Description
Pimento Cheese Hash Brown Casserole with creamy pimento cheese, crispy hash browns, and a golden baked finish for a crowd-pleasing comfort food delight.
Ingredients
Scale
- 30 oz (850g) frozen hash browns, thawed
- 2 cups (8 oz/226g) sharp cheddar cheese, freshly grated
- 1 cup (4 oz/113g) Monterey Jack cheese, freshly grated
- 8 oz (226g) cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup (115g) sour cream
- 1/4 cup (57g) mayonnaise
- 1 jar (4 oz/113g) diced pimentos, drained
- 3 green onions, thinly sliced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted
- 1/2 cup (15g) crushed butter crackers (like Ritz)
Instructions
- Step 1: Prepare the Hash Browns Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Take your thawed hash browns and squeeze out excess moisture using a clean kitchen towel. This step is crucial for achieving that crispy texture in your Pimento Cheese Hash Brown Casserole. Spread the hash browns evenly in a greased 9×13-inch baking dish, pressing them down slightly to form a solid base. Drizzle with 1 tablespoon of the melted butter, then bake for 15 minutes to partially cook the potatoes.
- Step 2: Create the Pimento Cheese Mixture While the hash browns pre-bake, prepare your pimento cheese mixture. In a large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until smooth and fluffy. Add the mayonnaise and sour cream, mixing until well combined. Fold in the grated cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses, followed by the drained pimentos, minced garlic, sliced green onions, paprika, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper. The mixture should be creamy but substantial, with vibrant flecks of pimento throughout.
- Step 3: Assemble and Bake Remove the partially baked hash browns from the oven. Spread your pimento cheese mixture evenly over the hash brown layer, making sure to reach all the way to the edges. In a small bowl, combine the crushed butter crackers with the remaining tablespoon of melted butter, then sprinkle this mixture over the top of the casserole for a delicious crunchy topping.
- Step 4: Final Baking Return the assembled casserole to the oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the edges are bubbling. If you notice the top browning too quickly, loosely cover with foil for the remainder of the baking time. Your Pimento Cheese Hash Brown Casserole is done when it’s hot throughout and has developed those irresistible crispy edges. Allow the casserole to rest for 10 minutes before serving, which helps it set up properly for easier serving.
Notes
Fresh ingredients will always yield the best flavor results.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 380 calories per serving
- Sugar: 3 grams
- Sodium: 720 mg
- Fat: 28 grams
- Saturated Fat: 15 grams
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 grams
- Trans Fat: 0 grams
- Carbohydrates: 21 grams
- Fiber: 2 grams
- Protein: 11 grams
- Cholesterol: 75 mg