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 made the hash brown casserole last. Very disappointed. It was like to much sour cream was it. I followed the recipe, too. This is my favorite at cracker barrel, too.
I was seriously thinking if I were to try making it again, I would use less sour cream.
AWESOME AWESOME RECIPE!! Big hit with the family!! I’ll definitely try this again using some seasonings next time!!!
Made this for work one with ham and one without. Was a big hit, had no leftovers
Thanks
Thank you for posting this! I love it. I made a vegan version by using Miyoko butter and Miyoko farmhouse cheddar. Miyoko cheese doesn’t shred well – unless it’s frozen!
Glad you enjoyed this recipe Alan!
Thank you for this recipe! It’s delicious! I did do one extra step, though. I put the oven on broil for the last few minutes. With all that cheese on top, it browned and crisped nicely and gave the casserole a nice crunch, like Cracker Barrel’s.
I also wanted to add that I made it on Christmas Eve, and kept in refrigerated overnight. I just popped it in the oven on Xmas morning, so we opened our presents while it was baking for the hour.
Thank you for this comment, I was wondering if I could prepare it the night before a bridal brunch and just pop it in the oven in the morning! Now I know! Thanks!
I cannot find cream of cheddar. I can only find “cheddar cheese” soup by Campbells. I am a vegetarian so cream of chicken is a no-go. Is this cheddar cheese soup the same as cream of cheddar? I cannot find anything on google. I’m making this for Christmas breakfast. HELP!
Yes, they are the same! Enjoy.
I use cream of mushroom
Yes it should be fine as I have read others use cheddar cheese soup
I just made this using the cheddar cheese soup and it is delicious!
Think substitute cream of broccoli would be delicious
I was able to find cream of onion soup at my local krogers!
Love the recipes, keep’em coming
Hi, can I use cheese crackers instead of cornflakes for the topping or will it be too much cheese? Making this for Christmas dinner!!!! Thanks.
I think that’ll work just perfectly!
If I double this can I cook it in a round dutch oven pot? There will be 9 people eating. Will this be enough for seconds? They all love hash brown casserole..Or should I just make 2 in glass 9×13 dishes?
thnx!
I would suggest two 9×13 pans to ensure the center gets hot enough. A double recipe should leave you with some leftovers. Enjoy!
Can you use the refrigerator hashbrowns instead of the freezer ones
We have only made this recipe as listed, but that should work out for you LaToya! Enjoy
Since my son is a pescatarian I have made this with cream of mushroom, cream of mushroom with roasted garlic, and cream of celery. We prefer the mushroom soups. Swapped out the cheddar with extra sharp cheddar. Also tossed buttered Italian panko on top. Didn’t have cornflakes but may try that soon. Planning on making this for a food day at work next week. As you can see we love this and have made it many times.
Those sound like great substitutions Cindy! Glad you enjoyed it.
Hi there! Can you tell me if this casserole is supposed to bake covered or uncovered? Thank you!
This is cooked uncovered.
If I double the recipe, would the cook time change?
This can be doubled however I would suggest cooking it in two 9×13 pans to ensure it heats through. I have made this in a crock pot before following the cook times in my Crock Pot Macaroni and Cheese.
I do all of my casserole’s in a microwave…. Same with meatloaf. I just found your site and am going to try with mushroom soup, fresh mushrooms, more onions and leftovers. The most time I’ve had to cook a casserole is 32 min in a 1200 watt oven.
I have also been using a pressure cooker with meatloaf and other dishes. A bit of a learning curve at best but still working on it. Never a problem with the taste just the consistency.
Let you know how it turns out.
That is great John! We have a whole section on pressure cooker recipes if you wanted to try a few! Good luck.
I did the mushroom soup thing and the flavor just did not pop. Also used cheddar vs Colby cheese. I tried to spice it up without much success until I used some Ginger Wasabi Sauce by Robert Rothchild. OMG the flavor jumped out at you…… If you have never used this…Please do so. Super great in Chicken, Veggies and other dishes …. I cooked it for 20 min and flavor checked it (Cooked covered) and 12 min uncovered. The consistency was excellent
I’ll make another casserole and use the recipe. Have always been a fan of the Cracker Barrel style. The microwave works on this.
enjoy
That’s great to hear John! Glad you enjoyed it.
Do you cover the Hashbrown casserole while baking?
This is cooked uncovered.
Way too soupy for me, not like Cracker Barrel. I would cut the sour cream in half, if using.
Thanks for the recommendation Sharon!
Had the same issue but the next day it set up even more and was not soupy.
Thank you for sharing Cindy.
Sounds great
Thanks Tina!
Going to make the blueberry brickle tonight and see several other recipes that look great too!
Delicious! I prepared the dish with sauteed onions and put it on the fridge overnight and baked the next day. So much flavor. Everyone loved it!
Sounds delicious Juliane! Glad to hear everyone loved it.