Hashbrown Casserole

Cheesy and Creamy Hashbrown Casserole Recipe by Liz Mervosh from Food & Wine.
Prep time: 25 minutes
Cooking time: 1 hour 10 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil, plus more for baking dish
 - 1 medium-sized (8-ounce) yellow onion, chopped (1 1/2 cups)
 - 1 medium-size (9-ounce) red bell pepper, chopped (1 1/4 cups)
 - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
 - 2 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt, divided
 - 4 large eggs
 - 3/4 cup sour cream
 - 3/4 cup whole milk
 - 1 tablespoon Mexican-style hot sauce (such as Cholula), plus more for serving
 - 1 teaspoon garlic powder
 - 1 (30-ounce) package of frozen (not thawed) shredded hash brown potatoes, shreds broken apart
 - 8 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, shredded (about 2 cups), divided
 - Fresh chive batons
 

Directions
- Preheat the Oven
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). - Cook the Vegetables
- Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
 - Add 1 chopped onion, 1 diced bell pepper, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, and 1/2 teaspoon salt.
 - Cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are softened, and the onion becomes translucent, about 10 minutes.
 - Remove the skillet from the heat and set it aside.
 
 - Prepare the Egg Mixture
- In a very large bowl, whisk 8 large eggs until blended and smooth.
 - Add 1 cup sour cream, 1 cup milk, 1 tablespoon hot sauce, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, and the remaining 2 teaspoons salt. Whisk until fully combined.
 
 - Combine Ingredients
- Stir 1 (32-ounce) package of hash browns, the cooked peppers and onions, and 1 1/2 cups shredded cheese into the egg mixture. Mix until evenly combined.
 
 - Assemble the Casserole
- Lightly coat a 13 x 9-inch baking dish with oil.
 - Pour the hash brown mixture into the prepared dish.
 - Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup shredded cheese evenly on top.
 
 - Bake
- Place the casserole in the preheated oven.
 - Bake, uncovered, for 35 to 40 minutes, or until the egg mixture is just set.
 
 - Cool and Serve
- Let the casserole cool for 10 minutes before cutting into it.
 - Garnish with chopped chives and drizzle with additional hot sauce, if desired.
 
 
