Ingredients
Equipment
Method
Prep and mix
- Preheat oven to 350F and grease a 9x13-inch baking dish. Keep the dish ready so the casserole can go in right away.
- Mix sour cream, cream of chicken soup, butter, mayonnaise, pimentos, 2 cups cheddar, onion, salt, pepper, and cayenne in a large bowl until well combined. The mixture should look creamy with evenly distributed red pimento pieces.
- Fold in hash browns until evenly coated. Make sure there are no dry hash brown pockets before transferring to the dish.
- Spread the mixture into the greased dish and top with the remaining cheddar. Cover the surface evenly so the crust browns uniformly.
Bake and rest
- Bake at 350F for 50-55 minutes until golden and bubbling at the edges. Watch for active bubbling and a browned cheddar top.
- Rest for 10 minutes before serving. This helps the casserole set into a scoopable texture instead of running.
Notes
For best browning, use shredded cheddar that melts easily and spread the top layer of cheese right to the corners. Refrigerate leftovers in a covered container up to 3 days; reheat in the oven or microwave until hot. Freezing is not recommended for best texture. For a lighter option, use low-fat sour cream and a reduced-fat cheddar blend while keeping the bake time the same.
