mixed into the liquids. Continue to stir and cook over medium heat until it comes to a light simmer and thickens.
To a large mixing bowl, add the frozen hash browns, the thickened broth mixture, sour cream, shredded sharp cheddar cheese, oregano, sliced scallion, salt, and pepper. Mix to combine then add the hash brown mixture to a 9×13 casserole dish.
COOK YOUR HASH BROWN CASSEROLE RECIPE
Bake in the oven center rack for 45 minutes covered with aluminum foil. Remove the cover for the last 10 minutes and turn the broiler on to brown the top. Monitor the casserole to ensure that it does not burn under the broiler.
That’s it! Serve and enjoy! ๐ Carrie
Cheesy Hash Brown Casserole Recipe FAQs
Where do I find hash browns in the grocery store?
Hash browns are just shredded potatoes and they are usually found in the frozen vegetable section or sometimes in the dairy/refrigerated section. For this easy hashbrown casserole, you will need about 2 pounds, so that is likely 2 bags.
Can I use fresh potatoes in this recipe?
If you don’t have frozen hash browns, you can use fresh potatoes in this cheesy hashbrown casserole. If you have fresh potatoes, you can go a couple of ways after peeling 2 pounds of either Russet or Yukon Gold potatoes. You can create your own hash browns using a grater or food processor. If you do this option, be sure to squeeze out any excess water after the potatoes are shredded. You could also dice the potatoes into very small ยผ inch by ยผ inch pieces. Follow the recipe the same way once you prep the potatoes.
Can I freeze this Hash Brown Potato Casserole?
This Cheesy Hash Brown Casserole is great to make ahead and freeze and save time for future meals! You can either prepare it entirely, then freeze or cook it and freeze it. To thaw, place in the refrigerator 24 hours in advance of cooking. Then place in a 350 degree oven for 30 minutes if already cooked or 45 minutes covered if not cooked then 10 minutes uncovered.
Is this Hash Brown Casserole without Soup Gluten Free?
This Cheesy Hash Brown Casserole recipe is not gluten free, as it uses flour to make the roux. To make this gluten free, replace the flour with 3 tablespoons Cornstarch. Mix the cornstarch into the cold milk before adding it to the hot pot or pan in Step #3. In step 3, you can either eliminate the butter all together or keep it is. Add the butter, broth, and milk with dissolved cornstarch to the pot all at once. Whisk the mixture and cook over medium heat until it comes to a light simmer and thickens. Turn off the heat and continue with the recipe instructions in Step 4.
More Side Dishes Like This
Here some other easy side dishes you might like!
Baby Potatoes with Garlic Butter and Sage
Chorizo Sausage and Green Bean Casserole
Simple Weeknight Broccoli Cheese Quinoa Bake
Have you tried this recipe? If so, please leave a โญ๏ธโญ๏ธโญ๏ธโญ๏ธโญ๏ธ star rating in the recipe below! I love to hear your feedback and your rating helps others to find this recipe. Thanks so much!
Cheesy Hash Brown Casserole without Soup
Ingredients
- 2 pounds Frozen Hash Browns
- 3 Tablespoons All Purpose Flour
- 3 Tablespoons Butter, salted (or unsalted)
- 1 cup Milk, 1% (Skim, 2%, or Whole will work)
- 1 cup Vegetable Broth (or chicken broth)
- 8 ounces Sour Cream
- 2 cups Shredded Sharp Cheddar (or mild)
- 2 Scallions
- 1 teaspoon Dried Oregano
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 1 teaspoon Fresh Ground Pepper
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 F degrees.
- Thinly slice 2 scallions, both the whites and the greens.
- In preheated medium sauce pot, add butter and stir to melt. Add Flour and whisk to combine with the butter. Cook stirring constantly for 2-3 minutes. Slowly whisk in the broth and then milk until the roux is completely and smoothly mixed into the liquids. Continue to stir and cook over medium heat until it comes to a light simmer and thickens. Turn off the heat.
- To a large mixing bowl, add the frozen hash browns, the thickened broth mixture, sour cream, cheese, scallion, oregano, salt, and pepper. Mix to combine.
- Add the hash brown mixture to a 9×13 casserole dish. Bake in the oven center rack for 45 minutes covered with aluminum foil. Remove the cover for the last 10 minutes and turn the broiler on to brown the top. Monitor the casserole to ensure that it does not burn under the broiler.
- Serve and Enjoy!
Video
Notes
- Can I use fresh potatoes in this recipe?ย If you donโt have frozen hash browns, you can use fresh potatoes in this cheesy hashbrown casserole. If you have fresh potatoes, you can go a couple of ways after peeling 2 pounds of either Russet or Yukon Gold potatoes. You can create your own hash browns using a grater or food processor. If you do this option, be sure to squeeze out any excess water after the potatoes are shredded. You could also dice the potatoes into very small ยผ inch by ยผ inch pieces. Follow the recipe the same way once you prep the potatoes
- Can I freeze this Hash Brown Potato Casserole?ย This Cheesy Hash Brown Casserole is great to make ahead and freeze and save time for future meals! You can either prepare it entirely, then freeze or cook it and freeze it. To thaw, place in the refrigerator 24 hours in advance of cooking. Then place in a 350 degree oven for 30 minutes if already cooked or 45 minutes covered if not cooked then 10 minutes uncovered.
Kimberly DeVries says
What about fresh potatoes? How would you alter this recipe for fresh potatoes?
Carrie Tyler says
Hi Kim! Great question! If you have fresh potatoes, you can go a couple of ways after peeling 2 pounds of either Russet or Yukon Gold potatoes. You can create your own hash browns using a grater or food processor. If you do this option, be sure to squeeze out any excess water after the potatoes are shredded. You could also dice the potatoes into very small 1/4 inch by 1/4 inch pieces. Follow the recipe the same way once you prep the potatoes. Let me know which way you go and how it turns out!
Thanks and Happy Holidays ๐
Carrie
Arleen Boyer says
This recipe sounds so good but I am lactose intolerant. Is there some way I can make this with a sour cream substitute??
Carrie Tyler says
Hi Arleen, Yes, absolutely! You can use any lactose free version of sour cream or even a plain lactose free yogurt.
Please let me know how it turns out!
Happy Holidays ๐
Carrie
Sarah says
I want to half the reciepe but the only 8×8 pain I have is metal. Should I adjust the time or the temperature?
Carrie Tyler says
I’m so so sorry for the late reply, Sarah! What did you end up doing? The metal will conduct heat more, so you can reduce the time in the oven. A smaller size will also heat through faster, I so I would say that you can by probably reduce the time by 10-15 minutes. Just check the center of the casserole to ensure that it is hot in the center.
Happy New Year!
Carrie
Ida says
How do I know when the sauce is thick enough?
Carrie Tyler says
Hi Ida,
It will continue to thicken with the casserole when baking, so as long as you bring the sauce to a simmer and then simmer for 3-4 minutes, you should be good! It won’t be super thick, just creamy. Hope that helps.
Rosi says
I love your recipes – simple and GREAT!!!!
Carrie Tyler says
Thanks so much, Rosi!! ๐
Stephen says
Hello Carrie. Is the 8 ounces of sour cream an 8 ounce container by weight, or 8 ounces by volume, as in 1 cup?
Thanks!
Carrie Tyler says
Hi Stephen, Thanks for asking. 8 ounces refers to the volume, so 1 cup.
Carrie
Stephen Anger says
Thank you Carrie!