Smoked Sausage Hash Brown Casserole is the ultimate cozy meal that’s easy to make and packed with flavor! With just a handful of simple ingredients like crispy hash browns, savory smoked sausage, creamy sour cream, and plenty of cheesy goodness, this dish is true comfort food at its best. Perfect for busy weeknights or a hearty weekend breakfast, it’s a guaranteed family favorite!
Mindy’s Recipe Snapshot
Method: The sausage and onions are cooked on the stovetop before being mixed with the rest of the ingredients and baked to perfection in the oven.
Key Ingredients: Refrigerated hash browns, smoked sausage, and plenty of cheese.
Ease: This is such an easy recipe!
Top Tip: Brown the sausage along with the onions to maximize flavor.
This post was originally published in August 2017, it was updated in February 2025 to include the step of browning the sausage and cooking the onion to enhance flavor and ensure the onion is fully cooked.
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From Caroline: “Made this tonight. Everyone loved it! So good! Will definitely make it again. Thanks!”
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This meaty and cheesy hash brown casserole was inspired by Cracker Barrel’s Hashbrown Casserole. Their version is a classic side dish without meat, but since I’m a meat-and-potatoes kind of gal, I wanted a heartier version. Adding smoky sausage turns it into a satisfying main dish that we love for dinner!
We serve it with a vegetable like green beans or carrots for a complete and delicious meal the whole family devours!
Ingredients
See recipe card for exact amounts.
Ingredients Notes and Substitutions
- Hash Browns: We use Simply Potatoes, found in the refrigerated section—sometimes near the eggs.
- Rope Sausage: Fully cooked and available in beef or pork. Other options include kielbasa (milder with a hint of garlic), andouille (spicier with a bold, smoky flavor), or turkey sausage as a lighter alternative.
- Sour Cream: Helps bind everything together while adding a tangy flavor.
- Cheese: We love cheddar, but any type works! Freshly grated cheese melts best but pre-shredded makes this easier to make.
- Onion: Adds great flavor—skip it if you prefer.
- Butter: Enhances richness and helps hold everything together.
How to Make Cheesy Hash Browns and Sausage Casserole
- Preheat the oven to 350°. Spray a 9″ X 13″ casserole dish with non-stick cooking spray.
- Cut the sausage and chop the onion into small pieces. Heat a nonstick skillet over medium heat, spray with cooking spray, add the sausage and onions and cook until the onion is translucent and the sausage begins to brown, about 5 minutes.
- Add1 cup of the cheese, and all of the other ingredients to a large bowl and gently toss to combine. Pour into prepared casserole dish, then sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup cheese evenly over the top of the casserole.
- Bake for 45 minutes or until heated through and just starting to brown. Let sit 5 minutes before serving.
Tips
- Brown the sausage and cook the onions to ensure the onion softens. This step can be skipped if you cut the onion small enough it cooks in the time it takes the casserole to cook.
- Gently toss the ingredients together in the bowl so the hash browns don’t break into small pieces.
Storage and Reheating
- Store leftover casserole in an airtight container in the refrigerator for about 3 days.
- Reheat in the microwave in 30 second intervals, stirring each time, until heated through. For a couple of other ways (and tips!) to reheat casserole check out this article at over at Seanna’s Kitchen.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! I recommend letting them thaw slightly first so they mix more easily with the other ingredients.
Maybe! The smoked sausage and hash browns may contain fillers or additives that have gluten. To make this casserole gluten-free, be sure to choose certified gluten-free versions of these ingredients.
Yes, with a few swaps! Use dairy-free shredded cheese, sour cream, and butter to replace the dairy ingredients. There are plenty of great plant-based alternatives available that will still give you a creamy and flavorful casserole.
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Smoked Sausage Hash Brown Casserole
Ingredients
- 1 pkg rope sausage 13 oz
- 1/2 cup onion
- 1 pkg refrigerated hash browns 20 oz
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1/4 cup butter melted
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp pepper
- 1 1/2 cups cheddar cheese divided
- nonstick cooking spray
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Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°. Spray a 9″ X 13″ casserole dish with cooking spray.
- Cut sausage and chop onion into small pieces.
- Heat a nonstick skillet over medium heat, spray with cooking spray, add the sausage and onions and cook until the onion is translucent and the sausage begins to brown, about 5 minutes. This step can be skipped if you cut the onion small enough it cooks in the time it takes the casserole to cook.
- In a large bowl, gently toss together 1 cup cheese, hash browns, sour cream, butter, salt, pepper, sausage and onions, gently toss to combine. Pour into prepared casserole dish and top with remaining 1/2 cup cheese. Bake for 45 minutes or until heated through and just starting to brown.
- Let sit 5 minutes before serving.
Followed exactly! Great dish! Thank you for sharing!!
You’re welcome, thanks for commenting and reviewing!
Made this tonight. Everyone loved it! So good! Will definitely make it again. Thanks!
Made this tonight. Everyone loved it! So good! Thanks!
Can you add some beaten eggs to this dish also?
I haven’t tried it yet but I bet that you could. Sounds delish!
I say triple this Cheesy Sausage Hash Brown Casserole up and make several of these at once.
Ooh! Hashbrown, sausage, cheese & sour cream… BOOM! All freakin’ delish by themselves but all together? Whaaat, whaaaat? Sounds sooo good. Best part though… One dish.
Yes, quick and easy, too! Thanks
Now this is really comforting and delicious!
Thanks, Angie!
This looks like a weekend breakfast recipe my boys would love! We are huge hash brown fans. 🙂
I bet the boys would really like it. Thanks!
Does this need to be covered while in the oven?
I do not cover it so it gets brown and a little crispy on the top.