What are the ingredients for hash brown casserole?

The classic hash brown casserole recipe calls for thawed frozen hash brown potatoes, condensed cream of chicken soup, shredded cheddar cheese, sour cream, melted butter, chopped onion, salt, black pepper, and crushed cornflakes for the topping. These nine ingredients combine into a creamy, cheesy filling with a golden, crispy crust. Each ingredient is readily available at any grocery store, making this one of the most accessible comfort food bakes in the American cooking tradition.

What is Dolly Parton's five ingredient casserole?

Dolly Parton's five-ingredient casserole version simplifies the classic by combining frozen hash browns, cream of chicken soup, cheddar cheese, sour cream, and butter without the onion or cornflake topping. It produces a dense, cheesy, thoroughly creamy potato bake that mirrors the spirit of The Full Recipe with fewer components. While it skips the crunchy topping, it is an excellent choice when time is tight and pantry supplies are limited.

Do I have to thaw frozen hash browns for casserole?

Yes, thawing frozen hash browns before using them is required for the best results. Baking them from frozen releases a large amount of water as they defrost in the oven, which makes the casserole watery and prevents the filling from setting into a creamy, cohesive texture. Thaw them overnight in the refrigerator or at room temperature for 2 to 3 hours, then press them dry with kitchen towels before mixing.

What are the three ingredients in hash brown casserole?

The three core ingredients that define a hash brown casserole are frozen hash brown potatoes, cheddar cheese, and a creamy binder such as cream of chicken soup or sour cream. Many minimalist versions of this recipe strip the dish down to these three essentials and still produce a satisfying result. Adding butter, onion, and a crunchy topping builds significantly more flavor and texture, but the three-ingredient core is what gives the dish its identity.

Can I make hash brown casserole ahead of time?

This Hash Brown Casserole is one of the best make-ahead dishes in the hash brown casserole recipe category. Assemble the entire dish, including the cornflake topping, cover it tightly with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking. When ready to bake, remove the plastic wrap and add 10 to 15 minutes to the baking time to account for the cold start. This makes it perfect for holiday mornings when oven time is competitive and prep time is scarce.

Can I use fresh potatoes instead of frozen Hash Brown Casserole?

Fresh russet potatoes work as a substitute for frozen hash browns in this potato breakfast casserole, but they require extra preparation. Peel and shred the potatoes, then toss them with a pinch of salt, let them sit for 10 minutes, and squeeze out as much moisture as possible using a clean kitchen towel before adding them to the filling. Fresh potatoes produce a slightly starchier, firmer texture compared to the tender, soft interior that frozen hash browns deliver.

Is this a copycat Cracker Barrel hash brown casserole?

This Hash Brown Casserole recipe closely mirrors the copycat Cracker Barrel hash brown casserole that home cooks have been recreating for decades. Cracker Barrel's iconic version uses similar core ingredients, including shredded potatoes, cheddar, and a creamy soup base. The key difference is that this homemade version adds the buttered cornflake topping for crunch, which Cracker Barrel's restaurant version omits. For those who grew up ordering this dish at the restaurant, this recipe is the closest home approximation available.

Best Hash Brown Casserole Recipe: Cheesy, Crispy & Easy (1 hour 40 min)

Name: Hash Brown Casserole Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 1 h 30 min
Total time: 1 h 40 min
Yield: 10 servings
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 (2 lb) package frozen hash brown potatoes, thawed; 1 (10.5 oz) can condensed cream of chicken soup; 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese; 1 (8 oz) container sour cream; 1 cup butter, melted, divided; ½ cup chopped onion; ½ teaspoon salt; ½ teaspoon ground black pepper; 1 cup crushed cornflakes

Description

Hash brown casserole is a creamy, cheesy baked potato dish made with thawed frozen hash browns, condensed cream of chicken soup, sharp cheddar, sour cream, and butter, finished with a golden buttered cornflake topping. This copycat Cracker Barrel hash brown casserole comes together in 10 minutes of hands-on prep and bakes into a bubbling, crowd-pleasing comfort dish perfect for brunches, holidays, and potlucks.

Ingredients

Scale

1 (2 lb) package frozen hash brown potatoes, thawed and dried
1 (10.5 oz) can condensed cream of chicken soup
2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
1 (8 oz) container sour cream
1 cup butter, melted, divided (½ cup for filling, ½ cup for topping)
½ cup chopped onion
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon ground black pepper
1 cup crushed cornflakes

Instructions

Preheat and Prepare: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter or non-stick spray.
Mix the Filling: In a large bowl, combine thawed hash browns, cream of chicken soup, shredded cheddar, sour cream, ½ cup melted butter, chopped onion, salt, and pepper. Stir until evenly combined.
Fill the Dish: Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish and spread into a flat, even layer.
Add the Topping: Scatter crushed cornflakes evenly over the surface. Drizzle the remaining ½ cup melted butter over the cornflakes.
Bake: Bake uncovered for 1 hour to 1 hour 30 minutes, until edges are bubbling and the topping is deep golden brown.
Rest and Serve: Allow the casserole to rest for 5 minutes before scooping and serving.

Notes

Fully thaw and press-dry the hash browns before mixing to prevent a watery casserole. Do not cover during baking, the uncovered bake is what crisps the cornflake topping. Assemble up to 24 hours ahead and refrigerate unbaked; add 10–15 minutes to bake time when starting from cold. Shred cheddar from a block for the smoothest melt.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Category: Side Dish / Breakfast
Method: Baked
Cuisine: American / Southern

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving (1/10th of dish)
Calories: 390
Sugar: 2g
Sodium: 620mg
Fat: 27g
Saturated Fat: 16g
Unsaturated Fat: 9g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 30g
Fiber: 2g
Protein: 9g
Cholesterol: 72mg

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