Description
Hearty Breakfast Casserole brings comfort and flavor to morning meals with layers of savory ingredients. Crispy bacon, melted cheese, and fluffy eggs create a satisfying dish you’ll crave from first bite to last.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 1 pound breakfast sausage, bulk
- 8 large eggs
Cheese and Dairy:
- 1 & ½ cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese, packed
- 1 & ½ cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese, packed
- ½ cup butter (1 stick)
- 1 & ⅓ cups half and half (or cream, evaporated milk, or whole milk)
Vegetables and Other Ingredients:
- 1 (30-ounce) package shredded hash brown potatoes (diced is ok)
- ½ green pepper, chopped
- ½ red pepper, chopped
- ½ small onion, diced
- 1 teaspoon seasoned salt
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt (¼ teaspoon if using table salt)
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon dry mustard (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (204°C) and prepare a 9×13 inch (23×33 centimeters) baking dish.
- Distribute frozen hash browns evenly across the dish without thawing. Drizzle melted butter over the potatoes, thoroughly mixing to ensure complete coating. Sprinkle with salt and black pepper.
- Bake the hash brown base for 30-35 minutes until achieving a golden, crispy texture. Reduce oven temperature to 350°F (177°C).
- In a large skillet, cook sausage with diced green and red peppers and chopped onions. Sauté until meat is fully browned and vegetables become translucent. Carefully drain any accumulated grease.
- Evenly spread the sausage and vegetable mixture over the pre-baked hash brown foundation. Generously scatter Monterey Jack and cheddar cheeses across the top.
- Whisk eggs with half and half cream, incorporating seasoned salt, kosher salt, ground black pepper, and dry mustard until well combined and smooth.
- Gently pour the egg mixture over the casserole, ensuring uniform coverage across all layers.
- Return to the oven and bake at 350°F (177°C) for 35-45 minutes, monitoring until the center sets and edges turn a rich golden brown.
- Allow the casserole to rest for 10-15 minutes before serving to help stabilize the layers and enhance flavor integration.
Notes
- Prep ahead the night before by assembling all layers, covering, and refrigerating to save morning cooking time.
- Choose high-quality sausage for richer flavor, preferably fresh ground breakfast sausage from local butcher.
- Drain sausage thoroughly to prevent excess grease making casserole soggy and heavy.
- Use fresh shredded cheese instead of pre-packaged for better melting and more authentic taste.
- Room temperature eggs blend smoother into custard mixture, ensuring even distribution throughout casserole.
- Can substitute half and half with whole milk or heavy cream based on dietary preferences and pantry availability.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 80 minutes
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 585 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 780 mg
- Fat: 45 g
- Saturated Fat: 22 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 22 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 29 g
- Cholesterol: 280 mg