5 Irresistible Reasons to Make: Pimento Cheese Hash Brown Casserole

If you’ve been craving a cozy, no-stress dish that practically hugs you from the inside, this Pimento Cheese Hash Brown Casserole is about to become your new weeknight hero. I know life gets busy—whether you’re juggling work, little ones, teens with endless activities, or simply trying to figure out what on earth to make when your energy is running on fumes. Trust me, I’ve been there.

That’s exactly why I adore this casserole. It’s creamy, cheesy, a little spicy if you want it to be, and—best of all—your oven does most of the work. As someone who has spent years helping home cooks discover the magic of simple meals, I can tell you: this one checks every box. It uses easy-to-find ingredients (thank you, frozen hash browns!) and comes together fast enough to rescue you on even your busiest days.

Whether you’re feeding friends, wrangling picky eaters, or just craving comfort food that doesn’t demand a full-blown kitchen marathon, this recipe brings all the cozy vibes with almost no effort.

Why You’ll Love This Pimento Cheese Hash Brown Casserole

Let me tell you a secret from my Chicken Magic kitchen—any recipe that starts with hash browns and ends with bubbly cheese is already destined for greatness. But when you fold in creamy jalapeño pimento cheese? Oh, we’re entering legendary territory.

Here’s why this casserole gets repeat-request status:

  • It’s unbelievably easy. Toss everything in one bowl, bake, and done. Even on days when the dishwasher is already glaring at you.
  • The flavor is bold and fun. A little kick from jalapeño pimento cheese brings your taste buds to life without overwhelming anyone.
  • It works for breakfast, brunch, dinner, potlucks—basically all the situations life throws your way.
  • Budget-friendly comfort food. Frozen hash browns are an MVP ingredient in my house.
  • Leftovers reheat beautifully. If you’re lucky enough to have leftovers.

If this dish doesn’t make your kitchen smell like pure happiness, I don’t know what will.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Here’s everything that goes into the magic:

  • 20 ounces frozen shredded hash brown potatoes
  • 2 tablespoons butter, melted
  • 1.5–2 cups jalapeño pimento cheese (or simply use your full homemade batch)
  • 8 ounces sour cream
  • ½ cup chicken broth
  • 3–4 green onions, chopped
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon coarse ground black pepper
  • ½ cup grated sharp cheddar cheese (optional but highly recommended for topping)

A little note from my kitchen: don’t stress if your bag of hash browns is a slightly different size. This recipe is forgiving. Think of it as your casserole BFF.

How to Make Pimento Cheese Hash Brown Casserole

You’re about to see how beautifully simple this recipe is. I designed it so anyone—beginner, busy mom, tired professional—can whip it together without breaking a sweat.

Step 1: Preheat and prep.

Set your oven to 350°F. Spray a 9×13 casserole dish with nonstick cooking spray. This quick step saves you from scrubbing later—truly a gift to your future self.

Step 2: Build the flavorful base.

Grab a large mixing bowl and toss your frozen hash browns with the melted butter. They’ll drink up that buttery goodness like little potato sponges.

Add the pimento cheese, sour cream, chicken broth, green onions, salt, and pepper. Mix everything until it looks creamy and evenly combined. Don’t overthink it—this is rustic comfort food, not a culinary exam.

Step 3: Transfer and top.

Pour your glorious mixture into the prepared casserole dish. Sprinkle a little sharp cheddar on top if you want that extra melty golden finish. (In my house, “optional cheese” never stays optional.)

Step 4: Bake to bubbly perfection.

Slide it into the oven for 35 minutes, or until the edges are bubbling and starting to turn a light golden brown. Let it sit for about 5 minutes before serving—mostly so you don’t burn your tongue, but also because it settles and slices better.

And that’s it! See? Told you it was easy.

Slice of creamy Pimento Cheese Hash Brown Casserole on a white plate, topped with melted cheddar and jalapeño slices, with a fork beside it.
A hearty slice of Pimento Cheese Hash Brown Casserole—rich, cheesy, and loaded with peppers for the perfect comfort-food bite.

Aneta’s Tips for a Foolproof Casserole

I’ve made this more times than I can count—both during hectic weeks and for laid-back Sunday brunch. Here are a few of my favorite tips:

Let your hash browns thaw just a bit.

You don’t need them fully thawed, but letting them sit out while you gather ingredients makes mixing easier.

Go crazy with mix-ins if you want.

Diced ham, crumbled bacon, or even extra peppers can take this over the top. One of my readers once added jalapeño chips on top. Bold move—and honestly, delicious.

Don’t panic if your mixture looks thick.

The broth and sour cream loosen up as it bakes. As I always tell my readers: trust the magic.

Make ahead friendly.

As a mom, this trick saved my sanity more than once—assemble it the night before, cover tightly, and bake the next day.

A Little Story from My Kitchen

The first time I made this casserole, I was hosting a Sunday brunch where I may or may not have overpromised how many dishes I’d make. (We’ve all been there, right?) I threw this together at the last minute because I had hash browns and pimento cheese on hand, and—no exaggeration—it was the first dish gone.

Even my picky eater, who usually negotiates with vegetables like a tiny lawyer, asked for seconds. Anytime a recipe gets kid-approval in my house, it goes into the permanent rotation.

Close-up of a golden, bubbly Pimento Cheese Hash Brown Casserole topped with sliced red peppers and green onions in a white baking dish.
This Pimento Cheese Hash Brown Casserole comes out perfectly golden, creamy, and irresistibly cheesy—ideal for brunch, potlucks, or cozy family dinners.

FAQs About Pimento Cheese Hash Brown Casserole

Can I use regular pimento cheese instead of jalapeño?

Absolutely! If you want a milder casserole, classic pimento cheese works beautifully.

Can I substitute Greek yogurt for sour cream?

Yes, Greek yogurt is a great swap if you want it a little lighter while keeping that creamy texture.

How do I store leftovers?

Pop them in an airtight container. They’ll keep up to 4 days in the fridge and reheat wonderfully in the oven or microwave.

Can I freeze this casserole?

You sure can! Freeze it before baking for best results. When you’re ready, thaw overnight and bake as usual.

A Cozy Ending to Your Next Meal

If you’re looking for a dish that delivers comfort, convenience, and downright irresistible flavor, this Pimento Cheese Hash Brown Casserole is the recipe to bookmark, pin, or tattoo on your fridge. Whether you’re feeding your family or treating yourself after a long day, this casserole brings warmth, ease, and a little spark of happiness to the table—just like all the best chicken-magic-approved recipes do.

Let me know how it turned out for you—and don’t hesitate to share your twist on it. Happy cooking, friend!

More Cozy Recipes to Try Next

If this Pimento Cheese Hash Brown Casserole warmed your heart (and your kitchen!), you’re going to love diving into a few more comfort-filled favorites. These dishes bring the same creamy, satisfying goodness—perfect for busy nights, chilly weekends, or anytime you want a little extra “yum” without the extra effort:

Feel free to explore, bookmark your favorites, and keep the comfort-food goodness going. Your kitchen is about to get even more delicious!

Print
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Golden-baked Pimento Cheese Hash Brown Casserole topped with melted cheddar, diced peppers, and sliced jalapeños in a white baking dish.

Pimento Cheese Hash Brown Casserole


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  • Author: Aneta
  • Total Time: 45 minutes
  • Yield: 8 servings 1x

Description

This Pimento Cheese Hash Brown Casserole is creamy, cheesy, and packed with delicious Southern flavor. Made with jalapeño pimento cheese, crispy hash browns, and melty cheddar, it’s the perfect comfort-food bake for brunch, holidays, or busy weeknights.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 20 ounces frozen shredded hash brown potatoes

  • 2 tablespoons butter, melted

  • 1.52 cups jalapeño pimento cheese

  • 8 ounces sour cream

  • ½ cup chicken broth

  • 34 green onions, chopped

  • ½ teaspoon salt

  • ½ teaspoon coarse ground black pepper

  • ½ cup grated sharp cheddar cheese (optional topping)


Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F and spray a 9×13 casserole dish with nonstick cooking spray.

  2. In a large mixing bowl, toss the frozen shredded hash browns with melted butter.

  3. Add the pimento cheese, sour cream, chicken broth, green onions, salt, and pepper. Mix until well combined.

  4. Spread the mixture evenly into the prepared casserole dish.

  5. Add shredded cheddar on top if desired.

  6. Bake for 35 minutes, or until bubbly and the edges are lightly browned.

  7. Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

You can use regular pimento cheese for a milder flavor.
Assemble ahead and refrigerate overnight before baking.
Add diced peppers for extra flavor.
Leftovers reheat beautifully and are great for breakfast!

  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 35 minutes
  • Category: Casserole, Breakfast, Side Dish
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 slice (1/8 of casserole)
  • Calories: 290 kcal
  • Sugar: 2 g
  • Sodium: 540 mg
  • Fat: 20 g
  • Saturated Fat: 10 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 18 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 8 g
  • Cholesterol: 45 mg

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