Cracker Barrel Hash Brown Casserole Recipe
Introduction
Cracker Barrel Hash Brown Casserole is a comforting and cheesy breakfast classic that’s easy to prepare. Made with shredded hash browns, sour cream, cheese, and cream of chicken soup, this dish is perfect for brunch, breakfast, or even a cozy dinner. It’s hearty, flavorful, and a true crowd-pleaser.
Ingredients
- 32 ounces shredded hash browns, thawed
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 10.75 ounces cream of chicken soup
- 2 cups sour cream
- 1/2 yellow onion, chopped
- 2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon coarse ground black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and lightly grease an 11×14 inch casserole or baking dish with cooking spray.
- Step 2: In a large bowl, combine the shredded hash browns, melted butter, cream of chicken soup, sour cream, chopped onion, cheddar cheese, kosher salt, and black pepper. Stir until everything is well mixed.
- Step 3: Spread the mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish.
- Step 4: Bake for 45 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the casserole is heated through.
Tips & Variations
- Try swapping cheddar cheese for parmesan, pecorino, or colby to add a new twist to the dish.
- Add a sprinkle of black pepper, red pepper flakes, paprika, oregano, or an Italian herb blend on top for extra flavor.
- For a crunchy topping, sprinkle crushed cornflakes over the casserole before baking.
- To make it vegetarian, substitute cream of chicken soup with cream of mushroom soup.
- Use scallions or green onions instead of yellow onion for a stronger, different onion flavor.
Storage
Serve the casserole shortly after baking, and avoid leaving it out at room temperature for more than 2 hours. Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. For longer storage, freeze the casserole for up to 3 months; beyond that, texture and flavor may decline. Reheat thoroughly before serving.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use frozen hash browns directly?
It’s best to thaw the hash browns before using to ensure even cooking and to avoid excess moisture in the casserole.
Can I make this dish ahead of time?
Yes, you can assemble the casserole a day ahead, cover it, and refrigerate. Bake it when you’re ready, adding a few extra minutes to the cooking time if baking from cold.
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Cracker Barrel Hash Brown Casserole Recipe
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
Description
Cracker Barrel Hash Brown Casserole is a classic comfort food dish featuring shredded hash browns mixed with creamy sour cream, cheddar cheese, cream of chicken soup, and melted butter, baked to a golden brown perfection. This copycat recipe is perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a hearty dinner side dish.
Ingredients
Hash Brown Casserole Ingredients
- 32 ounces shredded hash browns, thawed
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 10.75 ounces cream of chicken soup
- 2 cups sour cream
- 1/2 yellow onion, chopped
- 2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon coarse ground black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Lightly spray an 11 x 14 inch casserole or baking dish with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Mix Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the thawed shredded hash browns, melted butter, cream of chicken soup, sour cream, chopped yellow onion, shredded cheddar cheese, kosher salt, and black pepper. Stir thoroughly until all ingredients are evenly blended.
- Assemble Casserole: Spread the mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish, ensuring a uniform layer for even cooking.
- Bake: Place the baking dish in the oven and bake for 45 minutes, or until the top is melted, bubbly, and golden brown.
Notes
- You can substitute cream of chicken soup with cream of mushroom soup to make this dish vegetarian.
- Try switching up the cheese for parmesan, pecorino, or colby cheese to vary the flavor.
- Add spices such as black pepper, red pepper flakes, oregano, paprika, or Italian seasoning on top for extra flavor.
- For a crunchy topping, sprinkle crushed cornflakes before baking.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Freeze leftovers for up to 3 months; thaw and reheat gently to maintain texture.
- Do not leave the casserole at room temperature for more than 2 hours to ensure food safety.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: hash brown casserole, Cracker Barrel copycat, cheesy hash brown casserole, breakfast casserole, side dish, comfort food
