Copycat Cracker Barrel Hash Brown Casserole

There’s so much to enjoy when visiting Cracker Barrel, from the gift shop to the vintage candy store to the homestyle comfort food. And while everyone seems to have a go-to order, the hash brown casserole at Cracker Barrel is a national best-seller for a good reason. Luckily, we know a thing or two about fast food copycat recipes, and we’re all set to tackle this one so you can make it at home.

Our copycat Cracker Barrel hash brown casserole can be enjoyed any time of the day and is always a crowd-pleaser. Serve it alongside steak and eggs for breakfast, pair it with a slice of quiche for brunch, or enjoy it in the evening with fried chicken and green beans. Plan to make a double batch, because the odds of leftovers are slim when it comes to Cracker Barrel copycat recipes like this one (I’m speaking from experience!).

Ingredients for Copycat Cracker Barrel Hash Brown Casserole

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• Butter: A bit of butter softens the onions and garlic.
• Vegetables: We keep the aromatic vegetables simple by using pungent onions and garlic; that way we can let the main vegetable (potatoes!) take center stage in this cheesy hash brown casserole.
• Cream of chicken soup: You’ll need one can of condensed cream of chicken soup. Do not dilute it! We need it to act as a major flavor enhancer. See our tips below on swaps you can make for cream of chicken soup.
• Sour cream: Tangy, rich and creamy, sour cream moistens and flavors the potatoes. If you’re looking for a sour cream substitute, reach for Greek or plain yogurt.
• Cheese: We highly recommend you grate your own cheese fresh from the block if you can. Pre-shredded cheese is tossed with preservatives and anti-caking agents, pulling away Parmesan and cheddar’s natural flavors.
• Shredded potatoes: Buying a bag of frozen, pre-shredded potatoes makes it easy to throw this hash brown casserole recipe together in a pinch. See our tips below on using fresh potatoes if that’s your preference.
• Chives: Sprinkle minced chives on the cheesy hash brown casserole for a gorgeous pop of green and a pungent onion flavor.

Directions

Step 1: Saute the onions and garlic

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Preheat the oven to 350°F. In a small skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the onion and saute until softened and translucent, four to six minutes. Add the garlic, and cook and stir for one minute longer. Transfer the onion and garlic to a large bowl.

Step 2: Combine the ingredients

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Stir in the cream of chicken soup, sour cream, Parmesan cheese, salt and pepper until blended. Add the hash browns and 1 cup of the grated cheddar cheese.

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Stir everything together to combine.

Step 3: Top with cheese and bake

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Spoon the hash brown mixture into a greased 13×9-inch baking dish. Sprinkle the top with the remaining 1 cup of grated cheddar cheese.

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Bake the hash brown casserole, uncovered, until it’s bubbly, 50 to 60 minutes. If desired, sprinkle with chives.

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Copycat Cracker Barrel Hash Brown Casserole Variations

• Try another cheese: Pick a cheese with a good meltability factor and a mild, non-pungent flavor. Monterey Jack would work well. For a spicy variant of Monterey Jack go with pepper jack cheese. Colby (or Colby Jack) cheese would also be a great substitute. You can’t go wrong with part-skim mozzarella cheese, either.
• Swap the cream of chicken soup: You can use just about any condensed, creamy soup in this recipe, like cream of mushroom, cream of bacon or cheddar cheese condensed soup. You can easily use a homemade roux to thicken an equivalent amount of regular chicken soup or broth. Using a roux would be an easy way to make this recipe vegetarian if you or anyone you’re serving prefers to avoid meat.
• Shake in seasonings: Want to add more flavor the easy way? Grab a packet of ranch seasoning and sprinkle a few teaspoons into the hash brown mixture before it goes into the 13×9-inch baking pan. You could also use everything bagel seasoning or your favorite all-around seasoning mix. If you like a little heat, sprinkle paprika or cayenne into the hash brown mixture.
• Add crumbled bacon: Cook a batch of crispy bacon, crumble up the pieces and fold them into the hash brown mixture.

How to Store Copycat Cracker Barrel Hash Brown Casserole

Once the cheesy hash brown casserole has been baked and cooled to room temperature, store the leftover casserole in an airtight container. It can be stored for up to four days in the refrigerator or for up to three months in the freezer.

To reheat, defrost the casserole in the refrigerator overnight, then bake it at 350° until it’s bubbly and warmed through, about 30 minutes.

Can you make copycat Cracker Barrel hash brown casserole ahead of time?

Yes! Prepare the Cracker Barrel hash brown casserole up until the baking step then store it, covered with foil, in the refrigerator for up to 48 hours before your event. Prior to baking, uncover the casserole and bake it as directed.

Copycat Cracker Barrel Hash Brown Casserole Tips

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Can I use frozen diced potatoes instead of shredded? What if I want to use fresh potatoes?

Of course! Cracker Barrel uses shredded potatoes in their recipe, but if you prefer the texture of diced potatoes, you can replace the shredded frozen hash browns with a thawed 32-ounce bag of diced hash brown potatoes.

If your preference is to use fresh potatoes, there are a few extra steps you’ll need to take to achieve great results. First, wash and peel six to eight russet potatoes, or enough to make about 8 cups of shredded potatoes. Shred the potatoes using a box grater, or dice them finely. Rinse the cut or shredded potatoes in cold water to remove excess starch, then soak them in a bowl of cold water for one to two hours. Finally, drain and squeeze out as much water as possible from the potatoes. You’re now ready to use them in this hash brown casserole recipe!

Can I add a crunchy topping to Cracker Barrel hash brown casserole?

Yes, you can absolutely add a crunch topping! While Cracker Barrel simply tops their taters with extra cheese, you can jazz up yours at home with a panko or cornflake topping like you typically see on funeral potatoes. Here’s how:

• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
• 1-1/2 cup crushed cornflakes cereal or panko bread crumbs
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon chives, optional

Melt 2 tablespoons of butter and mix it with the cornflakes or panko breadcrumbs and garlic powder. Sprinkle the mixture evenly over the top of the hash brown casserole before baking it in the oven as directed.