Breakfast Casserole Hash Browns is a classic American dish which is a staple in family gatherings, on holidays, and in potlucks. It is the most preferred dish because it is a one-dish meal. It is easy to prepare and can serve a big group of family members and friends. The ingredients are not so many and they are easy to find. Some ingredients like the hash browns can be prepared at home or bought frozen from the supermarket.
Breakfast Casserole Hash Browns is easy to make. A person can cook it in about one hour. The onions and pepper are sautéed in butter. The hash browns are lined on a casserole and topped with the sautéed onions. Sour cream, condensed mushroom or chicken soup are placed on top of the hash browns then topped with grated cheese. It is baked for about one hour. One will know if the casserole is done when a toothpick is inserted into the casserole and it comes out clean. When casserole is already done, it can be cut into slices and served. It’s that easy.
Breakfast Casserole Hash Browns can be made more nutritious by adding mushrooms, broccoli florets, red, green, yellow bell pepper to the onions when sautéing. Sautéed garlic or garlic powder can be added to the vegetables for added flavor. For a more subtle flavor, whole milk, whipped eggs, nutmeg, and mustard can be an added layer over the onions.
Grated Parmesan cheese can be used instead of Cheddar cheese for a cheesier taste. It can even be combined with Cheddar cheese. Cream cheese can even be used instead of the grated cheese. Cornflakes crumbs and grated cheese can be sprinkled on top of the casserole for a crunchier top crust. To make the Breakfast Casserole Hash Browns a main course, chicken breast, sausage, and bacon can be added on top of the hash browns layer. Buttered bread crumbs can also be used instead of cornflakes. Low-fat cheese, sour cream, and butter can be also be used for a healthier casserole dish.
Hash browns can also be prepared at home. The potatoes are grated and dried using paper towels. It is important to draw out all the moisture so that the hash browns will not turn soggy. The grated potatoes are then pan-fried using a skillet.
It is believed that hash browns were developed out of the Swiss farmer’s breakfast dish, rosti. It was food author Maria Parloa who first mentioned hashed brown potatoes in 1888 and was shortened until it is now known as hash browns.
Casseroles, on the other hand, may have originated from the early 18th century casserole recipes which has sweetbreads or chicken, and pressed, and pounded rice. In the United States of America, the idea of cooking a one-dish casserole became popular in the 20th century. It is often prepared with condensed cream of mushroom soup. In the states of Dakota and Minnesota, casseroles are more popularly known as hotdish. Scandinavian immigrants in the region brought with them Janssons frestelse which may have spawned the hotdish which was popular in the area.