Corn Flake Topped Hash Brown Potatoes

8 servings Prep: 15 m Cook: 45 m Total: 1 h Beginner
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Corn Flake Topped Hash Brown Potatoes
A creamy, cheesy hash brown casserole topped with buttery cornflakes that bakes up golden and bubbly. This comfort food side dish combines frozen hash browns, Cheese Whiz, sour cream, and cream of chicken soup for an easy, crowd-pleasing addition to any meal.

Ingredients

8 servings
  • 1/4 cup margarine
  • 1 large package of frozen hash browns
  • 1 small jar of Cheese Whiz
  • 1 (10 oz) can cream of chicken soup
  • 1 (8 oz) tub of sour cream
  • 1/4 cup chopped onions
  • 1 cup crushed cornflakes
  • salt and pepper to taste

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
  2. In a medium bowl, mix the cheese whiz, soup and sour cream with mixer until well combined. Add the chopped onions, and salt and pepper to taste.
  3. In a 9x13 inch baking pan, place the thawed hash browns in an even layer and pour the cheese mixture over the potatoes, spreading to cover evenly.
  4. In a small bowl, mix the margarine with crushed cornflakes until combined. Sprinkle the cornflake mixture evenly over the top of the casserole.
  5. Bake at 350°F for 45 minutes or until bubbly and golden brown on top.

Common Problems and Solutions

Q: Why is my casserole watery?

A: Make sure your hash browns are fully thawed and drained of excess moisture before assembling. You can pat them dry with paper towels if needed. Also, don't overmix the cheese sauce - just combine until smooth.

Q: Can I prepare this ahead of time?

A: Yes! Assemble the casserole up to the point of adding the cornflake topping, cover and refrigerate overnight. Add the cornflake topping just before baking. You may need to add 5-10 minutes to the baking time if starting from cold.

Tips and Techniques

For extra crunch, use melted butter instead of margarine mixed with the cornflakes. You can also add a pinch of garlic powder to the cheese mixture for extra flavor. Don’t skip thawing the hash browns - frozen potatoes won’t absorb the creamy mixture properly.

Ingredient Substitutions

  • Cheese Whiz: 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese mixed with 2 tablespoons milk
  • cream of chicken soup: cream of mushroom or cream of celery soup
  • margarine: butter
  • sour cream: plain Greek yogurt

Equipment Needed

  • 9x13 inch baking pan
  • Medium mixing bowl
  • Electric mixer or whisk
  • Small bowl

Historical Context

This style of hash brown casserole became a Southern staple in the 1970s and 80s when convenience foods were embraced by home cooks. The cornflake topping adds a distinctive crunch that sets it apart from similar potato casseroles.