When comfort food calls, this Cheesy Hash Brown Casserole with Biscuits and Sausage Gravy answers with a resounding, delicious YES! Imagine a golden-brown, crispy hash brown base, generously covered in a rich, savory sausage gravy, and crowned with fluffy, golden biscuits. It’s the kind of dish that warms your soul and satisfies even the biggest appetites, making it perfect for a leisurely weekend brunch or a hearty breakfast-for-dinner.
This casserole is a true crowd-pleaser, bringing together classic breakfast elements into one incredible, easy-to-manage bake. You get the crunch of potatoes, the creamy texture of perfectly seasoned gravy, and the soft chew of fresh biscuits all in one forkful. It’s a complete meal that requires minimal fuss, leaving you more time to enjoy with family and friends.
Gather Your Ingredients for Comfort
The beauty of this casserole lies in its simple, readily available ingredients that transform into something spectacular. We'll start with the hash brown base, a simple mix that becomes wonderfully crisp in the oven. Next comes the star: a robust sausage gravy built on a classic roux, infused with aromatic spices. Finally, we top it all off with convenient refrigerated biscuits for that fresh-baked touch.
Preparing this dish is straightforward, allowing you to build layers of flavor with ease. From browning the sausage to whisking the perfect gravy, each step contributes to a harmonious blend of textures and tastes.
Hash Brown Layer Essentials
- 1 (30 oz) bag frozen shredded hashbrowns, thawed
- 3 Tbsp unsalted butter, melted
- 1 small yellow onion, finely diced
- 1 green bell pepper, diced
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- Salt & pepper, to taste
Sausage Gravy & Topping Needs
- 1 lb (450 g) beef breakfast sausage, casing removed
- 3 Tbsp unsalted butter
- 3 Tbsp all-purpose flour
- 2 cups whole milk
- ½ tsp dried sage
- ½ tsp onion powder
- Salt & black pepper, to taste
- 1 tube (approx. 8 count) refrigerated buttermilk biscuits
- Optional: Crumbled turkey bacon, for garnish
Cook's Tip: Thaw your hash browns thoroughly before mixing. This helps eliminate excess moisture, which is key to achieving that desirable crispy texture on the bottom layer.
Building Your Ultimate Breakfast Casserole
Let's get cooking! This recipe is broken down into easy steps, ensuring a smooth process from start to finish. Feel free to put on your favorite tunes and enjoy the creation of this masterpiece.
Preparing the Base and Sausage
Step 1: Preheat your oven to 375 °F (190 °C). Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
Step 2: In a large mixing bowl, combine the thawed hashbrowns, 3 Tbsp melted butter, the finely diced yellow onion, diced green bell pepper, ½ tsp garlic powder, and generous seasonings of salt and pepper. Toss everything together until well coated. Spread this mixture evenly across the bottom of your prepared baking dish.
Step 3: Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the 1 lb beef breakfast sausage, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon or spatula as it cooks. Brown the sausage for about 5–6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it's fully cooked through. Once done, transfer the cooked sausage to a separate bowl, leaving the flavorful drippings in the skillet. These drippings are crucial for the next step!
Crafting the Creamy Gravy
Step 4: To the sausage drippings remaining in the skillet, add another 3 Tbsp unsalted butter and melt it over medium heat. Once melted, sprinkle in 3 Tbsp all-purpose flour. Whisk constantly for 1–2 minutes until the mixture turns a light golden color. This is your roux, the thickening agent for a perfect gravy. If you're looking to master this technique, you can find more tips on how to make a roux.
Step 5: Gradually pour in 2 cups whole milk to the roux, whisking continuously to ensure a smooth, lump-free gravy. Stir in ½ tsp dried sage, ½ tsp onion powder, and season generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Continue to simmer, whisking occasionally, for about 3–4 minutes, or until the gravy thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon.
Step 6: Return the cooked sausage to the thickened gravy in the skillet. Stir until the sausage is evenly distributed throughout the gravy. Remove the skillet from the heat.
Assembling and Baking to Golden Perfection
Step 7: Carefully pour the sausage gravy mixture over the prepared hash-brown base in the baking dish. Spread it gently with a spatula to ensure the hash browns are completely covered.
Step 8: Open the tube of refrigerated buttermilk biscuits. Arrange the biscuits (you can use them whole or halve them for more coverage) on top of the gravy, leaving a little space between each one to allow for expansion as they bake.
Step 9: Place the casserole into your preheated 375 °F (190 °C) oven. Bake for 20–25 minutes, or until the biscuits are beautifully golden brown and the gravy is bubbling around the edges of the dish.
Step 10: Once baked, remove the casserole from the oven. If desired, immediately sprinkle the crumbled turkey bacon over the hot biscuits for an extra layer of flavor and texture. Let the casserole rest for about 5 minutes before serving. This brief rest allows the gravy to set slightly, making for easier and cleaner serving. Scoop out generous portions, ensuring each plate gets a bit of crispy hash brown, creamy gravy, and fluffy biscuit!
Delicious Variations and Serving Suggestions
This casserole is incredibly versatile, allowing for several delicious adaptations:
- Add Extra Cheese: For an even cheesier experience, sprinkle 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese over the hash brown layer before adding the gravy.
- Spice It Up: Use a hot or spicy breakfast sausage for a kick, or add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the gravy.
- Vegetable Boost: Feel free to add other sautéed vegetables to the hash brown layer, such as mushrooms, spinach, or diced zucchini.
- Make it a Feast: This casserole pairs wonderfully with fresh fruit salad or a side of scrambled eggs if you're feeding a larger crowd. If you enjoy savory breakfast meats, you might also like our Easy French Toast Roll Ups with Sausage Links: A Savory Morning Twist.
- For Dinner: Don't limit this to breakfast! It makes an excellent, comforting dinner too. Just like our The Ultimate Guide to Perfect Country Fried Pork Chops with Bacon Gravy – Clara's Recipes, it's a hearty meal that everyone will love.
Whether you're hosting a brunch or simply want a satisfying meal, this Cheesy Hash Brown Casserole with Biscuits and Sausage Gravy is sure to become a cherished recipe in your collection. Enjoy every comforting bite!
FAQs
Can I assemble this Cheesy Hash Brown Casserole ahead of time?
Yes, absolutely! You can prepare the hash brown layer and pour the sausage gravy over it. Cover the dish tightly and refrigerate for up to 12 hours. When ready to bake, add the biscuits and extend the baking time by about 5-10 minutes if cooking from cold.
What's the best way to store and reheat leftovers?
Allow any leftover casserole to cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container. It will keep in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. For best results, reheat individual portions in a 350u00b0F (175u00b0C) oven for 10-15 minutes, or until warmed through, to help maintain the crispness of the biscuits and hash browns.
Can I use different types of sausage or cheese in this recipe?
Certainly! While beef breakfast sausage is specified, you can easily swap it for spicy pork sausage, turkey sausage, or even a vegetarian ground alternative. For cheese, feel free to experiment with a sharp cheddar, Monterey Jack, or a Colby-Jack blend in the hash brown layer for different flavor profiles.
How can I prevent the hash browns from becoming watery?
The key is to ensure your frozen hash browns are fully thawed and well-drained. Spreading them out on a baking sheet or patting them with paper towels before mixing helps remove excess moisture. Also, making sure your gravy is adequately thickened before layering it over the potatoes will prevent a watery casserole.
Cheesy Hash Brown Casserole with Biscuits and Sausage Gravy
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Diet: Omnivore
Description
A comforting, all-in-one breakfast casserole combining crispy hash browns, rich sausage gravy, and fluffy baked biscuits, perfect for any meal.
Ingredients
1 (30 oz) bag frozen shredded hashbrowns, thawed
3 Tbsp unsalted butter, melted (for hash browns)
1 small yellow onion, finely diced
1 green bell pepper, diced
½ tsp garlic powder
Salt & pepper, to taste
1 lb (450 g) beef breakfast sausage, casing removed
3 Tbsp unsalted butter (for roux)
3 Tbsp all-purpose flour
2 cups whole milk
½ tsp dried sage
½ tsp onion powder
Salt & black pepper, to taste
1 tube (approx. 8 count) refrigerated buttermilk biscuits
Optional: Crumbled turkey bacon, for garnish
Instructions
Step 1: Preheat your oven to 375 °F (190 °C) and lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
Step 2: In a large mixing bowl, toss the thawed hashbrowns with 3 Tbsp melted butter, the diced yellow onion, diced green bell pepper, ½ tsp garlic powder, and a generous pinch of salt and pepper. Spread this mixture evenly across the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
Step 3: Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the 1 lb beef breakfast sausage, breaking it up with a wooden spoon or spatula. Cook for 5–6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sausage is browned and fully cooked. Transfer the cooked sausage to a bowl, leaving the drippings in the pan.
Step 4: To the sausage drippings, add 3 Tbsp unsalted butter and melt over medium heat. Sprinkle in 3 Tbsp all-purpose flour and whisk continuously for 1–2 minutes, until the mixture turns a light golden color.
Step 5: Gradually pour 2 cups whole milk into the roux, whisking constantly to prevent lumps. Stir in ½ tsp dried sage, ½ tsp onion powder, and season with salt and plenty of freshly ground black pepper. Continue to simmer, whisking occasionally, until the gravy thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon (about 3–4 minutes).
Step 6: Return the cooked sausage to the thickened gravy and stir until the meat is evenly distributed. Remove the skillet from the heat.
Step 7: Pour the sausage gravy over the prepared hash-brown base in the baking dish, spreading gently to ensure full coverage.
Step 8: Open the tube of refrigerated buttermilk biscuits and arrange them on top of the gravy, spacing them evenly.
Step 9: Place the casserole in the preheated 375 °F (190 °C) oven and bake for 20–25 minutes, until the biscuits are deeply golden and the edges of the gravy bubble around the dish.
Step 10: Remove the casserole from the oven and immediately sprinkle the crumbled turkey bacon (if using) over the hot biscuits. Let the dish rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
For an extra cheesy kick, add 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese to the hash brown layer before baking. You can also customize the sausage flavor by using spicy or maple-flavored breakfast sausage.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Main Course
- Method: Baking, Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 480 kcal
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 950mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
