Prep: 10 mins
Cook: 30 mins
Total: 40 mins
Servings: 12 servings
If you've ever eaten at Cracker Barrel, you've probably tried their delicious hash brown casserole! Whether accompanying a heap of bacon and eggs or a chicken fried steak, this casserole is simply perfection. It's salty, creamy, cheesy, and has perfectly crispy edges. Top it with a little freshly chopped parsley for brightness, and you've got a beautiful side dish for any brunch or Sunday dinner. You can also just eat a giant bowl on its own, it's that tasty.
This dish is such a crowd-pleaser, grown-ups and kids alike will want seconds. You may even want to lick the entire casserole dish clean.
It also freezes really well. You can make it ahead of time and throw it in the fridge overnight or pop it in the freezer for up to three months until you're ready to bake and serve it! It's perfect for your Easter brunch or dinner, as it pairs nicely with baked ham. Make it ahead of time, and have a stress-free day!
Ingredients
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2 pounds frozen hash browns
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2 ounces (4 tablespoons) salted butter, melted
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1 (10.25 ounce) can condensed cheddar cheese soup
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1 pint plain whole milk yogurt
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1 medium onion
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1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
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1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
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1 tablespoon chicken bouillon
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1 teaspoon seasoned salt
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1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
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1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh parsley, garnish
Steps to Make It
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Gather your ingredients. Preheat the oven to 350 F.
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Finely dice the onion, then melt the butter in the microwave. Allow the butter to cool slightly.
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Whisk together the onion, cheddar cheese soup, cheddar cheese, yogurt, chicken bouillon, and melted butter in a large bowl. Mix until completely combined and all the ingredients have been evenly distributed.
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Carefully fold in the shredded potatoes, and mix until the potatoes are completely coated in the cheesy mixture.
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Grease a 9 x 13 inch casserole dish with cooking spray or butter, then pour the potato mixture into the prepared baking dish. Bake in the oven, uncovered for 45 minutes, until the casserole is bubbly and the top is golden brown.
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Cut and serve immediately, garnished with a little fresh chopped parsley. You can also serve it at room temperature. It's a great recipe for potlucks!
Glass Bakeware Warning
For premade casseroles or leftovers that are in a glass baking dish and have been refrigerated, do not place directly into a hot oven as the glass can shatter. Instead, place any cold glass bakeware into a cold oven to warm up while it preheats. Or, allow the bakeware to rest outside of the fridge for 30 minutes to reach room temperature while the oven preheats.
Variations
- Bacon: Add cooked bacon bits to the casserole and top it with more when it comes out of the oven.
- Spicy Jalapeno: Add a tablespoon of hot sauce to the mixture as well as a chopped jalapeno. Garnish with a little more diced jalapeno when it comes out of the oven.
- Smoky Sausage: Add 1 tablespoon of smoked paprika and 1 pound of cooked, chopped kielbasa sausage.
- Cheesy Broccoli: Add 2 cups of cooked, chopped broccoli to pump up the nutrition.
Get creative and try out different flavors!
| Nutrition Facts | |
|---|---|
| Servings: 12 | |
| Amount per serving | |
| Calories | 327 |
| % Daily Value* | |
| Total Fat 22g | 28% |
| Saturated Fat 9g | 43% |
| Cholesterol 38mg | 13% |
| Sodium 534mg | 23% |
| Total Carbohydrate 27g | 10% |
| Dietary Fiber 3g | 10% |
| Total Sugars 3g | |
| Protein 9g | |
| Vitamin C 6mg | 31% |
| Calcium 236mg | 18% |
| Iron 1mg | 4% |
| Potassium 509mg | 11% |
| *The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice. | |
