Cracker Barrel Hashbrown Casserole Without Cream Of Chicken Recipe

Cracker Barrel Hashbrown Casserole (No Soup) is a cheesy and comforting side dish popular for its rich, homemade flavor profile free from processed ingredients. Ideally, a thick white sauce made from butter, flour, and chicken broth should be prepared to replicate the consistency of the traditional canned soup base.

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Cracker Barrel Hashbrown Casserole Without Cream Of Chicken Ingredients

For the Hash Brown Base

• 1 package (30–32 oz) frozen shredded hash browns, thawed
• ½ cup small yellow onion, very finely diced
• 2 cups shredded sharp Cheddar cheese (divided)
• 1 cup sour cream (full fat)
• ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper

For the Homemade “Cream” Sauce (Soup Substitute)

• 2 tbsp butter
• 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
• 1 cup chicken broth (or vegetable broth)
• ½ cup whole milk
• ½ tsp onion powder
• ½ tsp garlic powder
• ½ tsp salt

How To Make Cracker Barrel Hashbrown Casserole Without Cream Of Chicken

1. Preheat and Prep: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish. Ensure your hash browns are fully thawed and patted dry to remove excess moisture.
2. Make the Roux: In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt the 2 tablespoons of butter. Whisk in the flour and cook for 1 minute until bubbly and pale. This removes the raw flour taste.
3. Create the Sauce: Gradually whisk in the chicken broth and milk. Continue to cook, whisking constantly, for 3–5 minutes until the mixture thickens into a consistency similar to condensed soup. Stir in the onion powder, garlic powder, and ½ tsp salt. Remove from heat.
4. Combine wet ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the homemade white sauce, the melted butter (½ cup), sour cream, finely diced onion, salt, and pepper. Whisk until smooth.
5. Fold in solids: Stir in 1 ½ cups of the shredded Cheddar cheese. Add the thawed hash browns. Fold everything together gently until the potatoes are evenly coated in the cheese sauce.
6. Bake: Spread the potato mixture into the prepared baking dish. Bake uncovered for 45–50 minutes. The casserole should be bubbling around the edges and beginning to brown.
7. Top and finish: Sprinkle the remaining ½ cup of Cheddar cheese over the top. Bake for an additional 5–10 minutes until the cheese is melted and golden.
8. Rest: Remove from the oven and let the casserole rest for at least 10–15 minutes. This allows the sauce to set up so it isn’t runny when served.

Recipe Tips

• Thawing Potatoes: To thaw quickly, spread the frozen hash browns on a baking sheet and leave at room temperature for 45 minutes, or defrost in the microwave in batches. Squeeze out excess water if they feel soggy.
• Onion Size: Chop the fresh onion as finely as possible. Cracker Barrel’s casserole has a distinct onion flavor but no crunchy onion chunks. If you have picky eaters, grate the onion into the mix.
• Cheese Grating: Grating your own sharp cheddar from a block is essential. It melts smoother and has a much stronger flavor than pre-shredded cheese, which is necessary to flavor all those potatoes.
• Crispy Edges: For the famous crispy corner pieces, spread the mixture slightly thinner in a larger pan, or increase the oven temperature to 375°F for the last 15 minutes.

What To Serve With Cracker Barrel Hashbrown Casserole Without Cream Of Chicken

This scratch-made side goes with breakfast or dinner.

• Scrambled Eggs: For a hearty farmhouse breakfast.
• Meatloaf: The creamy potatoes replace mashed potatoes perfectly.
• Ham: A holiday classic pairing.
• Pork Chops: Fried or grilled chops benefit from the cheesy side.

How To Store Cracker Barrel Hashbrown Casserole Without Cream Of Chicken

• Refrigerate: Store tightly covered in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days.
• Freeze: This casserole freezes well before baking. Assemble, cover with plastic wrap and foil, and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge for 24 hours before baking.
• Reheat: Cover with foil and reheat in a 350°F oven for 20 minutes, or microwave individual portions.

Cracker Barrel Hashbrown Casserole Without Cream Of Chicken Nutrition Facts

• Calories: 380kcal
• Protein: 10g
• Carbohydrates: 28g
• Fat: 26g
• Saturates: 16g
• Sugar: 2g
• Salt: 0.8g

Nutrition information is estimated per serving (based on 10 servings).

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