Hash Brown Casserole (Cracker Barrel Copycat)

This hash brown casserole is my copycat version of Cracker Barrel’s famous cheesy and creamy hash brown potato casserole. If you don’t have a Cracker Barrel near you, I’m sorry. If you do or see one in your travels, stop in and order these hash browns! They are so good! They are cheesy and creamy with a melted cheese topping found in great mac-and-cheese! The minute you take a bite, it warms your heart and makes you smile. Yes, that happens when you eat great comfort food.

Since I wrote this recipe, I have found other vintage recipes for this potato casserole also referred to as “funeral potatoes” because it was a great covered dish that freezes well that friends and neighbors would take to someone’s house when a loved one passed away. Don’t you just love vintage recipes?

For over 25 years, this casserole has been a staple at Christmas morning breakfast. Honestly, it’s so good, it can be enjoyed any time of the year regardless of the occasion. No matter how I change our Christmas morning breakfast menu, I can’t get away with omitting this casserole on Christmas morning. It is rich and creamy with the perfect ratio of potato to cheesy goodness. It’s versatile and can be prepared ahead, making Christmas a little easier for the chef. I make mine the night before and bake it straight from the refrigerator to the oven.

HERE’S HOW I MAKE IT
In a large mixing bowl, thaw and combine a 2 lb. bag of diced hash brown potatoes, a stick of melted unsalted butter, a can of cream of chicken soup, a cup of sour cream, an 8-ounce bag of shredded cheddar cheese (or cheese mix of your choice), half a cup of raw minced yellow onion, 1/2 teaspoon of kosher salt and fresh ground black pepper. Fold until all ingredients are well distributed. Pour the mixture into a buttered 9X13 casserole dish and top with extra shredded cheese. That’s it! As Ina Garten says, “How easy is that?”

I buy Southern Style diced hash browns at my local grocery store. You can use shredded hash brown, but I like the diced potatoes best. In a pinch you could also use Potatoes O’Brien! Because the Cream of Chicken Soup is concentrated and has a high salt content, I use unsalted butter and 1/2 a teaspoon of salt. If you use salted butter, just omit the salt. I also use full fat ingredients – after all this is a Christmas breakfast treat so bring on the fat! I can’t say the flavor or texture will be the same if you use reduced fat or fat-free ingredients.

While cheddar is the go to cheese in this recipe, there are many packages of shredded blends that work equally well. My favorite brand is Tillamook because of the quality and meltability factor of the cheese. Sargento also makes nice shredded cheeses. I don’t recommend European cheeses in this recipe.

If preparing the day before, like I do, cover the dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight. Not only is this a time saver, but it also allows the flavors to marry. When ready to bake, remove plastic wrap and bake in a preheated 350°F oven for an hour or until the top is golden and bubbly. If your family is like mine, it will be the first casserole they dig into and the first one to empty.
Note: If you prefer a crunchy topping, reserve two tablespoons of melted butter from the listed butter amount and combine in a small bowl with 2 cups of Panko bread crumbs or Corn Flakes cereal. Evenly spread bread topping just before baking to prevent topping from getting soggy.

This can also be made in advance and frozen up to a month. Thaw the day before baking in the refrigerator, then follow the baking instructions above. Just make sure your casserole dish is freezer safe. Should you have any leftovers, you can flash freeze individual portions on a baking sheet, then transferred to a freezer safe container. When ready to enjoy, take out the portions you need and thaw in the refrigerator. They can be warmed through in the oven or in the microwave.

Want a versatile weeknight casserole? Add a shredded rotisserie chicken and broccoli florets for a delicious and easy dinner! You can really add your favorite ingredients and transform this humble cheesy potato casserole into another easy meal. I hope you enjoy this casserole as much as we do!