Get my Cookbooks! Hash Brown Casserole (Cracker Barrel Copycat!)
This Hash Brown Casserole tastes just like the real Cracker Barrel recipe and is easy to make with just 6 ingredients! Plus, it’s make-ahead and freezer friendly!
Be sure to serve this with my fluffy scrambled eggs and buttermilk biscuits!
Hash Brown Casserole
Welcome to one of my favorite comfort food recipes on the blog! (And I have a lot of them.)
Not only can you make this 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!
How to Make it
See recipe card below this post for ingredient quantities and full instructions.
Pro Tip: I like to use Thick Cut Hash Browns. They hold up well in this casserole!
- Thaw the hash browns and pat them dry.
- Set 1 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° for 45 minutes.
- Remove cover and increase heat to 400° Bake for 10-15 more minutes.
- Let it sit for 10 minutes prior to serving.
Should I Thaw Frozen Hash Browns Before Cooking
Yes. The consistency is much better if you thaw them out and pat them dry prior to assembly. It also takes twice as long for the casserole to bake if the hash browns are frozen.
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.
Can I Make Hash Brown Casserole The Day Before
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.
Can You Freeze Hash Brown Casserole
Yes. You can assemble and freeze this casserole prior to baking. When ready to serve, let it thaw in the fridge overnight and bake as outlined.
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!
Crock Pot Method
- Assemble as indicated in recipe, reserving some of the cheese for the top. 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.
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 minutes of baking!
Try These Next
-
- Breakfast Tacos
-
- Fluffy Scrambled Eggs
-
- Hashbrown Breakfast Casserole
-
- Buttermilk Biscuits
-
- Blackberry Cobbler
-
- Copycat Longhorn Parmesan Crusted 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 20-25 minutes.
- You can also microwave them until heated through.
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Hash Brown Casserole (Cracker Barrel Copycat!)
Ingredients
- 1 small onion, finely diced
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 28-32 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
- 2.5 cups cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1/3 teaspoon pepper
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350° F.
- Heat olive oil in a small skillet over medium heat and add the onions. Soften for 5 minutes, then set aside.
- Pat the thawed hashbrowns dry.
- Set 1 cup of cheddar cheese aside for the top of the casserole, then combine all remaining ingredients in a large bowl, (hashbrowns included).
- Transfer to a greased 9x13 casserole dish and top with remaining cheese.
- Cover and bake for 45 minutes.
- Remove cover and increase heat to 400° F. Bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, until the top begins to crisp and brown slightly.
- Remove from the oven and let stand for 10 minutes prior to serving.
Notes
- 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.
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 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 20-25 minutes.
- You can also microwave them until heated through.
Not bad! Almost like being at Cracker Barrel.
Glad that you enjoyed it Barb! I can’t get enough, it’s dangerous for me to have this around!
Could I use whole potatoes and dice them instead of frozen? If so, should I cook them a bit first?
Hi Nay! Here is the info from the post about using fresh potatoes 🙂
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.
This was a great recipe. The only complaint I got from my crowd was that it was bland then I realized there is no salt in the recipe, maybe I should have used salted butter?
Hi Dotty! There are 971 grams of sodium per serving, so definitely a lot. The hashbrowns themselves are already seasoned, and the soup/cheese also add a lot. ❤️
So easy and delicious!! Everyone loved it. I’ll definitely make this again.
Perfect, I’m so glad that you loved it Shirley!! ❤️
Has anyone used cream of potato or cream of celery instead???
Hi Jamie! I bet either would be great, I’d probably go with cream of potato 🙂
Is it okay to cook the hashbrowns before you mix them into the casserole? My complaint with this recipe is that the potatoes in the Cracker Barrel version are more often, than not, still very crunchy, from the potatoes not being thoroughly cooked and “softened up”.
Hi Donna! I don’t see an issue with giving the hashbrowns a little bit of a cook first, so that the consistency is to your liking! If you give it a try, I’d love to know how it goes! 🙂
I tried cooking the hash browns before mixing them with the other ingredients. I got exactly the creamy texture I was looking for! Thanks for your help!
That’s excellent Donna!! So glad you obtained the texture that you wanted, nicely done! Thank you for sharing!
If you thaw them in the microwave you can just give them an extra minute or two and they will be semi-cooked. I find that softens them up just a bit without making them too crispy or too soggy.
Is the hash browns combined with the wet ingredients?
Hi Kristen, yes the hashbrowns are combined with the wet ingredients. Enjoy! ❤️
Oh no, I didn’t realize I don’t have foil either. What else csn i use to cover? Thanks for getting back to me
Hi there! You can use a baking sheet that’s large enough to cover the top. It won’t seal as tightly as foil, but it works in a pinch 🙂
Do i cover it with foil? I don’t have a top for my baking dish, hopefully i get answers soon im cooking it now haha thanks
Hi Isabella! Yes, covering it with foil is perfect! 🙂 Enjoy!!
Family loved it
I’m so happy to hear that Mary, thank you!!