Cracker Barrel Hash Brown Casserole

Equipment

• 9×13-inch baking dish
• large mixing bowl
• Spatula or wooden spoon

Pro Tips

• Thaw Hash Browns: Ensure hash browns are fully thawed and patted dry to avoid a watery casserole.
• Cheese Topping: Add cheese topping halfway through baking to prevent over-browning.
• Check Seasoning: Taste the soup mixture before adding potatoes; adjust salt if needed, as canned soups vary in sodium.
• Make Ahead: Assemble the casserole up to a day in advance, cover, and refrigerate. Add 5–10 minutes to baking time if baking from cold.

Optional Variations

• Vegetarian: Substitute cream of chicken soup with cream of mushroom or celery soup.
• Spicy Kick: Add ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper or ¼ cup diced jalapeños to the mixture.
• Crunchy Topping: Sprinkle ½ cup crushed cornflakes or buttery crackers mixed with 2 tablespoons melted butter over the cheese before baking.
• Healthier Option: Use low-fat cream soup and reduce butter to ¼ cup, supplementing with ¼ cup Greek yogurt for creaminess.