The Cozy Cookbook is here! 
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.
I also added 1/2 stick of finely chopped celery to the onions and all. Really got closer to cracker barrels recipe
Yummm! I’m so happy you enjoyed the casserole Sheila. Thanks so much for the great review!😀
This was absolutely delicious. I also added a pound of diced ham.
Hi Sharon! I am so happy that you enjoyed this recipe, I LOVE that you added ham, I will definitely be trying that! 🙂 Thank you so much for taking the time to leave a review! -Stephanie
Can I double this in my crockpot and increase time? I don’t want it to be too mushy!!
Did you ever have the Cracker Barrel’s Saturday Night Special Chicken and Rice.
I loved it and wish someone who is good at making copycat recipes would try making it. They took it off the menu.
It was chicken tenders cooked in a chicken mushroom gravy served over seasoned rice. There are several who have recipes online but they use cream of mushroom soup. It is not that kind of gravy, no milk.
Hi Nanci! Unfortunately I’ve never had that dish before but it sounds really good! 🙂 I hope you are able to track down a good recipe!
Hi Nancy! In Pinterest just type in chicken and rice Cracker Barrel recipe. There is one that comes up on like a recipe card from Cracker Barrel. I make this at least once a week. It was my favorite from there and I too, HAD to have the recipe. It really does taste like it. I do mine in the crockpot and it’s perfect. Message me if you can’t find it and I will send you a picture.
This was absolutely DELICIOUS!! My husband couldn’t stop eating this, even long after he finished his meal, lol. Will definitely be making this again. I have a cookout to go to and this is what I plan on taking to contribute. I looked at increasing the servings on the recipe but I’m afraid if I mess with it like that it won’t turn out as yummy. So I’ll just 2 or 3 separate casseroles as there is a large number of people going. Thank you for sharing this delicious recipe!!
I’m so happy this was such a hit Toni!😍 My husband loves this one too! If you want to experiment with making more servings you can always hover over where it says ‘servings’ on my recipe card and use the slide bar to adjust the serving size. All ingredient amount will automatically adjust! Thanks so much for taking the time to leave a review!
Try subbing cream of bacon for the cream of chicken!!! Always a hit in my house!!
Excellent!!! Sounds SO good! 🙂
Great recipe, thank you! I did scale back on the butter and used cream of celery, I also added a cup of shredded broccoli stem since I had some that I needed to use. Halved the sour cream and it was still delicious. I shredded two potatoes(was close to 32 oz) and this recipe made ALOT of food. I keep forgetting my husband and I are recent empty nesters! Oh and I also crumbled some crackers to add to the cheese on top……
I’m so happy you and your husband liked this one!😃 I love your additions/adjustments, thanks so much for sharing!
If I double the hash brown casserole, how would i adjust the cooking time?
Hi Wendy! If you are able to cook them in 2 separate casserole dishes, then no adjustment would be needed. If you use just one, I’m not quite sure how much extra cooking time would be needed, maybe an additional 25 minutes or so?
You have been to Cracker Barrel and I am wondering if you have had their Chicken and Rice and if you could try to make a recipe for that. They were so good and now they don’t have them for their Saturday nigh special. I really miss them.
Hi Nanci! Unfortunately I don’t have a recipe for that at this time, Cracker Barrel is farther away from us now but if I ever nail a recipe down I will let you know! 🙂
Can cream of mushroom be a substitute for the cream of chicken?
Yes it can!