Prep Time: 15 minutes Cook Time: 45 minutes Total Time: 1 hour Yield: 8 servings Category: Breakfast or Side Dish Method: Baking Cuisine: American
Description: This Hashbrown Casserole is a delicious and comforting dish that tastes just like the famous Cracker Barrel version. It’s incredibly easy to prepare and can be served for breakfast or dinner. With creamy ingredients, flavorful spices, and a cheesy topping, it’s sure to become a family favorite. Plus, it’s freezer-friendly for convenient leftovers!
Ingredients:
- 32 oz. frozen hash browns, thawed*
- 1 stick (1/2 cup) butter, melted
- 10.5 oz. cream of chicken soup (cream of cheddar also works)
- 16 oz. sour cream
- 1 small onion, finely diced
- 1 1/2 cups cheddar cheese, grated (set aside 1/2 cup for topping)
- 1/3 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions:
1. Preheat the Oven:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Thaw and Pat Dry the Hash Browns:
- Ensure that your hash browns are fully thawed. You can defrost them in the microwave to speed up the process.
- Pat the thawed hash browns dry with a clean kitchen towel or paper towels to remove any excess water.
3. Prepare the Casserole:
- In a large bowl, combine the thawed and dried hash browns, melted butter, cream of chicken soup (or cream of cheddar), sour cream, finely diced onion, 1 cup of grated cheddar cheese (reserving 1/2 cup for topping), and black pepper. Mix all the ingredients until well combined.
4. Assemble and Bake:
- Grease a 9×13-inch casserole dish.
- Pour the hash brown mixture into the greased casserole dish and spread it out evenly.
- Sprinkle the reserved 1/2 cup of cheddar cheese over the top.
- Bake in the preheated oven, uncovered, for 35 minutes.
5. Crisp and Brown the Top:
- After 35 minutes, increase the oven temperature to 375°F (190°C).
- Continue baking for an additional 10 minutes or until the top of the casserole begins to crisp and brown slightly.
6. Serve and Enjoy:
- Remove the Hashbrown Casserole from the oven and let it sit for about 10 minutes before serving.
- This casserole is perfect as a side dish or for a hearty breakfast.
7. Freezing Instructions (Optional):
- If you want to freeze leftovers, allow the casserole to cool completely, then cover it tightly with foil or plastic wrap and freeze. To reheat, bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) until heated through.
Enjoy this delicious and comforting Hashbrown Casserole that’s sure to please your taste buds and become a family favorite