This delicious recipe of Ham and Cheese Hash Brown Casserole is easy to make when you need to feed a crowd and great for breakfast or brunch.
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What is a Breakfast Hash Brown Casserole
The hash brown casserole is a popular breakfast or brunch dish that combines various savory ingredients into one flavorful and filling meal.
The casserole typically consists of diced ham, shredded hash browns, eggs, milk, and cheese, along with a variety of seasonings and flavorings.
The ingredients are combined together in a baking dish and then baked until the eggs are set and the top is golden brown. The end result is a cheesy and satisfying casserole, perfect for feeding a crowd.
One of the great things about this casserole is that it is highly customizable. You can easily add or substitute ingredients to suit your tastes or dietary preferences.
For example, you could add diced bell peppers, onions, or mushrooms for extra flavor and nutrition or use a different type of cheese for a different flavor profile.
You could also use turkey or bacon instead of ham or use a meatless alternative if you prefer a vegetarian version.
The casserole is typically served hot, right out of the oven.
It's a perfect dish for a holiday breakfast or brunch and a family favorite since it's easy to make, feeds a crowd, and can be prepared ahead of time. Think of Thanksgiving, Christmas, or even Easter holidays.
One of the benefits of serving this casserole during the holidays is that it can be made in advance and stored in the refrigerator or freezer until you're ready to serve it.
This allows you to spend more time with your family and friends and less time in the kitchen on holiday mornings.
What kind of ingredients go into this breakfast hash brown egg casserole
This dish uses simple ingredients that most people have in their homes.
Hash browns: Frozen hash browns are available in most grocery stores. If you live outside of the US, as an American, you know how difficult, close to impossible, it is to find hash browns.
The good news is that you can make hash browns at home by shredding the potatoes and squeezing the water and starch out of them.
I did this many times when traveling and wanted to have this dish.
You can also use cubed frozen potatoes or even homemade fries or leftover roasted potatoes.
Eggs: I used large eggs for this recipe.
Ham: was the choice for the recipe, but you can replace it with:
- Bacon
- Cold cuts like oven roasted classic turkey ham, roast beef, bologna, prosciutto, Serrano ham, etc.
- Cooked sausages, like mild Italian or Kielbasa
- Cooked chicken or turkey
- Breakfast sausage
Cheese: What kind of cheese you use is really up to you. I am always for being flexible in the kitchen and using what you have available.
Here are some ideas:
- Sharp cheddar cheese is the choice here
- Mild cheddar cheese
- Gruyere cheese
- Colby Jack, Monterey Jack, Pepper Jack cheese, or a mixture of them
Milk: Whole milk was my choice. You can also use low-fat or plant-based milk, like almond or rice.
Salt and black pepper to taste, as everyone is different.
The only “tricky” part of this recipe is to crack the eggs!!! 🙂
Some other things you can add:
- Green onions or regular onion
- Green bell pepper or red bell pepper
- Mushrooms
How to make this cheese hash brown casserole:
(scroll to the bottom of the article for detailed instructions on the printable recipe card)
Step 1. Preheat the oven to 350F.
By the time you are done putting the recipe together, the oven will be ready for baking.
Step 2. Mix the dry ingredients.
Grab a large mixing bowl and mix hash browns, chunks of ham (or the meat you chose for this recipe), ½ cup shredded cheese, salt, pepper, and paprika.
Note: You do not need to thaw the hashbrowns.
Use a nonstick cooking spray to grease a 13×9″ baking dish. Spoon the mixture on the dish and set aside.
Step 3. Mix the wet ingredients.
Beat eggs and milk until smooth in a separate bowl, and pour the egg mixture over the hash brown mixture. Top with the remaining cheese.
Step 4. Bake.
Bake this easy breakfast casserole uncovered, at 350F for 45 to 50 minutes or until golden brown on top.
The waiting part is the hardest one, as you have to be patient for this beauty to come out of the oven!
Just give me a plate and a fork, please! I am so ready!
Serve this ham and hash brown breakfast casserole next to fresh fruit, for a perfect breakfast, for lunch, with your favorite salad, or even for a light dinner.
Can I make this Breakfast Hash Brown Casserole in advance
If you're planning to serve the casserole for breakfast or brunch, it's a good idea to prepare it ahead of time so you can enjoy the morning with your family and friends.
The casserole can be assembled the night before, stored in the refrigerator, and then baked in the morning for a stress-free breakfast or brunch.
If you're serving the casserole for dinner, you can pair it with a side salad or roasted vegetables to create a balanced and satisfying meal.
Note: If you do not have access to hash browns:
Hash browns are frozen shredded potatoes.
If you cannot find already shredded potatoes at the grocery store, you can make the casserole by shredding raw potatoes, placing them in a clean towel, and squeezing the liquid out of them as much as possible.
After that, follow the recipe below and enjoy! I know it is more complicated, but hey, from my own experience, fresh, unprocessed potatoes taste better anyway!
Storage Instructions
To store leftovers of this casserole, you will need to let it cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container. Here's how to do it:
- Let the casserole cool down at room temperature for about 30 minutes.
- Once the casserole has cooled, cover it with plastic wrap or aluminum foil.
- Store the casserole in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
When you're ready to reheat the casserole, you have a few options.
You can reheat individual portions in the microwave, or you can reheat the entire casserole in the oven. Here's how to do it:
To reheat individual portions:
- Scoop the desired amount of casserole into a microwave-safe dish.
- Cover the dish with a microwave-safe lid or plate.
- Microwave on high for 1-2 minutes or until heated through.
To reheat the entire casserole:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C).
- Remove the plastic wrap or aluminum foil from the casserole.
- Cover the casserole with a new piece of foil.
- Bake in the oven for 20 minutes or until heated through.
Just remember that the casserole will lose some of its crispy texture after being stored in the refrigerator, but it should still be just as delicious.
Recipe Faqs
Yes, you can freeze it. Let the casserole cool down at room temperature for about 30 minutes, and cover it tightly with a layer of plastic wrap or aluminum foil.
Wrap it in a layer of heavy-duty aluminum foil or place it in a freezer-safe container with a tight-fitting lid. Label the container and freeze it for up to 3 months.
To thaw and reheat:
Remove the casserole from the freezer and let it thaw in the refrigerator overnight.
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
Remove the plastic wrap or aluminum foil from the casserole and cover it with a new piece of foil.
Bake the casserole in the oven for 20-25 minutes or until it's heated through.
To reheat from frozen:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
Remove the plastic wrap or aluminum foil from the casserole and cover it with a new piece of foil.
Bake the casserole in the oven or 30-40 minutes or until is heated through.
Yes, you can grate fresh potatoes to use in place of frozen hash browns. Make sure to squeeze out any excess moisture before mixing them with the other ingredients.
You can substitute the ham with other cooked meats like bacon, sausage, or even turkey. Feel free to get creative!
If you liked this recipe, you might also like this Quick and Easy Cheese Pie or this Capirotada- Bread Pudding- Mexican Style.
What is your favorite breakfast recipe?
If you are like me and love eggs, this recipe is also interesting, Crustless Quiche.
More recipes to enjoy
Scalloped Potatoes with Hard-Boiled Eggs
Easy Baked Pumpkin Mac And Cheese
Crustless broccoli bacon quiche
Quick and easy cheese pie recipe
Savory feta and caraway pastries
Fried peppers with tomatoes, eggs, and cheese
📖 Recipe
Ham and Cheese Hash Brown Casserole
Ingredients
- 20 ounces package frozen hash brown potatoes no need to thaw them
- 8 ounces cooked diced ham Or cold cuts, bacon, sausage, etc.
- 1 cup cheddar cheese or any other favorite cheese that can be shredded
- 6 large eggs
- 1 ½ cups whole milk
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon sweet paprika
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350F.
- Combine hash browns, ham, ½ cup cheese, salt, pepper, and paprika in a large bowl.
- Spoon into a greased 13x9" baking dish.
- In a separate bowl, beat eggs and milk until smooth, and pour the mixture over the hash brown combination.
- Top with the remaining cheese.
- Bake, uncovered, at 350 for 45 to 50 minutes or until golden brown on top.
LL says
Did you thaw the hash browns before mixing it all together?
The Bossy Kitchen says
No, you do not need to thaw the potatoes.