Copycat Cracker Barrel Hashbrown Casserole Recipe
The Cracker Barrel menu may be full of dishes to choose from, but there are a few iconic items that the chain is known for. Their pancakes, for example, are an iconic staple for this restaurant (and I love them so much, I made my own copycat Cracker Barrel pancake recipe already). Other popular breakfast items include the hashbrown dishes, specifically the hashbrown casserole and the loaded hashbrown casserole. Of course, I had to create my own recipe. Luckily, the loaded hashbrown casserole is an easy add-on to the traditional Cracker Barrel hashbrown casserole.
What makes the two Cracker Barrel hashbrown recipes different?
When you're at Cracker Barrel, there are two hashbrown options you can choose from. According to Cracker Barrel, the loaded hashbrown casserole is a slice of the hashbrown casserole finished off on the grill with a slice of Colby jack cheese and bacon. It's pretty simple to add on, so I added it in at the end of the regular casserole recipe if you're especially craving the Cracker Barrel loaded hashbrown casserole.
Here's my step-by-step guide to making a copycat Cracker Barrel hashbrown casserole recipe.
Copycat Cracker Barrel Hashbrown Casserole Recipe
Makes 12 servings
Ingredients
1 bag frozen hashbrowns (about 2 lbs.)
1/2 medium onion, diced
1 stick butter, melted (1/2 cup)
1 10 oz. can cream of chicken
16 oz. sour cream
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
Cooking spray
Bacon, optional
Colby jack slices, optional
How to Make It
Mix all the ingredients
This step is pretty simple, but I need to give you a fair warning: You'll want a big bowl for this. I made a huge mess while trying to mix all of these ingredients (except for the optional bacon and Colby jack, which is for the loaded casserole.) Get the biggest bowl you have!
One small note about cheese: I personally like to shred up an entire block of cheddar cheese instead of buying shredded cheddar in the bag. I find that the cheese melts easier within the casserole.
Pour into the dish
Use the cooking spray to coat your casserole dish, and dump the hashbrown mixture into the pan. This may be a two-person job because, again, it's a lot of food and things may get messy! Have one person hold the bowl and the other person scoop it in.
Evenly spread the hashbrown mixture in the dish so the food all sits at the same level.
Bake it at 375 degrees
Bake in the oven for 45 to 60 minutes at 375 degrees. I found it took my casserole a full 60 minutes until it was done, but it may vary based on the oven. Check it at 45 minutes, and if the middle is still uncooked and not golden-brown, leave it in there.
Make it loaded
If you want the Cracker Barrel loaded casserole, the additions are pretty easy to throw together. Melt a slice of Colby jack cheese (or sharp cheddar cheese, which is what I prefer) and add some bacon crumbles on top. Not sure how to cook your bacon? Here's my personal favorite way to cook bacon.
You can either melt the cheese on top of a slice in the microwave, "grill it" in a pan on the stove (the authentic Cracker Barrel way), or if you want the whole casserole to be loaded, add the slices of cheese on top of the casserole during the last 10 minutes of cooking.
Cracker Barrel Hashbrown Casserole Full Recipe
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
- Mix together the frozen hashbrowns, onion, melted butter, cream of chicken, sour cream, and shredded cheddar cheese in a large bowl.
- Spray down a deep casserole dish with cooking spray. Dump the hashbrown mixture into the pan.
- Spread evenly in pan with a rubber spatula.
- Bake in the oven for 45-60 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the edges start to crisp.
- Want a loaded hashbrown casserole? Melt slices of Colby jack cheese on top and sprinkle on some bacon. If you want the whole casserole to be loaded, add slices of cheese on top of the casserole during the last 10 minutes of cooking.
