Easter brunch just got mighty tasty! This Classic Hash Brown Casserole features Mighty Salt™, which adds rich umami depth to any of your favorite dishes. With just a few dashes, the bold, savory flavor of Mighty Salt™ will unlock your recipes’ potential!

Why Use Frozen Hash Browns?

Using frozen hash browns for a casserole is a total game-changer for a few solid reasons:

1. Convenience

They’re already peeled, shredded or diced, and par-cooked. That saves you a ton of prep time—no peeling, shredding, or pre-cooking needed.

2. Consistency

Frozen hash browns are super uniform in size and moisture content, so your casserole bakes evenly every time.

3. Texture

They hold their shape better than fresh potatoes, which can get mushy or watery if not prepped just right. Frozen hash browns give you that perfect balance of soft and slightly crispy edges.

4. Flavor Soaking

Because they’re par-cooked and a bit dry, they soak up all the cheesy, creamy, savory goodness in a casserole without turning to mush.

5. Availability

Easy to find, easy to store. You can keep a bag in the freezer and whip up a casserole any time without worrying about potatoes going bad.

Why Use Freshly Shredded Cheese?

Using freshly shredded cheddar cheese in a casserole is a pro move for a few tasty reasons:

1. Better Meltability

Pre-shredded cheese is often coated with anti-caking agents (like potato starch or cellulose) to keep it from clumping, but those same coatings mess with how well it melts. Freshly shredded cheddar melts smoother and creamier—perfect for that gooey casserole vibe.

2. Richer Flavor

Freshly shredded cheese has a stronger, more pronounced flavor. Pre-shredded cheese can taste a little dull in comparison because it’s been sitting in a bag and exposed to air for a while.

3. No Waxy Texture

Those anti-caking agents can make your casserole feel a bit gritty or waxy. Fresh cheese skips that entirely, giving you a silky, natural texture.

4. Customization

When you shred your own, you can choose the exact kind of cheddar you want—sharp, extra sharp, mild, white, smoked, whatever fits your flavor goals.

5. Better Browning

Fresh cheese browns more evenly on top of a casserole, giving you that golden, bubbly finish.

How Can I Customize the Casserole?

Customizing a hash brown casserole is super easy and fun—it’s like a blank canvas for deliciousness. Here are some ways to tweak it based on your taste or what you’ve got in the fridge:

Base Tweaks

Potato Style: Use diced, shredded, or even tater tots instead of traditional shredded hash browns.
Creamy Element: Swap cream of chicken for cream of mushroom, celery, or even sour cream + milk for a cleaner version.
Cheese Swap: Try Monterey Jack, Pepper Jack (for heat), Gruyère (fancy!), mozzarella, or a combo.

Cheesy Upgrades

Add a layer of cream cheese for richness.
Mix in a little Parmesan for that nutty edge.
Use sharp cheddar for a bolder flavor or smoked cheddar for depth.

Add Proteins

Breakfast Style: Add cooked bacon, crumbled sausage, or diced ham.
Dinner Style: Toss in shredded rotisserie chicken, ground beef, or pulled pork.

Vegetable Boost

Sautéed onions, bell peppers, mushrooms, or spinach.
Jalapeños or green chiles for heat.
Corn, broccoli, or peas for texture and color.

Flavor Boosters

Fresh herbs like chives, thyme, or parsley.
Hot sauce or a splash of Worcestershire sauce.

Topping Options

Classic: Cornflakes + butter for crunch.
Crispy: Crushed potato chips or Ritz crackers.
Cheesy: Extra shredded cheese for a gooey top.
Buttery: Panko breadcrumbs sautéed in butter.

Mighty Salt™ Classic Hash Brown Casserole

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 1

Total Time 1 10

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Ingredients

30 oz Frozen shredded hash brown potatoes
10¾ oz Canned cream of mushroom soup
½ cup Butter melted
1 cup Sour cream
½ cup Yellow onion sliced
½ tsp Member's Mark™ Thyme Leaves
¼ tsp Mighty Salt™ Original Umami
Member's Mark™ Black Pepper Grinder
2 cups Freshly shredded cheddar cheese divided

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Instructions

Let the hash browns sit at room temperature for 10–15 minutes so they mix easily and bake evenly.
Preheat your oven to 350°F. Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.
In a large mixing bowl, combine hash browns, cream of mushroom soup, melted butter, sour cream, sliced onion, Member's Mark™ Thyme Leaves, Mighty Salt™ Original Umami, Member's Mark™ Black Pepper Grinder, and 1 cup of the freshly shredded cheddar cheese. Mix thoroughly until the ingredients are evenly distributed.
Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish and spread it out evenly. Place the dish in the oven and bake uncovered for 45 minutes, or until the edges turn golden and the center is bubbling.
Remove the casserole from the oven and sprinkle the remaining shredded cheese over the top. Return it to the oven for another 10–15 minutes and bake until the cheese has melted and is bubbling. Remove from the oven, serve hot, and enjoy!

Course: Breakfast, brunch

Cuisine: American

Keyword: breakfast, brunch, Casserole, easter, hash browns, mighty salt