Cracker Barrel Hashbrown Casserole: A Comfort Food Favorite

Cracker Barrel’s hashbrown casserole is an iconic side dish that has earned its place in the hearts and stomachs of many. The dish is the epitome of comfort food: cheesy, creamy, and packed with flavor. Whether you’re preparing a holiday meal, a weekend brunch, or simply a cozy dinner, this casserole will never disappoint. The dish is often served at Cracker Barrel, a beloved American chain known for its homestyle cooking, and has become a fan favorite thanks to its simple ingredients and irresistible flavor. If you’ve ever tasted it, you’ll know just how good it is. But now, you can bring this restaurant-quality dish into your kitchen with this easy-to-follow recipe.

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This Cracker Barrel-inspired hashbrown casserole is made with only a handful of ingredients, but it packs a punch when it comes to flavor and texture. The combination of crispy hashbrowns, rich cream of chicken soup, tangy sour cream, and gooey melted cheese makes for a dish that’s savory, comforting, and utterly irresistible. Whether you’re serving it as a side dish for a family dinner or a potluck, it will be the star of the show.

The Appeal of Cracker Barrel Hashbrown Casserole

There’s something about hashbrowns that make them the perfect comfort food. Whether they’re crispy, cheesy, or covered in gravy, hashbrowns are one of those universal foods that make everyone feel at home. When you take those crispy hashbrowns and mix them with rich, creamy ingredients like sour cream and cheese, you get the perfect casserole that’s hearty, satisfying, and incredibly delicious.

What makes Cracker Barrel’s hashbrown casserole so special is its combination of flavors and textures. The casserole features a layer of crispy hashbrowns on the bottom, which are cooked until they are golden and slightly crunchy on the edges. The creamy filling, made with a mixture of sour cream, cream of chicken soup, and melted butter, gives the dish a rich, velvety texture. On top, the cheese melts into a gooey, golden crust, adding both flavor and texture. Each bite is a perfect balance of crispy, creamy, and cheesy, making it impossible to resist.

This casserole is not just about taste; it’s also about convenience. It can be made ahead of time, which is ideal for busy weeknights or when you have guests coming over. You can assemble the casserole the night before, refrigerate it, and bake it the next day when you’re ready to serve. It’s also versatile enough to be customized with different ingredients, making it a dish that can be enjoyed by everyone.

The Ingredients: Simple Yet Flavorful

The beauty of Cracker Barrel hashbrown casserole lies in the simplicity of its ingredients. You don’t need a long list of exotic or hard-to-find items to create this dish. In fact, you probably have most of these ingredients in your pantry or refrigerator already. Here’s a breakdown of what you’ll need to make this comforting casserole:

• 2 lbs frozen shredded hashbrowns (thawed, 32-ounce package): Frozen hashbrowns are the key ingredient in this casserole. They provide the bulk and texture of the dish, and once thawed, they become soft and ready to soak up all the creamy goodness.
• ½ cup melted butter: Butter adds richness to the casserole and helps bind the ingredients together. It also contributes to the crispy texture of the hashbrowns as they bake.
• 10.5 oz cream of chicken soup (or cream of cheddar soup): This creamy base is essential to the casserole’s texture. The soup helps create a smooth, velvety filling that complements the hashbrowns. If you want a cheesier flavor, you can opt for cream of cheddar soup instead.
• 2 cups sour cream: Sour cream gives the casserole its creamy texture and adds a slight tanginess that balances the richness of the other ingredients. It also helps keep the casserole moist.
• ½ cup finely chopped onion: Onion adds a savory depth of flavor to the casserole. The natural sweetness of the onion enhances the richness of the cheese and the creaminess of the sour cream.
• 2 cups Colby cheese (grated, divided into 2 portions of 1 ½ cup and ½ cup): Colby cheese is the cheese of choice for this casserole because of its smooth melt and mild flavor. It helps create the golden, cheesy crust on top of the casserole and adds richness to the filling.
• ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper: A pinch of black pepper adds just the right amount of spice to balance the creamy, cheesy elements.

These ingredients come together to form a dish that’s rich, satisfying, and full of flavor. The key to success with this casserole is the balance of creamy, cheesy, and savory elements. The hashbrowns provide the perfect texture, while the soup, sour cream, and cheese give the casserole its comforting and indulgent flavor.

Step-by-Step Instructions: How to Make Cracker Barrel Hashbrown Casserole

Making this Cracker Barrel-inspired hashbrown casserole is incredibly easy and doesn’t require any advanced cooking skills. With just a few steps, you’ll have a warm, cheesy casserole ready to serve. Here’s a detailed guide to help you through the process:

1. Preheat the Oven: The first step is to preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures that the casserole cooks evenly and that the cheese gets golden and bubbly on top. While the oven is heating, prepare your baking dish by greasing a 9×13-inch casserole dish with non-stick cooking spray or cooking oil. This will prevent the casserole from sticking to the dish and make cleanup easier.
2. Prepare the Hashbrowns: Take your frozen shredded hashbrowns and thaw them before using them in the casserole. To thaw the hashbrowns quickly, place them on the counter for about an hour. Alternatively, you can thaw them overnight in the refrigerator. Once thawed, be sure to drain any excess moisture from the hashbrowns and pat them dry with paper towels. This step is essential to avoid a soggy casserole and to ensure that the hashbrowns crisp up nicely in the oven.
3. Mix the Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the thawed hashbrowns, melted butter, cream of chicken soup, sour cream, finely chopped onion, 1 ½ cups of grated Colby cheese, and ground black pepper. Stir everything together until the ingredients are well mixed. The mixture should be creamy and well-coated.
4. Transfer to Baking Dish: Once the mixture is ready, transfer it to the prepared baking dish. Use a spatula to spread it out evenly, making sure that the mixture is level and compact in the dish.
5. Top with Cheese: After spreading the hashbrown mixture in the dish, sprinkle the remaining ½ cup of grated Colby cheese on top. This will create a golden, cheesy crust as the casserole bakes.
6. Bake: Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 45-55 minutes, or until the casserole is bubbly around the edges and the cheese on top is lightly browned. The casserole should be firm to the touch and golden brown on top. If you want the cheese to be extra crispy, you can place the casserole under the broiler for the last few minutes of baking.
7. Serve: Once the casserole is done, remove it from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes. This will allow the casserole to set and make it easier to serve. Scoop out generous portions and serve it warm.

Flavors and Textures: What to Expect

The beauty of Cracker Barrel hashbrown casserole lies in its incredible combination of flavors and textures. The crispy hashbrowns form the base of the casserole, offering a slightly crunchy texture that contrasts beautifully with the creamy filling. The filling itself is rich and velvety, thanks to the sour cream and cream of chicken soup. The melted Colby cheese on top adds an indulgent, gooey texture that takes the casserole to the next level.

As you take your first bite, you’ll notice the perfect balance of flavors: the mild sweetness of the onion, the savory richness of the soup and sour cream, and the creamy, melted cheese. The subtle heat from the black pepper adds just enough spice to round out the dish. The texture is equally satisfying—creamy on the inside with a slightly crispy crust on top, making each bite an irresistible experience.

Tips for Success and Variations

This Cracker Barrel hashbrown casserole is incredibly versatile and can be customized in a variety of ways. Here are some helpful tips and variations to make this casserole even more delicious:

• Add Bacon or Sausage: For a heartier dish, try adding cooked bacon crumbles or cooked sausage to the casserole. This will give the casserole a savory, meaty element that pairs perfectly with the creamy base.
• Use Different Cheeses: While Colby cheese is the traditional choice, you can experiment with other cheeses like sharp cheddar, mozzarella, or Monterey Jack for different flavor profiles.
• Make it Spicy: If you like a little heat, consider adding some diced jalapeños or a pinch of cayenne pepper to the mixture. This will give the casserole a subtle kick that contrasts nicely with the creamy texture.
• Vegetarian Version: If you’re serving vegetarians, you can substitute the cream of chicken soup with cream of mushroom soup for a vegetarian-friendly option.
• Make Ahead: This casserole can be made ahead of time and stored in the fridge for up to three days before baking. Simply assemble the casserole, cover it with foil, and refrigerate until you’re ready to bake it.

Conclusion

Cracker Barrel hashbrown casserole is a dish that combines simple ingredients and big flavors to create a truly comforting meal. Whether you’re serving it for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or a holiday feast, this casserole is sure to be a hit. Its rich, cheesy, and creamy flavors are perfect for anyone who loves comfort food, and the ease of preparation makes it a go-to dish for busy nights or special occasions. With its crispy hashbrowns, creamy filling, and melted cheese, this casserole is everything you need to satisfy your comfort food cravings. Try it today and bring the taste of Cracker Barrel into your own home!