How to Make a Cheesy Chili Hash Brown Casserole Everyone Will Love
This chili hash brown casserole is a cozy and budget-friendly meal perfect for hectic evenings. It’s packed with tasty chili, crispy hash browns, and melty cheddar cheese, making it a favorite for the whole family. Even picky eaters, kids and adults, will enjoy this dish.
It’s also easy to make using common pantry items, which is great for when you’re running low on time or ingredients. Just combine quick homemade chili, frozen grated potatoes, and lots of cheese – and there you have it! One of my favorite easy dinner recipes.
Easy Chili Hash Brown Casserole
Equipment
- 1 casserole dish (9 x 13 or slightly smaller)
- large saucepan
- Wooden spoon or spatula (for stirring)
- Measuring spoons
- Colander (for rinsing the beans)
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium onion (diced)
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon pepper
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 (15 ounce ) can diced tomatoes
- 1 (15 ounce) can red kidney beans or black beans (rinsed)
- 1 pound frozen shredded hashbrowns
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Prep the oven. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) with a rack positioned in the center.
- Make the chili. In a large saucepan, heat the olive oil over medium-low heat. Then, add the diced onion, chili powder, garlic powder, ground cumin, salt, and pepper. Cook for about 5 minutes until the onion is soft and fragrant. Next, add the ground beef, breaking it up as it cooks until browned (about 8-10 minutes). Once the beef turns brown, stir in the diced tomatoes and rinsed beans. Simmer uncovered for 15 minutes until the chili thickens. The consistency should be hearty and stew-like, not watery.
- Assemble the casserole. Pour the chili mixture evenly into the casserole dish. Then, sprinkle the frozen shredded hash browns on top of the chili in an even layer. Season the potatoes lightly with a pinch of salt. Finally, top the potatoes with the shredded cheddar cheese.
- Bake the casserole. Place the casserole in the oven and bake for 30-40 minutes until the chili is bubbling and the cheese is melted. For a golden, crispy top, broil on low for 3-5 minutes. Keep a close eye to prevent burning.
- Serve. Let the casserole rest for 5 minutes after removing it from the oven. Scoop and serve immediately. Enjoy!
Notes
There’s something special about a comfortable casserole that gets everyone to the table without much work. This Chili Hash Brown Casserole is great for any weeknight – it’s easy, filling, and full of familiar flavors. With a hearty chili layer, crunchy hash browns, and melted cheddar cheese on top, it quickly becomes a meal everyone loves, perfect for a laid-back dinner or getting meals ready for the week. The best part? You can make it with ingredients you probably already have, making it a convenient choice for a warm, comforting dish.
If you’re in the mood for something a bit lighter but equally satisfying, this White Chicken Chili recipe is another cozy option, perfect for cooler nights.
I hope it becomes a favorite for you, too.
Key Ingredients and Tools
Here are some basic items and utensils you should have on hand to make this casserole successfully.
- Frozen shredded hash browns: These save time and easily give you a nice, crispy top layer. Depending on your location, these may sometimes be out of stock or only available in certain brands. If shredded ones aren’t available, diced ones will do, though they might not get as crispy.
- Ground beef: Either regular or lean is good for this dish. You could use ground turkey or chicken for a healthier twist, but it’ll taste slightly different. Not sure how to tell when your ground beef is fully cooked? This helpful guide on determining if meat is cooked properly will give you all the tips to ensure your meat is safe and ready to eat.
- Ground cumin: It gives the chili a nice, earthy kick. While it’s a standard spice, if you’re unfamiliar with it, cumin can usually be found in the spice aisle near other common seasonings like chili powder. If you’re out of cumin, try a little smoked paprika or ground coriander instead, though the flavor will shift a bit.
- Canned beans: Kidney or black beans are great. You can also try pinto beans or chickpeas instead. Remember to rinse them off to eliminate extra salt and the thick liquid that could mess with the chili’s texture.
- Shredded cheddar cheese: It works best freshly grated. For a different taste, you can switch it up with Monterey Jack, Colby, or pepper jack cheese.
- A 9 x 13 casserole dish: It’s perfect to make sure your casserole layers well and cooks evenly. A smaller dish means a thicker casserole that might need extra time in the oven.
Preparing all these items and utensils will streamline your cooking and help your casserole come out great!
Sagoskat Casserole Dish Baking Dish Ceramic Baking Pan Nonstick Baking Dish Blue Lassagne Pan 9×13 Baking Dishes for oven Casserole Dishes for KitchenAll-Clad Stainless Steel Saucepan Cookware, 3-Quart, SilverMeat Chopper, Hamburger Chopper, Potato Masher-Professional Multifunctional Heat Resistant Nylon Ground Beef Smasher Kitchen Tools And Gadgets, Safe For Non-Stick Cookware
KitchenAid Gingham Casserole Mitt Single Pack, Milkshake Tan, 35CHEFBEE 3PCS Silicone Trivet Mat – Trivets for Hot Dishes, Table, Countertop, Non-Slip Heat Resistant Modern Kitchen Trivets, Teapot Trivet – Flexible Black Trivet SetFolkulture Wooden Spoons for Cooking Set for Kitchen, Non Stick Cookware Tools or Utensils Includes Wooden Spoon, Spatula, Fork, Slotted Turner, Corner Spoon, Set of 5, 12 Inch, Acacia Wood, White
Troubleshooting and Help
Yes, you can! Just grate fresh potatoes and squeeze out as much moisture as possible using a clean kitchen towel. The casserole might take slightly longer to bake since fresh potatoes have more moisture, but it will still taste great.
Yes, you can! You can easily make this casserole vegetarian by skipping the ground beef and adding extra beans or veggies like bell peppers or zucchini. It’ll still be hearty and satisfying.
Yes, you can! Use ramekins or small baking dishes to make individual portions. This is great for meal prepping or serving a small group. Reduce the baking time to about 20 minutes since the smaller dishes will cook faster.
It’s pretty mild, as written, but you can adjust the spice level. If you like a bit of heat, add some cayenne pepper or chopped jalapeños. If you like it milder, you can slightly reduce the chili powder. For a more traditional chili recipe with bold flavors, check out this Terlingua Chili. It’s packed with spices and is perfect for chili lovers looking for a classic twist.
Absolutely! You can make the chili portion a day or two ahead and store it in the fridge. When you’re ready to bake, assemble the casserole with the hash browns and cheese, then pop it in the oven. This makes weeknight dinners super easy!
This Chili Hash Brown Casserole is my go-to for an easy, no-nonsense dinner, especially on those hectic weekday nights. I love how simple it is to throw together, using ingredients I usually have on hand.
I can also customize it based on what my family likes, adding more veggies or changing up the meat. One of the best things about it is that I can prepare it or bake it right before we’re ready to eat, and it always comes out as a comforting, hearty meal that everyone enjoys.
It also reheats wonderfully, which is perfect for enjoying leftovers. I highly recommend trying it for a hassle-free, delicious meal that will likely become a staple at your house!
By Katie Shaw
Katie lives in Virginia with her husband, three daughters, a chocolate lab, and over thirty chickens. She loves creating simple tutorials for sourdough, bread, and soap. Her recipes, articles, and YouTube videos reach millions of people per year.