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Crispy Loaded Hash Brown Casserole with Ham and Havarti Cheese

crispy loaded hash brown casserole - featured image

A hearty and indulgent breakfast casserole featuring crispy hash browns, savory ham, and creamy Havarti cheese, perfect for brunch or a comforting meal.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 cups frozen shredded hash browns (about 450g), thawed and squeezed dry
  • 1 ½ cups cooked ham, diced (about 200g)
  • 2 cups Havarti cheese, shredded (about 200g)
  • 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded (about 100g)
  • ½ cup onion, finely chopped (about 75g)
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup sour cream (240ml)
  • ½ cup mayonnaise (120ml)
  • 3 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)
  • 2 tablespoons butter (30g), melted
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives or parsley (optional, for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with melted butter.
  2. Thaw the frozen hash browns completely and squeeze out any excess moisture using a clean towel or paper towels.
  3. In a large bowl, whisk together sour cream, mayonnaise, eggs, salt, black pepper, and smoked paprika until smooth and creamy.
  4. Fold in the hash browns, diced ham, chopped onion, minced garlic, Havarti cheese, and cheddar cheese gently to coat evenly without smashing the hash browns.
  5. Spread the mixture evenly in the prepared baking dish and dot the top with small bits of the remaining melted butter.
  6. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 45 minutes until the center is set and edges start to turn golden.
  7. Increase oven temperature to 425°F (220°C) and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes until the top is deeply golden and crispy.
  8. Remove from oven and let rest for 5-10 minutes before serving.
  9. Garnish with chopped fresh chives or parsley if desired.

Notes

Squeeze out excess moisture from hash browns to avoid sogginess. Use room-temperature eggs for better mixing. If the top browns too quickly, tent with foil during the first bake. Let casserole rest before slicing for best texture. For dairy-free, substitute sour cream, mayonnaise, and cheese with plant-based alternatives. Naturally gluten-free if ham contains no fillers.

Nutrition

Keywords: hash brown casserole, breakfast casserole, ham casserole, Havarti cheese, cheesy casserole, brunch recipe, easy breakfast