This 5-ingredient slow cooker hash brown casserole is the kind of easy, crowd-pleasing side dish that disappears fast at late-summer cookouts, potlucks, and family suppers. Using frozen shredded Potatoes O'Brien keeps prep simple while still giving you plenty of hearty potato flavor, and the creamy, cheesy finish with crisp golden edges makes it feel extra special. It is a cozy casserole with classic Midwestern comfort-food energy, made even better by the fact that the slow cooker does most of the work.
Serve this casserole alongside grilled burgers, hot dogs, barbecue chicken, pulled pork, or ribs for an easy cookout spread. It also pairs nicely with fresh fruit, a simple green salad, baked beans, corn on the cob, or sliced garden tomatoes, which help balance the rich, cheesy potatoes.
5-Ingredient Slow Cooker End-of-Summer Cookout Crispy Golden Cheesy Hash Brown Casserole
Servings: 10
Ingredients
1 bag (30 ounces) frozen shredded Potatoes O'Brien
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
1 can (10.5 ounces) condensed cream of chicken soup
1 cup sour cream
4 tablespoons melted butter
Directions
1. Lightly grease the inside of a slow cooker. In a large mixing bowl, stir together the condensed soup, sour cream, and melted butter until smooth.
2. Add the frozen shredded Potatoes O'Brien and 1 1/2 cups of the cheddar cheese to the bowl. Stir well until the potatoes are evenly coated.
3. Spoon the mixture into the prepared slow cooker and spread it into an even layer. Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup cheddar cheese over the top.
4. Cover and cook on low for 4 to 5 hours or on high for 2 to 3 hours, until hot and set around the edges. If your slow cooker insert is oven-safe and you want extra crispiness on top, place the insert under the broiler for 2 to 3 minutes just before serving.
5. Let the casserole rest for 10 minutes, then scoop and serve warm.
Variations & Tips
For extra crispy edges: If your slow cooker insert is safe for the oven, a quick trip under the broiler gives the top more color and helps mimic that oven-baked casserole finish everybody loves at potlucks.
For picky eaters: This recipe is already very family-friendly, but you can use plain frozen shredded hash browns instead of Potatoes O'Brien if your crowd is not excited about onions and peppers.
To make it richer: Swap in cream of cheddar or cream of mushroom soup for a slightly different flavor, or stir in a little extra cheese if you want an even gooier casserole.
Make-ahead tip: Mix everything together the night before, cover, and refrigerate the slow cooker insert if your model allows it. The next day, set it out briefly to take the chill off, then cook as directed.
Cookout serving tip: This casserole stays warm nicely in the slow cooker on the warm setting, which makes it especially handy for neighborhood parties, tailgates, and holiday buffet tables.