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-inspired taco and burrito recipe (vegetarian), ready in about 36 minutes, pairs russet potatoes, peeled and grated, yellow onion, thinly sliced, 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 "Plan a meal with the AI" 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 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.