Cozy Morning Delight: Hearty Breakfast Casserole Recipe

Wake up to a delightful morning with this mouthwatering hearty breakfast casserole recipe that promises to tantalize your taste buds.

Layers of golden eggs, crispy bacon, and melted cheese create a symphony of flavors in every single bite.

Weekends deserve something special, and this dish delivers comfort right to your plate.

Packed with protein and loaded with savory goodness, it’s the ultimate morning meal to kickstart your day.

The aroma alone will have everyone rushing to the kitchen, eager to dig in.

One forkful and you’ll understand why this casserole becomes an instant breakfast favorite.

Gather your ingredients and get ready to impress with a meal that turns an ordinary morning into an extraordinary culinary experience.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 80 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 40 minutes

Calories: 460 kcal

Servings: 9

What You’ll Need for Hearty Breakfast Casserole

• Frozen Hash Browns: Crispy foundation that provides hearty texture and delightful golden crunch when baked.
• Butter: Adds rich flavor and helps achieve perfect golden-brown surface on potato base.

• Breakfast Sausage: Protein-packed meat that brings robust, satisfying flavor to the casserole.
• Green Pepper, Red Pepper: Colorful vegetables that deliver sweet crispness and vibrant nutrition.
• Onion: Aromatic ingredient that provides deep, caramelized undertones to the filling.

• Monterey Jack Cheese, Cheddar Cheese: Melty companions that create irresistible gooey texture and sharp, tangy notes.
• Eggs: Protein-rich binder that transforms ingredients into cohesive, fluffy casserole.
• Half and Half: Luxurious dairy that ensures silky, tender consistency throughout dish.
• Seasoned Salt: Balanced blend of herbs and spices for complex, layered seasoning.
• Kosher Salt: Essential mineral for enhancing overall flavor profile.
• Black Pepper: Warm, slightly spicy seasoning that adds depth.
• Dry Mustard: Subtle, tangy spice that brightens and rounds out flavor complexity.

Tools Checklist for Hearty Breakfast Casserole

• 9×13 inch baking dish: Perfect for layering and baking the casserole.
• Large skillet: Ideal for sautéing sausage, peppers, and onions.
• Whisk: Essential for beating eggs and creating a smooth mixture.
• Measuring cups: Helps accurately measure ingredients like half and half.
• Measuring spoons: Precise for adding salt, pepper, and dry mustard.
• Cutting board: Used for chopping vegetables.
• Sharp knife: Helps dice green and red peppers and onions.

Instructions to Make Hearty Breakfast Casserole

• Morning Harmony Preparation

Create a warm, inviting kitchen atmosphere with soft music and natural light streaming through the window.

• Hash Brown Foundation

Spread golden frozen potatoes across a spacious baking dish, transforming them into a crispy base with melted butter and gentle seasoning.

• Potato Canvas Transformation

Bake the potato layer until edges turn a delightful golden brown, developing rich, toasty flavors.

• Savory Vegetable and Protein Medley

Sizzle sausage with colorful bell peppers and sweet onions in a skillet, releasing aromatic flavors and creating a hearty mixture.

• Layered Flavor Building

Carefully spread the sausage and vegetable blend over the potato foundation, then generously sprinkle a blend of creamy cheeses.

• Silky Egg Elixir

Whisk eggs with cream and delicate spices, creating a luxurious liquid that will bind all ingredients into a cohesive, delicious dish.

• Final Culinary Symphony

Bake until the casserole sets perfectly, with edges turning a tempting golden brown, then allow a brief resting period before serving this comforting morning feast.

Tips for Hearty Breakfast Casserole Success

• Swap out breakfast sausage with crispy bacon, diced ham, or vegetarian crumbles for different flavor profiles.
• Assemble the entire casserole the night before, cover tightly with foil, and refrigerate. Simply bake in the morning for a stress-free breakfast.
• Add diced jalapeños, red pepper flakes, or a dash of hot sauce to give the casserole a zesty kick that wakes up your taste buds.
• Toss in extra vegetables like spinach, mushrooms, or zucchini to increase nutrition and add more color and texture to the dish.
• Experiment with different cheese combinations like pepper jack, Swiss, or goat cheese to create unique flavor variations that match your mood.

How to Serve Hearty Breakfast Casserole

• Serve Alongside Fresh Greens: Create a vibrant salad with mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, and a light vinaigrette to balance the casserole's richness.
• Pair with Morning Beverages: Complement the hearty dish with fresh orange juice, hot coffee, or a refreshing smoothie to complete the breakfast experience.
• Top with Garnish Extras: Sprinkle chopped chives, crispy bacon bits, or a dollop of sour cream on top to add extra flavor and visual appeal.
• Enjoy with Weekend Brunch Companions: Serve alongside fresh fruit, toast, or buttermilk biscuits for a satisfying weekend brunch spread that will impress family and friends.

Keeping Hearty Breakfast Casserole Fresh

• Refrigerate Smartly: Store leftover casserole in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking, keeping it fresh in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
• Freeze for Later: Wrap the cooled casserole tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, storing it in the freezer for maximum 3 months without losing flavor or texture.
• Reheat with Care: Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then warm in the oven at 350°F for 20-25 minutes, ensuring the internal temperature reaches 165°F for safe consumption.
• Portion and Pack: Cut individual servings before freezing, allowing easy reheating of just the amount you need without defrosting the entire dish.

Wholesome Breakfast Casserole Recipe

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4.8 from 31 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 40 minutes
• Yield: 9 1x

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Description

Savory breakfast casserole from Southern kitchens combines eggs, cheese, and sausage in a comforting morning dish. Layers of flavor and texture promise a satisfying meal that keeps you coming back for more.

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Ingredients

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• 1 lb (454 g) breakfast sausage, bulk
• 8 large eggs
• 1.5 cups (360 ml) shredded Monterey Jack cheese, packed
• 1.5 cups (360 ml) shredded sharp cheddar cheese, packed
• ½ cup (113 g) butter (1 stick)
• 1.33 cups (320 ml) half and half (or cream, evaporated milk, or whole milk)
• 1 (30 oz / 850 g) package shredded hash brown potatoes (diced is ok)
• ½ green pepper, chopped
• ½ red pepper, chopped
• ½ small onion, diced
• 1 tsp seasoned salt
• ½ tsp kosher salt (¼ tsp if using table salt)
• ½ tsp black pepper
• ¼ tsp dry mustard (optional)

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Instructions

1. Potato Foundation: Spread frozen hash browns in a 9×13 inch baking dish, thoroughly coating with melted butter and seasoning with salt and pepper. Bake at 400°F for 30-35 minutes until golden and crisp.
2. Meat and Vegetable Layer: In a skillet, brown sausage with green and red peppers and onions, carefully draining excess grease. Reduce oven temperature to 350°F and distribute the sautéed mixture over the potato base.
3. Cheese Coverage: Generously sprinkle Monterey Jack and cheddar cheeses across the sausage and vegetable layer, creating a rich, melty topping.
4. Egg Infusion: Whisk eggs with half and half cream, incorporating seasoned salt, kosher salt, ground black pepper, and dry mustard until smooth and well-blended.
5. Final Bake: Pour the egg mixture evenly over the casserole, ensuring complete coverage. Bake at 350°F for 35-45 minutes until the center sets and edges turn golden brown.
6. Resting Period: Allow the casserole to rest for 10-15 minutes before serving, enabling layers to stabilize and flavors to meld together.

Notes

• Potato Preparation: Avoid thawing hash browns to maintain crispy texture and prevent soggy bottom layer.
• Meat Cooking Tip: Thoroughly drain sausage grease to prevent excessive oil and ensure a cleaner, lighter casserole.
• Egg Mixture Technique: Whisk eggs and cream until completely smooth to create a uniform, creamy custard base.
• Resting Rule: Let casserole sit 10-15 minutes after baking to allow layers to set and flavors to meld together perfectly.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 80 minutes
• Category: Breakfast
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 9
• Calories: 460
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 900 mg
• Fat: 35 g
• Saturated Fat: 17 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
• Trans Fat: 1 g
• Carbohydrates: 20 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 19 g
• Cholesterol: 240 mg