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Copycat Cracker Barrel Hash Brown Casserole

Got 15 minutes? Because that’s all the prep time you’ll need to get my Copycat Cracker Barrel Hash Brown Casserole recipe ready for the oven! Serve this casserole full of cheesy, carb-filled goodness with breakfast or as the perfect side dish for dinner.

A serving of copycat cracker barrel hash brown casserole on a plate.

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If you’ve ever eaten at a Cracker Barrel restaurant, you’ve probably had their Hash Brown Casserole. It’s possibly the most popular item on their menu. People crave it. And I’m giving you my copycat recipe so you won’t have to leave home just to satisfy that craving!

This hot, bubbly, cheesy hashbrown casserole is not only perfect for breakfast, it’s a great side dish for dinner or to take to potlucks. I like to serve it with everything from barbecued ribs to meatloaf to chicken tenders. And it goes without saying that it makes a fantastic meal when paired with fried chicken, pork chops, or old-fashioned salisbury steaks.

This copycat recipe for Cracker Barrel Hash Brown Casserole is so good you may even find that you prefer it to the original!

❤️ Why We Love This Recipe


  • This is true comfort food!
  • Kids and adults both love it.
  • It’s easy to reheat and is even better the next day.
  • It transports well. Make two and take one to a neighbor!
  • The recipe doubles or triples easily.
  • It’s full of ooey gooey hot, bubbly cheese and potatoes.

🛒 Ingredients You’ll Need


Ingredients needed for the recipe -- shredded hash browns, cream of chicken soup, salt, pepper, butter, cheese, green onions, sour cream.

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  • Shredded Hash Browns (I use the Simply Potatoes brand of shredded hash browns. There’s information at the bottom of the post on using frozen and/or freshly grated potatoes.)
  • Cream of Chicken Soup (I use the readily available canned version. If you’d like to make your own from scratch, you might try Cozy Cook’s recipe.)
  • Extra Sharp Cheddar Cheese (You can certainly use mild or sharp, but I prefer extra sharp Cheddar for more cheesy flavor.)
  • Sour Cream (Adds a great tangy background flavor.)
  • Green Onions (Use both the white and green parts.)
  • Butter (Of course!)
  • Salt and Pepper

You’ll find detailed measurements for all ingredients in the printable version of the recipe at the bottom of this post.

🥄 How to Make Copycat Cracker Barrel Hash Brown Casserole


  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Square baking dish sprayed with cooking spray.
  1. Spray a square (8×8 or 9×9) baking dish with cooking spray.
  1. Place all the ingredients in a large mixing bowl. Stir until evenly mixed.
Potato mixture in the prepared baking dish.
  1. Transfer the potato mixture to the baking dish spreading it evenly.
Casserole after baking 45 minutes.
  1. Bake for approximately 45 minutes or until cheese is melted and the top of the casserole is nicely browned. It’s important to let the casserole sit for 15 minutes before serving.
A forkful of hash brown casserole.

⏲️Can I Make This Recipe in Advance?


Yes. You can make this hash brown breakfast casserole a day ahead, cover and refrigerate it. Bring it up to room temperature before baking.

❄️ Can I Use Frozen Hashbrowns for This Casserole?


You can make the recipe using frozen hashbrown potatoes, but you’ll need to thaw them first. Follow this procedure:

  • Place the frozen hash browns in a colander set inside a plate.
  • Leave at room temperature until completely thawed.
  • Place the thawed potatoes in a clean kitchen towel and squeeze out as much liquid as possible.
  • When using frozen hashbrowns, the casserole will need additional cooking time of 10 to 15 minutes.

🥔 Can I Use Freshly Grated Potatoes?


To use fresh potatoes:

  • Grate the potatoes with or without the skin.
  • Rinse well under cool water and let drain in a colander.
  • Remove as much excess moisture as possible by squeezing the potatoes in a clean kitchen towel.

🔀 Recipe Variations


There are so many ways to make variations on this casserole! Here are a few of my favorites:

  • Change the cream of chicken soup out for cream of celery, cream of mushroom, or cheddar cheese soup.
  • Add a topping of 1 1/2 cups crushed corn flakes tossed with 2 tablespoons of melted butter. Sprinkle evenly over the top before baking.
  • Vary the cheese. Try Gruyere (or any Swiss), Colby, or Monterey Jack.
  • Add a quarter teaspoon (or more!) of red pepper flakes to the mixture.
  • Add leftover chicken or ham.
  • Add broccoli florets or green peas.
  • Mix in about 8 ounces of browned, drained ground beef.
  • Stir in some finely chopped jalapeno.
  • Sprinkle some crispy fried onions on top for the last 5 minutes of cooking.

🥘 Slow Cooker Version


To make the casserole in your slow cooker. grease the inside of a 4- or 6-quart cooker generously with butter or cooking spray. Add in the potato mixture. Cover and cook on low for 4 to 5 hours, or high for 3 to 3.5 hours.

👉 PRO TIP Unfortunately, there’s no standard for slow cooker temperatures, so the low and high settings vary greatly based on the manufacturer. Keep a check on your casserole and turn off the cooker when the potatoes are tender and the mixture is hot and bubbly.

🍚 Storing the Leftovers


To store leftovers, cover tightly and keep refrigerated for up to 3 days. Reheat, covered, at 350 degrees for about 20 minutes.

To freeze: I’d suggest portioning the leftovers into servings and then wrapping each serving in plastic wrap. Place the wrapped servings in an airtight freezer container and store for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating and serving.

Lana Stuart.

More Questions? I’m happy to help!

If you have more questions about the recipe, or if you’ve made it and would like to leave a comment, scroll down to leave your thoughts, questions, and/or rating!

Thanks so much for stopping by!

📖 Recipe

A serving of copycat cracker barrel hash brown casserole on a plate.

Copycat Cracker Barrel Hash Brown Casserole

It'll take you all of 15 minutes to get this cheesy, carb-filled Copycat Cracker Barrel Hash Brown Casserole ready for the oven!
5 from 8 votes
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Course: Breakfast
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour
Servings: 10 servings
Calories: 218kcal
Author: Lana Stuart

Ingredients

  • Cooking spray
  • 20 ounces refrigerated, shredded hash browns (recommended brand: Simply Potatoes)
  • 10.75 ounces cream of chicken soup
  • 6 ounces extra sharp cheddar cheese grated
  • 3/4 cup sour cream
  • 1/4 cup chopped green onions
  • 1/4 cup butter melted
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
  • Spray a square (8×8 or 9×9) baking dish with cooking spray.
  • Mix all ingredients together in a large mixing bowl.
  • Transfer the potato mixture to the baking dish spreading it evenly.
  • Bake for approximately 45 minutes or until cheese is melted and the top of the casserole is nicely browned.

Notes

  • To store leftovers, cover tightly and keep refrigerated for up to 3 days. Reheat, covered, at 350 degrees for about 20 minutes.
  • To freeze: I’d suggest portioning the leftovers into servings and then wrapping each serving in plastic wrap. Place the wrapped servings in an airtight freezer container and store for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating and serving.

Nutrition Information

Serving 1 | Calories 218kcal | Carbohydrates 13g | Protein 7g | Fat 16g | Saturated Fat 9g | Trans Fat 1g | Cholesterol 41mg | Sodium 619mg | Potassium 227mg | Fiber 1g | Sugar 1g | Vitamin A 501IU | Vitamin C 5mg | Calcium 155mg | Iron 1mg

Nutrition information is calculated by software based on the ingredients in each recipe. It is an estimate only and is provided for informational purposes. You should consult your healthcare provider or a registered dietitian if precise nutrition calculations are needed for health reasons.

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— This post was originally published on April 6, 2011, and has been updated with new photos and additional information.

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45 Comments

  1. Jan Peterson says:

    How many cups equal 1 pound of hash browns?

  2. clean eating diet says:

    When I originally commented I clicked the “Notify me when new comments are added” checkbox and now each tkme a
    comment is added I get four emails with the same comment.

    Is there any way you can remove people from that service?

    Many thanks!

    1. Lana Stuart says:

      On the emails you receive, there should be a link to click to remove yourself from receiving further comments.

  3. I’m fairly certain you could fix this the night before and bake it the next morning. I’m curious about freezing it. I cook for two, and it would be easy to make it and put it in small containers to pull out as needed.

    1. BTW: I have fixed this and used chives instead of scallions.

    2. Lana Stuart says:

      I’ll bet you could, Mitzi. I have to say that I’ve never tried freezing it myself, but my intuition is that it would work well.

  4. I made this using frozen hashbrowns (thawed) and cream of mushroom soup. I didn’t have real potatoes or cr of chicken soup. Well, it turned out FANTASTIC!!!! This is the best hashbrown casserole I have ever made and will never use another recipe for this again!! Thank you!!!

    1. I’m so glad to hear that, Linda! We just love this casserole and you’ve reminded me that I haven’t made it in quite some time. This may be Saturday brunch for us!

  5. I cannot wait to try this!!!

  6. Do you think I can make this ahead of time an put it in the fridge? Will the potatoes be ok?

    1. I would think you could make it ahead of time. However, I have not tried it so I can’t say definitely.

    2. @Cathy,

      Did you try making this ahead of time? I wanted to make it the night before but wasn’t sure….

      Vanessa

  7. I’m making a double batch today! Yummy!!!! Just wondering how many cups would make a couple pounds of shredded potatoes? I don’t have a kitchen scale and I’d rather shred more than I need than not enough! :) Thanks!

  8. I looked all over the web for a cheesy potato recipe using fresh potatoes!
    It sounds delicious — Thank You!!
    I will be serving it with meatloaf and salad for dinner tonight :)

  9. looks like it’d really stick to your ribs. yummy!

  10. Vickie from Part Three says:

    I’m saving this in “Breakfast for a Crowd” . . . what a fun recipe! Thanks, Lana.

  11. I’m thinking Easter brunch! :)
    Have a great weekend Lana.

  12. Made this for dinner, because it sounded so good & my hubby loves the hashbrown casserole from Cracker Barrel…it tasted good, but was so very greasy :( Did you notice that at all? I would definitely make again, but I would totally leave out the butter. Half of the cheese I used was reduced fat & the cream of chicken soup was 98% fat free, but I soaked 2 bounty with grease from the top, and it was pooled in the bottom of the casserole dish. Please don’t think I came to your blog to criticize…is there a possibly a typo in the recipe?

    1. Wow, Janet, I’m so sorry it didn’t work out for you! But no, it isn’t like that at all for me. It’s definitely rich with all the butter and cheese, but I’ve never had grease to rise to the top or pool in the dish. I wonder if you maybe didn’t have enough shredded potatoes? You need two pounds weight after shredding. I almost always buy those shredded ones in the bags from the dairy section of the grocery store just for convenience sake. Again – I’m so sorry it wasn’t a great recipe for you.

      1. I’m sure it was something I did, your picture looks way better than my casserole. I’ll have to give it another try! Love your blog…and your photos :)

  13. Susan Mallery says:

    Wow, Lana, that looks amazing!!! I think I’m going to have to try that. Definitely comfort food.

  14. Mary at Deep South Dish says:

    I think everybody loves this casserole – I know I do! And my husband is the same way. He’d be perfectly happy to never touch a salad or vegetable all the rest of the life. Luckily he has me to veggie terrorize him into at least eating a few on occasion. :)

    Have a great weekend!!

    1. Keep on terrorizing him with the veggies, Mary!

  15. Lindsey @ Gingerbread Bagels says:

    I LOVE hashbrown casserole! Yours looks soooo good and I wish I had some right now. :) I’ll have to make this soon because now I’m craving it!

  16. I’m strangely not a big potato person, but if you shred them and add in a lot of cheese, I’m all over it!! This looks fabulous :)

  17. I would love this for dinner !!! I am a potato person and i usually just do boiled potatoes but this sounds fabulous.

  18. oh now Lana, this is another great recipe of yours I am gonna steal… looks so creamy and good

  19. Great for serving a crowd!

  20. Barbara @moderncomfortfood says:

    A key part of my agenda for today is to dig up most of my big fall/winter/spring garden and replant it with green manure. Does that count as hard physical labor that would entitle me to make this yum-a-licious, he-man casserole for dinner tonight? Please say yes, Lana!

  21. Alison @ ingredients, Inc. says:

    we love hashbrowns! Will try this for sure

  22. Just found your blog, and this Georgia girl is excited! I am always looking for great new Southern recipes to cook for my husband who grew up in Uruguay; he better get ready. Lana, everything looks so good. I wish I could start right now.

  23. Georgia @ The Comfort of Cooking says:

    Oh my gosh, this is so simple and tasty looking! What a lovely breakfast. Thanks for sharing, Lana!

  24. Stephanie says:

    Yum! I’ve never tried this before but anything with potatoes and cheese sounds good to me

  25. This would be absolutely decadent with a baked ham. Think about it. Ham, potatoes, cheese ….. yum!

    Miss P

  26. I will have to try this recipe – however, I think i will make this for dinner soon!

  27. Lana,

    This sounds awesome! Do you grate raw potatoes or do you partially cook the potatoes first?

    Thanks in advance,
    Laura

    1. I just grate them raw, Laura. Sometimes I buy the bagged, shredded ones in the dairy case. Saves a lot of time and effort :-)

  28. Happier Than A Pig in Mud says:

    This sounds like something I would like to try! A good excuse to play with my new FP:@)

  29. Nutmeg Nanny says:

    I love hashbrown casserole! Growing up in Ohio it was always present on Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner. Here in NY no one has even heard of it…it’s very sad…

    1. Very sad, indeed! You’ll just have to show them what they’ve been missing :-)

  30. Miss @ Miss in the Kitchen says:

    I love hashbrown casserole and I love that you used fresh potatoes. I never make it because I’m the only one that eats it & eating a whole casserole by myself would be a bad thing!

    1. Wonder if you could make this in smaller baking dishes and freeze? You might give it a try.

      1. with the fresh potatoes, youhave to make sure you rinse them. I found out the hard way!

        1. I took the advice from several comments re using raw potatoes. I shredded them into salted water and let them soak. I blanched them in barely boiling salted water for 10 min. I drained them throughly, then rung them out in a dish towel. I also baked the casserole at 375. With these extra efforts, they worked out fine and the end result was yummy:).