Southern Cheesy Hashbrown Casserole

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the oven rack in the center position. Lightly grease two disposable 9×13-inch aluminum pans with nonstick spray or a thin layer of butter. Set aside on a sturdy baking sheet for easier handling.
Thaw the frozen hashbrowns completely. You can leave them in the fridge overnight, or spread them on a large sheet pan at room temperature for about 30–40 minutes. Once thawed, pat them dry with paper towels or gently squeeze out any extra moisture so the casserole bakes up creamy, not watery.
In a large mixing bowl, combine 2 1/2 cups of the shredded sharp cheddar cheese, sour cream, condensed cream of chicken soup, 1/2 cup melted butter, minced onion, garlic powder, kosher salt, black pepper, and paprika. Stir until you have a smooth, thick, cheesy sauce.
Add the thawed and dried hashbrowns to the bowl. Use a large spoon or spatula to fold everything together until the potatoes are evenly coated in the cheesy mixture. If it looks a little dry, you can add 2–4 tablespoons of extra sour cream. Taste a small bit and adjust seasoning with a pinch more salt or pepper if needed.
Divide the hashbrown mixture evenly between the two prepared disposable pans, spreading it out into an even layer and pressing lightly into the corners so nothing is too thick or too thin. This helps it cook evenly and gives you those crisp, golden edges in every pan.
If using a crumb topping, in a small bowl mix the crushed buttery crackers or cornflake crumbs with 2 tablespoons melted butter until evenly moistened. Sprinkle this mixture evenly over the tops of both casseroles. If you’re skipping crumbs, just sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese over the tops for an extra cheesy crust.
Place the pans (still on the baking sheet) into the preheated oven. Bake for 45–55 minutes, or until the casserole is bubbling all around the edges and the top is golden brown. The corners should look crisp and deeply golden—that’s where people will start “forgetting how to act” and try to claim them.
If the top isn’t as browned as you’d like after 50 minutes, switch the oven to broil on high for 1–3 minutes, watching very closely so it doesn’t burn. Remove as soon as the top is bubbly, with nicely browned, cheesy spots and crisp edges.
Let the casseroles rest on the counter for at least 10–15 minutes before serving. This helps them set up so they scoop neatly instead of sliding all over the place. Serve straight from the disposable pans on the counter or buffet table, and expect people to hover nearby “just checking” if it’s ready.
For taking to a potluck, cover the pans tightly with heavy-duty foil. If you need to reheat, warm in a 325°F oven, covered, for 20–25 minutes, then uncover for the last 5–10 minutes to re-crisp the top.
Variations & Tips
To channel different potluck vibes, you can tweak this casserole a few ways while keeping that Nana-Jean energy. For a meatier version, stir in 1–2 cups of cooked, crumbled breakfast sausage, diced ham, or shredded rotisserie chicken before baking. For extra flavor without changing the texture, add 1/2 teaspoon onion powder, a pinch of cayenne, or a splash of hot sauce to the cheese mixture. If you want it a bit lighter (but still comforting), use light sour cream and reduced-fat cheddar, and swap half the butter for chicken broth—just know it won’t be quite as rich. To make it vegetarian, use cream of mushroom or cream of celery soup instead of cream of chicken. For a different topping, skip the cracker crumbs and use crushed potato chips, panko, or extra cheese alone. You can also assemble the casserole the night before, cover tightly, and refrigerate; let it sit at room temp for 20–30 minutes while the oven preheats, then bake, adding 5–10 extra minutes if needed. Leftovers reheat well in the oven or air fryer and make an easy side for weeknight dinners or a lazy weekend brunch.