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A serving spoon scooping cheesy hashbrown casserole from a white oval baking dish, garnished with parsley.

Classic Cracker Barrel Style Hashbrown Casserole

This comforting, cheesy hashbrown casserole brings the beloved taste of Cracker Barrel right to your kitchen, featuring a creamy sauce, tender potatoes, and a golden, bubbly topping perfect for any meal.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Breakfast, Comfort Food, Side Dish
Cuisine: American, Southern
Calories: 450
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 30 oz Frozen Shredded Hash Browns thawed and well-drained
  • 10.5 oz Cream of Chicken Soup condensed
  • 1 cup Sour Cream
  • 1/2 cup Yellow Onion finely chopped
  • 2 cups Sharp Cheddar Cheese shredded, divided
  • 1/2 cup Unsalted Butter melted
  • 1 tsp Salt
  • 1/2 tsp Black Pepper
  • 1/2 tsp Garlic Powder
  • 1/4 tsp Paprika for topping, optional

Equipment

  • Large Mixing Bowl
  • 9x13 inch baking dish
  • Whisk
  • Spatula

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.
Mixing the Casserole Base
  1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the condensed cream of chicken soup, sour cream, finely chopped yellow onion, melted butter, salt, black pepper, and garlic powder. Whisk until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
  2. Add the thawed and well-drained shredded hash browns and 1 1/2 cups of the shredded sharp cheddar cheese to the soup mixture. Gently fold all the ingredients together with a spatula until the hash browns are evenly coated.
Baking
  1. Pour the hash brown mixture into the prepared 9x13 inch baking dish and spread it evenly with the spatula.
  2. Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of shredded sharp cheddar cheese over the top of the casserole. If desired, sprinkle with paprika for an attractive golden-red hue.
  3. Bake for 50-60 minutes, or until the casserole is hot and bubbly around the edges, and the cheese on top is melted and golden brown. If you prefer a crispier top, you can broil for the last 2-3 minutes, watching carefully to prevent burning.
Serving
  1. Remove the casserole from the oven and let it rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. This allows it to set slightly and makes for cleaner serving.
  2. Serve warm as a delicious side dish for breakfast, brunch, or dinner.

Notes

For an extra crunchy topping, you can crush 1 cup of cornflakes or Ritz crackers, mix with 2 tablespoons of melted butter, and sprinkle over the cheese before baking. Ensure your hash browns are thoroughly thawed and drained; excess moisture can lead to a watery casserole. This casserole can be assembled the night before, covered, and refrigerated; add an extra 10-15 minutes to the baking time if baking from cold.