Hash Brown Beef Casserole Recipe

Prep: 10 mins

Cook: 45 mins

Total: 55 mins

Servings: 4 servings

If you’re a fan of the hash brown casserole at Cracker Barrel and you like meat and potatoes, this recipe is definitely going to become a new favorite in your house. The creamy, cheesy mixture bakes up to a golden brown. It’s so simple and straight-forward, you can prep and serve in under an hour. This casserole and a green salad are all that you need to give your family a nutritious and balanced meal. By using frozen hash, you’re saving valuable time. Although we use pepper Jack cheese, any shredded cheese you have at hand will go beautifully with the recipe.

This casserole is ideal for using up leftovers, so use any other meat you have as the base of the casserole: cooked ground beef or turkey, shredded chicken, smoked sausage, or even cubed ham. Use deli meats, like thickly sliced roast beef or turkey. If you happen to have roast beef or brisket sitting in your fridge, use that instead. Perhaps some meatballs from last night's dinner? Anything you'd like can be the base of this recipe, as the flavorful topping can deliciously repurpose anything you have in your fridge.

A delicious dish of comfort food, our hearty recipe is kid-friendly and a great meal for a busy weeknight.

Ingredients

• 1 (16-ounce) package frozen hash brown potatoes

• 1 (10.5-ounce) can cream of mushroom soup

• 1 cup sour cream

• 1/2 cup milk

• 2 cups cooked pot roast, diced; or protein of your choice

• 1/2 cup onions, diced

• 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

• 1 cup shredded pepper jack cheese, or Monterrey Jack, or cheddar

Steps to Make It

1. Gather the ingredients.

   

2. Preheat the oven to 350 F. In a large mixing bowl, combine hash browns, cream of mushroom soup, sour cream, milk, pot roast, onions, and pepper and mix well.

   

3. Turn out into a greased 1 1/2-quart baking dish.

   

4. Sprinkle the shredded cheese over the top.

   

5. Bake 40 to 45 minutes until the cheese is golden, and the casserole is bubbly.

   

6. Serve and enjoy!

Can I Freeze the Casserole?

Yes. Simply prepare the mixture and place it in a freezer-safe dish. Cover well with plastic wrap and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight before baking and add some extra cheese on top before placing the dish in a 350 F oven.

Flavorful Additions and Substitutions

Personalize the casserole with what you have at hand:

• To substitute in ground beef, turkey, or pork, use 1 pound of meat and brown it in a skillet with olive oil. Season with salt and pepper to taste and drain off the excess fat before adding it into the mixture.
• Add 1 cup of frozen peas and carrots into the mix to add some color and include the veggies for a one-dish meal. Alternatively, add 1 cup of chopped spinach or baby kale.
• Substitute the cream of mushroom with cream of chicken if using shredded chicken instead of beef.
• Add some herbs to brighten up the dish. A handful of chopped cilantro or parsley on top adds a nice herby touch and a pop of color.
• Use chile flakes to taste or a couple of teaspoons of your favorite hot sauce. Alternatively, add 2 tablespoons of your favorite BBQ sauce into the mixture.
• Add grated Parmesan right before serving to add some tang and extra cheesy flavor.

Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4
Amount per serving
Calories	737
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 51g	65%
Saturated Fat 23g	114%
Cholesterol 206mg	69%
Sodium 911mg	40%
Total Carbohydrate 20g	7%
Dietary Fiber 1g	4%
Total Sugars 10g
Protein 48g
Vitamin C 3mg	15%
Calcium 458mg	35%
Iron 3mg	19%
Potassium 670mg	14%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.