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!)
Welcome to the world of Cheesy Hash Brown Casserole goodness! I used to LOVE the Hash Brown Casserole at Cracker Barrel before I started asking questions.
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
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Whisk in the milk, salt, and pepper until it slightly thickens, about 1 minute.
- 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.
- Transfer to the baking dish being careful to push the thick mixture down on top into one even layer.
- 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.
Nutrition Facts
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This was even better than I expected! I had frozen hashbrowns and wasn’t sure what to do with them and then I came across this recipe. Even my husband, who normally doesn’t like hashbrowns said these were some of the best potatoes he’s ever had. So easy to put together and I was very happy to NOT see sour cream in the ingredients (I didn’t miss it at all) – I will definitely be making this again!!
Could you substitute dairy free cheese?
Hi. That is not something we’ve tried.
I have and it works great!
Could you prepare night before & then bake in the morning?
I prep the night before and bake it Christmas morning. Comes out great!
Hello. I think it would work fine the next day.
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!
Cracker Barrels recipe does not have sour cream in it.
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!
I made this dish & although it was tasty, it was incredibly greasy. Anyone else have this problem?
Thank you for the information! I really appreciate it.
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..
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..
Can you make this ahead, like the night before and heat and serve in the morning?
Sure!
Can this be made ahead of time and frozen?
Hello. Yes, other readers have frozen it prior to baking.
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Love this recipe! I wanted to make it more of a meal, so I start off by cooking a pound of ground beef or sausage and then add everything else using 4 TBSP of butter instead of 6. My family loves it and it has become a weekly staple! Thank you!
My family loves this recipe. I used half the butter and added frozen tricolored peppers. Best thing ever!
Would this work with fresh grated potatoes instead of frozen?
I used cooked fresh potatoes that I then grated and frozen and it worked well.
Hi there. Lisa has not had good luck with fresh potatoes.
If I was going to make this and freeze it, do I cook it all the way first and then freeze, or can I just put in the freezer after mixing together? I’m new to “freezer cooking” and thought that this might be a good recipe to try freezing.
I’ve not done it with this recipe, but with similar hashbrown casseroles I freeze before baking. Thaw, then bake.
Could you tell me a brand that is just potato’s? Even the one at whole foods in the frozen section has preservatives.
Mr. Dell’s offers an All Natural shredded hash brown. Potatoes only. :) I’ve found them at Walmart, Target and the local grocery store here in MN.
Hi Erica. Look for Cascadian farms. :)
Made this recipe for the first time this weekend and it was YUMMY! :) Really does remind you of the Cracker Barrel version.
I made this the other night and although the flavor was great, it didn’t get done in the middle. The top browned nicely but underneath seemed undercooked. I baked it for 35 minutes then under the broiler for 4. What did I do wrong? Thanks!
Hi Carey. Not sure but every oven is different. Next time, try covering with foil for the first 25 minutes and then remove the foil to finish.
My daughter in law Kerry, made this for Christmas morning breakfast and it was delicious. So nice in fact, I am making it as a side to go with our evening dinner tonight.