Hashbrown Casserole is easy, cheesy and totally delicious! This simple casserole is made easy with frozen hashbrowns!
Copy Cat Cracker Barrel Hashbrown casserole needs just 5 minutes of prep making it the a great side or potluck dish! The perfect breakfast casserole!
The Hashbrowns, That’s Why
I love Cracker Barrel but the truth is… I only show up for the hashbrown casserole. That’s it. Just the hashbrowns people.
My friend shared her version of that yummy, oh so creamy and cheesy easy Hashbrown Casserole with me and WOW! Tender shredded hash browns in a rich and creamy cheese sauce, topped with more cheese and baked until hot and bubbly!
This is a perfect breakfast casserole for any holiday morning or just when you’re getting the family together for a delicious breakfast or brunch. It also makes a perfect side dish for Crispy Oven Parmesan Chicken or even served alongside a Ranch 7 Layer Salad for lunch!
Better Than the Original
There are lots of recipes out there for this cheesy casserole but this is the one I’ve found to be the closest! This hashbrown casserole is made with condensed cream of chicken soup. I’ve also made it with cream of cheddar soup if you can find it. Both work perfectly in this recipe! While I’ve had a version of hashbrown casserole without sour cream, I definitely prefer it with, it adds a little bit of creaminess and tang to the recipe. Since this is a copy cat hashbrown casserole recipe, my list of ingredients is inevitably different than the original but the flavor is just like my favorite Cracker Barrel Hashbrown Casserole (in fact, it’s even BETTER in my opinion)!
How to Make Cheesy Hashbrown Casserole
One of the best things about hashbrown casserole is that it’s super quick to prepare (5 minutes). I literally cannot stop eating it; dinner, bedtime snack and then breakfast if there is any left!
- Combine all ingredients in a bowl.
- Spread into a 9×13 dish.
- Top with cheese and bake. Voila!
It’s that easy! If you’d like you can add leftover chicken, ham or ground beef to this easy recipe. Stir in your favorite veggies as well, Steamed Broccoli, peas or frozen veggies work well too!
Toppings
I like to top it with cheese to keep it close to the version I’ve had at Cracker Barrel but if you prefer a nice crunchy topping on your hashbrown casserole, this is also great with cornflakes. Gently crush 2 cups of cornflakes and toss with 1/4 cup of melted butter, sprinkle over the casserole before baking.
How to Freeze Hashbrown Casserole
This easy cheesy hashbrown casserole can easily be frozen. We usually prepare as directed and freeze any leftovers in individual servings making them the perfect lunch or quick dinner.
More Potato Dishes You’ll Love
- Scalloped Potatoes Recipe – Simple classic recipe.
- Easy Oven Roasted Potatoes
- The BEST Mashed Potatoes – Creamy perfection.
- Twice Baked Potatoes – Make ahead (these freeze well).
- Perfect Baked Potatoes
- Potatoes Au Gratin
- Colcannon Recipe (Cabbage and Potatoes) – So yummy!!
Copy Cat Cracker Barrel Hashbrown Casserole Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 32 ounces frozen shredded hash browns thawed
- ½ cup melted butter
- 10¼ ounces condensed cream of chicken soup 1 can, or cream of cheddar
- 1 pint sour cream
- ½ cup finely diced onion
- 2 cups shredded Colby cheese divided, or cheddar cheese
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 9x13-inch casserole dish.
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In a large bowl, combine thawed hashbrowns, melted butter, cream of chicken soup, sour cream, onion, 1 ½ cups of cheese, and pepper.
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Spread the mixture into the prepared baking dish and top with the reserved ½ cup of cheese.
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Bake for 45-55 minutes or until hot and bubbly.
Video
Nutrition Information
Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.
Course Casserole
Cuisine American
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Note: This recipe originally appeared on SpendWithPennies.com April, 2013.
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Creamy Macaroni and Cheese Casserole
I love this recipe! It’s always a hit when I make it.
Could this be frozen before cooking for serving at a later date ?
Yes, this casserole can be frozen before baking. I would suggest thawing it in the fridge overnight. You will likely need to increase the baking time to ensure it is cooked fully through before serving.
Cover when baking or no?
Thx
We bake this dish uncovered.
Did you add green onion along with the onion the recipe calls for?
We don’t, but we do sprinkle the casserole with parsley before serving.
I have made this recipe many times. The only thing I add is a second can of cream of chicken soup and a tsp of garlic powder. It gives it more flavor balances out the sour cream. Top notch recipe!
I made it for the first time for a catered brunch and it was a hit! I did add some seasoning and a tiny but if bell pepper.
always good!
Made the recipe exactly for 4th of july party. I made 2 with one having bacon and green onion and the other without. Huge hit, bacon one was preferred but we took home 1/4 of the regular one and it’s excellent warmed up!
We love this! I add sausage to it and make it as a main dish for dinner. Leftovers are gone the next day. It’s very flexible, as well. I have subbed many things when I didn’t have the exact ingredients.
My recipe is the same OTHER than, I use only 8 ounces of sour cream and I use sharp cheddar cheese rather than Colby. Absolutely amazing!! No matter what I’m making for dinner, the grandkids ask if I made “cheesy potatoes”. They are disappointed if I am serving some other kind of potatoes, because they LOVE these.
That sounds delicious, Gwen! Thanks for sharing.
Not good…. Way too much sour cream. Does not need 2 cups, maybe 1/2 cup.
We find this recipe works best as written but you can alter if for your preferences.
This recipe is perfect as it is.
my husband and I are trying to eat clean, with no preservatives etc. would this recipe work with uncooked shredded potatoes instead of thawed hash browns?
I haven’t tried it so I can’t say for sure. But other readers have needed to increase the cooking time to ensure the potatoes were fully cooked (or you can pre cook them).
You can make this with freshly grated potatoes. It’s extremely hard to find any frozen here so I always use fresh. I just ensure I rinse and dry very well with paper towel before putting it all together.
Thank you for sharing your tips, Crystal. I am glad it works so well.
We use shredded potatoes that were never frozen, so yes it will work.
Great recipe! I roast the hash browns spread out on a pan to crisp them up before mixing. Try it!
Great recipe and easy to make!
Looking forward to making this today, but I’m wondering— Do you use unsalted or salted butter?
Either will work but I usually use unsalted as the rest of the ingredients have enough salt for my liking.
Made with condensed Cream of Bacon soup and some diced ham.
My husband loves this casserole breakfast, lunch or dinner!!
love it
This is way better than Cracker Barrel- more moist and creamy.
I omit the cream of soup because we just never really buy it or care for it but I think it still stunts our just a good as Cracker Barrel. Quick and delicious side dish
can you pre assemble it the night before to bake the next day?
Yes you can. Enjoy!
If prepped the night before, would you say bake a additional 15 minutes?
Yes, about 15 minutes should be good. I like to take it out of the fridge for at least 30 minutes before baking if possible.