Cracker Barrel Hashbrown Casserol: an Easy Comfort Food Recipe! Enjoy this cheesy, creamy, and comforting casserole any time of day for delicious family dining!
Serve this versatile potato dish alongside eggs for breakfast or with roast meat for dinner; it is sure to be a hit.
Ingredients
This recipe makes an easy breakfast casserole or dinner side dish, using ingredients you probably already have on hand, including frozen shredded hash browns and cream of chicken soup.
The resultant casserole is creamy and hearty with just the right amount of spice – ideal when ready to be enjoyed when you get home after work or served alongside grilled hamburgers or pot roast for a complete meal!
This recipe requires frozen shredded hash browns, but you could easily swap in cubed potatoes or even zucchini slices for this dish. Also needed: cream of chicken soup, onion, sour cream, and butter – or cream of mushroom or celery soup could be an alternate choice!
Once all the ingredients have been combined, simply spread them in an ovenproof baking pan and bake. You may add additional cheese if you like your casserole extra cheesy, but be careful not to overdo it, or else your potatoes won’t bake properly.
Add crunch with potato chips, Ritz crackers, cornflakes, or panko bread crumbs mixed with some melted butter for an extra bit of crunch before baking! Additionally, green onions or parsley make this more festive.
Preparation
Cracker Barrel’s recipe for Cheesy Hashbrown Casserole is quick and simple to prepare and will impress all who join for breakfast, brunch, dinner, or any meal afterward! Plus, it can even be prepared ahead of time, stored in the refrigerator overnight, then baked when desired!
Begin by patting dry the hash browns that have been defrosted using paper towels to eliminate some of the water that remains. This will give the casserole more chance to brown and crispen on top.
Combine all ingredients in a large bowl and gently whisk to incorporate them. Pour the mixture into a 9×13 casserole dish sprayed with oil; dollop out evenly into it – leaving rough edges will help the casserole brown up beautifully when baked in the oven!
If you want to lighten up this dish a bit, use low-fat butter and sour cream instead of cheddar cheese to reduce its fat content and add some additional flavor and spice. Also, try substituting Colby or pepper jack cheese for cheddar – these will both add great depth of flavor!
Add bacon or ham to this already delectable casserole for an even heartier dish that your guests can nibble on while it bakes! Plus, they’ll appreciate having something tasty to munch while your casserole bakes!
Cooking
This easy hashbrown casserole makes for the ideal breakfast side dish to accompany eggs and bacon for breakfast or an accompaniment to dinner with meat and veggies at dinner time.
Plus, it’s freezer-friendly, so it can even be prepared ahead of time!
If you want to make this recipe healthier, try switching out for low-fat cream of chicken soup and sour cream; use less cheese or forgo it altogether.
This creamy hashbrown casserole is super simple to make. All it requires is preheating your oven and prepping a baking dish.
Make sure to pat your hash browns dry prior to assembling them; this will prevent them from overcooking and becoming soggy.
Alternatively, fresh shredded potatoes may also work – simply soak them in cold water for 30-60 minutes prior to patting dry!
Once all ingredients have been mixed, pour into a prepared baking dish and sprinkle with the reserved 1/2 cup of cheese.
Bake for approximately 45 minutes, and enjoy! This hashbrown casserole makes an impressive side dish at potlucks, parties, and summer barbecues – not to mention holidays and family gatherings! You can double or triple this recipe and freeze any extra portions – simply thaw overnight in the refrigerator!
Serving
Cracker Barrel’s creamy and cheesy dish is an irresistible comfort food, and making it at home using just a few pantry and refrigerator ingredients is easy.
Not to mention, it will likely become one of the favorite family recipes at your table!
For this quick casserole, simply combine thawed hash browns with melted butter, cream of chicken soup, sour cream, and chopped onion in a mixing bowl before topping it with shredded cheddar cheese and baking.
For an additional crunchier topping option, crumble in some crushed potato chips, Ritz crackers, panko breadcrumbs, or cornflakes before returning to the oven for ten more minutes.
Alternatively, consider substituting cream of chicken soup for another condensed creamy soup like cream of mushroom or cheddar cheese soup (this makes this meal vegetarian-friendly as well).
If you’re seeking a healthier version of this dish, use low-fat or fat-free versions of butter and sour cream; swap shredded cheddar for Colby cheese or pepper jack to reduce calories; double the amount of cheddar cheese so 2 cups go into the casserole and 1 cup gets used as a topping; double it again when serving for company.
In conclusion, our journey through recreating the beloved Cracker Barrel Hashbrown Casserole has been nothing short of a flavorful expedition. As we’ve blended the simplicity of shredded potatoes with the richness of cheese and the comforting touch of seasoning, we’ve unlocked the secret to bringing that cherished restaurant taste to our kitchens.
Now armed with the recipe, you hold the key to recreating a classic dish that captures the essence of Cracker Barrel’s iconic hashbrown casserole.
May your kitchen be filled with the aroma of comfort and your table with the joy of shared flavors. Happy cooking!
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