CRACKER BARREL HASHBROWN CASSEROLE (CROCKPOT & OVEN)

If there’s one thing I love at Cracker Barrel it’s their delicious hashbrown casserole. But I do have a confession – it’s always better in my mind than it is in reality once I eat it. The best hashbrown casserole (to me) is a little bit cheesier and less dry than the one I often get at the restaurant. This copycat Cracker Barrel Hashbrown Casserole (Crockpot and Oven Friendly) is like the restaurant version but better. It’s creamy, cheesy, delicious, and perfect for feeding a crowd. 

My preferred way to make it is in the oven for crispy brown edges but it’s also delicious in the crockpot. I love using the crockpot for the recipe when I’m making it for a party so I don’t have to waste precious oven space. It gets bonus points for being able to stay warm as long as needed. 

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 CRACKER BARREL HASHBROWN CASSEROLE (CROCKPOT & OVEN)

Hashbrown casserole is one of those perfect dishes that can be served for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. A crowd pleaser, this recipe combines shredded potatoes with sour cream, butter, cheese, and yummy seasonings to create a creamy and hearty side dish.

I always associate hashbrown casserole with family gatherings because it’s such a staple. I especially love to make it as part of my Christmas morning spread. 

We always have grandparents over on Christmas morning to watch the kids open gifts and I like to make the same breakfast every year because I am a sucker for tradition. There’s just something so magical about doing things the same way each year. Keeping little things consistent like baking the perfect chocolate chip cookie for Santa on Christmas Eve and eating the same things for breakfast on Christmas morning just makes me feel warm and cozy inside. I am misty eyed just thinking about it! 

WHY THIS CRACKER BARREL POTATO CASSEROLE CROCKPOT RECIPE WORKS 

• Excellent Copycat: This dish tastes like the Cracker Barrel Hashbrown Casserole but better. It’s creamier and cheesier than the restaurant’s version and SO delicious. 
• Great for Prep: This recipe makes quite a large batch and my family will eat it for days! It’s great for serving guests too – think special holiday brunch menu – or you can half the recipe if you don’t want so many leftovers. You can easily change the quantities in the recipe card below with the click of a button!
• Breakfast Prep: Many folks (including me) struggle to make time for a warm breakfast. I love having a few extra portions of this dish on hand because I can simply toss it in a skillet or in the microwave and warm it up and fry up an egg on top. Sometimes I even pair the casserole with boiled eggs to avoid any cooking at all. 
• Easy: Buying pre-shredded potatoes makes this recipe SO easy. Aside from chopping the onion it’s basically opening packages and mixing everything together. You can buy pre-chopped onions to make it even easier! 
• Hands Off/Limited Prep: Especially if you make this in the crockpot, it’s truly a hands off recipe requiring very little time and energy. Perfect for the busiest days! I love serving this dish to company because it’s hearty and delicious but takes minimal effort. 
• Versatile: This dish can be served with breakfast, lunch, or dinner! Top it with fried eggs for breakfast, or serve it alongside your favorite country style meal for lunch or dinner. It pairs wonderfully with my sauteed chicken tenders, southern style meatloaf, crockpot rotisserie style chicken, or St. Louis style bbq ribs. You can even turn it into a loaded hashbrown casserole by adding veggies and/or meats such as ham, sausage crumbles, or bacon. 

INGREDIENTS IN CHEESY HASHBROWN CASSEROLE:

• Shredded Potatoes: I like to buy Simply Potatoes pre-shredded potatoes in the refrigerator section. You can also buy frozen shredded potatoes – just allow them to thaw overnight in the fridge before making the dish.
• Sweet Onion: Any onion will do but Vidalia or sweet onions are my favorite for a mellow flavor. You can buy pre-chopped onions for extra easy prep. Otherwise I like to use an onion chopper for tiny, consistently sized pieces. 
• Butter: Salted or unsalted butter is fine – adjust your seasonings accordingly! 
• Sour Cream: The key to the creamy consistency is sour cream. I typically have light sour cream on hand but full fat sour cream will add extra creaminess. You can also substitute plain greek yogurt or blended cottage cheese to add some protein to the dish! It will impact flavor slightly but is still delicious!
• Shredded Cheese: Cracker Barrel’s hashbrown casserole uses colby jack cheese so that’s what I used here but I typically prefer to use sharp cheddar instead! Use whatever cheese you have on hand. It’ll be great! I swear by buying block cheese and shredding it myself with this shredder. 
• Cream of Chicken Soup: I know, I know. People have strong opinions about “cream of” soups. I don’t often cook with it but it’s pretty delicious in this dish. You can certainly find a recipe to make your own if desired. You can even omit it but your dish won’t turn out as creamy. 
• Seasonings: I use a combination of seasoned salt, garlic powder, onion powder, ground mustard, and pepper. 

HOW TO MAKE CRACKER BARREL HASHBROWN CASSEROLE (CROCKPOT)

If you’re making this dish for a holiday gathering, the crock pot is a great way to free up oven space and make a large batch of this dish. Here are the crockpot directions: 

1. Dice onion.
2. Melt butter in the microwave in 30 second increments until completely melted.
3. Shred cheese if not using pre-shredded. I swear by this shredder.
4. Add all ingredients to a crockpot, reserving a small portion of the cheese to add on top, mix together, top with reserved cheese and cook on high for 4 hours or low for 8.
5. Optional: for a golden brown top, remove hash brown casserole from the Crockpot, add to a large baking dish, and broil until golden brown. 

HOW TO MAKE CRACKER BARREL HASHBROWN CASSEROLE (OVEN)

If you’re like me and LOVE the crispy, brown edges of hashbrown casserole you might prefer the oven baked method to ensure the top and edges are brown and crispy. Here are the oven directions. 

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
2. Dice onion.
3. Melt butter in the microwave in 30 second increments until completely melted.
4. Shred cheese if not using pre-shredded. I swear by this shredder.
5. Add all ingredients to a bowl and combine, reserving a small portion of the cheese to add on top. Mix ingredients together.
6. Add all ingredients to a large baking dish, topping with the reserved cheese and bake for 45-60 minutes until bubbling and golden brown.

SERVING SUGGESTIONS: WHAT TO SERVE WITH CRACKER BARREL HASHBROWN CASSEROLE CROCKPOT RECIPE

This dish is truly so versatile you can serve it with almost anything. It pairs wonderfully with my sauteed chicken tenders, southern style meatloaf, crockpot rotisserie style chicken, or St. Louis style bbq ribs. 

It’s also the perfect accompaniment to your favorite breakfast menu. Serve it alongside eggs, bacon, toast and jelly, omelets, or anything else you can think of!

You can even turn it into a loaded hashbrown casserole by adding veggies and/or meats such as sausage crumbles or bacon for a one dish meal! 

STORAGE

Store this dish in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-5 days or in the freezer for up to three months. 

FAQ

Does hashbrown casserole reheat well? 

Absolutely! This is a great dish to cook once and eat for days! My preferred method for reheating it is in a skillet to crisp it up a bit but it’s also delicious reheated in the microwave.

Do you have to thaw hashbrowns before cooking?

Yes, this recipe is written to be made with thawed, unfrozen hashbrowns. 

Is it better to cook this in a metal or glass baking dish?

Either will work but metal is ideal for crispy edges! According to Masterclass, metal is a better heat conductor meaning the food will cook more evenly. 

Can I bake this in a disposable pan? 

You can definitely bake this hashbrown casserole in a disposable pan. It’s a great dish to make for gatherings and you can follow the same cooking directions above when using a disposable pan.

MORE POTATO RECIPES YOU’LL LOVE

What’s not to love about a potato dish? Here are three others you’ll enjoy from Mom’s Favorite Meals.

Loaded Smashed Potatoes: mashed potatoes with sour cream, cheese, butter, bacon, and whatever other toppings you love.

Southern Style Baby Potatoes and Green Beans: a southern comfort food that will take you back to your Granny’s kitchen table.

Vegetarian Potato Soup: Even if you’re a meat lover, this hearty vegetarian potato soup will warm you up from the inside out.

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