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Welcome to the world of Cheesy Hash Brown Casserole goodness! I used to LOVE the Hash Brown Casserole at Cracker Barrel. That’s before I started asking questions about how they make their food (did you know almost all of their vegetable side dishes are made with sugar?). Then if you look at the copy cat recipes online, most of them call for a can of condensed soup – no thank you MSG and other unwanted additives! There has to be a better way, and thankfully there is, which I’ve detailed for you below. It’s hard to go wrong when it comes to potatoes and cheese and other wholesome ingredients. This is a tasty dish that you can enjoy with breakfast, lunch or dinner!
Cheesy Hash Brown Casserole (like Cracker Barrel’s!)
Ingredients
- 6 tablespoons butter + extra for greasing the pan
- 1/3 cup onion diced
- 1 clove garlic minced
- 4 tablespoons whole-wheat flour
- 1 1/2 cups milk
- ½ teaspoon salt
- pepper to taste
- 2 cups cheddar cheese mild, freshly grated
- 1 pound frozen hash browns be sure to buy a brand with only 1 ingredient - potatoes, no need to defrost
Instructions
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Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a square baking dish with butter (8 x 8 or 9 x 9 inch) and set aside.
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In a large sauté pan over medium heat melt the butter. Cook the diced onion until it softens but does not brown, about 2 to 3 minutes. Throw in the minced garlic and cook while stirring for 1 more minute.
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Turn the heat down to medium low and whisk in the flour. Continuously stir until the flour darkens but is not burnt, about 1 to 2 minutes.
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Whisk in the milk, salt, and pepper until it slightly thickens, about 1 minute.
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Turn the heat off and, using a spatula or wooden spoon, stir in the grated cheese until it melts. Fold in the hash browns until evenly coated.
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Transfer to the baking dish being careful to push the thick mixture down on top into one even layer.
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Bake for 30 to 35 minutes uncovered, and then turn the heat up to broil for 3 to 4 minutes or until the top turns golden brown. Keep a close eye under the broiler so it doesn't burn! Serve warm and enjoy.
Recipe Notes
We recommend organic ingredients when feasible.
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Can this be made ahead of time and frozen?
Hello. Yes, other readers have frozen it prior to baking.
Can you make this ahead, like the night before and heat and serve in the morning?
Sure!
Can you make this with grated potatoes? It looks delish, but I don’t have frozen hash browns.
Lisa had better success with the frozen potatoes..
Where have you found 1 ingredient hash brown potatoes? I’ve not been able to find them at either Earth Fare and Whole Foods in Southpark. Help!
Cascadia farms has a one ingredient frozen hash brown..
Thank you for the information! I really appreciate it.
I made this dish & although it was tasty, it was incredibly greasy. Anyone else have this problem?
I wouldn’t say it’s “just like Cracker Barrel’s”. It’s more like Mac and Cheese made with frozen hash browns instead of macaroni. Tasty, but not as close as other copycat recipes of Cracker Barrel Hash Brown Casserole. Definitely needs the sour cream that’s missing from the above recipe!
The original cracker barrel recipe does not have sour cream
The original may not but many do have sour cream that claim to copycat cracker barrel. I’ve seen the creamed soup also listed on many. I figure the sour cream would make it creamer like the soup. Either way just suit to your taste. The sour cream sounds like a great addition!
Could you prepare night before & then bake in the morning?
Hello. I think it would work fine the next day.
Could you substitute dairy free cheese?
Hi. That is not something we’ve tried.