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Cheesy Hashbrown Potato Casserole: No Canned Soup

Cheesy Hashbrown Casserole made without canned soup! This creamy potato side dish is loaded with real ingredients, baked until golden, and perfect for holidays, brunch, or family dinners.
5 from 3 reviews

5-Star Reader Comment

This is the perfect recipe! Made this and it’s delicious

Melossa
Wooden spoon serving cheesy hash brown casserole.
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Donya’s Tips: Use The Best Potatoes

  • Frozen Hashbrowns—The easiest option is pre-shredded and ready to use. Make sure they are fully thawed before using.
  • Fresh Potatoes – Shred them using a box grater or food processor, and pat them dry with paper towels to remove moisture.
  • Refrigerated Hashbrowns – Most often sold in the grocery store’s refrigerated section and don’t require thawing, saving time.

Hey, potato lovers! Make my Air Fried Baked Potato, Scalloped Potatoes or Stuffed Baked Potatoes next.

Overhead view of hashbrown casserole ingredients: shredded potatoes, whole milk, cheddar cheese, parmesan cheese, sour cream, fresh chives, butter, garlic powder, salt, and pepper arranged on a wooden board.

Ingredients You’ll Need

  • Hashbrowns – frozen, fresh, or refrigerated. Just make sure frozen ones are thawed.
  • Cheddar & Parmesan – I like sharp cheddar for bold flavor, and Parmesan for a salty finish.
  • Milk & Sour Cream – the base of the sauce that makes everything so creamy.
  • Butter, Garlic Powder, Salt & Pepper – simple pantry staples.
  • Fresh Chives – for a little pop of color and flavor.

Make It Your Own: Variations and Substitutions

  • Protein Boost: Add cooked and crumbled bacon, diced ham, or cooked sausage to the mix for a heartier casserole.
  • Bolder Flavor: Add diced, minced garlic or chopped green onions.
  • Crunchy Topping: For a crunchy finish, elevate the topping by adding crushed corn flakes, buttered breadcrumbs, or even Ritz crackers.
Wooden spoon scooping cheesy hashbrown casserole from a white baking dish, showing golden melted cheese and shredded potatoes.

How To Make

  1. Prep the Dish – Heat the oven to 350°. Butter a 9×13 pan.
  2. Mix – Spread the hashbrowns, sprinkle with cheddar, and toss together. Heat milk, butter, salt, and garlic until melted, then stir in sour cream. Pour over the potatoes.
  3. Bake – Top with Parmesan, pepper, and chives. Bake until bubbly and golden brown. Let it rest for a few minutes, then dig in!

Can Cheesy Hashbrown Casserole Be Made Ahead Of Time?

You bet! Just make it the evening before you want to serve it, wrap it with foil or plastic wrap, and store it in the refrigerator. When ready to serve it, take it out of the oven and bake it.

Close-up of cheesy hashbrown casserole served on a plate, topped with melted cheese and herbs, with a fork on the side

More Potato Recipes You’ll Love!

Wooden spoon with cheesy hash brown casserole.

Cheesy Hashbrown Potato Casserole

5 from 3 reviews
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 50 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour
Servings: 8
Calories: 340kcal
Print Pin Rate
This Cheesy Hashbrown Casserole is a creamy, cheesy, comforting side dish made without canned soup! It's perfect for holidays, potlucks, or a cozy family dinner. Packed with shredded potatoes, cheddar cheese, and a rich homemade sauce, this easy potato side dish quickly assembles and uses simple, wholesome ingredients.

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds shredded potatoes or bagged hashbrowns
  • 2 cups cheddar cheese
  • 1 ½ cups milk
  • ½ cup sour cream
  • 4 tablespoons butter – melted
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon fresh cracked pepper
  • 1 tablespoon chopped chives
  • ½ cup shredded Parmesan cheese

Instructions

  • Heat oven to 350 degrees.
  • Butter bottom of 9 by 13 baking dish. Place hash browns evenly in bottom of dish and sprinkle with shredded cheddar cheese. Gently stir to combine.
  • In a small sauce pan, heat milk, butter, salt and garlic powder just until butter melts. Remove from heat and stir in sour cream. Pour milk mixture over potatoes and cheese.
  • Sprinkle on pepper, chives and Parmesan cheese.
  • Place in oven and bake for 50 to 60 minutes or until cheese is browned. Remove from oven and let cool for 5 minutes, then serve.

Notes

Leftovers:
This recipe makes 8 to 10 servings so if there are leftovers, they can be stored in the refrigerator and reheated in the microwave.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cup · Calories: 340kcal · Carbohydrates: 24g · Protein: 13g · Fat: 22g · Saturated Fat: 13g · Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g · Monounsaturated Fat: 5g · Trans Fat: 0.2g · Cholesterol: 62mg · Sodium: 958mg · Potassium: 446mg · Fiber: 2g · Sugar: 3g · Vitamin A: 688IU · Vitamin C: 10mg · Calcium: 359mg · Iron: 1mg

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I freeze hashbrown casserole?

Yes! Bake it, let it cool, then wrap well and freeze for up to 2 months. Reheat in the oven until hot.

Can I use fresh potatoes instead of frozen hashbrowns?

Absolutely. Just shred them, then squeeze out extra moisture with paper towels before baking.

How do I store leftovers?

Keep in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven or microwave.

What if I don’t have sour cream?

Greek yogurt works as a substitute—it keeps the casserole creamy with a slight tang.

Serving Ideas

This cheesy potato casserole will become your go-to side dish that your family will love. Here are some of my favorite recipes to serve it with Crock Pot Chicken Thighs, 5-Ingredient Crock Pot Buffalo Chicken, and Sheet Pan Hamburger Steak With Mushrooms And Onions for dinner.

Try it with my Ham And Cheese Croissant Breakfast Casserole and Sausage And Egg Breakfast Bake for breakfast or brunch.

If you tried this Hashbrown Casserole Recipe or any other recipe, please leave a star rating and let me know how it went in the comments below. Thanks!

Cheesy Hashbrown Potato Casserole is the perfect side dish.
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23 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    Made these tonight with your crockpot chicken thighs (subbed w chicken tenderloins) and buttered green beans. Chicken was delicious; sauce is yummy. And this is my favorite hashbrown recipe; so delicious, and no canned soup! Used 1/4c sour cream, and 1/4c whipped French onion cream cheese. Thanks for the recipes Donya

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