Pimento Cheese Hash Brown Casserole Recipe
This Pimento Cheese Hash Brown Casserole is a comforting Southern classic combining frozen shredded hash browns, spicy jalapeno pimento cheese, sour cream, and a touch of chicken broth, baked to bubbly, golden perfection. It’s an easy, crowd-pleasing side dish perfect for holidays and family gatherings.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Southern American
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 20 ounces frozen shredded hash brown potatoes
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted
- 1.5 – 2 cups jalapeno pimento cheese
- 8 ounces sour cream
- ½ cup chicken broth
- 3–4 green onions, chopped
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon coarse ground black pepper
Optional Topping
- ½ cup grated sharp cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350° Fahrenheit and spray a 9×13 casserole dish with non-stick cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Prepare Hash Browns: In a large mixing bowl, toss the frozen shredded potatoes with melted butter to coat evenly, which helps with texture and flavor.
- Mix Ingredients: Add the jalapeno pimento cheese, sour cream, chicken broth, chopped green onions, salt, and black pepper to the bowl with potatoes. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are well combined.
- Assemble Casserole: Pour the mixture into the prepared casserole dish and smooth out the top. If desired, sprinkle the grated sharp cheddar cheese evenly over the top for an extra cheesy crust.
- Bake: Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 35 minutes, or until the edges are bubbly and begin to brown, indicating it’s fully cooked and flavorful.
- Rest Before Serving: Remove from oven and let the casserole sit for 5 minutes before serving to allow it to set for easier slicing and serving.
Notes
- You do not need to thaw the frozen hash browns before mixing; use them straight from the freezer.
- If you don’t have jalapeno pimento cheese, you can substitute with regular pimento cheese or any flavorful cheese spread and optionally add diced jalapenos separately for heat.
- For a milder version, use pimento cheese without jalapenos and serve with fried jalapenos on the side for those who want extra spice.
- This casserole can be made ahead and refrigerated before baking to save time on the day of serving.
- You can substitute chicken broth with vegetable broth for a slightly different flavor or to accommodate dietary preferences.
- Adding the sharp cheddar cheese topping is optional but recommended for a richer flavor and appealing golden top.
Keywords: pimento cheese, hash brown casserole, Southern recipe, jalapeno cheese, comfort food, holiday side dish, cheesy casserole
