Grandma's Hash Brown Casserole

The pressure builds and you start counting down minutes until you eat. The sealing ring locks in all that steam, and you hear the valve hiss like it's cheering you on. You can almost smell the creamy cheese and tender potatoes mingling inside that sealed pot.

Time feels kinda slow but exciting as that timer ticks down. You know the quick release might pop that valve soon and you’ll get the slow release moment too, which helps the flavors settle in. You catch yourself imagining that first bite - that tender pull of cheesy potatoes almost melting in your mouth.

And when the valve finally goes hiss, your heart skips a beat. You open the lid, steam swirling up like a warm welcome, and the golden crust is just begging for you to dig in. This casserole isn’t just a dish, it’s a little celebration inside your kitchen.

What Makes Pressure Cooking Win Every Round

• It gets your casserole done way faster than a regular oven, without losing any of that rich flavor.
• The sealed environment means way less moisture lost, so your hash browns stay nice and tender with a perfect cheesy bite.
• The sealing ring locks in all that steam so nothing escapes and everything cooks evenly.
• The valve hiss tells you when the steam’s ready, giving you that satisfying sign that dinner’s on its way.
• You’ve got options to quick release for speed or slow release for extra tenderness, fitting your cooking style.

Your Simple Ingredient Checklist

For your hash brown casserole to come out just right, grab these cool players: 30 ounces of frozen shredded hash browns, thawed. I like using Ore Ida 'cause they hold up real good.

Half a cup diced yellow onion is next, for a bit of sweet crunch that balances the creaminess. Then, a 10.5 ounce can of Campbell’s Cream of Chicken Soup is your creamy base, thick and loaded with flavor.

Don’t forget 1 and ½ cups sour cream to make everything rich and smooth. Butter’s gotta be there too - half a cup melted, but you’ll divide it up for the mix and topping. Seasoning’s simple with a half teaspoon salt and some freshly ground black pepper to taste.

Finally, the star is 2 and a half cups of sharp cheddar cheese, shredded nice and fine, plus 2 cups crushed corn flakes for that crispy golden finish on top. These ingredients come together for a casserole that’s simple but hits all the comfort notes.

The Full Pressure Cooker Journey

• First, you gotta thaw those hash browns so they aren’t icy cold and clumped. It really helps your cooker do its thing.
• Pop your diced onion, cream of chicken soup, sour cream, half the melted butter, salt, and pepper into a big bowl. Mix it all up with the thawed hash browns until everything’s blended smooth.
• Before you start the cooker, grease the bottom of the inner pot well with some butter or oil so it don’t stick later.
• Spoon that hearty hash brown mixture into the pot, spreading it out in an even layer. You want it cozy but not packed too tight.
• Don’t forget to sprinkle around that shredded cheddar cheese across the top, covering it like a cheesy blanket.
• Lock the lid on, check that sealing ring’s snug, and set your valve to sealing. Set your cooker to high pressure for about 10 minutes.
• Once the cooking’s done, let it sit for a slow release about 5 minutes to keep the tender pull, then do a quick release for the rest of the steam.
• Open the lid carefully, then sprinkle the crushed corn flakes mixed with the rest of the melted butter on top. If you want that golden crunchy topping, put your cooker lid back on without pressure and toast the corn flakes for a few minutes or just use your oven broiler real quick. Then, you’re ready to serve up some serious comfort food.

Time Savers That Actually Work

Thaw your hash browns in the fridge the night before for a super smooth start to your cooking. It cuts down the prep fuss and gets your cooker going faster. Check out some prep and storage tips for more ideas.

Use pre-shredded cheese and pre-crushed corn flakes if you can find ‘em. Gotta admit, it’s a heck of a shortcut that don’t skimp on taste.

If you wanna save time on crisping up the top, skip the oven and just use your pressure cooker on the saute setting after you release pressure. It crisps that corn flake topping nicely without heating up the whole kitchen. Also, see our pressure cooker tips for more time-saving hacks.

Your First Taste After the Wait

You pick up your fork and sink it right into that bubbly, thick casserole. The sour cream and cream of chicken soup make every bite just so creamy you wanna close your eyes.

That cheddar cheese melts perfectly, pulling gently as you scoop up a forkful, and the potatoes feel tender but not mushy. It’s kinda like comfort hugging you from the inside. See more about comfort food recipes to warm your soul.

The crispy corn flake topping adds that perfect crunch, making each bite a little party of textures and warmth right on your tongue. You know you made something special.

Your Leftover Strategy Guide

If you got leftovers, they store real well in the fridge when sealed tight in an airtight container. Usually good for about 3 to 4 days. Try our best leftover ideas to keep meals tasty.

Freeze some in smaller portions if you wanna keep it longer. Wrap it up tight with plastic wrap then shove it in a freezer bag so it doesn’t catch any freezer burns.

When you wanna reheat, thaw it overnight in the fridge first. Reheat in the oven or even your pressure cooker on low steam mode so it warms evenly without drying out. You gotta avoid that tough crust forming again.

What People Always Ask Me

• Can I use fresh potatoes instead of frozen? Sure, but fresh potatoes gotta be grated and dried really well so they don’t make the casserole watery. For more on potato prep, see potato preparation tips.
• Why do I need the sealing ring? That little ring’s what keeps all the steam inside so your casserole cooks evenly and stays moist. No ring, no proper pressure cooking. Learn more in our pressure cooker basics article.
• What’s the difference between quick release and slow release? Quick release lets steam out fast, good when you wanna stop cooking right quick. Slow release lets the pressure drop gradually, which keeps the texture nice and tender.
• Can I swap sour cream for Greek yogurt? Yeah, Greek yogurt works fine and keeps it creamy but might change flavor a bit.
• How do I get the corn flakes crunchy on top? Mix ’em with melted butter, then after cooking sprinkle on top and broil a few minutes till golden or brown in your cooker on saute mode.
• Can I make this recipe vegan or dairy-free? You can try swapping butter and cheese with vegan alternatives, but it’ll change the flavor and texture quite a bit.