Creamy Cracker Barrel Hashbrown Casserole Recipe

Casserole seems to be on the menu of every hotel breakfast menu. It's a healthy breakfast for people of all ages. It is popularly known as a comfort food. This one-pot dish will fill you up and help you get going the rest of the day. It's a wonderful dish for any occasion including housewarmings and reunions. The name of the dish where it is served is also called casserole. It can be an oven-safe ceramic, glass, or cast-iron dish.

Ingredients

Frozen hash browns – 32 ounces, thaw
Melted butter – ½ cup
Cream of cheddar or condensed cream of chicken soup – 10.5 ounces
Sour cream – 16 ounces
Onion – ½ cup, diced
Cheddar cheese – 2 cups
Black pepper – ½ teaspoon
Garlic powder – ¼ teaspoon

Ingredients explained

Shredded hash browns:

You can either buy the frozen hash browns from the market or make them at home. If you use the frozen one, you need to thaw it to get rid of moisture.

Butter:

Though unsalted butter is preferred; you can also use salted butter.

Condensed cream of chicken soup:

You can find a pack of this in the supermarket. It is basically chicken soup boiled to half its volume. To make it at home you need butter, all-purpose flour, milk, chicken stock, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Take a pan and heat it. Add butter and flour. Then add chicken stock and milk. Stir to ensure that there is no lump left. Sprinkle garlic salt. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes until the mixture thickens.

Cooking instructions

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. Then grease a 9X 13-inch casserole dish.
Mix the thawed hashbrowns, cream of cheddar or cream of chicken soup, onion, 1.5 cups cheese, and pepper.
Spread the mixture into a baking dish. Add ½ cup cheese and bake for 45 to 55 minutes.

Pro Tips

Make sure the thaw the hashbrowns so that the casserole doesn't become runny. Your ingredients will also mix well this way. Drain any excess moisture.
If your hashbrown looks soggy, you can bake them in the oven. You can also reheat them in the microwave.

Making homemade hashbrowns for casserole

Instead of using frozen hashbrowns in this recipe, you can use homemade hashbrowns. For this, you need to peel the potatoes and shred them with a grater. Put them in a bowl filled with cold water. Use a spoon or fork to spread the shredded potatoes in water so that you can get rid of the starch. Get rid of the starchy water by pouring it into a drainer. Then add more cold water to the bowl and repeat the process. Dry up the potatoes with a dish towel and also squeeze them to get rid of water.

Then heat a few tablespoons of oil in a non-stick skillet and put the flame on medium heat. Place the dried potatoes evenly on the pan. Sprinkle salt and pepper. Fry for 3 to 4 minutes till they get golden brown on the bottom side. Then flip the potatoes using a spatula and cook the other side similarly. Put off the heat and let them cool down. You can then freeze them in an air-tight container for future use.

Health benefits

Boosts energy levels
Helps to manage weight
Improve cardiac health

If you want a balanced breakfast, you should make this casserole. It contains protein, carbohydrates, fiber, vitamins, and minerals that your body needs. It is buttery and crispy inside. You can serve pork chops or fried chicken with it.