This website may contain affiliate links and advertising so that we can provide free recipes. Read thePrivacy Policy
Cracker Barrel Hashbrown Casserole, yum!! This copycat recipe that tastes JUST LIKE cracker barrels infamous breakfast side dish casserole and is perfect to feed the whole crowd.
SEARCH THE RECIPE show
Cracker Barrel Hashbrown Casserole
Wow, this hashbrown casserole is SO SO good!! Makes left overs, can be made ahead, and is super cheesy and delicious.
You only need a few things to whip up this breakfast and most you probably have in your pantry already.
Thawed out hashbrowns are the basis of this meal so go ahead and get those out of the freezer.
Additionally you can change cream of cheddar soup to cream of chicken soup if you need to with just as delicious results. I know personally I hate to run out for such a minor thing as a soup change, but no worries no matter which one you have at home.
I also have added just a half a cup of diced onions in this recipe, but I LOVE onions and if you do too, you can really safely add a cup if you want an onion in every bite.
Sorry, this recipe is def not dairy free with all the added cheese, butter and cream cheese, so if dairy is not your thing, this might be one you move on from (I am sorry!).
Copycat Cracker Barrel Hashbrown Casserole
Alright let’s get cooking on this casserole! Remember that you can assemble this one ahead the night before if needed to make the morning quick and dirty dish free.
The entire measurements for this recipe are in the recipe card below at the bottom of the post, in an easy to print card that helps you make this recipe from your kitchen.
You need to gather:
- Thawed Hash browns (I use the red ORE-IDA Bag in frozen foods)
- Cream of Cheddar
- diced white onions
- cheddar cheese
- sour cream
- butter
Casserole Dishes
*affiliate links below*
You can use a 9×11 or 9×13 casserole dish, just make sure you grease it first so the potatoes don’t stick.
There is nothing worse than spending time on a great meal to have it stuck to the pan!
If you are deciding ahead of time and don’t have a great casserole dish yet, here is a 9×13 casserole dish that I like that comes with a lid so you can store left overs.
Why you will love this Easy Hashbrown Casserole!
We can’t all run out to restaurants in the morning but you can bring the restaurant right to your own kitchen with this easy to prepare and delicious breakfast casserole.
Hearty, creamy, and so filling you could probably eat it by itself, its the best dish to serve a hungry crowd and tastes just like Cracker Barrels delicious side.
- Delicious
- Inexpensive to make
- CHEESE!
- Fan favorite
- Reader approved recipe
And as a bonus its one of the best copycat cracker barrel hashbrown casseroles out there!
Make Ahead Copycat Cracker Barrel Casserole
This casserole is PERFECT to make ahead.
Just like my french toast cinnamon roll casserole, it can be assembled the night before, popped in the fridge and covered till morning. And everyone likes a great make ahead casserole!
I used to not quite understand why you would make ahead casseroles like this when its so easy to assemble, but keeping the kitchen clean in the morning and being able to get up and put straight in, is heaven.
This is why this casserole recipe is amazing for holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas.
You can get started on your morning without heading in the kitchen! Just preheat the oven and let it bake.
Doesn’t get much simpler to make breakfast than that!
How to make Copycat Hashbrown Casserole
To get started, always preheat your oven. I used to go through life not doing that, but I swear it makes your recipes go a lot more smoothly. So go preheat your oven to 350 and let it get all the way there before you put anything in it.
Spray your casserole dish with nonstick cooking spray- because potatoes will stick if you don’t.
Combine all your casserole ingredients (place 1/2 – 1 cup of cheese aside for topping) in a bowl and mix well. That includes your hashbrowns, soup, cheeses, seasonings, onions- all of it! Season one more time and mix well again.
Put your mixed hash browns in casserole dish and try to even out. You do not need to push it down too much, just make sure its even to ensure cooking perfectly
Layer the rest of the cheddar cheese on top! You can add a half a cup or a full cup, I always prefer MORE CHEESE.
Bake hash brown casserole for 40-45 minutes, until cheese is melted and bubbly.
You can let rest if you want it to slice more like a casserole or serve with a spoon immediately.
Serve with hot sauce if you like
Breakfast Recipes
Looking to have a big breakfast OR a breakfast as dinner?
You can whip up any of these amazing breakfast recipes, all tested and delicious.
My favorite unique breakfast items to enjoy are the fried apples and amazing oven roasted potatoes, but you really cannot go wrong with any breakfast foods!
As a bonus, these also go great if you are making breakfast for dinner, which my kids adore.
- Southern Fried Apples – These cinnamon apples from the skillet are so good and done faster than you realize. Top with pecans for dessert or a side dish.
- Fried Breakfast Potatoes – I love breakfast potatoes, roasted, fried, you name it. These are simple ones and go with about every breakfast meal
- Blueberry Breakfast Cake
- Blueberry Cake Donuts
- Orange Bread with Orange Glaze
- Cinnamon Roll French Toast Casserole– Very sweet and rich, this is a filling cinnamon roll casserole that is hands down a favorite. Bring it to morning meetings in the office or a church brunch, everyone will thank you!
- Pie Crust Breakfast Pastries – Think pop-tarts without the toaster~ these pie crust pastries don’t need a whole lot, just 2 ingredients to an awesome pastry that is so fresh and lip smacking yum
- Roasted Breakfast Potatoes (in oven) – so easy to season or add a little heat to these and they go great with eggs
Cracker Barrel Hashbrown Casserole
Author: Trisha Haas - Salty Side Dish
4.85 from 40 votes
Prep Time 5 minutes mins
Cook Time 45 minutes mins
Total Time 50 minutes mins
Servings: 12
Print Recipe Pin Recipe Rate Recipe
Cracker Barrel Hashbrown Casserole, authentic and easy, this is a breakfast casserole that is savory and filling for any morning. Plus, you can prepare this hashbrown casserole ahead, which makes it perfect for holiday mornings. Cheesy, melty, creamy and oh so filling!
Ingredients
- 30 oz bag of thawed Hash browns you can buy froze and thaw
- 1 stick of butter - melted
- 1 can of Cream of Cheddar condensed soup
- 1/2 cup of diced onion more if you like more onion
- 2-2.5 cups of cheddar cheese
- salt and pepper
- 16 oz full fat Sour Cream
Instructions
Preheat oven: 350
(Video) How to make CRACKER BARREL'S | Hash Brown CasseroleSpray your casserole dish with nonstick cooking spray
Set aside 1/2- 1 cup of shredded cheese for final cheese layer topping.
Combine all ingredients - hash browns, melted butter, cream of cheddar, onion, cheddar cheese, sour cream and seasonings- in a bowl and mix well.
Put hash brown mix in casserole dish and smooth to keep as even as possible (do not mash down, just even top)
Layer the top with shredded cheese.
Bake hashbrown casserole for 45 minutes, until cheese is melted and bubbly!
Video
Notes
Hashbrown Casserole Alterations
THAW POTATOES: Your hashbrowns need to be thawed out. If there is too much water in them, you can drain but mine didn't have too much so I was able to thaw and dump. I just put mine in the fridge so they can thaw out a few hours before I assemble this casserole.
CHANGE POTATOES: Hashbrowns are just potatoes, so you can substitute the shredded ones for the diced ones if you like. And while I always grab the frozen ones and leave on the counter or fridge to thaw, you can actually buy pre-thawed ones right in the fridge section, typically by the eggs.
PROTEIN: I do have a sausage hashbown breakfast casserole if you prefer eggs and sausage that is very different from this one, but you can also add cooked sausage into this hashbrown casserole pretty easily.
TOPPING: Prefer your casseroles with a crunch? Try topping with a cereal base (like corn flakes), panko crumbs or even crushed butter crackers. Just mix with some melted butter and add to the top
*Recipe also notes how to make ahead this casserole*
Nutrition
Serving: 1gCalories: 543kcalCarbohydrates: 25gProtein: 14gFat: 44gSaturated Fat: 20gPolyunsaturated Fat: 19gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 93mgSodium: 814mgFiber: 2gSugar: 2g
Nutritional information is an estimate and provided to you as a courtesy. You should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe using your preferred nutrition calculator.
Tried this recipe?Make sure to follow Salty Side Dish on Pinterest how it was!
Sharing of this recipe is encouraged and appreciated. Copying of full recipe to any social media is prohibited.
FAQs
What is the Hashbrown Casserole at Cracker Barrel made of? ›
This Cracker Barrel hash brown casserole recipe is so delicious, it might be even better than the original! Hash brown casserole is a cheesy, creamy and hearty dish made of shredded potatoes, cheese, and sour cream.
What happened to the Hashbrown Casserole at Cracker Barrel? ›These popular sides are getting a bacon upgrade
Cracker Barrel will also be revamping another classic side, its Hashbrown Casserole, by adding (you guessed it) hickory smoked bacon, scrambled eggs, and Colby cheese to the signature dish (per Restaurant Business Online).
Our scratch-made Hashbrown Casserole, hot off the grill and layered with pieces of crispy bacon, farm-fresh scrambled eggs, melted Colby cheese, fried onions, green onions, and fresh diced tomatoes. Served with Buttermilk Biscuits (160 cal each).
What is the difference between Cracker Barrel Hashbrown Casserole and loaded hash brown casserole? ›According to the Cracker Barrel internet-published menu, the hashbrown casserole is shredded potatoes, Colby cheese, chopped onions, Cracker Barrel's signature seasoning blend, salt and pepper baked together in the oven. The loaded hashbrown casserole is that, grilled and topped with Colby cheese and bacon pieces.
What is Cracker Barrel brown gravy made of? ›Food Starch-Modified, Maltodextrin, Salt, Enriched Bleached Flour (Wheat Flour, Niacin, Reduced Iron, Thiamin Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid, Malted Barley Flour), Sugar, Yeast Extract, Caramel Color.
How to get unlimited Hashbrown Casserole at Cracker Barrel? ›When you order the Country Boy Breakfast, you get unlimited hash brown casserole. This isn't specified on the menu, but if you ask the servers for more casserole, they won't charge you extra. 3. When you order any of the Traditional Favorites Meals, it comes with unlimited biscuits, grits and gravy.
Does Cracker Barrel use real potatoes? ›By far and away, the vast majority of our ingredients come from right here in America. Our green beans, potatoes, farm raised catfish, sweet potatoes, turnip greens, and all of our beef, pork, and poultry are domestically grown or raised.
Why did Mcdonald's get rid of hash browns? ›The absense of hash browns is the result of a lack of necessary machinery needed to cook both hash browns and french fries at the same time. The hash brown patty is cooked using the same fryers used to make the french fries.
Why is Hashbrown Casserole recalled? ›Company Announcement. McCain Foods USA, Inc. announced today it is voluntarily recalling retail, frozen hash brown products that may be contaminated with extraneous golf ball materials, that despite our stringent supply standards may have been inadvertently harvested with potatoes used to make this product.
Can I use fresh potatoes instead of frozen hash browns? ›Can I use fresh potatoes instead of frozen hash browns? You can use fresh potatoes instead of frozen hash browns if you would like. You'll need to shred the potatoes to be like hash browns, then put the shreds in a bowl of cold water.
What potatoes are hash browns made from? ›
What Kind of Potatoes Are Best For Homemade Hashbrowns? Low-moisture, starchy potatoes like Russet potatoes are the best potato to use for crispy, homemade hash browns.
Why is my Hashbrown Casserole watery? ›Yes, you need to thaw hash brown potatoes before you cook them. First off, they won't combine well with the other casserole ingredients. And secondly, they will make the casserole watery.
Which hash browns taste like McDonald's? ›Tesco Hash Browns (750g)
Lynsey says: "If you're guilty pleasure is a McDonald's hash brown, then look no further. These taste just the same.
So what's the secret behind the restaurant's incredible hash browns? Credit an ingredient added to the oil used to fry the hash browns—and those famous french fries—partway before freezing them and shipping them to restaurants.
What is the difference between cream gravy and brown gravy? ›Difference between brown gravy and cream gravy
Cream gravy consists of a roux (equal parts fat and flour) and dairy (typically milk), where a brown gravy consists of a roux, beef broth (from cooked beef), and may or may not include dairy.
Lumber was one of the main industries of the region, which supports the origin story that sausage gravy was also called sawmill gravy. It was the ideal cheap and calorie-dense fuel for sawmill workers lifting heavy logs all day long, and the perfect tool for making the era's biscuits more palatable.
Is country gravy the same as brown gravy? ›Country gravy, also known as cream gravy, goes on chicken fried steaks, chicken fried chicken, biscuits and such. Brown gravy goes on pot roast, roast chicken, turkey and stuff like that. Any kind of gravy goes on mashed potatoes.
Does Cracker Barrel use lard in their biscuits? ›Are the biscuits or fried apples at Cracker Barrel vegan? The biscuits are not, but the fried apples are. The fried apples are made in vegetable oil instead of lard like most other fried options on this restaurant's menu. The biscuits, on the other hand, are always made with buttermilk, which is an animal byproduct.
Is it cheaper to make your own hash browns? ›Hash browns probably aren't the most expensive thing on your grocery list, I think they cost a dollar or two per bag, however, considering that a 10 lb bag of potatoes is usually approximately $2.50, you do actually save money making them yourself, and while it does take a little prep time, you can freeze them in ...
What did Cracker Barrel remove from their menu? ›- CHICKEN SALAD SANDWICH. ...
- RED EYE GRAVY. ...
- STRAWBERRIES N CREAM FRENCH TOAST. ...
- SWEET POTATO PANCAKES. ...
- BAKED APPLE DUMPLING. ...
- FRIED CHICKEN LIVERS. ...
- CHICKEN CAESAR SALAD. ...
- SUGAR PLUM MIMOSA.
What cheese does Cracker Barrel use? ›
Cracker Barrel cheddar cheese was introduced in 1954 by Kraft. It was a brand born from a love for quality cheese and a passion for cheddar-making heritage and values.
Is Cracker Barrel cheese real cheese? ›Always Made with 100% Canadian Milk
Since then, our cheese selection has grown to include blocks, shreds, slices, and snacks.
Grill & Fryer Note: Cracker Barrel does note potential cross-contamination with all top allergens for items prepared on the grill or in the fryer. They use soybean oil for frying, and several fried items do contain milk. Butter is used for seasoning several grilled items.
Why does McDonald's meat taste different? ›“We found that small changes, like tweaking our process to get hotter, meltier cheese and adjusting our grill settings for a better sear, added up to a big difference in making our burgers more flavorful than ever,” said chef Chad Schafer, senior director of culinary innovation of McDonald's USA, in a statement Monday.
Are hash browns just french fries? ›Hash browns are nothing more than breakfast French fries, all smooshed together into a cluster. They pander to your most primitive fast-food urges. Home fries, on the other hand, deliver an array of potato textures: Crunchy slabs of golden-brown exterior plus floury, tender interior.
Why is McDonald's running out of fries? ›“The supply of our World Famous Fries is limited because of the global freight crisis. That's why you haven't been seeing our fries in big red fry boxes (medium, large and BFF) in the stores,” the company said.
What makes hash browns unhealthy? ›The problem with prepared hash brown patties is that, typically, they are deep-fried in vegetable oil. This tips the scale to the side of not-so-healthy because of high fat content. Also of note: If you're eating a low-carb diet, be aware that 60 to 70 percent of a potato is starch, a type of carbohydrate.
Are frozen hash browns just potatoes? ›They note that frozen hash browns typically have just three ingredients: potatoes, dextrose, and sodium acid pyrophosphate. Dextrose prevents the potatoes from browning, while the sodium acid pyrophosphate keeps their color consistent while frozen — which Ore-Ida even explains right on the packaging.
Are frozen hash browns real potatoes? ›Commercially the potatoes are steamed and tumbled to get the skin off, then shredded and blanched in water or oil and then (this is key) individually flash frozen in huge freezers by running the potato pieces thru on a conveyor belt. Then bagged and ready for the customer to oven bake or finish fry.
What can I eat instead of hash browns? ›Hash browns usually are made with shredded potatoes and the riced cauliflower has a similar texture. You can either buy packages of cauliflower rice at the grocery store or make your own.
Can I boil potatoes and then freeze them? ›
Yes! You absolutely can freeze potatoes, and you should if you have an excess of spuds. But there's one important thing to remember: You should really only freeze cooked or partially cooked potatoes, as raw potatoes contain a lot of water. This water freezes and, when thawed, makes the potatoes mushy and grainy.
Why do you rinse potatoes for hash browns? ›The RIGHT Way to Make Hash Browns
Rinse the potatoes with cold water before shredding. This process eliminates that “raw potato” taste and removes excess starch. No need to squeeze the liquid out of the potatoes using this method; the salt water does the dehydrating for you!
Making sure the potatoes are as dry as possible is key to keeping them crispy. If they have too much water on them that water will turn to steam while they cook and basically steam the potatoes and make them soft.
Are yellow potatoes the same as Yukon Gold? ›A “yellow” or “gold” potato is not a Yukon Gold potato, but all three potatoes have similar starch contents and flavors and can be used interchangeably in recipes.
What do Americans call hash browns? ›In some parts of the United States, hash browns strictly refer to shredded or riced pan-fried potatoes, while diced and pan-fried potatoes are called country fried potatoes or home fries and are served as a side dish at other meals. Some recipes add diced or chopped onions.
Where do McDonald's get their hash browns from? ›McDonald's hash browns are made in the West Midlands, using British-grown potatoes. They are then cooked in a 100% vegetable oil made up of a blend of sunflower and rapeseed oil.
Why did my hash browns turn black? ›Exposure to air or oxygen is the cause of this situation when the potatoes are cut and stored in advance for any future cooking.
Do I have to thaw frozen hash browns for casserole? ›As with any other ingredients, it's recommended to thaw hash browns before cooking. Cooking them frozen will cause the heat to spread unevenly and your hash browns might cook from the outside, while the inside remains frozen. Cooking them frozen might also result in them becoming too mushy and/or watery.
How do you thicken a hash brown casserole? ›Whisk together equal parts cornstarch and cold water in a small bowl. Use one tablespoon of cornstarch per cup of liquid you would like to thicken. Stir out all the lumps. A few minutes before your casserole is done, add it a little at a time until you are happy with the thickness.
Which brand of hash brown is best? ›The Best Hash Browns: Mr.
Dell's came out on top, thanks to its deep, earthy potato flavor and satisfyingly shredded texture. The shreds are blanched in water and individually quick frozen so they're easy to work with and keep their shape during cooking. They browned evenly, crisped up nicely, and held together well.
What are the two types of hash browns? ›
There are two kinds of hash browns: The chunky, floury, vaguely brown but not crisp kind, and the lacy, crunchy, shredded version here. Guess which one we prefer?
What brand of potatoes does McDonald's use? ›Our World Famous Fries® are made from quality potatoes, including Russet Burbank, Ranger Russet, Umatilla Russet and the Shepody. The suppliers we work with first peel, cut and blanche the potatoes. They then dry, partially fry and quickly freeze the fries for our restaurants.
Are Mcdonald's removing hash browns? ›As part of our menu evolution, Hashbrowns are no longer included on our All Day Breakfast. We're sorry to disappoint you with this change and we've shared your feedback with our team for consideration. Thanks for reaching out to us!
Are Mcdonald's hash browns real potatoes? ›Our Hash Browns are deliciously tasty and perfectly crispy. This crispy Hash Brown recipe features shredded potato hash brown patties that are prepared so they're fluffy on the inside and crispy and toasty on the outside.
How do restaurants get hash browns to stick together? ›Whatever potatoes you go with, make sure you use a piping hot pan. For best results, Ramsay adds pats of butter along the edges, and packs the potatoes in with a spatula. This helps the onions caramelize and the hash browns stick together.
Does Cracker Barrel Hashbrown Casserole have pork? ›Is there meat in Cracker Barrel hashbrown casserole? No, but there is cream of chicken soup, so if you have any vegetarians breaking bread with you, you should let them know.
Does Cracker Barrel Hashbrown Casserole have gluten? ›Is Cracker Barrel hashbrown casserole gluten-free? Cracker Barrel hashbrown casserole isn't gluten-free because it includes a condensed chicken cream soup (it contains gluten).
What is potato casserole made of? ›In large bowl, combine 1 pint (2 cups) sour cream, 1 can (10 3/4 oz) condensed cream of chicken soup, 1/2 cup melted butter, 1 tablespoon garlic salt, 1 cup chopped onions, 1 bag (30 oz) frozen country-style shredded hash brown potatoes, partially thawed, and 2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese (8 oz); stir until well ...
What are funeral potatoes made of? ›Funeral potatoes accommodate numerous substitutions, but all include potatoes as a base ingredient. Most include cheese, a cream-based soup, onions, butter, and a flaky, crunchy topping, which is usually made of potato chips or cornflakes. Some include additions of ham or other meats.
What type of cheese is Cracker Barrel? ›Cracker Barrel®* - The Vintage Cheddar
Our vintage cheddar carefully aged to develop a sharp, full bodied flavour and crumbly texture.
Why are hashbrowns not gluten-free? ›
Hash browns from restaurants may not be gluten-free due to added flour or starch to create a crispy crust on them.
Are Cracker Barrel hash browns vegan? ›Are the hashbrowns at Cracker Barrel vegan? Cracker Barrel doesn't have plain hash browns on its menu. Their Hashbrown Casserole contains milk and is therefore not vegan.
Does Cracker Barrel biscuits have lard? ›Are the biscuits or fried apples at Cracker Barrel vegan? The biscuits are not, but the fried apples are. The fried apples are made in vegetable oil instead of lard like most other fried options on this restaurant's menu. The biscuits, on the other hand, are always made with buttermilk, which is an animal byproduct.
What are 5 components of a casserole? ›So what's inside? Let's talk anatomy: A standard dinner casserole usually includes a protein, a starch, a vegetable, a sauce (or other binding ingredient), and cheese.
What are the three main parts of a casserole? ›In the United States, a casserole or hot dish is typically a baked food with three main components: pieces of meat (such as chicken or ground meat) or fish (such as tuna) or other protein (such as beans or tofu), various chopped or canned vegetables (such as green beans or peas), and a starchy binder (such as flour, ...
Why put tin foil on baked potatoes? ›Foil holds in moisture and steams the potatoes, resulting in a "boiled" taste and texture. Plus, without the use of foil, the skin will get extra crispy and flavorful.
What are Yankee potatoes? ›Yankee Supreme are oblong potatoes with light-buff skin. They were marketed as all-purpose for direct to consumer sales.
What did the Irish use potatoes for? ›Why were potatoes so important to Ireland? The potato plant was hardy, nutritious, calorie-dense, and easy to grow in Irish soil. By the time of the famine, nearly half of Ireland's population relied almost exclusively on potatoes for their diet, and the other half ate potatoes frequently.
What are Navajo potatoes? ›Navajo Potatoes have smooth, light-buff skin. They are marketed as all-purpose for direct to consumer sales and for processing into potato chips (aka crisps in the UK.) The plant delivers high yields.