Last Updated on August 18, 2025 by Carrie Korem, FNTP
If you’re looking for the perfect breakfast casserole or a side dish for brunch, dinner, or potlucks, this Cheesy Hashbrown Casserole is going to be a new favorite. Unlike most recipes that rely on condensed soup from a can or processed ingredients, this version is made completely from scratch using whole food, real ingredients.
It’s creamy, cheesy, hearty, and comforting—but also nourishing. This recipe skips the shortcuts (like store-bought cream-of-soup) and instead builds a flavorful homemade base with butter, onion, celery, carrots, fresh herbs, and real chicken stock. Paired with sour cream, raw cheddar, and golden-baked potatoes, this casserole is a dish you’ll be proud to bring to the table.
Why You’ll Love This Cheesy Hashbrown Casserole
- ✅ Made with real food – no processed cream-of-soup cans or artificial ingredients.
- ✅ Perfect for every occasion – serve it as a breakfast bake, a holiday side, or at a church potluck.
- ✅ Comfort food made healthier – all the cozy flavors you love, with wholesome ingredients.
- ✅ Easy to make ahead – prep the casserole the day before, refrigerate, then bake before serving.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Here’s everything that goes into this delicious whole-food casserole:
- Butter – creates the rich base for sautéing the veggies.
- Onion, celery & carrot – a classic flavor trio that adds depth.
- Arrowroot flour – thickens the sauce without grains or gluten.
- Bone broth – homemade or high-quality store-bought.
- Fresh parsley, thyme & bay leaf – herbs that bring bright flavor.
- Cream – makes the sauce velvety.
- Russet potatoes – grated for the “hashbrown” base.
- Sour cream – adds tang and richness.
- Raw cheddar cheese – melty, gooey, and delicious.
- Sea salt & pepper – to season perfectly.
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Make the flavorful base:
Preheat oven to 350°F. In a large pot, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the onion, celery, and carrot. Sauté for about 12 minutes, until softened.
2. Create the sauce:
Stir in the arrowroot flour and cook for 2 minutes. Slowly add chicken stock, whisking constantly, and bring to a boil. Tie parsley, thyme, and bay leaf together with twine, add to the pot, and simmer for 15 minutes. Remove from heat, stir in cream and sea salt, then blend until smooth.
3. Build the casserole:
In a large mixing bowl, combine the creamy soup base with grated potatoes, melted butter, sea salt, pepper, sour cream, and 1 cup of cheese. Mix until combined.
4. Bake until golden:
Pour into a large baking dish and top with the remaining cheese. Bake for 40 minutes, until bubbly and golden brown. Let cool 15 minutes before serving.
Recipe Tips
- Make ahead: Assemble the casserole the night before, cover, and refrigerate. Bake the next day.
- For extra flavor: Add cooked bacon, ham, or sautéed mushrooms to the mix.
This homemade cheesy hashbrown casserole is incredibly versatile:
- Serve at holiday breakfasts with scrambled eggs and fruit.
- Add to your brunch spread alongside quiche and muffins.
- Take it to a potluck or family gathering—it’s always a hit!
- Pair it with roast chicken or beef for a hearty dinner side dish.
This from-scratch Cheesy Hashbrown Casserole is proof that you don’t need processed ingredients to enjoy comfort food. And, the bonus is that you can enjoy this kind of comfort food while you’re on your healing journey!
Whether you’re making it for Thanksgiving brunch, a Sunday breakfast, or your next potluck, it’s guaranteed to disappear fast!
Homemade Cheesy Hashbrown Casserole
- Prep Time: 20
- Cook Time: 65
- Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
- Yield: Serves 8
- Category: side dish
- Diet: Gluten Free
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1/2 yellow onion, chopped
- 1 stalk celery, chopped
- 1 carrot, chopped
- 2 tablespoons arrowroot flour
- 3 cups chicken stock
- 1 sprig parsley
- 1 spring fresh thyme
- 1 bay leaf
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 2 pounds russet potatoes, grated
- 1/2 cup melted unsalted butter
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 1 cup sour cream
- 2 cups raw cheddar cheese
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees and adjust rack to middle position. Melt the butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onion, celery, and carrots and cook for 12 minutes, stirring occasionally until softened. Add flour and cook stirring with a wooden spoon for 2 minutes. Pour in the chicken stock, stir, and bring to a boil. Lower the heat and simmer. Tie the parsley, thyme and bay leaf together with kitchen twine and add to broth mixture. Simmer for 15 minutes. Remove broth from heat and stir in cream and sea salt. Pour soup into a blender and blend until smooth.
Pour soup into a large mixing bowl. Add potatoes, butter, sea salt, pepper, sour cream and 1 cup of cheese to soup and stir until combined. Pour mixture into a 9×13″ baking dish and top with remaining 1 cup cheese. Bake for 40 minutes until bubbling and golden brown. Cool for 15 minutes before serving. Ensure you arrive at the party on time!
Cheesy Hashbrown Casserole
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Ingredients
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1/2 yellow onion, chopped
- 1 stalk celery, chopped
- 1 carrot, chopped
- 2 tablespoons arrowroot flour
- 3 cups chicken stock
- 1 sprig parsley
- 1 spring fresh thyme
- 1 bay leaf
- 1/4 cup cream
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 2 pounds russet potatoes, grated
- 1/2 cup melted unsalted butter
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 1 cup sour cream
- 2 cups raw cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees and adjust rack to middle position. Melt the butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onion, celery, and carrots and cook for 12 minutes, stirring occasionally until softened. Add flour and cook stirring with a wooden spoon for 2 minutes. Pour in the chicken stock, stir, and bring to a boil. Lower the heat and simmer. Tie the parsley, thyme and bay leaf together with kitchen twine and add to broth mixture. Simmer for 15 minutes.
- Remove broth from heat and stir in cream and sea salt. Pour soup into a blender and blend until smooth. Pour soup into a large mixing bowl. Add potatoes, butter, sea salt, pepper, sour cream and 1 cup of cheese to soup and stir until combined. Pour mixture into a large baking dish and top with remaining 1 cup cheese. Bake for 40 minutes until bubbling and golden brown. Cool for 15 minutes before serving. Ensure you arrive at the party on time!
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