These oven baked 6-ingredient hash browns are the kind of practical casserole that earned a permanent place at family tables because they stretch inexpensive pantry and freezer staples into something filling, comforting, and crowd-pleasing. Often associated with church suppers, holiday breakfasts, and Midwestern potlucks, this style of creamy shredded potato bake is beloved for its crisp top, soft center, and reliable simplicity.
Serve these hash browns alongside baked ham, sausage patties, scrambled eggs, or roast chicken if you want to turn them into a hearty dinner. They also pair well with a green salad, steamed broccoli, or simple fruit on the side to balance the richness, and leftovers reheat beautifully for breakfast the next day.
Oven Baked 6-Ingredient Hash Browns Dunmore
Servings: 12
Ingredients
1 bag (30 ounces) frozen shredded hash browns, thawed
1 can (10.5 ounces) condensed cream of chicken soup
2 cups sour cream
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
1 small onion, finely chopped
Directions
1. Preheat the oven to 350°F and lightly butter or grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
2. In a large mixing bowl, stir together the cream of chicken soup, sour cream, melted butter, chopped onion, and 1 1/2 cups of the shredded cheddar until evenly combined.
3. Fold in the thawed hash browns gently so the potatoes stay fairly fluffy and evenly coated.
4. Spread the mixture evenly in the prepared baking dish and top with the remaining 1/2 cup cheddar cheese.
5. Bake for 50 to 60 minutes, until the casserole is hot throughout and the top is deeply golden around the edges.
6. Let the hash browns rest for 10 minutes before serving so the casserole slices more cleanly.
Variations & Tips
Make It Extra Crispy: For more texture on top, bake the casserole uncovered and place it on the upper-middle oven rack for the last 10 minutes. If your cheese browns too quickly, lay a sheet of foil loosely over the dish near the end.
Swap the Soup: Cream of mushroom or cream of celery work well if that is what you have on hand. Each gives the casserole a slightly different flavor, but the method stays exactly the same.
Add a Topping: If you do not need to keep it strictly at six ingredients, a scattering of crushed cornflakes tossed with a little melted butter adds a classic crunchy finish. Sprinkle them on during the last part of baking so they stay crisp and golden.
Prep Ahead: Assemble the casserole a day ahead, cover, and refrigerate it. Before baking, let the dish sit at room temperature for about 20 minutes so it cooks more evenly.
Leftover Tip: Refrigerated leftovers can be cut into squares and reheated in a skillet or toaster oven to bring back some of the crisp edges. That is one of the best ways to enjoy this dish the second time around.