Ham and Hash Brown Casserole
This Ham and Hash Brown Casserole is a hearty, crowd-pleasing dish that’s perfect for potlucks, holiday breakfasts, or weekend brunch. Made with crispy hash browns and savory smoked ham, it’s easy to prep ahead and bake fresh when you’re ready to serve. Whether you’re feeding a crowd or looking for a comforting side dish, this make-ahead hash brown casserole with ham and veggies is a versatile and delicious option.

Ingredients to Make Ham and Hash Brown Casserole Recipe
I’ve been to many potluck gatherings, whether breakfast, lunch, or dinner themed, and they’re always a fun, communal way to share food and creativity. Everyone brings a dish, creating a delicious family-style spread where even similar recipes, like hash brown casseroles, showcase their own unique twist. Potatoes are the ultimate comfort food, and this cheesy hash brown casserole is a versatile favorite that’s perfect for any meal of the day.
Checkout this quick list of ingredients to make Ham and Cheese Hash Brown Casserole: (Scroll down for full printable recipe card.)
- Potatoes – One 30 ounce package frozen country style hash brown potatoes, thawed.
- Ham – Diced ham adds flavor to the creamy sauce. Use leftover ham or deli ham.
- Bacon – Bacon adds a smoky flavor and the drippings are used for sautéing the vegetables.
- Vegetables – Red bell pepper and thinly sliced green onions for a mild onion flavor.
- Sour Cream – Sour adds creaminess to the sauce.
- Soup – Cream of celery soup expands the flavor.
- Butter -Salted or unsalted butter adds richness to the flavor of the hash browns.
- Cheese – Shredded sharp cheddar cheese plus grated Parmesan cheese.
- Mustard – Dijon mustard expands the flavor and complements the ham.
- Seasonings – Onion powder, garlic powder, seasoned salt and black pepper.
Do I Have to Thaw Frozen Hash Browns for a Casserole?
Yes, you should thaw the potatoes for this recipe. It will not only speed up the baking time, but thawed potatoes won’t add moisture to the cheese sauce and cause it to separate.

How to Make the Best Ham and Hash Brown Casserole Recipe
- Bacon – In a large skillet cook bacon until crisp then remove to paper towels to drain. Reserve drippings in the pan.
- Sauté Vegetables – Cook red bell pepper until it begins to soften then add the green onion. Season with salt and black pepper to your taste. Add oil to the pan, if needed.
- Combine – In a large mixing bowl mix the cooked vegetables with the bacon, hash browns, ham, 2 cups shredded cheese, sour cream, celery soup, melted butter, Parmesan cheese, Dijon, onion powder, garlic powder, seasoned salt and black pepper. Stir to combine.
- Transfer to Dish – Pour hash brown mixture into the prepared dish and sprinkle remaining shredded cheddar cheese on top.
- Oven – Bake per the cook time inthe recipe until the potatoes are tender and the top is golden brown.
- Serve – Rest for 5-10 minutes then serve.
Kitchen Equipment to Make Cheesy Ham and Hashbrown Casserole
- One 13×9-inch casserole dish.
- Measuring cups and spoons.
- Large bowl.
- Cheese grater for freshly grated cheese.
- Large rubber spatula for mixing everything together.
- Sharp knife and chopping board.

Recipe Variations, Tips and Substitutions
- Cheese – You could change the flavor of cheese used in this casserole depending on your personal preference. You could use colby jack cheese, mozzarella cheese or pepper jack cheese for spice in place of cheddar cheese.
- Protein – You could use one pound of cooked and crumbled breakfast sausage in place of ham.
- Soup – You could use cream of mushroom soup, cream of potato soup or cream of chicken soup in place of cream of celery soup.
- Onion – You could use diced sweet onion or yellow onion in place of green onions for a stronger onion flavor.
- Mushrooms – You could sauté mushrooms with the bell peppers and green onions.
- Peppers – You could add diced jalapeno pepper or poblano pepper for more spice.
- When to Serve Ham Hashbrown Casserole – Serve this hashbrown casserole as a side dish with eggs for breakfast and brunch. Enjoy for holidays like Easter brunch or Christmas breakfast, entertaining, as a side dish with your favorite entrees or a main dish for weekday family dinners.
Storage and Leftovers
- Make-Ahead Tip – You can fully assemble this cheesy hashbrown casserole one day in advance, cover with plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator. When doing so, allow 15 minutes or so to come to room temperature then bake per the recipe until heated through. You may need to add 10-15 minutes of additional baking time.
- Leftovers – Store leftover Ham and Hash Brown Casserole covered with aluminum foil or in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Reheating – Reheat in single servings in the microwave or cover with foil and reheat in a preheated 350°F oven until heated through.
- Freezer – Freeze leftovers for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge and reheat just before serving.

More Easy Casseroles to Make
When you’re in a quandary about what to make for dinner a casserole is always a winning option. More delicious casserole recipes you may also like to try:
- Holiday ready Slow Cooker Loaded Mashed Potato Casserole frees up the oven on busy cooking days.
- Chicken Bacon Ranch Potato Casserole is a one dish meal.
- Southwestern Chicken Cavatappi is packed with vibrant colors and flavors.
- Cheesy Au Gratin Ranch Potatoes can be served as a side dish with most any meal including summer grilled steaks, pork and chicken.
- Nacho Beef and Macaroni is a terrific option featuring the South of the border flavors we love.
- Tater Tot Italian Sausage Breakfast Casserole comes together in no time flat.
- Creamed Greens Casserole from Southern Living.
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Helpful Kitchen Items:
Ham And Hash Brown Casserole
Ingredients
- 1/2 lb bacon
- 1 small red bell pepper finely diced
- 6 green onion thinly sliced
- 1 30 oz package frozen country style hash brown potatoes thawed
- 3 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1/2 lb smoked ham cubed
- 1 16 oz sour cream
- 1 10 3/4 oz can cream of celery soup
- 1/2 cup butter melted
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 Tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp seasoned salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Spray a 13×9-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
- In a large skillet cook the bacon over medium-high heat until crisp. Use a slotted spoon to remove to a paper towel-line platter to drain. Reserve 3 Tbsp bacon drippings in the pan.
- Add the red bell pepper to the bacon drippings. Cook over medium-high heat until softened, then add the green onion. Season with salt and black pepper to your taste. Cook for 1 minute longer then remove the pan from the heat.
- In a large mixing bowl mix the sautéed vegetables with crispy bacon, hash browns, ham, 2 cups cheddar cheese, sour cream, cream of celery soup, melted butter, Parmesan cheese, Dijon mustard, onion powder, garlic powder, seasoned salt and black pepper. Stir to combine. Reserve a few bacon crumbles, green onion and 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese for the top.
- Spread the hash brown mixture evenly into the baking dish. Sprinkle top of the casserole with remaining 1 cup cheddar cheese.
- Bake: Place into a preheated 350°F oven and bake for 50-60 minutes or until the potatoes are fork tender and the top is golden brown.
- Let stand on the counter for 5-10 minutes then serve.
Notes
-
- Make-Ahead Tip: This dish can be made assembled one day in advance, covered with plastic wrap and chilled in the fridge. Allow 15-20 minutes on the counter to bring it to room temperature then bake per the recipe adding 10 minutes.
- Cheese: You could change the flavor of cheese used in this casserole depending on your personal preference. You could use colby jack cheese, mozzarella cheese or pepper jack cheese for spice in place of cheddar cheese.
- Protein: You could use one pound of cooked and crumbled breakfast sausage in place of ham.
- Soup: You could use cream of mushroom soup, cream of potato soup or cream of chicken soup in place of cream of celery soup.
- Onion: You could use diced sweet onion or yellow onion in place of green onions for a stronger onion flavor.
- Mushrooms: You could sauté mushrooms with the bell peppers and green onions.
- Peppers: You could add diced jalapeno pepper or poblano pepper for more spice.
Nutrition





Can make this recipe without the ham because we are having a ham for dinner? I would just add bacon. Do I need to add anything extra when leaving the ham out ?
You can leave the ham out, sure.
GGreat recipe! Can’t wait to try!
Thanks so much!
Could you add eggs to this?
I’m not sure if you mean scrambled eggs or raw eggs. I haven’t tested this recipe either way. If you try it, let us know how it goes.
Can this be frozen for later? Would I bake first or bake from frozen? Thanks!!
I’m certain you could freeze this although, I haven’t tested it. My thought is it would be best to bake, cool and freeze.
Are the hash browns cubed or shredded?
I use cubed but if you prefer shredded could be adapted for this dish.
I’m delighted you enjoyed this. Calorie count could be established using an online calorie calculator if you like. There are many available.
Do you bake covered? I would guess so but doesn’t say. Also when one adds the cream of celery soup, no water or milk get added? Just making sure.
I don’t bake this covered. Use the liquid called for in the recipe only.
I made this today and it was amazing. We were however curious about a calorie count per serving. I probably don’t want to know.
No you don’t want to know, but that’s why it is called Southern Comfort Food. Enduldge and enjoy, worrying about calorie count ruins dish. ????
No they aren’t.
Are the frozen hash brown potatoes pre-cooked?