Name: Slow Cooker Hash Brown Casserole
Yield: 6

Brunch-ready slow cooker Hash Brown Casserole. No canned soup. Creamy mushroom and onion base, refrigerated hash browns, plenty of cheese, plus bacon and chives.

author’s note

The No Oven Needed Brunch Hero!

If you’ve ever hosted before, you know that oven space is a touchy subject. When I was in charge of hosting Christmas Eve brunch, I knew I needed to get creative with oven space.

A few weeks out, I started testing alternative ways to cook some of the dishes and still keep them warm. The slow cooker is always the answer, so I got to work testing this slow cooker Hash Brown Casserole.

This is truly the best hash brown casserole out there. It’s so flavorful, the potatoes are evenly tender, and it’s all creamy and comforting.

Sautéing onions and mushrooms, adding seasonings and flour, stirring in milk and sour cream, and adding to the slow cooker.

slow cooker Hash Brown Casserole Ingredients

Butter: Use unsalted to control salt.
Onion: Adds flavor and texture; dice small so it spreads evenly.
Mushrooms: Any kind works; baby bella or cremini are my go-tos.
Seasonings: Taste and add more at the end if needed.
Flour: All-purpose flour to thicken the base.
Chicken broth: Boosts flavor and seasons the base.
Milk: Whole is thickest and creamiest; 1% or 2% works; skip skim or milk alternatives.
Sour cream: Any fat level works, though full-fat is creamiest.
Dijon mustard: Adds nice depth. This is different from yellow mustard.
Hash browns: Use fresh, refrigerated hash browns (not frozen); Simply Potatoes works great.
Extra-sharp Cheddar cheese: Freshly grated melts best into the casserole.

Featured Comment

“This is a keeper!! Wonderful flavor, especially with crisp cooked bacon on top and parmesan plus cheddar. It makes a big amount for a crowd too. Best of all was NO canned soup!”
– Jen

Adding cheese to the slow cooker mix for the slow cooker hashbrown casserole, stirring, cooking, then topping with bacon and chives, with the finished dish ready to serve.

Adding Protein To This Casserole

It is satisfying to topping this casserole with freshly cooked, chopped bacon. To make slow cooker Hash Brown Casserole a full meal, add a protein like bacon, or mix in chopped ham or sausage. For best results, use smoked, diced ham and/or sausage. If using raw sausage, brown it first before adding it to the slow cooker.

finish

Since this is a rich and cheesy casserole, herbs cut the richness and add a fresh flavor. home cooks enjoy fresh chives or freshly chopped parsley. Fresh thyme would also pair nicely.