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!!
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 never have to go to Cracker Barrel again! This is delish. I made it for a pre Christmas dinner.
So easy to make.
this is so creamy and delicious. I have swapped out green onions for white and topped the casserole with crushed cornflakes mixed with melted butter with fantastic results. This is a repeat requested dish from my family. thank you so much!
This is a good base recipe that can be made great with some tweaks. First and foremost, potatoes need salt or they’re really bland, so add a teaspoon. Pepper jack cheese instead of colby for a little kick, and mix all of it in. Use a little more onion, and saute it with some diced red or green pepper and garlic in the stick of butter. Also add a little cayenne, tabasco, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder. You really don’t need the full 16 oz. of sour cream — you can get away with 8 oz. I shredded some cheddar and mixed it with a handful of panko to sprinkle over the top for a bit of crunch. I promise you these tweaks will bring the dish to life. As written, this is a very bland recipe.
This really is the best casserole. It’s my go to potluck dish. I make mine with tater tots instead of hash browns and try to use the cream of chicken with herb soup. Thank you for making this recipe.
Followed the recipe and the casserole came out extremely wet and the butter was just sitting in a puddle on the top.
Oh no! It is supposed to be a very creamy casserole but I haven’t had that problem.
The recipe looks delicious and I can’t wait to try it. However, I am unable to find a cream of cheddar soup anywhere (I did a google search). Do you mean Cheddar Soup or does it have to be “cream” of cheddar? Also, I am unable to find a 32oz. bag of shredded hashbrowns. Which brands have you use for this recipe? Thanks!
Yes, use this cheddar cheese soup. You can use any brand in this recipe, either two 16oz bags or many brands do come in 30oz bags which would also work just fine in this recipe.
Has anyone tried doubling the recipe? If so, how much longer did you bake it and did you alter the recipe, or just double everything?
Thanks!!
If doubling the recipe, all ingredients should be doubled. I recommend dividing it over two baking dishes.
thanks for the recipe!!! I started making this for christmas brunch a several years back and sis in law said it was better than Cracker barrel’s. this recipe is definitely a must for all of my Christmas brunches!
Can you make this the night before and put it in the fridge, cook in the morning?
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 to ensure it’s heated all of the way through.
Which brand of frozen hashbrowns do you recommend?
Any shredded hashbrowns will work just fine Jen.
Holly, I need a casserole recipe with eggs for Christmas. Have you or anyone else tried adding eggs to this yummy recipe?
I use this Hashbrown Breakfast Casserole recipe with eggs.
I just made this and it turned out really good. I will definitely make it again.
I have to make this the night before a brunch because of different temps and cooking times for an egg dish. How long do you think it would take to microwave it in the morning?
I haven’t tried microwaving this recipe but it would likely take about 10 to 12 minutes. I would suggest stirring it every few minutes to ensure it heats evenly throughout. Once heated, add the cheese for the topping and microwave 1 minute more.
Love your recipes even my 14 year old granddaughter likes to make and eat, and she is learning to cook using them as well thank you
I made this today and it was not what I expected. Has too much sour cream & too dry. Maybe add some salt, additional can of cream of chicken or even cream of celery and 1/2 the sour cream. I will not give up and try to experiment with some of these changes.
I’m sorry to hear you didn’t love this recipe as much as we do Michelle. Thank you for trying it. If you try it again with those changes I would love to hear how it turns out!
I make this recipe all the time with a stick of butter and its delicious every time. Have been making it for years. I tried it in the crockpot this year and its so yummy, and u can cut down on the butter.. Everyone loves it.
I just made this and it turned out really good. I will definitely make it again. i’ll probably add some salt next time maybe a little bit of garlic and not the whole container of sour cream.
I love this. Yummy and easy to make
i tried this haahbrown casserole bake on Thanksgiving and everyone seems to love it, I mean who wouldn’t especially with haahbrown potatoes and lots of cheese, but great recipe thanks for sharing and Happy Holidays from my family to yours. Sincerely, Ms.Nicholson
I recommend sautéing the onions before adding to the mix. Sooo much better.
Thanks for sharing that tip, Jess!
Love the recipes!
I absolutely love this recipe. I tried peas in it and it’s great that way also. Thanks for the recipe. My family loves it😋