Description
This Best Breakfast Casserole with hash browns and eggs is a cozy, family-favorite dish perfect for breakfast or brunch. Featuring tender hash browns, savory maple-flavored pork sausage, a fluffy egg mixture, and plenty of melted Cheddar cheese, this casserole delivers a deliciously comforting meal that’s easy to prepare and sure to please a crowd.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 (2 pound) package frozen hash brown potatoes, thawed
- 1 pound pork sausage (preferably maple-flavored)
- 1 small onion, diced
- 5 large eggs
- ½ cup milk
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ⅛ teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and ground black pepper to taste
- 12 ounces shredded Cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Prepare the Ingredients: Gather all ingredients needed for the casserole to ensure a smooth cooking process.
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Dish: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease an 8-inch square baking dish to prevent sticking, then add the thawed hash browns and spread them out evenly to form the base layer.
- Cook Sausage and Onion: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the pork sausage together with the diced onion. Stir frequently until the sausage is fully browned and crumbled, about 10 minutes. Drain any excess fat from the pan.
- Mix Egg Mixture: In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and ground black pepper until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
- Assemble the Casserole: Pour the egg mixture evenly over the hash browns in the baking dish. Sprinkle half of the shredded Cheddar cheese over the egg layer. Then layer the cooked sausage and onion mixture on top, followed by the remaining Cheddar cheese. Cover the entire dish tightly with aluminum foil.
- Bake Covered: Bake the casserole in the preheated oven covered with foil for 1 hour. This allows the eggs to set and the flavors to meld.
- Bake Uncovered: Remove the foil and continue baking the casserole for an additional 10 minutes, or until a knife inserted into the center comes out clean and the cheese is bubbly and slightly browned.
- Rest and Serve: Let the casserole stand for 5 minutes before slicing and serving to help it set for easier portions.
Notes
- Use a deep enough baking dish to accommodate the casserole and allow for foil cover.
- You can substitute the maple-flavored pork sausage with any ground sausage variety for different flavor profiles.
- For a richer taste, substitute milk with half-and-half or cream.
- Feel free to add diced bell peppers or mushrooms to the sausage and onion mixture for extra veggies.
- Ensure the hash browns are fully thawed to prevent excess moisture in the casserole.
- Allowing the casserole to rest before serving helps it firm up and slice more cleanly.
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 1 hr 20 mins
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
