Hashbrown casserole is a popular American comfort food that consists of hashed potatoes baked in a creamy cheese sauce and topped with crunchy cornflake crumbs. There are many variations of hashbrown casserole recipes, but two of the most well-known versions are Cracker Barrel’s hashbrown casserole and loaded hashbrown casserole. Both dishes are rich, indulgent entrees that feature hashbrowns as the star ingredient, but there are some key differences between the two recipes in terms of ingredients, preparation, and flavor profile.
Cracker Barrel’s hashbrown casserole is perhaps the most famous iteration of the dish, made popular by the Southern American restaurant chain. It features a straightforward hashbrown casserole recipe with minimal ingredients, allowing the hashbrowns, cheddar cheese, and fried onion toppers to shine. Loaded hashbrown casserole amps up the indulgence factor by packing the casserole with bacon, sour cream, and sometimes additional mix-ins like jalapeños.
While both casseroles deliver on cheesy, crispy potato goodness, understanding the distinctions between Cracker Barrel’s classic version and loaded hashbrown casserole can help cooks decide which recipe to make based on preference, dietary needs, and what’s already in the pantry.
Cracker Barrel’s Hashbrown Casserole Recipe
Cracker Barrel first put hashbrown casserole on its menus in the early 1990s. While the exact origin of the recipe is unknown, it quickly became one of the chain’s most popular homestyle sides. The Cracker Barrel hashbrown casserole recipe sticks to a simple formula of just five main ingredients:
– Hashbrowns
– Cheddar cheese
– Cream of chicken soup
– Sour cream
– Cornflake cereal
To make Cracker Barrel’s hashbrown casserole, you start by shredding Russet or Idaho potatoes into hashbrowns either by hand or using the shredding attachment on a food processor. The hashbrowns are combined with cheddar cheese, cream of chicken soup, sour cream, and pepper in a casserole dish. The mixture is then topped evenly with crushed cornflakes and baked until heated through and the cornflake topping is crispy.
Here is Cracker Barrel’s official hashbrown casserole recipe:
Cracker Barrel Hashbrown Casserole
Ingredients:
– 2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese
– 1 (10 oz) can cream of chicken soup
– 1 cup sour cream
– 1/4 tsp pepper
– 2 (20 oz) packages refrigerated shredded hash browns
– 1 1/2 cups crushed corn flakes cereal
Instructions:
1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. Mix cheddar cheese, soup, sour cream, pepper, and hash browns in a large bowl.
3. Transfer mixture to a greased 9×13 baking dish.
4. Top evenly with crushed corn flakes.
5. Bake for 40-50 minutes until hot and bubbly.
6. Let stand 5 minutes before serving.
The simplicity of the ingredients is what makes Cracker Barrel’s recipe stand out. The creamy, cheesy sauce pairs perfectly with the crispiness of the shredded potatoes. The crunchy cornflake topping adds another fun textural element. Overall, this hashbrown casserole is comforting and satisfying without being overly heavy or rich. It’s easy to replicate at home for a taste of those famous Cracker Barrel breakfast vibes.
Loaded Hashbrown Casserole Recipe
While Cracker Barrel’s is the classic, loaded hashbrown casserole has become a popular modern spin on the dish. There are many variations, but loaded hashbrown casseroles tend to contain at least some of the following extra ingredients:
– Bacon
– Scallions
– Jalapeño
– Pimentos
– Mushrooms
– Onion
– Garlic
– Chili sauce or hot sauce
– Extra cheese like Monterey Jack
The loaded ingredients provide loads of extra flavor and can significantly increase the richness of the casserole. Bacon is usually cooked until crispy and then crumbled over the hashbrown mixture to add a hit of smokiness, spice, and crunch. Scallions, jalapeño, and hot sauce bring more heat. Onion and garlic add aromatic depth. The mushrooms and extra cheese make the casserole extra decadent.
Here is one recipe for a loaded hashbrown casserole packed with bacon, sour cream, jalapeños, and a three cheese blend:
Loaded Hashbrown Casserole
Ingredients:
– 1 (30 oz) package frozen shredded hash browns, thawed
– 6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
– 1/2 cup sliced scallions
– 1 jalapeño, seeded and diced
– 3/4 cup sour cream
– 1 (10.75 oz) can cream of chicken soup
– 1/2 cup milk
– 1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
– 1/2 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
– 1/4 cup shredded Parmesan
– Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
1. Preheat oven to 375°F. Grease a 9×13 baking dish.
2. In a large bowl, combine thawed hash browns, bacon, scallions, jalapeño, sour cream, soup, and milk.
3. In a small bowl, mix the shredded cheeses.
4. Pour half the hashbrown mixture into the prepared baking dish. Top with half the shredded cheese blend.
5. Add the remaining hashbrown mixture, then top with the remaining cheese.
6. Bake for 45-50 minutes until bubbly and golden brown. Let cool 5 minutes before serving.
The possibilities are endless when it comes to inventing a loaded hashbrown casserole recipe. Feel free to play around with mix-ins to create a customized loaded version. Just maintain the essential creamy, cheesy binder and those crispy, golden potatoes.
Nutrition Comparison
When comparing Cracker Barrel’s classic hashbrown casserole and loaded variations, one major difference will be the nutrition profiles.
Here is a nutritional comparison of one serving of each recipe:
| Nutrition Facts | Cracker Barrel Hashbrown Casserole | Loaded Hashbrown Casserole |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 420 | 630 |
| Total Fat | 24g | 39g |
| Saturated Fat | 14g | 19g |
| Sodium | 810mg | 1150mg |
| Carbohydrates | 31g | 25g |
| Fiber | 2g | 1g |
| Protein | 13g | 21g |
As you can see, the loaded hashbrown casserole contains significantly higher amounts of calories, fat, and sodium compared to Cracker Barrel’s recipe. This is due to all the extra fatty, salty ingredients like bacon, extra cheese, and sour cream. However, the protein is also increased in the loaded version thanks to those bacon additions.
If you’re looking for a lighter meal, Cracker Barrel’s classic hashbrown casserole would be the better option. But the loaded hashbrown casserole makes an indulgent, hearty dish – perfect for a special breakfast or brunch. Just keep portion sizes in mind if loading up your hashbrown casserole with extras.
Cost Comparison
The ingredient differences between Cracker Barrel’s simple hashbrown casserole and loaded versions also leads to differences in cost. In general, the more involved loaded hashbrown casserole will cost more to make than the classic Cracker Barrel recipe.
Here’s a cost comparison of the main ingredients in one 9×13 pan of each recipe:
| Ingredient | Cracker Barrel Hashbrown Casserole | Loaded Hashbrown Casserole |
|---|---|---|
| Hash browns | $3 | $3 |
| Cheddar cheese | $2 | $1 |
| Cream soup | $1 | $1 |
| Sour cream | $1 | $1 |
| Cornflakes | $1 | – |
| Bacon | – | $3 |
| Monterey Jack | – | $2 |
| Parmesan | – | $1 |
| Jalapeño | – | $1 |
| Total | $8 | $14 |
The loaded hashbrown casserole costs almost double the simpler Cracker Barrel version. The bacon, extra cheeses, and other additions ramp up spending. So keep your budget in mind if choosing between the two recipes.
Making either dish from scratch will cost more than buying prepared frozen hashbrown casseroles at the grocery store. But it’s worthwhile to create these comforting casseroles yourself using high-quality, fresh ingredients.
Flavor Profiles
In addition to differences in nutrition stats and price, Cracker Barrel’s classic hashbrown casserole and loaded versions also differ significantly in terms of flavor:
Cracker Barrel Hashbrown Casserole
– Savory, rich
– Smooth, creamy
– Mild cheddar flavor
– Slight tang from sour cream
– Potato-forward
– Subtly crispy cornflake topping
Loaded Hashbrown Casserole
– Very rich, indulgent
– Spicy kick from jalapeño
– Pungent onion and garlic
– Savory bacon flavor
– Smoky and salty
– More complex blend of cheese flavors
– Soft, creamy textures
Cracker Barrel’s recipe highlights the natural flavors of the core ingredients. The potato, cheddar, and cornflake flavors shine through. Meanwhile, loaded hashbrown casseroles feature a more complex medley of flavors. The bacon, spicy peppers, mixed cheeses, and aromatics create an intense mouthfeel.
So those looking for a comforting, nostalgic flavor will enjoy sticking to the Cracker Barrel original. But loaded hashbrown casserole is a smart choice for folks who like bold, dynamic flavors and don’t mind extra richness.
Preparation Time
Loaded hashbrown casserole recipes require more hands-on prep time compared to the fast assembly of Cracker Barrel’s version.
Cracker Barrel’s casserole only needs about 10 minutes of prep time to shred potatoes, grate cheese, mix the ingredients, and crush cereal. The rest of the time is hands-off baking.
Meanwhile, loaded hashbrown casseroles may involve:
– Cooking and crumbling bacon (10-15 minutes)
– Sautéing aromatics like onion and garlic (5-10 minutes)
– Prepping multiple mix-ins like jalapeños, scallions, etc. (10-15 minutes)
– Shredding extra cheeses (5 minutes)
That’s potentially 30+ more minutes of active cooking time before assembly and baking. The layering and extra ingredients also make the loaded casserole a bit more complicated to put together.
So plan accordingly if making a loaded hashbrown casserole recipe. Make time for plenty of hands-on cooking compared to the fast, dump-and-stir method of Cracker Barrel’s classic. Or use smart shortcuts like pre-shredded cheese and pre-cooked crumbled bacon to cut down on labor.
Serving Suggestions
Cracker Barrel’s timeless hashbrown casserole and loaded variations both make satisfying meal centerpieces. But they also pair beautifully with certain dishes and breakfast foods.
For Cracker Barrel’s Hashbrown Casserole:
– Fried eggs or scrambled egg casserole
– Biscuits, croissants, or toast
– Sausage links or patties
– Fresh fruit
– Yogurt parfait
For Loaded Hashbrown Casserole:
– Chicken fried steak or pork chops
– Cornbread
– Garden salad
– Beans or slaw as side dishes
– Fruit salad with jalapeño and lime
Tailor your sides and other meal components to complement each casserole’s flavor profile. Lighter sides help balance Cracker Barrel’s classic, while the loaded version demands bold flavors.
Both recipes are also great contributions to breakfast potlucks and brunch buffets. They can feed a crowd as an eye-catching main dish or sides. Leftovers also reheat beautifully the next day.
Conclusion
Cracker Barrel’s signature hashbrown casserole and loaded versions share crispy potatoes baked in a creamy, cheesy sauce as the foundation. But the preparation, ingredients, cost, nutrition, flavors, and best pairing differ between the classic and loaded hashbrown casseroles.
Those watching their budgets, calories, or sodium may prefer sticking to Cracker Barrel’s leaner recipe that spotlights the potato, cheese, and cereal flavors. Folks wanting a heartier, more dynamic casserole can’t go wrong amping it up with a loaded hashbrown casserole recipe. No matter which direction you choose, hashbrown casserole makes a crave-worthy addition to any breakfast spread or comfort food feast.