This hash brown casserole recipe is super versatile! Use it as a side dish along with some steamed vegetables with chicken, turkey or fish; as a light meat-free dinner recipe; or even as a breakfast casserole. Plus, it’s super easy to make. Keep reading to check it out.

Hash Brown Casserole

While you can use frozen hash browns, I try to use fresh ingredients whenever possible. So, I buy fresh garlic cloves and onions (versus jar garlic and onion powder). Fresh ingredients just make all meals will be tastier and healthier! I try to avoid processed foods in cans and boxes as much as I can. I want my family to eat real food! Remember: you don’t have to make fancy meals to cook healthy dinners!

Ingredients:

1 package frozen shredded hash brown potatoes
2 tablespoons butter
2 garlic cloves finely chopped
1 small onion chopped
2 tablespoons all purpose flour
1/2 cup chicken stock
1 cups milk
1 cup shredded cheese
Salt and pepper

easy hash brown casserole side dish recipe

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350. In a large pan melt the butter and add the onions and sauté for about 5 minutes. Then stir in the flour and cook for about 2 mins. Add milk and stock and stir well.
The mixture will begin to thicken as it comes to a simmer. Once it is thick, turn the heat off and add the shredded cheese. Stir until melted. Add the hash browns and mix well.
Place it in a casserole dish and put some extra shredded cheese on top. Bake for about. 30-40 minutes.

That’s it! The actual prep time takes less than 10 minutes. The rest is up to your oven.

Hash Brown Casserole Add-ins and Ingredient Swaps to Try

This recipe is perfect exactly as is. But if you want to spice things up a bit, here are a few ways to do just that:

Throw in some crispy bacon to add a satisfying crunch and an extra layer of deliciousness to every bite.
Browned sausage crumbles are also great if you want to add more protein or make this a bit more dinner-like.
Amp up the gooey goodness by adding different types of cheese. Any melty cheese goes!
Add even more nutritional value by incorporating diced bell peppers, mushrooms, or spinach.
Fresh herbs like chives, parsley, or thyme complement the hearty flavors of the hash browns.
Top with a dollop of sour cream to add a creamy and tangy element to the casserole.
Paprika or cayenne can add a kick of spice and heat.
For an extra layer of texture and crunch, sprinkle some panko breadcrumbs on top before baking.
For a breakfast-inspired twist, beat some eggs and fold them into the hash brown mixture.

Feel free to mix and match these add-ins based on your preferences, creating a hash brown casserole masterpiece that’s uniquely yours!

As I mentioned earlier, this casserole makes a great side dish for poultry or fish. Here are a few simple recipes to make along with it:

Healthy Breaded Chicken Cutlets – Made with real chicken and ingredients you can pronounce! Healthy Breaded Chicken Cutlets are also baked instead of fried, making them a great choice.
Perfect Gluten-Free Chicken Tenders-This perfect gluten free chicken tenders recipe is so delicious and uses just a few ingredients.
Homemade Baked Chicken Nuggets – Think of these as ‘un-Processed’ nuggets! They’re made with only 4 ingredients.
Salmon Bites– These are a great finger food for toddlers and little kids, but tasty enough for the whole family to enjoy.
Baked Salmon With Pea Puree– A super simple fish dinner recipe that uses just 5 ingredients (plus salt and pepper).

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