Skillet Hash Browns with Caramelized Onions and Cheddar

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-26 · Updated 2026-04-26

Golden skillet hash browns mixed with sweet caramelized onions and melted sharp cheddar cheese, perfect for a hearty breakfast. This American taco and burrito recipe (vegetarian), ready in about 36 minutes, pairs russet potatoes, peeled and grated, yellow onion, thinly sliced, and sharp cheddar cheese, shredded for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 300 calories and feeds 3, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Build a week of meals around this recipe" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Ingredients

• 2 cups russet potatoes, peeled and grated
• 1 medium yellow onion, thinly sliced
• 1/2 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
• 3 tbsp unsalted butter
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper

The pan we’d use for this → Best Nonstick Cookware for 2026: Top 5 Skillet Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp unsalted butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 1 medium thinly sliced yellow onion and cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until deep golden and caramelized.
2. Step 2: While onions cook, squeeze excess moisture from 2 cups grated russet potatoes using a clean kitchen towel.
3. Step 3: Add remaining 1 tbsp butter to the skillet with onions, then add the grated potatoes, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Press down evenly and cook over medium heat for 7 minutes without stirring until the bottom is golden and crispy.
4. Step 4: Carefully flip the hash browns in sections and cook for another 7 minutes until the other side is golden and crispy.
5. Step 5: Sprinkle 1/2 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese evenly over the hash browns, cover the skillet with a lid, and cook for 2 minutes until the cheese melts.