Sophia Mitchell
Hash brown breakfast casseroles are a delicious, hearty, and easy-to-make meal. They can be made with a variety of ingredients, including hash browns, eggs, sausage, cheese, and vegetables. The best part about this dish is that it can be prepared ahead of time and baked right away or refrigerated overnight, making it perfect for holidays or special occasions. With simple ingredients and minimal prep, this savory casserole is a crowd-pleaser and can be adapted to suit anyone's taste.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Preparation | Can be prepared ahead of time and baked later, or baked immediately |
| Baking temperature | 350°F (175°C) or 375°F |
| Baking time | 45 minutes to 1 hour |
| Ingredients | Eggs, hash browns, sausage, cheese, milk, salt, pepper, onion, garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, sour cream, mustard, bell peppers, mushrooms, asparagus, steamed broccoli, bacon, jalapeños, cayenne pepper, smoked paprika, turkey sausage, heavy whipping cream, green onion, ketchup, hot sauce, fruit |
| Serving suggestions | Fruit salad, coffee, mimosas, cinnamon rolls, cheese danish, homemade gravy, canned gravy, or packaged gravy |
| Storage | Cover and refrigerate for up to 48 hours or 3 days if using pasteurized egg products. Leftovers should be refrigerated within 2 hours and can be stored for up to 4 days. |
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What You'll Learn
Prepping and baking
To prepare the casserole, start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9x13-inch pan or a 3-quart baking dish or spray it with cooking spray. If you're using bacon, bake it first at 400°F for about 25 minutes, then chop it into small pieces. Next, brown the sausage in a skillet over medium heat, breaking it up with a spoon until no pink remains. Drain the fat and add the cooked sausage to the baking dish, along with the bacon, hash browns, and 1–1.5 cups of cheese. Gently mix the ingredients and spread them evenly in the pan.
In a large bowl, prepare the egg mixture by whisking together 6–8 eggs, milk or heavy whipping cream, and seasonings like salt, pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, or dried herbs like basil. You can also add a small amount of sour cream to prevent the eggs from drying during baking. Pour the egg mixture over the ingredients in the baking dish and sprinkle with another cup of cheddar cheese.
Bake the casserole uncovered for about 45 minutes to an hour at 350–375°F. If you're baking it straight from the fridge, it may need a few extra minutes. You'll know it's done when it's puffy and golden brown on top and a knife inserted into the centre comes out clean. Let the casserole stand for 5–10 minutes before serving to let it set.
You can prepare this casserole ahead of time and refrigerate it overnight. Cover the mixture tightly and refrigerate for up to 48 hours or 3 days if using a pasteurized egg product. Remove the casserole from the fridge about 20–30 minutes before baking to let it come to room temperature while preheating the oven.
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Ingredients and substitutions
The ingredients for a do-ahead breakfast casserole with hash browns are simple and versatile. The recipe is hearty and adaptable, with plenty of room for substitutions and additions. Here is a list of ingredients and possible substitutions:
Hash Browns:
Hash browns are the star ingredient in this casserole. You can use refrigerated or defrosted hash browns, or even frozen cubed or shredded hash browns. If you're using frozen hash browns, make sure to fully thaw them first to remove any excess liquid, which can make the casserole watery. You can also use leftover home fries or roasted potatoes as a substitute for hash browns.
Eggs:
Eggs are an essential component of the casserole, binding all the ingredients together. While most recipes call for around six eggs, some variations use eight eggs for a more decadent dish. If you're preparing the casserole ahead of time, you can use pasteurized egg products, which will extend the refrigerator life of the casserole to three days.
Meat:
Sausage is a popular choice for this casserole, with options like pork sausage, turkey sausage, breakfast sausage, chicken sausage, chorizo, or plant-based sausage for vegetarian guests. You can also add other meats like chopped cooked bacon, diced ham, or omit the meat altogether for a vegetarian option.
Vegetables:
Onions, bell peppers, and green onions are commonly added to the casserole for colour and flavour. You can also include other vegetables like mushrooms, asparagus, or steamed broccoli. If you want to spice things up, add jalapeños, cayenne pepper, or smoked paprika.
Cheese:
Cheese is a must for this casserole, adding a creamy and indulgent touch. Sharp cheddar cheese is a popular choice, but you can also use Colby jack, Swiss cheese, pepper jack, or a Mexican cheese blend. If you're feeling adventurous, try spicy jalapeño or Monterey Jack cheese. Grating the cheese yourself will result in a smoother melt.
Dairy:
Milk is typically used in the egg mixture, but you can substitute it with heavy whipping cream for a richer dish. Sour cream is also an option to prevent the eggs from drying out during baking.
Spices and Seasonings:
Salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and Italian seasoning are commonly used to enhance the flavour of the casserole. You can also add herbs like basil leaves for extra colour and taste. If you want a kick of spice, try using spicy brown mustard, or add honey mustard for a touch of sweetness.
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Cooking and serving
Cooking
Hash brown breakfast casseroles are a great option for an easy, make-ahead meal. They can be baked right away or prepared ahead and baked later, making them perfect for holidays or special occasions. Here's a step-by-step guide to making a delicious hash brown breakfast casserole:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish or a 3-quart baking dish, or use cooking spray.
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add your choice of sausage (such as pork sausage, turkey sausage, or plant-based sausage) and break it up with a spoon until it is browned and cooked through. Drain the excess grease.
- In the prepared baking dish, add the cooked sausage, hash browns (shredded or cubed), onions, bell peppers, and about 1 to 1.5 cups of shredded cheese. You can also add other vegetables like mushrooms, asparagus, or steamed broccoli. Mix the ingredients together and spread them evenly in the pan.
- In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, milk (or heavy whipping cream), salt, pepper, and any desired seasonings or spices (such as Italian seasoning or garlic powder). You can also add sour cream to prevent the eggs from drying during baking.
- Pour the egg mixture over the ingredients in the baking dish.
- If baking immediately, sprinkle the remaining cheese on top and bake at 350°F for 55-65 minutes, or until a knife inserted in the centre comes out clean. If baking later, cover and refrigerate overnight, then bake in the morning.
- If desired, top the casserole with chopped bacon and green onions before serving.
Serving
This hearty and versatile casserole is perfect for breakfast or brunch and can be served with a variety of sides. Here are some serving suggestions:
- Fresh fruit salad
- Cinnamon rolls or an easy cheese danish for a sweet and savoury contrast
- Ketchup or hot sauce
- Homemade gravy, canned gravy, or packaged gravy
- Coffee or mimosas
The casserole can also be reheated in the microwave or oven for an easy meal throughout the week.
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Storage and reheating
The breakfast casserole with hash browns can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 48 hours or 3 days if using a pasteurized egg product. To store it, cover the mixture tightly and refrigerate. When you're ready to bake it, preheat the oven and remove the casserole from the fridge at least 30 minutes beforehand.
You can also freeze the casserole for longer-term storage. To do this, assemble the casserole in an aluminum foil pan and freeze it before baking. When you're ready to bake it, remove it from the freezer and place it in the preheated oven. You may need to adjust the baking time.
To reheat the breakfast casserole, you can use the oven or microwave. If using the oven, preheat it to 350°F and heat the casserole for about 35-45 minutes, or until the center is set and a knife inserted into the center comes out clean. If using the microwave, reheat individual servings until they are heated through.
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Recipe reviews
Hash brown breakfast casseroles are a great option if you're looking for a dish that can be prepared ahead of time and baked fresh in the morning. The recipe is versatile and can be adapted to suit your preferences or requirements.
The Spend With Pennies hash brown breakfast casserole recipe includes eggs, hash browns, sausage, and cheddar cheese, with the option of adding onions, peppers, and other vegetables. The recipe also suggests using pasteurised egg products if you plan to refrigerate the mixture for up to three days before baking.
The Allrecipes version of the hash brown breakfast casserole includes similar ingredients but with the addition of garlic powder and onion powder. This recipe also allows for customisation, as one reviewer mentions adding red and green onions for colour and jalapeños for spice.
For a slightly different take on the casserole, Cooking in the Midwest's loaded hash brown breakfast casserole includes bacon in addition to sausage and suggests serving the dish with homemade gravy. This recipe also includes a higher baking temperature of 375 degrees F, resulting in a baking time of about 45 minutes.
The Pillsbury version of the overnight country sausage-hash brown casserole emphasises the convenience of preparing the dish ahead of time, allowing you to assemble all the components the night before and bake them together the next day. This recipe also highlights the versatility of the dish, encouraging you to use any type of sausage or cheese that suits your taste or is readily available.
Overall, the hash brown breakfast casserole is a well-loved recipe that can be adapted to suit various occasions, from holiday brunches to quick weekday breakfasts. It is a hearty and versatile dish that can be made ahead of time, making it a convenient option for busy mornings or special events.
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Frequently asked questions
You will need hash browns, eggs, cheese, sausage, milk, and seasonings. You can also add vegetables like peppers and onions.
First, cook the sausage in a skillet over medium heat. Then, grease a baking dish and add the hash browns, cooked sausage, and cheese. Next, whisk together eggs, milk, and seasonings, and pour this mixture over the top. Finally, cover and refrigerate overnight, then bake in the oven the next morning.
You can use any shredded cheese that melts well, such as cheddar, Colby jack, Swiss, or pepper jack.
You can use any type of sausage you like, such as pork sausage, turkey sausage, chicken sausage, or plant-based sausage.
