This Hashbrown Casserole tastes just like the real Cracker Barrel recipe and is so easy to make. Plus, you can make it ahead of time and can freeze leftovers!
Be sure to serve this with my fluffy scrambled eggs or with sausage gravy and biscuits!
Cracker Barrel Hashbrown Casserole
Oh man. Part of me needs to forget that this recipe exists. It is way too easy, delicious, addicting, versatile, and basically the best comfort food that exists.
Not only can you make it ahead of time, but if you happen to have leftovers, (we never do), you can freeze them!
Read on, I have everything you need to know about making this recipe. From customization options, tips on obtaining the perfect consistency, how to make it ahead of time, storing, reheating, and more!
Ingredients
The bottom of this post also contains a recipe card with ingredients and full instructions.
- Frozen Hash Browns– See below for instruction on using fresh potatoes
- Sour Cream
- Cheddar Cheese- Shredded from a block at home for best flavor and texture
- Cream of Chicken Soup- try my homemade condensed cream of chicken soup!
- Butter
- Onion
- Pepper
How to Make it
- Thaw the hash browns and pat them dry.
- Set 1/2 cup cheddar cheese aside. Combine remaining ingredients.
- Place in a greased 9 x 13 casserole dish. Top with remaining cheese.
- Cover and bake at 350° F for 35 minutes.
- Uncover and bake for 10 more minutes.
- Let it sit for 10 minutes prior to serving.
Do You Have to Thaw the Hash Browns?
Yes.
I have made this before without thawing the hash browns, (oops). -Take it from me, thaw them out.
Frozen hash browns take twice the amount of time to bake, and the consistency is much better if the hash browns are thawed and patted dry.
3 Ways to Thaw Them:
- Place the package in the refrigerator overnight.
- Defrost them in the microwave.
- Let them sit at room temperature in a large bowl for about 45 minutes.
Be sure to pat them dry after they have thawed.
These are the hash browns that I like to use, they’re nice and thick and hold up well in this casserole!
Using Frozen Cubed Potatoes
You can absolutely use cubed hash browns in this recipe if that is your preference or if you’re unable to obtain the shredded ones.
You can also use frozen Potatoes O’Brien and eliminate the need to dice up an onion!
Using Fresh Potatoes
- Shred the potatoes with a boxed grater.
- Rinse the potatoes in cold water to release some of the starch, which allows them to become crispy.
- If possible, let them sit in a large bowl of cold water in the fridge for a minimum of one hour and then rinse with cold water.
- Drain/Squeeze as much water from them as possible. This will also allow them to be crispy.
☝️ The above steps are also the same as you’d follow for making homemade french fries.
Crock Pot Method
- Assemble as indicated in recipe, reserving some of the cheese to top it with. Place in a lightly greased Crock Pot.
- Heat on low for 4-5 hours or high for 3+1/2.
- Top with cheese, cover until melted, then serve.
- Note: Crock Pots vary in terms of temperature so you may want to check on it periodically as it cooks.
Make-Ahead Method
You can assemble this casserole the night before and store it in the fridge overnight, just be sure that your hash browns are thawed and patted dry when you combine them with the other ingredients.
Add-On Ideas
- Meats: Cooked/diced ham, sausage, bacon, or chicken.
- Veggies: Bell Peppers, chiles, jalapenos, broccoli.
- Cheeses: Colby, Cheddar Jack, Monterey Jack, Boursin.
You can also sprinkle some crispy fried onions on top during the last 5-10 minutes of baking!
What to Serve with Hash Brown Casserole
-
- Fluffy Scrambled Eggs
-
- Chicken Fried Steak
-
- The Pioneer Woman’s Meatloaf
-
- Longhorn Parmesan Crusted Chicken
-
- Texas Roadhouse Steak Rub
-
- Roast Chicken
Storing Leftovers
- Leftovers should be refrigerated in an airtight container and are best if used within 3 days.
- You can also freeze leftovers, they’re best if used within 3 months.
- To reheat, let it defrost in the refrigerator and bake it in a 350° oven, covered, for 25-30 minutes.
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Cracker Barrel Hashbrown Casserole
Ingredients
- 32 oz. frozen hash browns, thawed*
- 1 stick butter, melted
- 10.5 oz. cream of chicken soup, (cream of cheddar works too)
- 16 oz. sour cream
- 1 small onion, finely diced
- 2 cups cheddar cheese, grated
- 1/3 teaspoon pepper
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Ensure that your hash browns have thawed. (Otherwise they take a very long time to bake.) You can defrost them in the microwave to speed up this process.
- Pat them dry of excess water.
- Set ½ cup of cheddar cheese aside.
- Combine all remaining ingredients in a large bowl.
- Place it in a greased 9x13 casserole dish and top with remaining cheese.
- Bake for 35 minutes, uncovered.
- Increase heat to 375 and bake for an additional 10 minutes, until the top begins to crisp and brown slightly.
- Remove from the oven, let it sit for 10 minutes, and serve!
Video
Notes
Crock Pot Method
- Assemble as indicated in recipe, reserving some of the cheese to top it with. Place in a lightly greased Crock Pot.
- Heat on low for 4-5 hours or high for 3+1/2.
- Top with cheese, cover until melted, then serve.
- Note: Crock Pots vary in terms of temperature so you may want to check on it periodically as it cooks.
Make-Ahead Method
You can assemble this casserole the night before and store it in the fridge overnight, just be sure that your hash browns are thawed and patted dry when you combine them with the other ingredients.Storing Leftovers
- Leftovers should be refrigerated in an airtight container and are best if use 25 minutes or more, depending on portion size.
- You can also freeze leftovers, they're best if used within 3 months.
- To reheat, let it defrost in the refrigerator and bake it in a 350° oven, covered, for 25-30 minutes.
Made this in the crockpot, on the high setting. I should have checked it at about 2 hours, but I just let it roll. Final result: A really yummy mush!!! The flavor was great (and I sautéed half each of a red pepper, green pepper and onion, adding that at the beginning)
Definitely try this recipe. I’ll do it in the oven next time! But you will probably be fine if you do it in your crockpot on low, or even high, as long as you periodically check it’s progress!
Hey Marianne! Thank you so much for sharing your experience with this recipe, it’s true, Crock Pots do vary in terms of temperature so it’s always a little tricky to give an exact timeframe! I’ll add a note that you should keep an eye on it during cooking! I’m glad that you enjoyed it and will be making it again! 🙂
In the picture it shows salt, but I don’t see that as an ingredient listed. Do u add that in?
Hey Christy! You can add salt to taste, if preferred, although it’s just fine without it! You can always sprinkle salt onto your plate when serving if desired! 🙂
Delicious and easy!!
Great Christy!! I’m so happy to hear that! Thank you so much for the review!
Oh no. Which recipe have I been using? For some reason I was thinking I was supposed to use cheese soup. Or something like that. Hmm uh oh and I also baked it with foil over it. Maybe that’s why it hasn’t been very good the past couple times I made it. Hmmm
Question! I don’t have hash browns, but I’ve got “tater rounds” (think Hardee’s/Carl’s Jr./Burger King hash browns. On the back of the bag it says “do not thaw”. Can you still thaw it and it’s ok or is that like THE rule for safety?
Hey Melissa! I don’t think there will be an issue with that, you should be just fine! 🙂
I am wondering if this can be frozen after baking for eating later
Absolutely! I love freezing leftovers! I reheat them into the microwave or covered in foil in the oven!
I made this a few days ago. There’s just 4 of us and it makes a 9×13 pan. It was so great, it was warmed up two different nights by my sons and it’s gone completely. Thank you for the recipe!
GREAT! So happy to hear that Amy, really appreciate you taking the time to let me know how it came out for you! 🙂 We love this one! -Stephanie
My family loved this! They are a tough crowd and very picky people. I will be making this often.
I’m happy to hear that Deborah, thanks so much for the review! We make this one a lot during the holidays!
This recipe is so easy and delicious! My kids and grandkids loved it this morning! After one bite my daughter-in-law said she was voting right now that we have this EVERY year for our Christmas breakfast!
That’s SUCH great news Kathy, I am so happy that your family enjoyed it so much and will work it into your new traditional holiday breakfast! Thank you so much for the great review! -Stephanie
In these trying times, I’m making this family friendly recipe, with ingredients I have on hand (no special trip to the store). We LOVE this [email protected] Thank you for all the added items (can be added in). I’m using left over cooked/cubed ham from Thanksgiving I set aside (and froze). Thank you again, and we wish you a VERY Merry Christmas, or, Happy Holidays.
I’m so glad that you enjoyed it Erin!! Thank you so much for letting me know what you thought of it! A very Merry Christmas to you as well!! -Stephanie