With only 5 main ingredients–hash browns, cheese, sausage (or bacon), eggs, and milk, this delicious Make Ahead Breakfast Casserole is a cinch to throw together. You can prep it ahead and store in the fridge or make this into a freezer breakfast casserole using our instructions.
Reasons We Love This Recipe
If a cheesy hash brown casserole had a baby with a traditional breakfast casserole (the kind with bread), you’d end up with this Breakfast Casserole with Hash Browns!
It’s hearty, cheesy, and full of flavor .
This dish is naturally gluten-free , if you’re trying to avoid that. Do make sure you buy certified gluten-free hash browns if there is an allergy concern.
While we chose to keep this recipe simple, it is customizable . Use the meat you like (cooked bacon, sausage, or ham) and/or add in sautéed veggies. It’s hard to mess this up.
The basic recipe only has 5 main ingredients ! So simple.
P.S. A few other breakfast recipes that have 6 ingredients or less are:
Baked Ham and Egg Cups
Overnight Oats
Spinach and Bacon Quiche
Breakfast Egg Muffins
Ingredients
Here are the 5 main ingredients you’ll need to make this hearty and comforting casserole…
All-natural ground pork sausage or turkey sausage (Sub: uncured bacon, see Cooking Notes)
Refrigerated or frozen shredded hash browns (you’ll need to thaw them if they are frozen)
Shredded cheddar cheese (Dairy-free option: Omit the cheese.)
Eggs
Milk ( Dairy-free option: Use unsweetened, plain almond milk or oat milk.)
You’ll also need a few pantry staples–salt, pepper, and a little cooking oil. You can eat the casserole “as is” or top it with items like hot sauce, salsa, ketchup, freshly chopped tomatoes and avocado .
Variations
You can make this casserole with your choice of cooked meat: pork sausage, turkey sausage, baked bacon , or ham. We like it with any of those choices.
Amp up the flavor by adding in your favorite chopped and sautéed vegetables. Onions, bell peppers, mushrooms, spinach or kale would all be delicious additions.
How to Make Hash Brown Breakfast Casserole
After browning and draining the sausage, generously spray an 8×8 inch casserole dish with cooking spray. Then, add a layer of half of the shredded hash browns…
Next, add half the sausage…
Finally, sprinkle on half of the cheese in the dish, and repeat with the remaining hash browns, sausage, and cheese.
Now you’ll make the egg mixture. Whisk together the eggs, milk, salt, and pepper. Pour the egg mixture over the casserole.
Bake the casserole, uncovered, in a 350°F oven for 50-60 minutes or until done in the middle and bubbly around the edges.
Tips for Success
You can use bacon in place of the sausage. It’s a delicious replacement! We suggest baking it using this recipe and then chopping it up to avoid the stovetop mess.
You’ll need to mostly thaw your frozen hash browns before putting together this casserole. Do this overnight in fridge or using your microwave’s defrost setting. Dab off any excess moisture paper towel.
If the casserole is still cold when you put it in or if it was previously frozen, it will likely take longer to bake. Our tests showed that it will take about 60 minutes to bake after being frozen and thawed. This is because of the extra liquid that’s released during that process.
We tested this recipe in a glass baking dish. If using metal, check to see if it is done sooner.
Serving and Side Dish Ideas
Serve a slice of casserole warm and, if desired, top with toppings like salsa, sour cream, chopped green onion, hot sauce, or diced avocado.
Some side dish ideas that would pair well include:
Classic Fruit Salad
The Best Everyday Smoothie
Blueberry Avocado Muffins with Lemon Streusel
Bread Machine Cinnamon Rolls
FAQs
Can you use bacon instead of sausage? Yep! This would be an easy substitution. Just fully cook and crumble the bacon before adding it. How long can you store it in the refrigerator? It should be fine for a day or two. If you need it prepped ahead longer than that, consider freezing it. Can I add extra ingredients to the casserole? You bet. Amp up the flavor by adding in your favorite chopped and sautéed vegetables. Onions, bell peppers, mushrooms, spinach or kale would all be delicious additions.
Want More Make Ahead Breakfast Ideas?
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See Top 10 Make Ahead Breakfasts
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Make Ahead Breakfast Casserole with Hash Browns
With only 5 main ingredients–potatoes, cheese, sausage (or bacon), eggs, and milk, this casserole is a cinch to throw together. You can prep it ahead of time and store in the fridge, or turn it into a freezer breakfast casserole using our instructions.
Yield: 6 servings
Prep: 15 minutes Cook: 50 minutes Total: 1 hour 5 minutes
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Ingredients
1 teaspoon avocado oil or olive oil
1 pound all-natural ground pork sausage or turkey sausage (Sub: uncured bacon, see Cooking Notes)
3 cups refrigerated or thawed* frozen shredded hash browns
1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (DF option: Omit the cheese.)
6 large eggs
1/2 cup milk (DF option: Use unsweetened, plain almond milk or oat milk.)
1/4 teaspoon salt, plus more to taste
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper, plus more to taste
Optional toppings: hot sauce, salsa, ketchup, freshly chopped tomatoes, and avocado
*You’ll need to mostly thaw your frozen hash browns before putting together this casserole. Do this overnight in fridge or using your microwave’s defrost setting. Dab off any excess moisture paper towel.
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Instructions
Make It Now:
Preheat the oven to 350°F.
Heat the oil in a medium-sized skillet over medium-high heat. Once the oil is shimmery, add the sausage and cook until browned and cooked through, breaking it up as it cooks. Transfer the sausage to a paper towel–lined plate to drain and set aside.
Generously spray an 8×8-inch casserole dish with cooking spray. Layer 1 1/2 cups of the hash browns, half the sausage, and 3/4 cup of the cheese in the dish, then repeat with the remaining hash browns, sausage, and cheese.
In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, salt, and pepper. Pour over the ingredients in the dish. (Freezing instructions begin here.)
Bake, uncovered, for 50-60 minutes or until edges are bubbly, the middle is set, and top is golden. Tent with foil if the top starts to get too brown before it’s done. (Note: If the casserole was still cold when you put it in or if it was previously frozen, it will likely take longer. Our tests showed that it will take about 60 minutes to bake after being frozen and thawed. This is because of the extra liquid that’s released during that process.)
Let the casserole sit for 10 minutes before serving. Serve warm, topped with hot sauce, salsa, or ketchup, if desired. Season with more salt and pepper, if desired.
Freeze For Later: Skip Step 1. Follow Steps 2-4, tightly wrap the casserole in plastic wrap or foil, and freeze.
Prepare From Frozen: Note: You may want to have hot sauce, salsa, or ketchup on hand for serving. Thaw completely. Follow Steps 5-6, except bake for about 60 minutes or until set in the middle.
Notes/Tips
You can use bacon in place of the sausage. It’s a delicious replacement! We suggest baking it using this recipe and then chopping it up to avoid the stovetop mess.
You’ll need to mostly thaw your frozen hash browns before putting together this casserole. Do this overnight in fridge or using your microwave’s defrost setting. Dab off any excess moisture paper towel.
If the casserole is still cold when you put it in or if it was previously frozen, it will likely take longer to bake. Our tests showed that it will take about 60 minutes to bake after being frozen and thawed. This is because of the extra liquid that’s released during that process.
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© Author: Rachel Tiemeyer
Cuisine:
American
Method:
Bake
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