Easy Cottage Cheese Hashbrown Casserole is the ultimate comfort food solution to busy weeknights and weekend brunches alike, offering a creamy, cheesy, and deeply satisfying dish that’s surprisingly simple to prepare. This versatile casserole transforms humble ingredients into a crowd-pleasing meal that can be enjoyed any time of day, minimizing kitchen stress and maximizing deliciousness.
Key Ingredients for Easy Cottage Cheese Hashbrown Casserole
- 1 (32 ounce) package frozen shredded hash browns, thawed
- 1 cup full-fat cottage cheese
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/4 cup melted butter
- 1/4 cup finely chopped yellow onion
- 1/2 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese, plus more for topping
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
- Salt and black pepper to taste
How to Make Easy Cottage Cheese Hashbrown Casserole
This Easy Cottage Cheese Hashbrown Casserole is your secret weapon for an effortless yet incredibly delicious meal. In under 10 minutes of prep time, you’ll have a bubbling, golden-brown masterpiece ready to bake. The magic lies in its creamy, cheesy embrace, making it a truly satisfying dish that promises a wonderfully rich texture without any fuss.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Preheat and Prep: Begin by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish with butter or cooking spray. This crucial first step ensures your casserole won’t stick and will easily lift out once baked.
- Combine the Wet Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the thawed shredded hash browns, cottage cheese, sour cream, and melted butter. Stir everything together until the hash browns are evenly coated. The cottage cheese and sour cream will create your wonderfully creamy base, while the butter adds richness and helps with browning.
- Add Flavor and Aromatics: To the hash brown mixture, add the finely chopped yellow onion, 1/2 cup of shredded sharp cheddar cheese, garlic powder, and onion powder. Toss gently to distribute these flavor enhancers evenly throughout. The onion will soften and sweeten as it bakes, adding a lovely depth of flavor.
- Season to Perfection: Season the mixture generously with salt and black pepper to your taste. It’s always a good idea to taste a tiny bit of the raw mixture (if you’re comfortable doing so) to adjust seasonings before baking. Remember that the cheese will add saltiness, so season with this in mind.
- Transfer to Baking Dish: Spoon the entire mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading it out evenly. Pat down the top gently to create a relatively smooth surface, which will help the cheese melt evenly.
- Top with More Cheese: Sprinkle an additional 1/4 to 1/2 cup of shredded sharp cheddar cheese over the top of the casserole. This extra layer of cheese is key for that irresistible golden-brown crust.
- Bake Until Golden and Bubbly: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 35-45 minutes, or until the casserole is heated through, golden brown on top, and bubbling around the edges. The exact time may vary depending on your oven.
- Rest Before Serving: Once beautifully baked, carefully remove the casserole from the oven. Let it rest for at least 5-10 minutes before serving. This resting period allows the casserole to set slightly, making it easier to serve and preventing it from being too molten.
Why You’ll Love This Easy Cottage Cheese Hashbrown Casserole
This Easy Cottage Cheese Hashbrown Casserole is an absolute winner because of its unbelievably creamy and satisfying texture, thanks to the magical combination of cottage cheese and sour cream that makes every bite a little bit of heaven. Unlike a traditional potato gratin that can involve tedious slicing and béchamel sauces, this recipe is a true set-it-and-forget-it marvel, saving you precious time and effort after a long day. Plus, those savory spices and the generous topping of melted cheddar cheese elevate it from simple to sensational, making it a dish you’ll crave again and again.
You’ll also adore the budget-friendly nature of this dish; it’s a fantastic way to create a filling and flavorful meal using everyday pantry staples, proving that delicious doesn’t have to mean expensive. Whether you’re serving it as a hearty breakfast alongside eggs, a delightful side dish for dinner, or even as a comforting main meal, this casserole truly shines. So why not give this incredibly easy and undeniably delicious Easy Cottage Cheese Hashbrown Casserole a try in your kitchen tonight?
Storing and Reheating Tips
To store your delicious Easy Cottage Cheese Hashbrown Casserole, allow any leftovers to cool down completely at room temperature before transferring them to an airtight container. Refrigerated, this casserole will stay fresh for up to 3-4 days. It reheats beautifully, making it perfect for meal prep.
To reheat, you have a few options:
- Oven: Place a serving in a small oven-safe dish and reheat at 350°F (175°C) for 15-20 minutes, or until heated through. You can add a little extra cheese on top before reheating for a fresh, melted finish.
- Microwave: For a quicker reheat, place a portion in a microwave-safe dish and heat on medium power for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through, until hot. The texture might be slightly softer than oven-reheated.
If you wish to freeze portions for future meals, ensure the casserole is completely cooled. Wrap individual portions tightly in plastic wrap and then place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. Frozen casserole will maintain its best quality for up to 2-3 months. Reheat directly from frozen (adding a bit more time in the oven) or thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating as described above.
Final Thoughts
This Easy Cottage Cheese Hashbrown Casserole truly embodies simple, comforting deliciousness that’s perfect for any occasion. Give it a try and discover your new go-to family favorite that’s both easy and incredibly satisfying.
try also :
- Lentil and Sweet Potato Salad
- Cranberry Brie Bites
- Crispy Sweet Potato Bites
- Matcha Cake Recipe
- find more in Pinterest
Easy Cottage Cheese Hashbrown Casserole
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Begin by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish with butter or cooking spray.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the thawed shredded hash browns, cottage cheese, sour cream, and melted butter. Stir everything together until the hash browns are evenly coated.1 (32 ounce) package frozen shredded hash browns, thawed, 1 cup full-fat cottage cheese, 1/2 cup sour cream, 1/4 cup melted butter
- To the hash brown mixture, add the finely chopped yellow onion, 1/2 cup of shredded sharp cheddar cheese, garlic powder, and onion powder. Toss gently to distribute these flavor enhancers evenly throughout.1/4 cup finely chopped yellow onion, 1/2 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese, plus more for topping, 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
- Season the mixture generously with salt and black pepper to your taste.to taste salt and black pepper
- Spoon the entire mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading it out evenly. Pat down the top gently to create a relatively smooth surface.
- Sprinkle an additional 1/4 to 1/2 cup of shredded sharp cheddar cheese over the top of the casserole.1/2 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese, plus more for topping
- Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 35-45 minutes, or until the casserole is heated through, golden brown on top, and bubbling around the edges.
- Once beautifully baked, carefully remove the casserole from the oven. Let it rest for at least 5-10 minutes before serving.