Cheesy Potato Breakfast Casserole
recipe updated April 2025
golden brown aluminum foil
This cheesy potato breakfast casserole is the ultimate easy, make-ahead easy breakfast casserole recipe that’s perfect for holidays, weekend brunch, or feeding a crowd. Made with simple ingredients like hash browns, sharp cheddar cheese, and a creamy sauce, this hearty breakfast bake comes together in just minutes and bakes into a warm, comforting dish everyone loves. Whether you’re planning a Christmas morning menu, hosting overnight guests, or just need a reliable family breakfast recipe, this potato casserole delivers big flavor with minimal effort. Even better, this easy recipe can be prepped ahead of time, making busy mornings feel effortless while still serving a homemade meal.
Why I love this cheesy potato casserole
I love these potatoes for many reasons besides that you can make them in a casserole dish without dirtying six other dishes in the process. They can be made the night before with simple ingredients so the next morning your load is lightened. They are so versatile that I shared ways to switch up this recipe below. My family had a little discussion about cheesy breakfast casserole; some of my family said, “This is just cheesy potatoes! Why are you calling it cheesy potato breakfast casserole?” Insinuating that I am a liar. Honestly, this is a different recipe. This is not funeral potatoes, or cheesy potato casserole; if I were to make my cheesy taters and this casserole and put them next to each other, they would see they are wrong. This recipe reminds me of the Cracker Barrel breakfast potatoes. Have you had them? They are delicious, and for the record, my family gave these cheesy breakfast potatoes a thumbs up.
You don’t need to wait for special occasions to make this cheesy breakfast potato casserole all you need is 5-10 minutes and the following ingredients. Let’s get started!
Gather these ingredients
How to make Cheesy Potato Breakfast Casserole
Allow shredded hash browns to thaw. You do not want big clumps of potato, if they are frozen and there are no large clumps of potato this is fine. Place butter in casserole dish and melt in the microwave. Preheat oven to 350 degrees f.
Add thawed hash brown potatoes to the prepared baking dish with melted butter.
Add the finely chopped onion, cheese, and soup to the casserole dish.
Fold the ingredients with a spatula, ensuring they are combined well and there are no large clumps of hashbrowns or cheese.
Smooth out cheesy potato mixture in an even layer, place dish in preheated oven. Bake time is 1 hour. Should be golden brown and bubbly.
Tips and Variations
- Making ahead: This casserole is perfect for making one or even two days ahead. Cover the top of the casserole dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight. If you place it in the oven cold, you may need an additional fifteen minutes of baking time. This makes this recipe perfect for holiday mornings and overnight guests. It’s always a crowd pleaser.
- Add-ins: Turkey sausage, pork sausage, or any savory sausage is great if you want to add meat. Brown sausage and place it on a paper towel to remove as much grease as possible, then add it to the other ingredients. Another option is small pieces of ham. Use 1/2 pound of sausage or ham. Diced red bell peppers, or green bell pepper are also great options in this breakfast casserole. Add 1 cup of diced peppers. You can also add a dash or two of garlic powder if you are into that sort of thing.
- Substitutions: Cream of chicken soup can be swapped out with cream of mushroom soup. Fresh shredded potatoes can be used in place of frozen.
- Cheese: Variety of cheese is flexible. You can add pepper jack cheese for a bit of a kick, colby jack, colby, monterey jack, and mild cheddar all work well in this recipe. I would suggest still using the sharp cheddar in combination with another cheese.
- Menu ideas: Cheesy Potato Breakfast Casserole is compliments a variety of menus. I often will serve it with a Quiche, a large bowl of fresh fruit, crispy bacon, and cinnamon rolls or coffee cake. This casserole also goes well with a barbecue menu, ribs, baked beans, coleslaw, biscuits; you get the idea!
It’s so easy, and the fact that you can make it ahead of time if you want makes it even more perfect. The hardest thing is chopping up the onion and piling up lots of cheese. Easy. And the melting butter part is my favorite! Make no mistake: the dish does not need to be greased. Add pepper and a pinch of salt. The cheese and butter add enough salt, so be careful with the salt. People can add salt at the table if they need to.
Frequently asked questions
- Can I make cheesy potato breakfast casserole ahead of time? Yes! This casserole is perfect for making ahead. Assemble it the night before, cover with aluminum foil, and refrigerate. When ready to bake, add a few extra minutes to the cooking time if it’s going into the oven cold.
- Do I need to thaw frozen hash browns first? It’s best to thaw them slightly so you don’t end up with large frozen clumps. This helps the casserole cook evenly and gives you a better texture.
- Can I add meat to this breakfast casserole? Absolutely! Cooked sausage, ham, or even bacon are great additions. Just be sure to cook and drain any meat before mixing it into the casserole.
- What other cheeses work well in this recipe? Sharp cheddar is classic, but you can mix in cheeses like Monterey Jack, Colby Jack, or pepper jack for extra flavor and a little kick.
- Can I use a substitute for the cream of chicken soup? Yes, cream of mushroom soup works well as a substitute and keeps that same creamy texture while slightly changing the flavor.
- How do I know when the casserole is done baking? The casserole is ready when it’s hot and bubbly and the center is set. The top should be lightly golden and the edges slightly crisp.
- How should I store leftovers? Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days. Reheat individual portions in the microwave or warm in the oven until heated through.
This cheesy potato breakfast casserole is one of those go-to recipes you’ll find yourself making again and again. It’s warm, comforting, and perfect for sharing—whether it’s a holiday morning, a weekend brunch, or just a busy weekday when you need something easy and satisfying. If you give this recipe a try, I’d love for you to leave a star rating in the recipe card and share a comment below—your feedback means so much! Don’t forget to pin this recipe for later and share it with someone who could use a simple, delicious breakfast idea. From my table to yours with love, Sheila
Cheesy Potato Breakfast Casserole
Equipment
- 1 9×13 baking dish
Ingredients
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- 30 ounces frozen hash browns
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup finely chopped onion
- 10 ounce can cream of chicken soup
- 8 tbsp butter melted
- 1 pinch salt
- 1/2 tsp fresh ground black pepper
Instructions
preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Allow hash browns to thaw just enough so there are no lumps or big frozen chunks, they can still be partially frozen.
- Place butter in casserole dish and melt in the microwave.
- Add hash browns, onion, cheese, and can of soup to the dish in that order. Fold to combine, making sure there are not lumps of potato or cheese, smooth out in dish.
- Place in oven and bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour.
