🎉 Introduction
When it comes to hearty, crowd-pleasing comfort food, few dishes can rival the creamy indulgence of a good hash brown casserole — especially when it’s loaded with homemade pimento cheese! This CHEESIEST Pimento Cheese Hash Brown Casserole is everything you love about the South in one bubbling, golden dish: shredded potatoes, rich cheese, tangy pimentos, and a perfectly creamy sauce baked to bubbly perfection.
This recipe is a twist on the traditional hash brown casserole, replacing plain cheese with flavorful pimento cheese — that beloved Southern spread made from sharp cheddar, mayonnaise, and sweet pimentos. The result? A gooey, melty, cheesy masterpiece with a hint of tang and spice.
It’s the kind of dish that works for any meal — brunch, dinner, holidays, or potlucks. Serve it alongside roasted chicken, steak, or as the star of a cozy breakfast spread. One spoonful of this casserole, and you’ll understand why Southerners call pimento cheese the “caviar of the South.” 🧀💛
🧰 Equipment Needed
You won’t need anything fancy to make this cheesy, comforting casserole — just your kitchen basics:
- 9×13-inch baking dish
- Large mixing bowl
- Whisk or wooden spoon
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Cheese grater (if using block cheese)
- Spatula
- Foil (optional, for baking cover)
🛒 Ingredients
Here’s everything you’ll need to make the cheesiest, creamiest Pimento Cheese Hash Brown Casserole:
🥔 Main Ingredients
- 1 (30–32 oz) bag frozen shredded hash browns, thawed
- 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese (freshly grated is best)
- 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
- 1 (4 oz) jar diced pimentos, drained
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 1 cup sour cream
- ½ cup cream cheese, softened
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted
🧀 Optional Topping (for extra crunch)
- 1 cup crushed buttery crackers or cornflakes
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted
👩🍳 Directions
Follow these simple steps to make the most delicious, cheesy, and crowd-approved hash brown casserole:
Step 1: Preheat the Oven
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter or non-stick spray.
Step 2: Make the Pimento Cheese Mixture
- In a large mixing bowl, combine mayonnaise, sour cream, and softened cream cheese.
- Stir until smooth and creamy.
- Add the shredded cheddar, Monterey Jack, and pimentos.
- Mix in garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.
- Stir well to create your homemade pimento cheese base — rich, tangy, and full of flavor.
Step 3: Combine with Hash Browns
- Add the thawed hash browns to the bowl with the pimento cheese mixture.
- Gently fold everything together until the potatoes are evenly coated in the cheesy goodness.
- The mixture should be thick, creamy, and speckled with bright red pimentos.
Step 4: Assemble the Casserole
- Spoon the mixture into your prepared baking dish.
- Smooth the top evenly with a spatula.
- Drizzle 2 tablespoons of melted butter over the top for a golden finish.
Step 5: Optional Crunchy Topping
If you love a crispy top, mix crushed crackers (or cornflakes) with melted butter and sprinkle evenly over the casserole before baking.
Step 6: Bake
- Bake uncovered for 40–45 minutes, or until the casserole is bubbly and golden around the edges.
- If the top starts to brown too quickly, loosely cover with foil during the last 10 minutes.
Step 7: Rest & Serve
- Let the casserole rest for 10 minutes before serving.
- Garnish with chopped chives or a sprinkle of extra cheddar if desired.
Serve warm and watch as everyone reaches for seconds! 🧀🥄
🍽️ Servings & Timing
- Servings: 8–10
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Rest Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
This recipe makes enough for a family gathering, brunch buffet, or potluck dish that’ll disappear fast.
🧊 Storage & Reheating
To Store:
- Cover leftovers tightly and refrigerate for up to 4 days.
To Freeze:
- Freeze unbaked casserole (without cracker topping) for up to 2 months.
- Thaw in the fridge overnight before baking.
To Reheat:
- Warm in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 15–20 minutes or until heated through.
- For single servings, microwave for 1–2 minutes.
🥄 Variations
Make this comforting casserole your own with these fun variations and flavor upgrades:
- Spicy Pimento Casserole: Add diced jalapeños, cayenne pepper, or a dash of hot sauce for a kick.
- Loaded Breakfast Style: Stir in cooked chicken sausage or chopped turkey bacon (no pork!) for a hearty breakfast version.
- Veggie Boost: Add sautéed bell peppers, spinach, or onions for a colorful twist.
- Cream of Cheese: Replace sour cream with cream of mushroom or cream of cheddar soup for extra creaminess.
- Southern Deluxe: Use white cheddar and smoked paprika for a smoky, gourmet flavor.
- Crunch Lovers: Mix panko breadcrumbs with Parmesan for an elevated crispy topping.
- Mini Versions: Spoon mixture into muffin tins for portable, party-friendly servings.
- Vegan Option: Use plant-based cheeses and vegan mayo/sour cream for a dairy-free version that’s still ultra creamy.
❓ 10 FAQs
1. What is pimento cheese?
It’s a Southern cheese spread made with cheddar, mayo, and diced pimentos — creamy, tangy, and delicious!
2. Can I use pre-made pimento cheese?
Yes! Use 1 ½ cups store-bought pimento cheese if you’re short on time.
3. Can I make this casserole ahead of time?
Definitely! Assemble up to 24 hours ahead, cover, and refrigerate. Bake when ready to serve.
4. Do I have to thaw the hash browns?
Yes — thawed hash browns mix more evenly and bake to the perfect creamy texture.
5. Can I use fresh shredded potatoes instead?
Absolutely! Just squeeze out any excess moisture before mixing.
6. What’s the best cheese for this casserole?
Sharp cheddar adds tang, while Monterey Jack makes it creamy — a perfect combo!
7. Can I add meat?
Yes — cooked, shredded chicken or turkey sausage work great for a protein boost.
8. How do I keep the casserole from getting watery?
Make sure your potatoes are dry and your sauce is thick before baking.
9. Can I bake it in a smaller dish?
Yes, use two smaller dishes or halve the recipe for a smaller batch.
10. What can I serve with it?
This casserole pairs beautifully with roasted vegetables, grilled chicken, or even scrambled eggs for brunch.
🏁 Conclusion
This CHEESIEST Pimento Cheese Hash Brown Casserole is the definition of Southern comfort — rich, creamy, golden, and irresistibly cheesy. Each bite combines the crispness of hash browns with the tangy flavor of pimento cheese and a buttery finish that melts in your mouth.
It’s a dish that shines on every table, from Christmas brunches to Sunday dinners. Easy to make, impossible to resist, and guaranteed to impress your family and guests — this casserole truly has it all.
So grab your favorite baking dish, whip up that creamy pimento cheese, and get ready for a warm, gooey, and golden masterpiece. One taste, and you’ll know why this recipe is called The CHEESIEST — it’s comfort food perfection in every bite.
The CHEESIEST Pimento Cheese Hash Brown Casserole – Creamy, Crispy & Southern Comfort at Its Best
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Equipment
Method
- Follow these simple steps to make the most delicious, cheesy, and crowd-approved hash brown casserole:
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter or non-stick spray.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine mayonnaise, sour cream, and softened cream cheese.
- Stir until smooth and creamy.
- Add the shredded cheddar, Monterey Jack, and pimentos.
- Mix in garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.
- Stir well to create your homemade pimento cheese base — rich, tangy, and full of flavor.
- Add the thawed hash browns to the bowl with the pimento cheese mixture.
- Gently fold everything together until the potatoes are evenly coated in the cheesy goodness.
- The mixture should be thick, creamy, and speckled with bright red pimentos.
- Spoon the mixture into your prepared baking dish.
- Smooth the top evenly with a spatula.
- Drizzle 2 tablespoons of melted butter over the top for a golden finish.
- If you love a crispy top, mix crushed crackers (or cornflakes) with melted butter and sprinkle evenly over the casserole before baking.
- Bake uncovered for 40–45 minutes, or until the casserole is bubbly and golden around the edges.
- If the top starts to brown too quickly, loosely cover with foil during the last 10 minutes.
- Let the casserole rest for 10 minutes before serving.
- Garnish with chopped chives or a sprinkle of extra cheddar if desired.
- Serve warm and watch as everyone reaches for seconds! 🧀🥄
Notes
It’s a Southern cheese spread made with cheddar, mayo, and diced pimentos — creamy, tangy, and delicious! 2. Can I use pre-made pimento cheese?
Yes! Use 1 ½ cups store-bought pimento cheese if you’re short on time. 3. Can I make this casserole ahead of time?
Definitely! Assemble up to 24 hours ahead, cover, and refrigerate. Bake when ready to serve. 4. Do I have to thaw the hash browns?
Yes — thawed hash browns mix more evenly and bake to the perfect creamy texture. 5. Can I use fresh shredded potatoes instead?
Absolutely! Just squeeze out any excess moisture before mixing. 6. What’s the best cheese for this casserole?
Sharp cheddar adds tang, while Monterey Jack makes it creamy — a perfect combo! 7. Can I add meat?
Yes — cooked, shredded chicken or turkey sausage work great for a protein boost. 8. How do I keep the casserole from getting watery?
Make sure your potatoes are dry and your sauce is thick before baking. 9. Can I bake it in a smaller dish?
Yes, use two smaller dishes or halve the recipe for a smaller batch. 10. What can I serve with it?
This casserole pairs beautifully with roasted vegetables, grilled chicken, or even scrambled eggs for brunch. 🏁 Conclusion This CHEESIEST Pimento Cheese Hash Brown Casserole is the definition of Southern comfort — rich, creamy, golden, and irresistibly cheesy. Each bite combines the crispness of hash browns with the tangy flavor of pimento cheese and a buttery finish that melts in your mouth. It’s a dish that shines on every table, from Christmas brunches to Sunday dinners. Easy to make, impossible to resist, and guaranteed to impress your family and guests — this casserole truly has it all. So grab your favorite baking dish, whip up that creamy pimento cheese, and get ready for a warm, gooey, and golden masterpiece. One taste, and you’ll know why this recipe is called The CHEESIEST — it’s comfort food perfection in every bite.
