Hash Brown Breakfast Casserole

Hash brown breakfast casserole has become a holiday morning tradition in our house. It is a quick and easy way to feed the entire family without a lot of effort.

All of your favorite breakfast items are combined together and baked into a delicious casserole. Then everyone can sit down and eat at the same time.

On busy holiday mornings it is a great alternative to standing over a stove making breakfast for everyone. Instead, use the time that the casserole is in the oven to enjoy the company of your loved ones.

Ingredients For Hash Brown Breakfast Casserole

Frozen Hash Browns

Thanks to pre-packaged frozen hash browns, this dish comes together in no time. For this recipe you will need a 20 ounces of the shredded potatoes.

Although when you go to purchase them you may find them sold anywhere from 26 ounces – 30 ounce bags. Therefore, you can use the entire 26 ounce package or portion out 2⁄3 of the 30 ounce bag.

I have also made this dish with country style frozen hash browns. These are little diced potatoes that often included diced peppers and onions as well.

Ground Sausage

Ground sausage is used as the main protein in this breakfast casserole recipe. You can use ground pork, ground chicken or ground turkey sausage.

To make this recipe quickly, I will often add pre-cooked turkey sausage that I purchase in a bag at the grocery. It is a great short-cut when time is short.

However, you could also brown the sausage ahead of time or use cooked ham or bacon instead of the sausage.

Vegetables

Diced bell peppers and onions are used in this recipe. However you could use any vegetable that are typically found in an omelet.

Mushrooms, spinach or even broccoli can be added to the hash brown breakfast casserole. Just be sure to dice them into small pieces so that they don’t over power the other ingredients.

Cheese

The addition of shredded cheese serves a dual purpose. First, the cheddar cheese adds a sharp, tangy bite that compliments the flavors of the other ingredients.

Second, and just as important the cheese helps to bind the entire casserole together. This is why cheese is mixed in with the other ingredients instead of just being layered on top.

Although I prefer sharp cheddar cheese, you can use any good melting cheese that you prefer. Monterey Jack, Provolone, and Gruyère are all good choices.

For best results, shred your own cheese. Pre-packaged, store-bought shredded cheese has an anti-caking agent that makes it difficult to melt evenly.

Eggs & Milk

For this recipe you will need 8 large eggs. Just be sure to whisk them with milk before pouring them over the sausage and hash browns.

How To Make Hash Brown Breakfast Casserole

The preparation of hash brown breakfast casserole is simple and straightforward. Once the layers are assembled you can choose to bake it right away or refrigerate it overnight and bake it in the morning.

1. Place the hash browns, thawed to a pliable consistency into a greased baking dish. This will form the firm base of the casserole.

2. Sprinkle the cooked and crumbled sausage over top of the potatoes. Then add the diced onions and peppers on top. *For more flavor you can saute the vegetables, but to get this casserole in the oven quickly, I skip this process.

3. Place a layer of shredded cheese on top of the meat and veggies. However, be sure to save some cheese back to top the casserole.

4. Next whisk the eggs and milk together until uniform in color and texture. Season with salt and pepper to taste and then pour the mixture over top of the cheese. The eggs will sink between the layers and when cooked it will help to bind everything together.

5. Finally add a top of layer of cheese.

Bake Time Required

The casserole is then put in the oven to bake until the eggs are set and the cheese has melted. This will typically take about 60 minutes.

However, if made as an overnight hash brown casserole, will need to add an extra 5-10 minutes of bake time.

Hash Brown Breakfast Casserole Recipe

*Specific measurements and complete recipe instructions are located in a printable recipe card at the bottom of this article. However, be sure to continue to read the tips and tricks to making this recipe below.

Ingredients

• 20 ounces shredded hash browns, thawed
• 1 pound ground sausage cooked, crumbled and drained
• ¼ cup onion finely diced
• ½ red bell pepper diced
• ½ green bell pepper diced
• 8 eggs
• 1 ⅓ cups milk
• salt & pepper, to taste
• 2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded and divided

**Please note that these ingredients can be adapted to what you and your family prefer or have on hand. For instance, instead of ground sausage, you can substitute bacon, ham or even ground beef.

Instructions

The first step in this recipe is to thaw your frozen hash browns. I typically use shredded hash browns, but you could also use the diced breakfast potatoes as well.

While the potatoes are thawing, prepare the remaining ingredients. Cook, crumble and drain your sausage.

You can use any type of sausage that you prefer. Although if you are cooking for others, I would suggest using a mild breakfast sausage so that everyone can enjoy the flavor.

Once the potatoes are thawed, add them to a greased 9 x 13 baking dish. Then scatter the sausage, peppers, and onions evenly on top of the potatoes.

Sprinkle all but 1/2 cup of the shredded cheese on top. Now it is time to prepare the egg mixture for the breakfast casserole.

In another bowl, whisk the eggs, milk, salt and pepper together. Then pour this mixture in the baking dish. Finally, sprinkle the remaining cheese on top.

Bake or Refrigerate

If you are ready to bake the Best Breakfast Casserole right away, preheat the oven to 350°F. Then bake for about an hour or until the eggs are cooked through.

However, if you are making this for the next morning, simply cover and refrigerate. Then in the morning, remove the pan from the refrigerator so it can come to room temperature while the oven preheats.

You may need to bake the casserole for 5-10 minutes longer if the eggs are still chilled when going into the oven.

Store leftovers in an air-tight container in the refrigerator. Enjoy!

Whether served as a hearty breakfast, a brunch centerpiece, or a comforting dinner, hash brown breakfast casserole is sure to satisfy everyone at the table. Serve it as a stand alone meal, or along with one of our other breakfast casserole recipes.

More Delicious Breakfast Casseroles

• Biscuit Dough Breakfast Casserole
• Crock Pot Breakfast Casserole
• Overnight Eggs Benedict Casserole
• Cinnamon Roll Casserole
• French Toast Casserole

ENJOY! Mary

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