Grandma’s Special Hash Brown Casserole is a classic recipe that is the perfect choice to serve with your holiday ham.
I realize I’m not breaking new ground here and I urge anyone who considers themselves to be a gourmet to cover their eyes and run for the hills. I’m about to pull out the Cream of Chicken Soup and share a recipe that has been in our family since my boys were little. To us they are known as Grandma’s special potatoes and my blog would not be complete without them. She made them each year with her Easter ham and they were one of the things we all looked forward to most. They are easier to throw together than the traditional scalloped or au gratin variety and here is the big bonus – they can be made ahead of time to save you precious time when preparing the big meal.
That’s my tall, lanky future husband there on the right along with his little sister Victoria, little brother Pat, and their proud momma. LaVerne was a working mom before being a working mom was the norm and she understood, first hand, the importance of time-saving meal preparation. Cooking was one of the first things that connected the two of us and from there the connection grew as I had my own children and matured into my life as a wife and working mother. She embraced her role as Grandma and in addition, she was my support, my sounding board, my friend. No mother-in-law jokes here. I loved her dearly and I miss her deeply. So it is with love and wonderful memories that I share her recipe today.
The grocery list – Salt and pepper, a bag of frozen hash browns, good ole’ Kellogg’s Corn Flakes, sharp cheddar cheese, butter, Campbell’s Cream of Chicken Soup, and an onion.
Allow the hash browns to thaw in the refrigerator overnight then combine them with the Cream of Chicken Soup, chopped onion, shredded cheddar cheese, and 1/4 cup of the melted butter. Mix well and then add the salt and pepper and mix till everything is well combined.
Transfer the mixture to a 13- x 9-inch pan that has been coated with non-stick cooking spray.
After years of research and exhaustive study, I have found the best way to crush corn flake crumbs is to place them in a plastic storage bag and have at ’em with a rolling pin. No rolling pin? A can of peas (or any other canned good) will work too.
Add the remaining two tablespoons of melted butter to the corn flake crumbs, seal the bag and shake it up till the crumbs are coated. I had to work hard to restrain myself from singing a certain Beatles song just now.
You’re welcome.
Spread the crumbs over the top of the potatoes and pop them in a 350 degree oven for 50 to 55 minutes, or till nicely browned.
The dishes we serve create memories that last a lifetime, regardless of how complex or how wonderfully simple. I hope your holiday is spent with the ones you love, creating your own special memories.
Grandma’s Special Hash Brown Casserole
Ingredients
- 30 ounces frozen shredded hash browns, thawed (I used Ore Ida)
- ½ cup diced yellow onion
- 10.5 ounce can Campbell's Cream of Chicken Soup
- 1 ½ cups sour cream, regular or light
- ½ cup butter, melted and divided
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, or to taste
- 2 ½ cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 2 cups corn flakes, crushed
Instructions
- Coat a 13- x 9-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- In a large mixing bowl combine the thawed hash browns, onion, soup, sour cream, ¼ cup melted butter, salt, pepper, and shredded cheese. Transfer to the prepared baking dish.
- Toss the corn flake crumbs with the remaining ¼ cup melted butter. Sprinkle mixture over the top of the potatoes.
- Bake for 50 to 55 minutes or until golden brown.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated using generic ingredients, and is an estimate not a guarantee. For more accurate results, please refer to the labels on your ingredients at home.
Sounds so good. Thank you.
Try with Crème Fraiche next time instead of sour cream. Maybe just 4oz. That will make it a game changer, for sure.
Oh… I forgot.. I also add 8oz sour cream!
I make this with ham chunks in it to make an easy weekday meal. I have never tried the corn flakes on top though. I will try that next time!
What a beautifully written and touching blog highlighting one of those perfect ‘simple classics’ every Mom and home chef should know! Thank you, from Canada, with my teaspoon tipped your way!!
I don’t have any objections towards can foods. Haha, so I`ll gladly eat this!
My inner food snob was about to object but I locked her in the closet because I really want a big bowl of this! 🙂
Grandmas recipe is great…comfort food and delicious.
I completely agree that the blog wouldn’t be complete without this recipe, and any other that is close to your heart. I love sharing my grandmother’s recipes; sometimes they’re hardly recipes, but her little tricks, substitutions, ideas she had. This shares a more complete picture of you and where you come from, and these are my favorite kinds of posts 🙂
Thank you Yasmeen 🙂
I just love any recipe that has the word “Grandma” in it. This looks so good and what a delicious classic! Hope you’re having a great weekend!
I love family recipes like these. This looks so warm, comforting and the perfect meal to wake up to on Easter. Thanks for sharing, Valerie! Have a happy Easter!
I trust you completely Val.
Sometimes these classics are the best 🙂
I completely agree Kayle!
me too!!!!! love the old fashioned ways!
I’ve made this recipe for years but used Cream of Mushroom soup instead. All the other ingredients are the same. Good recipe, goes far.