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
- 10.5 ounces condensed cream of chicken soup 1 can, or cream of cheddar
- 16 ounces sour cream
- ½ cup finely diced onion
- 2 cups shredded Colby cheese divided, or cheddar cheese
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 9x13-inch casserole dish.
- In a large bowl, combine thawed hashbrowns, melted butter, cream of chicken soup, sour cream, onion, 1 ½ cups of cheese, and pepper.
- Spread the mixture into the prepared baking dish and top with the reserved ½ cup of cheese.
- 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© SpendWithPennies.com. Content and photographs are copyright protected. Sharing of this recipe is both encouraged and appreciated. Copying and/or pasting full recipes to any social media is strictly prohibited. Please view my photo use policy here.
Note: This recipe originally appeared on SpendWithPennies.com April, 2013.
More Must Try Cheesy Casseroles
Creamy Macaroni and Cheese Casserole
I added bacon bits and a layer of pepperoni. Plus I sprinkled some garlic on top. My son doesn’t care that much for hash browns. But he had 2 large servings.
Delicious!! Served at a family dinner and was enjoyed by everyone. Added approximately two teaspoons of kosher salt. No other changes. This recipe is a keeper! Thank you for sharing!
What about frying the hashbrowns before mixing them with the other ingredients so they have a crispy texture to them?
I have never tried but you could pan-fry them slightly before adding to the casserole. I would love to hear how it turns out for you!
Cracker Barrell will sometimes slice the casserole when cold and pan fry that…it is fantastic! (it’s actually why I’m looking for the copycat) They ran it on special for a short time.
As for pre-frying the hashbrowns–I have no idea.
Made this for a family get together recently, and it was a big hit!! Followed everything exact (besides using Simply Potatoes instead of thawing frozen). I definitely needed to add some salt, but it turned out really tasty!
Just letting you know I did make this and it come out wonderful. Also bought your book on Amazon “EVERYDAY COMFORT”, since I make a lot of your recipes. Thank you again Holly and please keep up the great work :)
I’m so glad you enjoyed this recipe. Thank you for your support, I can’t wait to hear what you make from my book!
I have made this a few times and thought it was good but a bit off from what I remember Cracker Barrel tasting like. After experimenting I got much better results using a 50/50 blend of Cream of Chicken and Cheddar soup…about 3/4 can of each, and a half cup less sour cream. Also grating the onion rather than chopping makes a difference, and in my opinion sharp cheddar cheese works best. One beaten egg will help it keep shape when sliced.
If only people knew how to READ THE COMMENTS. They would see that their question is not unique and has been answered 3 dozen times. Stop being lazy and do your research.
-YES, it can be frozen ahead of time. Turns out the same.
-YES, you can double the recipe but use 2 pans to spread it out so it cooks evenly. (HAVE YALL NEVER COOKED ANYTHING!!!??)
-Only use frozen hash browns. Not frozen potatoes.
-If you use fresh potatoes; wash and dry well. Extra cooking time needed.
-Mix ingredients well then add potatoes.
-Yes, can be frozen ahead of time (have I said that before?!)
-Don’t complain about lack of seasoning if you normally use other seasonings in most of your dishes. PLEASE add the garlic or onion powder and salt if that’s how you make everything else, so you don’t complain.
Stop being lazy and read the damn comments. Your question is NOT special. IRS been asked and answered plenty.
DAMN, PEOPLE, read the comments and save this author time. She needs time to create other things that 1% of you want to complain about.
Yes on all points!
Hey there, sounds like you don’t do stupid. LoL. I totally get what you said. People are so lazy, if they don’t want to take the time to read before they make something
Some of the questions have been repeated, so what? I personally don’t have time to read over 1000 comments on a recipe, and that makes me lazy? I would call it having a life.
Also, your (HAVE YALL NEVER COOKED ANYTHING!!!??) is pretty rude. Especially since there are numerous readers that have little to no experience cooking. People are just looking for some friendly advice, not insults and criticism.
Bless your heart.
Wow Michelle you said a mouthful and I agree with you. There is absolutely no need to be mean or insulting. You know some times I think some people live to just be mean, rude and insulting to people who they have deemed not as proficient as they are in the kitchen. Furthermore the author probably has someone to answer those kinds of questions so she can create.
Very well said.
YESSSSSS TELL THEM, GIRL! Those comments ALWAYS drive me NUTS! It’s usually those kind of people we call, The “One Uppers!” They always seem to “know better” or “just a LITTLE more to add to every topic” bc they’re the know-it-all’s. What they don’t realize is no one likes being around people like that. Thank you for hitting all the points on their ridiculous, repetitive, useless, comments (statements) taking up space & time for the author AND the readers!!! PLEASE, YOU GUYS, FOR THE LOVE OF GOD, DO WHAT THIS LADY SAYS AND TAKE A HINT! STOPPPPPP WITH THE NONSENSE. STOP HAVING TO PROVE TO EVERY PERSON WHO TRIES TO SHARE THEIR RECIPE “THAT YOU (“THINK”) YOU KNOW BETTER. IT’S ANNOYING. ALL YOU’RE DOING IS NIT-PICKING TO DEATH. Add your salt. Remain Quiet. And Move on. That is All.
Can you use cubed hashbrowns instead? I accidentally bought the wrong kind.
Yes, cubed should work just fine.
Absolutely! Using the diced potatoes is the ONLY thing (besides cornflakes and the amount of onion) that differentiates this recipe from Funeral Potatoes.
I made this yesterday (Christmas) for the first time, and it’s a definite keeper! I did not have sour cream, so I substituted Hellman’s mayonnaise — and I did not add pepper as I think each person can add that to their liking — and it was delicious! Love your recipes! Thank you!
My family (3 men) Love this! I’m so glad for this recipe, now I don’t have to order it from Cracker Barrel! Thanks!
Absolutely perfect as written. The best Hashbrown Casserole I’ve ever made or eaten!!!! 10 stars
Has anyone added sausage and peppers to this?
If so, did you have to make any additional changes to the recipe?
I added 4 heaping tablespoons of green chili to recipe, this recipe is delicious and the green chili put a little spice to it.
Do you need to thaw the frozen hash browns before using?
Yes, the ingredients call for thawed hash browns.
can you use freshly grated potatoes rather than the frozen ones?
Hi Mary, 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). Another suggestion from one of the readers was to pat the potatoes dry.
Could this be cooked on Saturday and then loaded into a crockpot Sunday to heat up? Need the extra oven space on Sunday! Thank you!
Definitely, that should work well!
Hi Holly, I don’t know if my last comment made it to you since an ad hijacked the page. Do you know how many servings you get out of this recipe?
Thanks much!
Elizabeth
This recipe makes approximately 10 servings (½ cup each).
Can this be put together a day ahead and baked next day?
Yes, this can be prepped ahead and baked the next day. Remove it from the fridge for at least 30 minutes before baking, you may need to add a little bit of extra cooking time—you’ll want to ensure it’s heated all of the way through.
Absolutely the BEST cheesy potatoes I’ve ever made!