CDKitchen, it's what's cooking online!
  • contact the CDKitchen helpdesk

Copycat Cracker Barrel Hash Brown Casserole

  • print recipe
  • save recipe
  • add photo
  • add review
  • #33506

Cracker Barrel is famous for their hash brown casserole and now you can make it at home with this easy copycat recipe. Made with frozen shredded potatoes, cream of chicken soup, and Colby cheese.


serves/makes:
  
ready in:
  30-60 minutes
Rating: 5/5

23 reviews
8 comments

ingredients

1/2 cup butter, melted
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 cup finely chopped onion
1 can (10.75 ounce size) cream of chicken soup, undiluted
2 cups shredded Colby cheese
2 pounds thawed, frozen hash brown potatoes

directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 9x13 baking dish.

In a bowl, combine the melted butter, salt, pepper, onion, soup, and cheese until well mixed. Gently stir in the thawed hash brown potatoes.

Pour the potato mixture into the greased baking dish. Place in the oven and bake, uncovered, at 350 degrees F for 35 minutes or until the potatoes are cooked through and the casserole is bubbly.

Let cool for 2-3 minutes then serve.

recipe tips


For extra flavor, saute the onions before adding them to the casserole mixture.

Try topping the casserole with crushed cornflakes or breadcrumbs for a crunchy texture.

For a crispier top, broil the casserole for a few minutes at the end of baking.

If the casserole is browning too quickly, cover it with foil during baking to prevent burning.

common recipe questions


Can I use a different cheese in the casserole?

Cheddar, Monterey Jack, Gouda, Muenster, or a mixture of cheeses will all work in this recipe.

Can I use fresh potatoes instead of frozen hash browns?

You can use fresh shredded potatoes, but make sure to cook them slightly before adding them to the casserole to make sure they cook through completely.

Is there a substitute for cream of chicken soup?

You can use cream of mushroom or cream of celery soup as a substitute. Or a chicken flavored homemade cream sauce would also work.

Can I add bacon or ham to the casserole?

Yes, cooked bacon, ham, or sausage can be added to the casserole. Make sure to cook them before adding to the mixture.

Can I make this casserole ahead of time?

You can assemble the casserole ahead of time and refrigerate it overnight. Just bake it when you are ready to serve.

Can I freeze the Cracker Barrel hash brown casserole?

You can freeze the casserole before baking. Thaw it in the refrigerator overnight before baking as directed.

How can I make this casserole healthier?

You can use reduced-fat cheese, low-sodium soup, and less butter for a healthier version.

How should I store the leftovers?

Store the leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Reheat in the oven or microwave before serving.


nutrition data

329 calories, 22 grams fat, 23 grams carbohydrates, 10 grams protein per serving.
Show full nutritional data (including Weight Watcher's Points ®, cholesterol, sodium, vitamins, and diabetic exchanges)


share on facebook share on twitter share on pinterest


reviews & comments

  1. annalovestocook REVIEW:

    I've actually never eaten at Cracker Barrel but this casserole is delicious. I've made it for brunch several times and everyone always really enjoys it and asks for the recipe. I've added chopped ham to it before too but I actually prefer it as originally written. Thank you for sharing this recipe!

  2. Guest Foodie REVIEW:

    I add 8 oz sour cream on occasion.

  3. Jan

    This recipe sounds so easy and delicious. I am confused on the butter...1/2 or 1/4...??

    • Not sure what's confusing. The ingredient list calls for 1/2 cup margarine.

  4. Barb

    Can you make ahead night before and cook in the morning I have not try it yet would like to tomorrow

    • Assembly only takes a minute or so - you wouldn't really be saving much time by preparing it the night before. But yes, I believe you could combine the ingredients and refrigerate it until the next day. Texture might not be quite as good as baking it immediately after assembling but it should work ok.

  5. ANNIEBELLA REVIEW:

    Everyone has to try this .Easy to make ,wonderful to eat .

  6. mattysweet1 REVIEW:

    This Cracker Barrel hash brown casserole is great to make for brunch or as a hearty side dish. Using frozen hash browns really cuts down on preparation time. You can assemble this a bit ahead of time and pop it in the oven when you're almost ready to eat.

  7. Southernelle

    It sounds really good!

  8. foodtastic REVIEW:

    I love this recipe! It's SO good!

  9. GO HUSKIES REVIEW:

    As suggested I cut the margarine down by half. Turned out quite like Cracker Barrel I thought.

  10. Guest Foodie

    This is substantially the recipe for the famous Mormon Funeral Potatoes. Just add a topping of crumbled corn flakes or crumbled potato chips before baking, and you've got a historic Utah dish that everybody loves -- and you don't have to just serve it after a funeral. It goes very well at potlucks, holiday dinners, etc. etc. It's rich, caloric, and full of fat -- AND DELICIOUS.

  11. BJ in Trussville REVIEW:

    The previous comment as to the recipe being too greasy was right-on...would need to cut back on the margarine by about 1/2. It also took longer than 35 minutes....more like 50 minutes to cook in a 9x13 clear casserole dish on the top shelf of my oven (thermometer verified @ 350 degrees). However the frozen ORA-IDA 2 lb pkg of hashbrowns I found were diced. I wonder if they would have done better shredded as well. Taste was acceptable but soaked 3 paper towels with grease after 50 minutes of cooking. Perhaps dredging the diced potatos with flour could have helped.

  12. Ladycable55 REVIEW:

    Just as good as going all the way to cracker Barrel and you can get a better portion then they give you. This is one i will make over and over again.

  13. Ali_R REVIEW:

    Followed recipe as written. It was very greasy and too salty. Next time I will omit the salt completely and cut down the butter to a tablespoon perhaps.

  14. Roxy

    Can you make ahead, refrigerate, and bake later?

  15. Guest Foodie REVIEW:

    This is EXCELLENT! I love Cracker Barrel's and this is even better! Try this!!!

  16. cheapsophiestuff REVIEW:

    Always a hit at our house, it's a staple breafast dish when we have weekend guests

  17. LittleBiscuit REVIEW:

    This recipe is absolutely delicious and was a HIT at Thanksgiving! I will definetly be making this again.

  18. rcbesher REVIEW:

    This is the exact recipe given to me by a Cracker Barrel waitress several years ago. I had lost it and was glad to find it here. Thank You

  19. MiMi

    There is not a Cracker Barrel in my area in NY state. Made this for Easter brunch, and it was a big hit. Will make again.

  20. Tula REVIEW:

    This recipe is great. My husband is not a fan of casseroles, but he absolutely LOVES this!! I make a serving for 6 and its gone by the mext dinner time. I am a cheese lover, so I add more cheese.

  21. arwillar REVIEW:

    This recipe is very close to what it should be. The texture is right. The proportions are right. There is just a little extra kick in the flavor that is missing from what is served at Cracker Barrel, but still very much worth making.

  22. OkSweet REVIEW:

    This Hash brown recipe is great, I have been making this for years. It's a wonderful side dish to the Outback's "Alice Springs Chicken Breast" too! YUMMY!!

  23. susnam REVIEW:

    We made this for 80 people at a women's retreat and a lot of the people there thought it was the best food of the retreat. We had made a lot, so there was some leftovers the next day, and people gobbled them ALLL up!!!!

  24. Angela REVIEW:

    This recipe is yummy! I also like to add about 3/4 to a cup of sour cream.

  25. Di

    My husband and I love this casserole.. Everytime we go and eat at Cracker Barrel we have to have this for breakfast.. Will try to make it at home and see how it turns out.

  26. Guest Foodie REVIEW:

    My husband was impressed I will make this one again.

  27. Missy

    I have worked for CB for many years as a cook. This is the ONLY sight I have seen the actual Hash Brown Casserole recipe! The submitter must have worked for CB.

  28. Janet REVIEW:

    This has been a HUGE hit at church luncheons or when having friends over. It has become one of my most requested side dishes. Its easy to prepare and travels well... even when I ride my motorcycle! THANKS!

  29. bigma REVIEW:

    here is the right recipe for hash brown casserole from cracker barrel. i bag shredded hash browns, i onion, diced, i can cream of chicken soup, and 8 oz. shredded colby cheese. mix alltogether, put in baking pan and spread another can of cream of chicken soup over the top. bake till done and turning brown.

  30. gumbeaux REVIEW:

    This is the BEST Cracker Barrel Hashbrown Recipe there is. I have tried several and this is the most like the real thing. My family of 12 loved it so much they requested it for part of our Christmas meal. It is super!!!

  31. hally67 REVIEW:

    Awesome recipe!! Tastes very similar to Cracker Barrel's. Thank you!!

Please note:
This is a copy cat recipe submitted to CDKitchen by a third-party. This recipe is not an original recipe unless specifically stated and is considered only to be an acceptable "clone" to the original for the home cook to attempt to duplicate. Please also note that many nationwide restaurant chains vary their menus and ingredients by region so the version provided may not be similar to what you may have tried before. All trademarks referenced are property of their respective owners.

About CDKitchen

Online since 1995, CDKitchen has grown into a large collection of delicious recipes created by home cooks and professional chefs from around the world. We are all about tasty treats, good eats, and fun food. Join our community of 200K+ members - browse for a recipe, submit your own, add a review, or upload a recipe photo.