Copycat Waffle House Hash Browns All-The-Way Recipe

Patterson Watkins/Mashed

There are quite a few iterations of hash browns out there — some of them simple and modest, like McDonald's famous hash browns, and others absolutely loaded and decked out. It's safe to say that Waffle House's Hash Browns All-the-Way fall into the latter category, featuring a hash brown base topped with grilled onions and mushrooms, melted cheese, ham, tomatoes, jalapeños, Bert's Chili, and sausage gravy. It's absolute decadence on a plate, but for those who can't make it to Waffle House, a homemade version will have to do.

Luckily, developer Patterson Watkins' copycat Waffle House Hash Browns All-the-Way recipe contains every last bit of decked-out goodness as the OG version. "Every element of this dish slaps," Watkins says, particularly highlighting how every component — from the chili to the gravy to the grilled mushrooms — is delicious in its own right. Of course, it's the way that these ingredients come together that really makes the hash browns sing, and there's no denying that your taste buds will be singing once you get a taste of this ultra-savory dish. "It takes some time to make, yes," Watkins acknowledges, "but the reward for your efforts is awesome."

Patterson Watkins/Mashed

This recipe requires quite a handful of ingredients. The base of the dish is made of hash browns, and to make it, you'll need shredded hash brown potatoes, unsalted butter, olive oil, salt, and pepper.

The toppings in this recipe are plentiful and include copycat Bert's Chili (a Waffle House specialty), which uses olive oil, ground beef, ground breakfast sausage, yellow onion, chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, dried oregano, brown sugar, canned tomato sauce, beef bouillon paste, canned pinto beans, salt, and black pepper. The other component of the toppings is the sausage gravy, for which you'll need unsalted butter, ground breakfast sausage, minced yellow onion, all-purpose flour, whole milk, beef bouillon paste, black pepper, and salt. Finally, for the various other toppings, get yellow onion, fresh tomatoes, fresh mushrooms, jalapeño, ham, olive oil, salt, pepper, and slices of American cheese.

Patterson Watkins/Mashed

To start the chili, in a medium-sized saucepan, heat the oil over medium-high heat.

Patterson Watkins/Mashed

Once hot, add the beef, sausage, onion, chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, and oregano. Stir to combine.

Patterson Watkins/Mashed

Cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the beef and sausage are browned.

Patterson Watkins/Mashed

Add the brown sugar, tomato sauce, bouillon, and 2 tablespoons water to the saucepan.

Patterson Watkins/Mashed

Mix well and bring it to a simmer.

Patterson Watkins/Mashed

Reduce the heat to low and stir in the pinto beans, combining well. Cook for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Remove from heat and set aside.

Patterson Watkins/Mashed

Moving on to the sausage gravy, in a medium-sized skillet, melt the butter over medium heat.

Patterson Watkins/Mashed

Add the sausage and onions and stir to combine.

Patterson Watkins/Mashed

Cook the sausage and onions for 5 minutes or until the sausage is browned.

Patterson Watkins/Mashed

Pour the flour into the skillet.

Patterson Watkins/Mashed

Mix the flour with the sausage and onions until combined. Cook for 1 minute.

Patterson Watkins/Mashed

Add the milk, bouillon, and black pepper and whisk to combine. Bring the gravy to a simmer.

Patterson Watkins/Mashed

Continue cooking over medium heat until the gravy has thickened, about 3 to 5 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.

Patterson Watkins/Mashed

To start on the veggie and ham toppings, preheat the oven to broil on low.

Patterson Watkins/Mashed

On a foil-lined baking sheet, place the onions, tomatoes, mushrooms, jalapeños, and ham with minimal overlapping. Drizzle with olive oil and season with salt and pepper.

Patterson Watkins/Mashed

Broil for 5 to 8 minutes or until the veggies are tender. Remove from the oven and set aside.

Patterson Watkins/Mashed

Moving on to the hash browns, in a large non-stick skillet, heat the butter and olive oil over medium heat.

Patterson Watkins/Mashed

Once hot, add the shredded hash brown potatoes, spread out in an even layer, filling up the whole pan. Season with salt and pepper.

Patterson Watkins/Mashed

Cook the hash browns undisturbed for 5 minutes or until golden brown. Flip the hash browns and cook for another 5 minutes or until crisp and golden brown on both sides.

Patterson Watkins/Mashed

To assemble, transfer the hash browns to a large platter.

Patterson Watkins/Mashed

Top with the American cheese slices.

Patterson Watkins/Mashed

Cover the cheese with the broiled veggies and ham.

Patterson Watkins/Mashed

Add a few hearty spoonfuls of the chili on top.

Patterson Watkins/Mashed

Generously spoon some of the sausage gravy over the chili. Serve with any leftover chili and gravy on the side for further slathering.