Cheesy Bacon Ranch Hashbrown Casserole gives the classic Cracker Barrel Hashbrown Casserole a flavor boost with bacon, ranch seasoning mix, Worcestershire, and hot sauce.
Nothing is more comforting or crowd-pleasing than the good old creamy, cheesy hash brown potato casserole that has been served at family gatherings, potlucks, funerals, and church suppers for generations.
My sister serves her version every Thanksgiving. People threaten not to show up if the hash brown casserole is not served. It is tradition, and you don’t mess with tradition……until now.
Table of Contents
What Is A Cheesy Hashbrown Casserole?
Cheesy Hashbrown Casserole, also known as a Cracker Barrel Hashbrown Casserole, is a Thanksgiving side dish casserole made with shredded hashbrown potatoes, sour cream, cream of chicken soup, and shredded cheese that is a favorite Southern casserole and is popular for holidays, Thanksgiving, and potlucks because it can feed a crowd, is easy to make and is budget-friendly.
How To Make a Cheesy Hashbrown Casserole?
It is extremely easy to make a Cheesy Hashbrown Casserole, and I’ll show you how to make a variation on the basic recipe to include bacon and ranch flavors.
What Ingredients Are In For Cheesy Hashbrown Casserole?
You will need the following ingredients to make this casserole.
Ingredients For Base Hashbrown Casserole Recipe
- Frozen Shredded Hash Brown Potatoes, thawed (Any brand of frozen hash brown potatoes is fine)
- Sour Cream
- Shredded Cheddar Cheese
- Cream of Chicken Soup (Or Use Substitute Recipe blow)
- Melted Butter
- Bread Crumbs (or Crushed Cornflakes Cereal)
Additional Ingredients For Cheesy Bacon Ranch Hashbrown Casserole
- Chopped Onions
- Bacon
- Ranch Seasoning Mix
- Worcestershire
- Hot Sauce (optional)
What Can I Substitute For Cream of Chicken Soup?
If you don’t have Cream of Chicken Soup, you will need these ingredients to make your own homemade Cream of Chicken Soup.
- Butter
- Flour
- Chicken Broth
- Milk
In a skillet, melt butter. Add flour and stir to make a paste. Pour in chicken broth and stir. Then pour in milk and stir to make the substitute Cream of Chicken Soup.
How To Make This Cheesy Hashbrown Casserole
To make it, start with the chicken soup base, which consists of butter, flour, onions, chicken broth, and milk. Then add the seasonings: salt, pepper, ranch seasoning mix, Worcestershire, hot sauce, and bacon. Stir in all the traditional ingredients, sour cream, cheese, and shredded potatoes. And for the finale, top with the crunchy panko breadcrumbs drizzled with melted butter.
How Long To Bake a Cheesy Hashbrown Casserole?
Cook for approximately 45 minutes to an hour and then you have the most amazing potato casserole you have ever tasted in your life!
Variations On Cheesy Hashbrown Casserole
My version of this rich cheesy potato casserole includes chopped bacon, ranch seasoning mix, Worcestershire and hot sauce. What it doesn’t have is canned soup. No cream of chicken or cream of mushroom or cream of anything soup. This version is so easy to make, and it saves money too.
And I must say that these potatoes are frickin’ AWESOME! As far as I’m concerned I don’t need to make any more recipes. I could just live on this Hashbrown casserole alone. It tastes that good. I heard someone call them “crack” potatoes and that would be accurate because they are addictive. Make sure you have a crowd to feed because, otherwise, you can’t stop eating this stuff.
How To Freeze A Hashbrown Casserole
This casserole freezes very well. As a matter of fact, many people make 2 casseroles at once so they can serve one and freeze the second one to serve at a later date.
Make the recipe per the instructions. Then you can choose whether to bake it now or freeze it for later. If you choose to bake it, follow the instructions of the printable recipe below.
Wrap the unbaked casserole with freezer wrap or aluminum foil. Write the name of the dish and write the date. You can freeze the hashbrown casserole for up to 3 months.
When you remove from the freezer, let the casserole thaw completely before baking. Bake the casserole according to the recipe directions.
It’s your turn. Are you a traditionalist? Do you dare to tempt fate and tweak tradition? Go ahead I dare you. I double dare you! Go ahead. Make this Cheesy Bacon Ranch Hashbrown Casserole. You will thank me later.
What To Serve With Cheesy Bacon Ranch Hash Brown Casserole?
- Apple Walnut Cranberry Salad for a light and refreshing salad.
- Peach Glazed Spiral Ham – an impressive centerpiece for a holiday dinner.
- Cajun Herb Prime Rib Roast for an impressive holiday dinner.
- Roast Turkey With Apple Cider Brine for a main course for Thanksgiving dinner.
- Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Balsamic and Bacon for a vegetable side dish.
- Homemade Green Bean Casserole for a classic vegetable holiday side dish.
- Savory Herb Rolls – to round out the dinner.
- Old Fashioned Chess Pie for a simple, classic dessert.
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Recipe
Cheesy Bacon Ranch Hash Brown Casserole Recipe
Ingredients
CREAM OF CHICKEN SOUP SUBSTITUTE
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 onion , chopped
- 1-1/2 cups chicken broth (I use the no salt added )
- 1 cup milk (I use 1%)
SEASONINGS
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1 package ranch seasoning mix
- 2 teaspoons worcestershire
- 1 dash hot sauce (adjust to taste)
- 6 slices cooked bacon , chopped
TRADITIONAL HASH BROWN CASSEROLE
- 1 cup sour cream (I use light sour cream)
- 2 cups sharp cheddar shredded
- 1 30-ounce bag Frozen Hash Brown Potatoes thawed
- 2 tablespoons butter melted
- 2 cups Panko bread crumbs
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- On top of the stove, in a large sauce pan over medium low heat, melt 3 tablespoons of butter.
- Add chopped onions and cook until they are soft, about 5 minutes.
- Stir in 1/4 cup flour and continue stirring for about 1 minutes until you have a paste.
- Pour in 1-1/2 cups chicken broth. Add in salt, pepper, ranch seasoning, worcestershire, and hot sauce. Continue stirring.
- Stir in milk and continue stirring. Let it simmer for about 5 – 7 minutes until slightly thickened.
- Remove from heat and add sour cream and cheese and stir until smooth.
- Add chopped bacon and fold in the thawed hash brown potatoes. Stir until all ingredients are evenly distributed throughout the mixture.
- Spoon the potato mixture into a 9 x 13 baking dish that has been sprayed with cooking spray.
- Sprinkle the bread crumbs evenly over the top of the casserole. Drizzle melted butter over the top of the bread crumbs.
- Bake at 350 degrees for about 1 hour.
- Remove from oven and let cool for about 10 minutes. Garnish with chopped bacon and green onions, if desired.
Emily says
those all sound SOOO good together… I really miss being able to buy hashbrowns like that here in HK… I have a few recipes I always want to make :o) Pinning!! EMliy@nap-timecreations
Occasional Cooker says
Hi Emily, thanks for stopping by. The Ore-Ida potatoes are so good. But if you can’t get them, you can always use real potatoes and shred or cube them yourself.
Marion says
Anything with bacon gets my attention!! pinned 🙂
Occasional Cooker says
Thanks Marion!
Lucy says
I love hash brown casserole! And Bacon and Ranch added to it, sounds amazing. Pinning!
Occasional Cooker says
Thanks Lucy! I love Bacon and Ranch flavors together.
Occasional Cooker says
Thank you Lucy! I have to say we think this is pretty amazing! Thanks for pinning!
Renee @ Awesome on $20 says
This sounds pretty fantastic to me!
Occasional Cooker says
Thanks Renee!
Danelle says
Oh man! This looks awesome!
Kathryn Griffin @TheDedicatedHouse says
You know, I was never a fan of hash browns because I always felt something was missing. After reading this recipe, I definitely want to try this. Thanks for sharing and thank you for the visit and sweet comment at The Dedicated House. It means the world. Feel free to share this post or any other at my Make it Pretty Monday party which just went live. Here’s the link if you want to check it out. http://thededicatedhouse.blogspot.com/2013/10/make-it-pretty-monday-week-73.html Hope to see you at the bash! Toodles, Kathryn @TheDedicatedHouse
Occasional Cooker says
Kathryn,
Thanks for the kind words. I am definitely sharing this post at your Make It Pretty Monday! I loved seeing all the wonderful ideas. Your link back is on the side of this page. Have a wonderful week and thanks for visiting.
Linda says
Mmm comfort food and no canned soup!
Vick says
Ok you got me with this one. worcestershire is hubby’s favorite condiment.
Joann says
Hi there, Just saw this recipe for “Cheesy Bacon Ranch Hash Brown Casserole”. I do have a question, it’s probably a dumb one, but can you tell me where or when do you add the seasoning’s? I am a little confused on that step, SORRY :). Thanks so much, cause I really do want to try these, I make one similar to these, and OH so Good.
Michele says
You add the seasonings in after the chicken broth. Thank you for asking. I updated the instructions to include that step.
Melanie says
If I want to use cream of chicken soup instead of the substitute how much do I need. I’m making the recipe for 12.
Michele says
Hi Melanie,
I’m glad you are making the recipe. I would use 1 can for the recipe as written and 1-1/2 cans to serve 12. If you double the recipe, use 2 cans.
I hope that helps. Enjoy the recipe.
Thanks for visiting.
Michele