Cheesy Hash Brown Casserole (Small Batch Recipe)

Cheesy Hash Brown Casserole is one of those dishes that always seems to show up around the holidays and at big family get-togethers. A large dish of hash browns tossed in a creamy, cheesy sauce and then topped with crunchy Panko breadcrumbs or even crushed cornflakes.

For a long time, I only made it when there was a crowd to feed – like during Easter brunch or Christmas dinner. Because let’s be honest, most of the recipes out there make enough to fill a 9×13 casserole dish. That’s great when you’ve got ten people gathered around the table, but not so helpful when you’re only cooking for two.

That’s exactly why I decided to come up with a smaller version of this classic dish. I still wanted all the same comforting flavors, just without all the leftovers taking up space in the fridge for days. It took a little trial and error, but I finally landed on a version that’s just right for two people – and I’ve been making it year-round ever since.

Easy Weeknight Side Dish

Even though this casserole has a reputation for being a “holiday” or “funeral” dish (more on that in a bit), it’s really easy enough to make up on a random weeknight. And let’s face it, sometimes we want a good comfort food side dish even when it’s not a holiday.

I also like that this smaller version doesn’t require a ton of ingredients. It uses frozen shredded hash browns, which I usually keep on hand, and some basic pantry and fridge staples like sour cream, chicken broth, and cheddar cheese.

It is easy to prepare and bakes up with a golden, crunchy topping that provides a nice contrast to that classic creamy, cheesy center. So the next time that you are looking for a classic side dish for two, be sure to give this recipe a try!

Cheesy Hash Brown Casserole Recipe

*A printable recipe card is located at the bottom of this article which contains the specific measurements, temperatures and cook times. However, continue reading below to learn about more helpful tips about this specific recipe.

INGREDIENTS

• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
• 2 tablespoons diced onion
• 1 small garlic clove, minced
• 1½ cups frozen shredded hash brown potatoes (no need to thaw)*
• 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
• 3 tablespoons chicken broth
• 3 tablespoons sour cream (or plain Greek yogurt works just as well)
• 1 tablespoon grated Parmesan cheese
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ⅛ teaspoon ground black pepper
• ½ cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese, divided and packed tightly
• ¼ cup crushed cornflake cereal, Panko breadcrumbs, or Ritz crackers for the topping

*Use the remainder of the frozen hash browns to make Easy Shepherd’s Pie or Hash Brown Potato Soup.

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Preheat the Oven

Before anything else, preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C). I usually do this before I start prepping the rest of the Cheesy Hash Brown Casserole ingredients so the oven is ready to go when I’m done mixing everything.

2. Sauté the Onion and Garlic

In a small or medium-sized skillet, melt 1 tablespoon of the butter over medium heat. Once the butter is melted and slightly bubbly, toss in the diced onion and cook it for a few minutes, stirring now and then, until it becomes soft and slightly translucent. That usually takes about 3 to 4 minutes.

Once the onions are ready, stir in the minced garlic and cook it just until it starts to smell good – no more than a minute. Garlic cooks fast, and you don’t want it to burn. Once that’s done, take the skillet off the heat and set it aside to cool down a bit.

3. Make the Casserole Mixture

Now it’s time to mix everything together. In a medium-sized mixing bowl, add the following:

• The sautéed onion and garlic mixture
• 1½ cups of frozen shredded hash browns (straight from the freezer is fine)
• 1 tablespoon of flour
• 3 tablespoons of chicken broth
• 3 tablespoons of sour cream (or Greek yogurt)
• 1 tablespoon of Parmesan cheese
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ⅛ teaspoon pepper
• ¼ cup of the shredded cheddar cheese (save the other ¼ cup for the top)

Stir everything together until it’s well combined. The mixture will be thick, but that’s what you want – it’ll cook down in the oven and get creamy and bubbly.

4. Transfer to the Baking Dish

Lightly spray a small oval or similar-sized baking dish (something around 5×5 inches works well) with non-stick spray. Then spoon the hash brown mixture into the dish and spread it out evenly.

Sprinkle the remaining ¼ cup of shredded cheddar cheese on top of the casserole. This will give it that nice melted cheese layer on top that we all love.

5. Add the Crunchy Topping

In a small bowl, melt the remaining 1 tablespoon of butter (you can do this in the microwave or in a clean corner of the skillet you used earlier). Stir in your topping of choice – either ¼ cup crushed cornflakes, Panko breadcrumbs, or crushed Ritz crackers.

Sprinkle this topping evenly over the casserole. It won’t cover the entire surface, and that’s okay. You just want a nice bit of crunch on top of each serving.

6. Bake

Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 50 to 55 minutes, or until the edges are bubbling and the topping is golden brown. Every oven is a little different, so I usually start checking around the 45-minute mark just to make sure it’s not getting too dark on top.

7. Let It Rest

Once you take the casserole out of the oven, let it sit for about 5 minutes. This gives it time to settle and thicken up a little before serving. It’ll still be warm and creamy, just a bit easier to scoop.

If you want to get a little fancy (but you don’t have to), you can sprinkle some chopped fresh parsley or chives over the top before serving. It adds a pop of color and a little extra flavor.

Why People Call Cheesy Hash Brown Casserole “Funeral Potatoes”

If you’ve heard the term Funeral Potatoes before, it’s pretty much the same thing as Cheesy Hash Brown Casserole. The name comes from the fact that this dish is often served at funeral gatherings, especially in the Midwest. It’s easy to make in big batches, holds up well on a buffet table, and it’s the kind of food that brings people comfort during hard times.

That said, I’ve eaten this casserole on a lot more occasions than just funerals. It’s a staple at holiday meals, church potlucks, bridal showers, family reunions, and even the occasional work lunch. It goes by a few different names, but at the end of the day, it’s just a dependable, cheesy potato side dish that everyone enjoys.

A Note About Serving Size

Most recipes like this one are made to feed a crowd, and they usually call for a big bag of frozen hash browns and a full-sized casserole dish. But when you’re cooking for just one or two people, that’s overkill.

That’s why this smaller version is perfect – it makes two generous servings or three smaller side servings, which is just enough for a weeknight dinner with some leftovers, or for a special holiday plate for two.

Need to Make a Bigger Batch of Cheesy Hash Brown Casserole?

If you’re ever in a situation where you do need a larger batch, like for a holiday or group event, I also have a full-size version of this recipe that fills a 9×13 casserole dish. It uses the same basic ingredients, just scaled up for more servings.

Enjoy! Mary

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