Hearty Corned Beef Hash Bake

Transform your brunch or dinner routine with this incredibly easy and flavorful Corned Beef Hash Casserole! Forget everything you thought you knew about canned corned beef hash; this recipe elevates the humble classic into a spectacular, family-sized meal that’s bursting with savory goodness, tender potatoes, and a irresistible buttery rye bread topping. Perfect for any time of day, this hearty casserole is designed for convenience, allowing you to prep it ahead of time and bake when ready, making it an absolute game-changer for busy weeknights or leisurely weekend gatherings.

This post may contain affiliate link(s). As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. See Disclosure.

If you’re searching for a dish that promises big flavors with minimal fuss, look no further. This easy Corned Beef Hash Casserole brings together all the best elements: the rich, salty kick of corned beef, the comforting warmth of tender potatoes, the creamy melt of Jarlsberg cheese, and a truly exceptional buttery rye bread crumble that adds the perfect textural contrast. It’s a delightful departure from traditional hash, transforming it into a complete, satisfying meal that the entire family will adore. The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity and versatility, allowing you to prepare it in advance, then simply pop it into the oven when you’re ready to serve.

For many, “corned beef hash” conjures images of the diced potatoes and processed meat found in a can. While that has its nostalgic charm, this casserole takes those familiar flavors and elevates them to an entirely new level. We’re talking about a homemade experience that’s rich, deeply savory, and incredibly satisfying. The addition of Jarlsberg cheese, a fantastic Swiss cheese alternative known for its mild, nutty notes and excellent melting capabilities, adds a creamy depth that complements the corned beef beautifully. And that crispy, buttery rye bread topping? It’s a game-changer, providing a delightful crunch and a hint of tang that truly sets this casserole apart.

Whether you’re planning a relaxed Sunday brunch, a hearty breakfast-for-dinner feast, or simply need a delicious and convenient meal that feeds a crowd, this meaty, potato-packed casserole is your answer. It’s designed to impress without requiring hours in the kitchen, making it an ideal choice for home cooks looking to serve something truly special and comforting. Get ready to experience corned beef hash like never before – a truly irresistible upgrade that you’ll want to make again and again!

Essential Ingredients for Your Corned Beef Hash Casserole

Crafting this incredible Corned Beef Hash Casserole requires a few simple ingredients, most of which you likely already have in your pantry or can easily find at your local grocery store. Each component plays a crucial role in building the layers of flavor and texture that make this dish so special.

• Canned Corned Beef (12-ounce can): This is the star of our hash, providing that distinctive savory, salty, and meaty base. Choose a good quality brand for the best flavor and texture.
• Butter: We use salted butter, divided, to sauté the vegetables and give that irresistible golden-brown finish to the rye bread topping. Its rich flavor enhances every layer of the casserole.
• Yellow Onion (chopped): A foundational aromatic that adds a subtle sweetness and depth when sautéed until translucent, balancing the richness of the beef.
• Green Bell Pepper (diced): Contributes a fresh, slightly crisp texture and a vibrant color, alongside a mild, earthy flavor that complements the corned beef.
• Frozen Shredded Potatoes (about 20 ounces, thawed): A fantastic time-saving shortcut! Using pre-shredded potatoes dramatically cuts down on prep time. Remember to thaw them thoroughly and squeeze out excess water to prevent a soggy casserole.
• Egg: Acts as a binder for the potato layer, helping it hold together beautifully and providing a cohesive base for the hash.
• All-Purpose Flour: A small amount of flour works with the egg to bind the potato mixture, ensuring a stable and satisfying texture.
• Dijon Mustard: This secret ingredient adds a tangy, slightly sharp kick that brightens the rich flavors of the corned beef, preventing the dish from tasting flat and adding a gourmet touch.
• Kosher Salt and Freshly Ground Black Pepper: Essential seasonings to enhance all the flavors. Adjust to your taste, remembering that canned corned beef is already quite salty.
• Jarlsberg Cheese (shredded): Our preferred cheese! Jarlsberg, a Norwegian cheese similar to Swiss, offers a mild, nutty, and slightly sweet flavor with excellent melting properties, creating a creamy, delectable layer.
• Rye Bread (2-3 slices): The key to our incredible topping. Pulsed into coarse crumbs and buttered, it creates a crispy, savory crust that adds a wonderful texture and a hint of classic deli-style flavor to the casserole.

Step-by-Step Guide to Making the Best Corned Beef Hash Casserole

Creating this delicious Corned Beef Hash Casserole is a straightforward process, broken down into easy-to-follow steps. Precision in each stage ensures a perfectly cooked, flavorful, and wonderfully textured dish every time.

1. Prepare Your Baking Dish: Begin by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C). While the oven heats, take a 9×9-inch baking dish and generously spray it with nonstick cooking spray. This crucial step prevents sticking and ensures your casserole can be easily removed and served. Set the prepared dish aside.
2. Craft the Buttery Rye Topping: In a food processor, pulse the slices of rye bread until they form coarse crumbs. You’re looking for a texture that provides a satisfying crunch, not a fine powder. Transfer these crumbs to a small bowl and set them aside for later.
3. Sauté the Aromatics: Melt half of the butter (approximately 2 tablespoons if using 4 tablespoons total) in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped yellow onions and cook, stirring occasionally, until they become translucent and tender, which usually takes about 6 minutes. This step builds a fragrant flavor base for the hash.
4. Incorporate Corned Beef and Bell Pepper: To the skillet with the softened onions, add the diced green bell pepper and the canned corned beef. Using a sturdy spatula or a wooden spoon, break up the corned beef into smaller pieces as it cooks. Continue to cook, stirring, until the mixture is thoroughly heated through and the bell peppers have softened slightly, typically another 3-5 minutes. Once cooked, remove the skillet from the heat and set the corned beef mixture aside.
5. Prepare the Potato Base: Take your thawed shredded potatoes and, using a clean kitchen towel or paper towels, firmly squeeze out as much excess water as possible. This is a critical step to prevent your casserole from becoming watery and ensures a crispy texture. In a large mixing bowl, combine the squeezed potatoes with the egg, all-purpose flour, Dijon mustard, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are well incorporated and the mixture is cohesive.
6. Layer the Potato Base: Transfer the prepared potato mixture to the bottom of your greased 9×9-inch baking dish. Using the back of a spoon or your hands, gently press the mixture down to form an even, compact layer. This will be the sturdy and flavorful foundation of your casserole.
7. Assemble the Layers: Evenly sprinkle the shredded Jarlsberg cheese over the pressed potato layer, creating a delicious, melty cheese barrier. Next, spoon the cooked corned beef and bell pepper mixture on top of the cheese, spreading it out to form another uniform layer.
8. Add the Signature Topping: Generously sprinkle the coarsely chopped rye bread crumbs over the entire surface of the corned beef layer. Drizzle the remaining butter (approximately 2 tablespoons) evenly over the bread crumbs. This ensures a golden, crispy, and incredibly flavorful crust.
9. Bake to Golden Perfection: Place the casserole in your preheated 375°F (190°C) oven. Bake for approximately 35-40 minutes, or until the casserole is cooked through, bubbling around the edges, and the rye bread topping is beautifully golden brown and crispy.
10. Serve and Enjoy: Once baked, carefully remove the casserole from the oven. Allow it to cool for a few minutes before slicing and serving. This resting period helps the layers set. Serve hot and savor every delicious bite!

Chef Jenn’s Pro Tips for a Perfect Corned Beef Hash Casserole

Achieving a truly outstanding Corned Beef Hash Casserole is simple with a few expert insights. These tips from Chef Jenn will help you perfect your dish, ensuring it’s packed with flavor, has the ideal texture, and is easy to manage.

• Leverage Pre-Shredded Frozen Potatoes for Convenience: While you can certainly shred your own potatoes, using pre-shredded frozen potatoes is a fantastic time-saver. It makes the casserole prep incredibly easy and quick. If you opt for fresh potatoes, remember that they will contain more moisture and the casserole might require a longer cooking time to ensure they are fully tender. For fresh, peel and shred them, then follow the next tip for moisture removal.
• The Importance of Squeezing Thawed Potatoes Dry: This step cannot be emphasized enough! Thawed frozen potatoes, or freshly shredded ones, hold a lot of water. Failing to squeeze out this excess moisture will result in a soggy, unappetizing casserole. Use a clean kitchen towel or several layers of paper towels and apply firm pressure to extract as much liquid as possible. A dry potato base is key to a crispy, well-structured casserole.
• Customizing Your Cheese Choice: Don’t feel limited to Jarlsberg if it’s not readily available. Jarlsberg is a great choice because it’s similar to Swiss cheese but offers a milder, nuttier flavor that doesn’t overpower the corned beef. However, other cheeses work wonderfully too! Consider sharp cheddar for a more pronounced cheesy tang, Gruyère for a rich, earthy flavor, or even a Monterey Jack for a milder, creamier melt. Experiment with what you love!
• Knowing When Your Casserole is Perfectly Cooked: To ensure your Corned Beef Hash Casserole is cooked through and safe to eat, look for key indicators. The center should be piping hot and bubbly, and the edges should be beautifully golden brown. The rye bread topping should be crispy and toasted. If the topping starts to brown too quickly before the center is cooked, loosely cover the casserole with aluminum foil to prevent further browning while allowing the inside to continue cooking.
• Make-Ahead Mastery: This casserole is an excellent candidate for make-ahead meal prep. You can assemble the entire casserole, cover it tightly with plastic wrap or foil, and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours before baking. When ready to bake, remove it from the fridge 30 minutes prior to baking to allow it to come closer to room temperature, then bake as directed. You might need to add an extra 5-10 minutes to the baking time if it’s still quite cold.
• Freezing for Future Feasts: For long-term storage, this casserole can be frozen. You can either freeze it unbaked or after it’s fully cooked and cooled. If freezing unbaked, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and then foil, and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before baking. If freezing a cooked casserole, cool completely, then wrap and freeze. Reheat thawed portions in the oven until warmed through.

Discover More Delicious and Easy Recipes

If you loved the simplicity and flavor of this Corned Beef Hash Casserole, you’ll be thrilled to explore more of our easy-to-follow and incredibly tasty recipes. We specialize in dishes that bring joy to your kitchen without demanding extensive time or complicated techniques. Check out these other reader favorites for more meal inspiration!

• Perfectly Cooked Steaks on a Blackstone Griddle: Master the art of searing steak to perfection on your griddle.
• How to Make Homemade Peameal Bacon: A Canadian classic, this recipe shows you how to cure and prepare delicious peameal bacon from scratch.
• Flavorful Smoked Lamb Chops: Infuse rich smoky flavor into tender lamb chops for an impressive main course.
• Mouthwatering Smoked Eye of Round: Learn how to smoke an eye of round roast to achieve a tender and juicy result.
• Creative Smoked Shotgun Shells: A fun and unique appetizer or side dish that’s sure to be a conversation starter.

Serving Suggestions: Make It a Complete Meal

The beauty of this Corned Beef Hash Casserole is that it’s substantial enough to stand on its own as a complete meal. However, if you’re looking to round out your spread, especially for a lavish brunch or a comforting dinner, here are some delightful pairing ideas:

For a fantastic brunch experience, serve generous slices of this hearty casserole alongside freshly baked muffins like our delightful Blueberry Rhubarb Muffins, for a touch of sweetness. Complement the savory notes with crispy strips of bacon or our homemade back bacon for an extra protein boost. A vibrant bowl of fresh seasonal fruit—berries, melon, or sliced oranges—adds a refreshing contrast and a burst of color. Don’t forget a pot of freshly brewed coffee or a glass of chilled orange juice to complete the perfect brunch setting.

When serving this casserole for dinner, consider pairing it with a simple, crisp green salad tossed in a light vinaigrette to cut through the richness. Roasted asparagus, green beans, or a medley of roasted root vegetables would also make excellent companions, adding fresh flavors and nutrients. This versatile breakfast casserole recipe is incredibly robust and filling, so if you prefer a simpler approach, it’s absolutely delicious served all on its own!

Storage and Reheating Tips

One of the many advantages of this Corned Beef Hash Casserole is how wonderfully it stores and reheats, making it perfect for meal prepping or enjoying leftovers for days. Properly storing your casserole ensures its freshness and flavor are maintained.

To store any leftover casserole, allow it to cool completely to room temperature first. Then, transfer the remaining portions into an airtight container. Place the container in the refrigerator, where it will stay fresh and delicious for up to 3-4 days. This makes it an ideal candidate for packed lunches or quick breakfasts throughout the week.

When you’re ready to reheat, you have a couple of options to restore its deliciousness. For best results, especially if you want to revive that crispy topping, reheat individual portions in the oven or a toaster oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 15-20 minutes, or until thoroughly heated through and the topping is crisp again. Alternatively, for a quicker reheat, you can use the microwave. Cover the portion loosely to prevent drying out and microwave in 1-minute intervals until hot. While the microwave is faster, the oven will provide a superior texture, especially for the bread topping.

Visual Step-by-Step Process

Seeing each stage of the recipe can be incredibly helpful. Follow along with these visual cues to ensure you’re on the right track to creating your perfect Corned Beef Hash Casserole.

---

Print Recipe
Pin Recipe

Canned Corned Beef Hash Casserole

An easy fix with frozen potatoes and canned corned beef, this economical casserole is big on flavor! It’s easy and delish and is perfect for breakfast, brunch, or dinner!

Course:
Breakfast

Cuisine:
American

Keyword:
breakfast casserole, brunch casserole, canned corned beef, corned beef hash, corned beef hash casserole

Prep Time:
10 minutes

Cook Time:
40 minutes

Total Time:
50 minutes

Servings:
8 servings

Calories:
328kcal

Author:
Chef Jenn

Ingredients

• 3 slices rye bread (crumbled)
• 4 tablespoons butter (divided)
• 1 cup diced onion
• 1 cup diced green bell pepper
• 12 ounce canned corned beef
• 20 ounces frozen shredded potatoes (thawed and squeezed dry)
• 1 egg
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
• salt and pepper to taste
• 6 ounces Jarlsberg cheese (shredded)

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 375F (190°C) and spray a 9×9 baking dish with nonstick cooking spray and set it aside.
2. Make the bread topping by pulsing the rye bread slices in a food processor until coarsely chopped. Set them aside.
3. Saute the onions in 2 tablespoons of butter in a skillet over medium heat until translucent, about 6 minutes.
4. Add the diced green bell pepper and canned corned beef, using a spatula to break up the corned beef. Cook until heated through then set aside.
5. Squeeze the excess water from the thawed potatoes and combine them with the egg, all-purpose flour, and Dijon mustard in a large bowl until well-mixed.
6. Transfer the potato mixture to the bottom of the prepared baking dish and press it down gently.
7. Add the shredded Jarlsberg cheese in a layer on top of the potatoes, then top that with the corned beef mixture.
8. Sprinkle the crumbled rye bread over the top of the casserole and drizzle with the remaining butter.
9. Bake at 375F (190°C) for about 35-40 minutes or until cooked through. Serve and enjoy!

Notes

Chef Jenn’s Tips

• Using pre-shredded frozen potatoes makes the prep for this fabulous casserole super easy. You can shred your own potatoes, but the casserole will take MUCH longer to cook through.
• Squeeze the extra water from the thawed potatoes so your casserole isn’t soggy.
• You can use any kind of cheese in this recipe. What is Jarlsberg cheese? It is similar to swiss but not quite as strong a flavor which makes it a great choice for this breakfast casserole recipe.
• How do you know when your Corned Beef Hash Casserole is cooked? It’ll be super hot in the middle and golden brown around the outside. If it starts getting too brown on top, cover the top loosely with foil.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cup |
Calories: 328kcal |
Carbohydrates: 23g |
Protein: 16g |
Fat: 20g |
Saturated Fat: 10g |
Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g |
Monounsaturated Fat: 5g |
Trans Fat: 0.2g |
Cholesterol: 74mg |
Sodium: 838mg |
Potassium: 427mg |
Fiber: 3g |
Sugar: 2g |
Vitamin A: 429IU |
Vitamin C: 34mg |
Calcium: 185mg |
Iron: 2mg

A Note on Nutritional Information

Nutritional information for this recipe is provided as a courtesy and is calculated based on available online ingredient information. It is only an approximate value. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site cannot be guaranteed.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Corned Beef Hash Casserole

Here are some common questions about making this delicious and easy Corned Beef Hash Casserole, along with helpful answers to ensure your success in the kitchen.

• Can I use fresh potatoes instead of frozen?
  Yes, you can absolutely use fresh potatoes! If using fresh, peel and shred them, then make sure to squeeze out as much excess moisture as possible using a clean kitchen towel. Freshly shredded potatoes typically contain more water, which can make your casserole soggy if not removed. You might also find the casserole needs a slightly longer baking time to ensure the fresh potatoes are fully tender.
• What kind of corned beef should I use?
  This recipe specifically calls for canned corned beef, which is convenient and provides that classic hash texture and flavor. Look for a quality brand. While you *could* use leftover cooked corned beef brisket, the texture and moisture content would be different, requiring adjustments to the recipe.
• Can I prepare this casserole the night before?
  Absolutely! This is one of the best features of this casserole. You can assemble the entire dish, cover it tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil, and refrigerate it overnight (up to 24 hours). When you’re ready to bake, remove it from the fridge about 30 minutes before baking to allow it to come closer to room temperature, then bake as directed. You might need to add an additional 5-10 minutes to the bake time.
• How can I make this casserole less greasy?
  Canned corned beef can be a bit greasy. To reduce grease, you can lightly press the cooked corned beef mixture with a paper towel after cooking in the skillet to absorb some of the excess fat before adding it to the casserole dish. Also, ensure you squeeze the water out of the potatoes thoroughly, as excess moisture can sometimes make the dish feel greasy.
• What if I don’t have Jarlsberg cheese?
  No problem! Jarlsberg is recommended for its mild, nutty, and creamy melt, similar to Swiss but less pungent. Excellent substitutes include Gruyère, regular Swiss cheese, or even sharp cheddar for a bolder, more traditional cheesy flavor. Feel free to use your favorite melty cheese!
• Can I add other vegetables to the casserole?
  Certainly! This casserole is very adaptable. Diced carrots, celery, or even finely chopped spinach could be added to the corned beef and onion mixture during sautéing for extra nutrients and flavor. Just ensure they are diced small and cooked until tender-crisp.