What is Cracker Barrel Hashbrown Casserole made of?

Cracker Barrel’s famous Hashbrown Casserole is a beloved comfort food dish made from simple ingredients that come together to create a delicious, hearty side. The main ingredients in Cracker Barrel’s Hashbrown Casserole are potatoes, cheese, sour cream, onions, butter, salt, and pepper. Let’s take a closer look at each of these ingredients and how they contribute to the taste and texture of this popular casserole.

Potatoes

The base of Cracker Barrel’s Hashbrown Casserole is potatoes. Specifically, the casserole is made with shredded hash browns. Using frozen shredded hash browns helps this dish come together more quickly. The potatoes provide hearty substance and absorb the other flavors of the casserole while baking together into a satisfying, soft and tender bite.

Cheese

What is a casserole without cheese? Cracker Barrel’s Hashbrown Casserole uses a blend of cheddar, Monterey Jack, and Colby cheeses. The combination of these melty cheeses gives the dish a gooey, rich cheese flavor. As the cheese melts during baking, it acts as a binder to hold the casserole together. The cheese also provides a lovely golden brown topping after baking.

Sour Cream

Sour cream is the secret ingredient that makes Cracker Barrel’s Hashbrown Casserole extra creamy. Each bite contains a lush creaminess from the addition of sour cream to the potato and cheese mixture. Sour cream also adds a tangy flavor that offsets the richness of the cheese.

Onions

For an extra punch of flavor, Cracker Barrel’s Hashbrown Casserole includes minced yellow onions. The onions provide an aromatic component when cooked down with the potatoes. Onions also add textural interest, with slight crunchy bursts throughout the soft and creamy dish.

Butter

Butter plays a key role in Cracker Barrel’s Hashbrown Casserole, providing rich flavor and keeping the potatoes tender. Butter is melted down for the base of the casserole, thoroughly coating the potatoes. As the casserole bakes, the butter bastes the potatoes and onions, ensuring they develop a soft, velvety texture.

Salt and Pepper

Like any savory comfort food dish, salt and pepper are essential seasonings in Cracker Barrel’s Hashbrown Casserole. A sprinkling of salt throughout enhances the flavors and pulls everything together. Fresh cracked pepper provides a hint of spice along with an aromatic component. The salt also helps amplify the rich, indulgent flavors.

How it’s Made

Now that we know the main ingredients, let’s look at how Cracker Barrel combines them into the irresistible Hashbrown Casserole.

First, butter is melted down in a baking dish, coating the bottom in preparation for the potato mixture. Next, the shredded frozen potatoes are placed in a bowl and tossed with the melted butter to fully coat each shred. Onions, salt, pepper, and cheddar cheese are then added to the buttery potatoes and everything is stirred together until thoroughly combined.

The potato mixture is then spread evenly into the buttered baking dish. A creamy sauce is made by whisking together sour cream, milk, pepper, and the Colby and Monterey Jack cheeses. This creamy cheese sauce is then poured over the top of the potato mixture in the baking dish.

The Hashbrown Casserole is baked uncovered in a 350 degree Fahrenheit oven for about one hour. During baking, the cheese sauce soaks into the potato mixture and binds everything together as it melts. The top develops a crispy, golden brown crust. After baking, the Hashbrown Casserole is removed from the oven and allowed to rest for about 10 minutes before serving.

Serving Suggestions

Cracker Barrel’s Hashbrown Casserole is served as a hearty side dish with breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner entrees. Here are some delicious meal ideas:

  • Breakfast – Pair the Hashbrown Casserole with pancakes, eggs, bacon, and sausage for a stick-to-your-ribs start to the day.
  • Brunch – Serve the casserole alongside fried chicken, biscuits, gravy, and fruit for a weekend brunch with a little bit of everything.
  • Lunch – The Hashbrown Casserole makes a filling side to enrich sandwiches, burgers, soup, and salad at lunchtime.
  • Dinner – Complement roasted chicken, pot roast, meatloaf, pork chops, or other homestyle entrees with the creamy, cheesy potato casserole.

The possibilities are endless! The Hashbrown Casserole also keeps well refrigerated for several days, so leftovers can be enjoyed again and again.

Nutrition Information

Cracker Barrel’s Hashbrown Casserole is a hearty, comforting dish that is rich in calories and fat. Here is the nutrition information for a 1 cup serving:

Nutrient Amount
Calories 290
Fat 18g
Carbohydrates 24g
Protein 7g
Cholesterol 45mg
Sodium 730mg

As you can see, each serving provides nearly 300 calories and 18 grams of fat, so it’s a dish best enjoyed in moderation. But with its hearty potatoes, savory cheeses, and creamy texture, it’s no wonder Cracker Barrel’s Hashbrown Casserole remains a favorite for breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner!

Copycat Recipe

If you just can’t get enough of Cracker Barrel’s addictive Hashbrown Casserole, you’re in luck! Here is a top-rated copycat recipe to recreate it at home:

Ingredients:

  • 1 (30 ounce) package frozen shredded hash brown potatoes, thawed
  • 1⁄4 cup melted butter
  • 1 (10.75 ounce) can condensed cream of chicken soup
  • 1 cup sour cream
  • 1⁄2 cup chopped onion
  • 2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese, divided
  • 1⁄2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

Steps:

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
  2. Mix thawed hash browns, melted butter, cream of chicken soup, sour cream, onion, 1 cup cheddar cheese, salt, and pepper in a large bowl until well combined.
  3. Transfer hash brown mixture to prepared baking dish and spread evenly.
  4. Top with remaining 1 cup cheddar cheese.
  5. Bake for 40-50 minutes until hot and bubbly. Let sit 5 minutes before serving.

Follow these simple steps at home to enjoy Cracker Barrel’s signature Hashbrown Casserole anytime. Let us know if it tastes just like the original!

Tips for the Best Homemade Hashbrown Casserole

To achieve the ideal flavor and texture for homemade Hashbrown Casserole, keep these tips in mind:

  • Use thawed frozen shredded hash browns for the base. They create the proper consistency when baked.
  • Don’t skimp on the butter – it provides rich flavor and keeps the potatoes tender.
  • Cook the onions first before adding to the potato mixture to soften their texture.
  • Use a blend of cheeses like cheddar, Colby, and Monterey jack for complex flavor.
  • Make sure to bake uncovered so the cheesy topping gets crispy.
  • Let the casserole rest for 5-10 minutes after baking before serving.
  • Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
  • Reheat individual portions in the microwave or oven before serving again.

Following these simple tips will help you achieve the same delicious flavor and irresistible creamy, cheesy texture of the Cracker Barrel original. Enjoy!

Variations

Once you master the classic Cracker Barrel Hashbrown Casserole, get creative with fun flavor variations by adding your own twist. Here are some tasty ideas to try:

  • Southwestern: Add diced green chiles, corn, cumin, and pepper jack cheese.
  • Meaty: Mix in crumbled bacon or breakfast sausage.
  • Veggie: Stir in sautéed mushrooms, spinach, or broccoli.
  • Loaded: Top with extra crispy bacon pieces before baking.
  • Cheesy: Use extra sharp cheddar or triple the cheese sauce.
  • Herby: Add fresh thyme leaves or parsley to the potato mixture.

The possibilities are endless for customizing this comfort food casserole. Take it up a notch for your family with your own unique Hashbrown Casserole creation.

Tips for Making Ahead and Freezing

For convenience, Cracker Barrel’s Hashbrown Casserole can be assembled and refrigerated or frozen ahead of time before baking. Here are some tips:

  • Prepare the casserole as directed up until ready to bake. Do not bake yet.
  • For refrigerating, cover tightly and store in the fridge up to 24 hours before baking.
  • For freezing, transfer the unbaked casserole to a freezer-safe container or zip top bag. Freeze up to 3 months.
  • Thaw frozen casserole overnight in fridge before baking.
  • Increase baking time by 10-15 minutes if cooking straight from frozen.
  • Let thaw completely if microwaving individual portions to reheat.

With a little planning ahead, you can enjoy this comforting dish on demand.assemble and bake just before eating for the fresh-from-the-oven experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Cracker Barrel’s Hashbrown Casserole made from scratch?

No, Cracker Barrel’s Hashbrown Casserole is not made entirely from scratch in the restaurant. It relies on store-bought frozen shredded hash browns as a shortcut ingredient to save time and effort. However, the cheese sauce and seasoning are added by hand before baking each casserole fresh.

Can I make Cracker Barrel’s Hashbrown Casserole gluten free?

Yes, you can make gluten free adaptations of this recipe by using gluten free bread crumbs or corn flakes in place of regular bread crumbs for the topping, and ensure the soup and hash browns used are labeled gluten free.

Can I prepare Cracker Barrel’s Hashbrown Casserole in advance?

Absolutely! assemble the entire casserole up until baking, then cover and refrigerate up to 24 hours before baking. You can also freeze the unbaked casserole for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before baking.

What kind of potatoes are used in Cracker Barrel’s Hashbrown Casserole?

Cracker Barrel uses frozen shredded hash brown potatoes, not fresh potatoes, in their recipe. The shredded frozen potatoes create the proper tender, hearty texture.

How long does it take to bake Cracker Barrel’s Hashbrown Casserole?

Bake the casserole uncovered at 350°F for 40-50 minutes, until hot and bubbly. Rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Conclusion

Cracker Barrel’s Hashbrown Casserole has achieved legendary status on the restaurant’s menu because it brings together comfort food favorites like hearty potatoes, savory cheese, and rich cream into one irresistible baked casserole. With its accessible ingredients and simple preparation, you can easily recreate this satisfying dish at home. Play around with unique additions to make it your own signature version. Just be prepared for requests for second helpings anytime you serve it!

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