The Cozy Cookbook is here! This Hash Brown Casserole tastes just like the real Cracker Barrel recipe and is easy to make with just 6 ingredients! Plus, it’s make-ahead and freezer friendly!
Be sure to serve this with my fluffy scrambled eggs and buttermilk biscuits!
Hash Brown Casserole
Welcome to one of my favorite comfort food recipes on the blog! (And I have a lot of them.)
Not only can you make this ahead of time, but if you happen to have leftovers, (we never do), you can freeze them!
Read on, I have everything you need to know about making this recipe. From customization options, tips on obtaining the perfect consistency, how to make it ahead of time, storing, reheating, and more!
How to Make it
See recipe card below this post for ingredient quantities and full instructions.
Pro Tip: I like to use Lamb Weston Thick Cut Hash Browns. They’re nice and thick and hold up well in this casserole!
- Thaw the hash browns and pat them dry.
- Set 1 cup cheddar cheese aside. Combine remaining ingredients.
- Place in a greased 9 x 13 casserole dish. Top with remaining cheese.
- Cover and bake at 350° for 35 minutes.
- Remove cover and increase heat to 400° Bake for 5-10 more minutes.
- Let it sit for 10 minutes prior to serving.
Should I Thaw Frozen Hash Browns Before Cooking
Yes. The consistency is much better if you thaw them out and pat them dry prior to assembly. It also takes twice as long for the casserole to bake if the hash browns are frozen.
3 Ways to Thaw Them:
- Place the package in the refrigerator overnight.
- Defrost them in the microwave.
- Let them sit at room temperature in a large bowl for about 45 minutes.
Be sure to pat them dry after they have thawed.
Can I Make Hash Brown Casserole The Day Before
You can assemble this casserole the night before and store it in the fridge overnight, just be sure that your hash browns are thawed and patted dry when you combine them with the other ingredients.
Can You Freeze Hash Brown Casserole
Yes. You can assemble and freeze this casserole prior to baking. When ready to serve, let it thaw in the fridge overnight and bake as outlined.
Using Frozen Cubed Potatoes
You can absolutely use cubed hash browns in this recipe if that is your preference or if you’re unable to obtain the shredded ones.
You can also use frozen Potatoes O’Brien and eliminate the need to dice up an onion!
Crock Pot Method
- Assemble as indicated in recipe, reserving some of the cheese for the top. Place in a lightly greased Crock Pot.
- Heat on low for 4-5 hours or high for 3+1/2.
- Top with cheese, cover until melted, then serve.
- Note: Crock Pots vary in terms of temperature so you may want to check on it periodically as it cooks.
Add-On Ideas
- Meats: Cooked/diced ham, sausage, bacon, or chicken.
- Veggies: Bell Peppers, chiles, jalapenos, broccoli.
- Cheeses: Colby, Cheddar Jack, Monterey Jack, Boursin.
- You can also sprinkle some crispy fried onions on top during the last 5 minutes of baking!
Try These Next
-
- Breakfast Tacos
-
- Fluffy Scrambled Eggs
-
- Hashbrown Breakfast Casserole
-
- Buttermilk Biscuits
-
- Blackberry Cobbler
-
- Copycat Longhorn Parmesan Crusted Chicken
Storing Leftovers
- Leftovers should be refrigerated in an airtight container and are best if used within 3 days.
- You can also freeze leftovers, they’re best if used within 3 months.
- To reheat, let it defrost in the refrigerator and bake it in a 350° oven, covered, for 20-25 minutes.
- You can also microwave them until heated through.
Get My Free Meal Plan
I’ve got a Free Meal Plan with 7 of my super popular recipes (complete with grocery list)! Sign up for my email list and I’ll send it over now along with weekly dinner recipes!
You can also find me on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest!
Hash Brown Casserole (Cracker Barrel Copycat!)
Ingredients
- 1 small onion, finely diced
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 32 oz. frozen hash browns, thawed*
- 1 stick butter, melted
- 10.5 oz. cream of chicken soup, (cream of cheddar works too)
- 16 oz. sour cream
- 2.5 cups cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1/3 teaspoon pepper
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Heat olive oil in a small skillet over medium heat and add the onions. Soften for 5 minutes, then set aside.
- Ensure that your hash browns have thawed. (Otherwise they take a very long time to bake.) You can defrost them in the microwave to speed up this process.
- Pat them dry of excess water.
- Set 1 cup of cheddar cheese aside.
- Combine all remaining ingredients in a large bowl.
- Place it in a greased 9x13 casserole dish and top with remaining cheese.
- Cover and bake for 35 minutes.
- Remove cover and increase heat to 400°. Bake for an additional 5-10 minutes, until the top begins to crisp and brown slightly.
- Remove from the oven and let stand for 10 minutes prior to serving.
Notes
Crock Pot Method
- Assemble as indicated in recipe, reserving some of the cheese to top it with. Place in a lightly greased Crock Pot.
- Heat on low for 4-5 hours or high for 3+1/2.
- Top with cheese, cover until melted, then serve.
- Note: Crock Pots vary in terms of temperature so you may want to check on it periodically as it cooks.
Make-Ahead Method
You can assemble this casserole the night before and store it in the fridge overnight, just be sure that your hash browns are thawed and patted dry when you combine them with the other ingredients.Storing Leftovers
- Leftovers should be refrigerated in an airtight container and are best if used within 3 days.
- You can also freeze leftovers, they're best if used within 3 months.
- To reheat, let it defrost in the refrigerator and bake it in a 350° oven, covered, for 20-25 minutes.
- You can also microwave them until heated through.
So so good though I would freeze the leftovers, wrong gone!!!
Easy and so delicious! Hubs loved it!
I’m so happy to hear that Jo!! Thank you so much!!
I made this for a family cookout, I double it. My family love it. I will be making again.
I’m so happy that you loved it Patricia!! Thank you so much for taking the time to leave a review, I really appreciate it! -Stephanie 💗
I made this for a thank you brunch for volunteers at my school. It was the only item that the fully eaten. My team was so sad they didn’t get to try leftovers so I made another one for them the next week. Everyone went back for seconds. So yummy!
Yayyy! Sounds like such a hit, nice work Brooke! Thanks so much for taking the time to leave a review!💖
Father’s Day cookout. Awesome!
I’m so happy to hear that Whitney! Definitely a great choice for a Father’s Day meal. Thanks so much for the great comments and review!😃
This was a hit at brunch! Thank you!
You’re very welcome Karen! I’m so happy this was a hit at brunch, thanks so much for taking the time to leave a review!💕
This was quite good but I found it had way too much butter , you were left with a real greasy after taste. I will stay with sour cream in place of butter,
Thanks though
Hi Sue, if you used a generic brand of cheese and/or didn’t shred it from a block, that could be the reason for the grease and not necessarily the butter. Just mentioning it in case!
I am going to try this recipe
What are the points for Weight Watchers? The pic says weight watchers but I couldn’t find any mention of it
This isn’t a weight watchers recipe, someone (for some reason), made a pin for this, saying that it’s weight watchers. I have no idea why 🙁
Make this all the time. So good. I add garlic salt and garlic powder to the frying onions but other then that everything else stays the same.
I’m so happy that you love this recipe Jesseca!! Thank you so much for the review, I love your additions as well!! -Stephanie