Cracker Barrel's Hash Browns Casserole - Copycat

kleigh83's Note:

My parents worked on a Cracker Barrel training video (which they use to train the chefs) and got this recipe a few years ago. Cracker Barrel's recipe seems to have changed a bit over these few years but not for the best. This is their recipe though and has become a family favorite. We usually have it now for Easter and Thanksgiving and its also great for a brunch. Happy Cooking!

• Total Time: 1 hrs 10 mins
• Prep Time: 10 mins
• Cook Time: 1 hrs

Ingredients:

Servings: 10

• 1 (32 ounce) bag oreida potato shreds hash browns (they only make one size)
• 1 onion, chopped or diced
• 1 (10 1/2 ounce) can cream of mushroom soup
• 1 (10 1/2 ounce) can cream of celery soup
• 3 tablespoons margarine
• 1/2 lb colby cheese, grated

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350*F.
2. Mix potatoes, onion, celery and mushroom soups, and 1/2 of the cheese.
3. Coat a 9" x 13" baking dish with spray oil.
4. Spread mixture into dish.
5. Sprinkle other 1/2 of cheese evenly over top.
6. Dot margarine evenly over the cheese.
7. Bake at 350*F for 45 minutes to 1 hour or until cheese starts to brown at peaks.

Reviews

[shortcakes]

I made this casserole tonight and it was fantastic! My family and I love it. Per some reviewer suggestions, I lightly sauteed the onions along with 2 tsp fresh minced garlic before combining it in the unbaked hashbrown mixture. I found a 30oz bag of O'Reida hashbrowns(I guess the present economy motivated O'Reida to downsize a couple of ounces)at my local Walmart. I used the colby cheese as the recipe calls for and I highly recommend others do so instead of subbing cheddar cheese as some of the reviewers on here had done. I folded all the cheese in instead of reserving a portion for the top--just my preference. I also added a 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp pepper which wasn't too salty for me but I am known for liking the salt! I baked at 350 and when it was done I put it under the broiler for 5 minutes to give it crispy exterior. Oh, and my casserole didn't turn out soupy--it really helps to let it sit about 5 minutes before dishing it out. Also, some reviewers didn't follow the instructions and used 1 small bag of hashbrowns which of course made their casserole a soggy mess. Why they even reviewed it is beyond me.

[PACE]

Warning Warning Warning Warning !
Double the recipe!!!

[jackieliz]

Very tasty, simple, and inexpensive to make. It tastes a bit different than the casserole served at Crackerbarrel, but it is delicious all the same.