Good morning, food lovers! Are you searching for the perfect dish to kickstart your day, feed a hungry crowd, or simply enjoy a comforting weekend brunch? Look no further than this incredible Sausage Hash Brown Breakfast Casserole. It's a true morning delight, bringing together savory sausage, crispy hash browns, fluffy eggs, and melty cheese into one glorious, easy-to-make dish. Get ready to impress your family and friends with minimal effort!
Why You'll Love This Hearty Breakfast Casserole
This casserole isn't just delicious; it's also incredibly convenient and customizable, making it a staple in any breakfast repertoire. Here’s why it’s bound to become your new favorite:
- Effortlessly Delicious: With simple ingredients and straightforward steps, even novice cooks can master this recipe.
- Packed with Flavor: Each bite delivers a harmonious blend of salty sausage, tender potatoes, and rich, cheesy eggs.
- Feeds a Crowd: Perfect for brunches, holidays, or any time you need to serve multiple hungry mouths.
- Fantastic for Meal Prep: Assemble it the night before and pop it in the oven in the morning, or bake it in advance for grab-and-go breakfasts throughout the week.
- Highly Customizable: Easily adapt it with your favorite cheeses, vegetables, or even different meats.
Essential Ingredients for Your Sausage Hash Brown Casserole
Gathering your ingredients is the first step to breakfast bliss. You'll need a handful of pantry staples and a few fresh items to create this comforting casserole:
- 1 lb breakfast sausage (pork or turkey)
- 1 (30 oz) bag frozen hash browns (shredded)
- 8 large eggs
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (or your favorite cheese)
- 1 cup milk (whole or 2%)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- Optional: chopped green onions or fresh parsley for garnish
For precise measurements and detailed steps, refer to the full recipe card below.
Step-by-Step Guide to Your Perfect Breakfast Casserole
Creating this delicious casserole is a breeze. Follow these simple steps for a breakfast that will have everyone asking for seconds. If you're a fan of comforting, hearty meals, you might also love our Hearty Slow Cooker Cowboy Casserole: Your New Go-To Comfort Food.
Step 1: Prepare Your Oven and Dish
Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with cooking spray or butter to prevent sticking.
Step 2: Cook the Sausage
Step 2: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the breakfast sausage until it's browned and fully cooked. Break it apart with a spoon as it cooks. Once done, drain any excess grease and set the sausage aside to cool slightly.
Step 3: Combine the Casserole Base
Step 3: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked sausage, the entire bag of frozen shredded hash browns, large eggs, milk, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Stir all the ingredients together thoroughly until well combined.
Step 4: Add the Cheese
Step 4: Gently fold in 1 1/2 cups of the shredded cheddar cheese into the mixture. Make sure to reserve the remaining 1/2 cup of cheese for topping.
Step 5: Transfer to Baking Dish
Step 5: Pour the entire mixture into your prepared 9x13-inch baking dish, spreading it evenly across the bottom.
Step 6: Top with Remaining Cheese
Step 6: Sprinkle the reserved 1/2 cup of shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top of the casserole mixture. This will create a beautiful golden crust.
Step 7: Bake to Golden Perfection
Step 7: Bake in the preheated oven for 45-50 minutes, or until the casserole is set in the center and the top is beautifully golden brown. A knife inserted into the center should come out clean.
Step 8: Cool and Serve
Step 8: Once baked, remove the casserole from the oven and allow it to cool for a few minutes before slicing and serving. Garnish with chopped green onions or fresh parsley if desired for a fresh touch. Enjoy your hearty breakfast!
Tips for the Best Sausage Hash Brown Breakfast Casserole
- Crispier Hash Browns: For an extra crispy hash brown layer, spread the frozen hash browns on a baking sheet and bake for 10-15 minutes at 400°F (200°C) before adding them to the casserole mixture. This helps to remove excess moisture.
- Proper Sausage Browning: Ensure your sausage is well-browned for maximum flavor. For tips on how to properly brown ground meat, check out this helpful guide from Food Network.
- Don't Overmix Eggs: Mix the eggs just enough to combine. Overmixing can lead to a tougher texture.
- Adjust Seasoning: Taste a small amount of the sausage mixture (if safe) or the egg mixture before adding to the baking dish and adjust salt and pepper to your liking.
Make Ahead & Storage Solutions
This casserole is a fantastic make-ahead option, perfect for busy mornings or planned brunches.
- To Assemble Ahead: Prepare the casserole up to Step 6, cover tightly with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. Add 10-15 minutes to the baking time when cooking directly from the fridge.
- Storage: Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
- Freezing: You can freeze the baked and cooled casserole. Wrap individual portions tightly in plastic wrap and then foil, or freeze the whole casserole. It will keep for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
- Reheating: Reheat individual slices in the microwave until warm, or place larger portions in an oven at 300°F (150°C) until heated through.
Variations to Personalize Your Casserole
Feel free to get creative with this recipe!
- Add Veggies: Sautéed bell peppers, onions, mushrooms, or spinach are excellent additions for extra nutrition and flavor.
- Different Cheeses: Experiment with Monterey Jack, Colby, Swiss, or a spicy pepper jack for a kick.
- Swap Meats: Instead of sausage, try cooked and crumbled bacon, diced ham, or even ground turkey for a lighter option.
- Spice It Up: A pinch of red pepper flakes in the egg mixture can add a delightful warmth.
If you're always on the lookout for exciting breakfast ideas, be sure to check out our recipe for Homemade McGriddle Muffins: Sweet & Savory Breakfast Bites for another unique morning treat!
Conclusion
This Sausage Hash Brown Breakfast Casserole is truly the ultimate solution for a satisfying and stress-free breakfast. Its hearty ingredients and simple preparation make it a winner for any occasion, from casual family meals to festive holiday gatherings. Give this recipe a try, and you might just find your new go-to breakfast staple!
We hope you love this recipe as much as we do. Don't forget to share your experience and any creative variations you try in the comments below. Happy cooking!
FAQs
Can I prepare this Sausage Hash Brown Breakfast Casserole ahead of time?
Yes, absolutely! You can assemble the entire casserole the night before, cover it tightly, and refrigerate it. When ready to bake, simply add an extra 10-15 minutes to the baking time since it will be going into the oven cold from the fridge.
What kind of sausage works best for this breakfast casserole?
Any ground breakfast sausage (pork or turkey) works wonderfully. Choose a mild or spicy variety depending on your preference. Just be sure to cook it thoroughly and drain any excess grease before adding it to the casserole mixture.
Can I add vegetables to my Sausage Hash Brown Breakfast Casserole?
Absolutely! This casserole is very versatile. Diced bell peppers, onions, spinach, or mushrooms are great additions. Sautu00e9 them with the sausage or separately before mixing them into the egg and hash brown mixture.
How do I store and reheat leftovers of this casserole?
Store any leftover casserole in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. To reheat individual portions, you can use a microwave. For larger portions or the whole casserole, cover it with foil and reheat in an oven at 300u00b0F (150u00b0C) until warmed through.
Sausage Hash Brown Breakfast Casserole
- Total Time: 60-65 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Diet: Not Vegetarian
Description
A hearty and easy-to-make breakfast casserole featuring savory sausage, crispy hash browns, fluffy eggs, and melted cheese, perfect for feeding a crowd or for meal prep.
Ingredients
1 lb breakfast sausage (pork or turkey)
1 (30 oz) bag frozen hash browns (shredded)
8 large eggs
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (or your favorite cheese)
1 cup milk (whole or 2%)
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Optional: chopped green onions or fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with cooking spray or butter.
Step 2: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the breakfast sausage until browned and fully cooked, breaking it apart with a spoon as it cooks. Drain any excess grease and set aside.
Step 3: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked sausage, frozen hash browns, eggs, milk, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Stir until well combined.
Step 4: Gently fold in 1 1/2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese, reserving the remaining 1/2 cup for topping.
Step 5: Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading it evenly.
Step 6: Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top.
Step 7: Bake in the preheated oven for 45-50 minutes, or until the casserole is set in the center and the top is golden brown.
Step 8: Allow the casserole to cool for a few minutes before slicing. Garnish with chopped green onions or parsley if desired. Serve warm and enjoy!
Notes
For an extra crispy hash brown layer, spread the frozen hash browns on a baking sheet and bake for 10-15 minutes before adding them to the casserole mixture. This helps remove excess moisture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45-50 minutes
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 square
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 780mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 250mg
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