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Our family's weekend tradition revolves around this hash brown sausage morning bake. It brings together crunchy potato puffs, flavorful sausage, and melty cheese all baked with eggs to create one tasty dish that gets thumbs up from fussy kids and starving teens alike.
I whipped up this bake for the first time when family stayed over during a holiday, and it was such a success that my niece asks for it whenever she stops by. What I love most is that I can get everything ready the night before while everyone's asleep and just stick it in the oven in the morning.
Ingredients
- Breakfast sausage: Forms the meaty foundation, go with spicy for extra flavor or mild when kids will be eating
- Frozen tater tots: Give that wonderful crispy-soft contrast, try to find the super crispy kind for best outcome
- Cheddar cheese: Delivers that bold taste that goes so well with eggs and potatoes, grab a nice aged version for deeper flavor
- Mozzarella cheese: Creates those long, gooey pulls that make each mouthful special, grate it yourself for smoother melting
- Eggs: Act as the glue that brings all parts together, try to use local eggs for richer color and taste
- Milk: Helps create that soft, pudding-like feel throughout the dish, full-fat works best but 2 percent is fine too
- Seasonings (garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper): Boost the overall taste without taking over, crack your pepper fresh for better flavor
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Prepare The Sausage:
- Brown the breakfast sausage in a big pan over medium heat while breaking it into tiny bits as it cooks. This normally takes around 5 to 7 minutes until it's fully cooked. Don't forget to pour off extra fat after cooking so your dish isn't greasy.
- Create The Base Mixture:
- Mix the still-frozen tater tots with your cooked sausage and both kinds of cheese in a large bowl. Mix everything thoroughly so all ingredients are evenly spread out, making sure each bite contains all the good stuff. Dump this mix into your greased baking dish and spread it flat.
- Mix The Egg Mixture:
- Beat the eggs in another bowl until they're fully mixed, then pour in the milk and add salt, pepper, garlic powder and onion powder. Keep whisking until it's all combined and a bit foamy. This makes the custardy mixture that will hold everything together while baking.
- Assemble The Casserole:
- Pour your egg mix all over the tater tot blend in the baking dish, making sure it trickles down between all the ingredients. Give the dish a little jiggle to help the egg spread throughout all the nooks and crannies.
- Bake To Perfection:
- Stick the casserole in your hot oven and bake for 60 to 70 minutes. You'll know it's done when the top turns golden brown, the edges get a bit crunchy, and the middle stays put without wobbling when you gently shake the dish.
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The cheese combo in this dish is what I love most. After lots of testing, I found that mixing cheddar and mozzarella creates just the right balance of taste and feel. The cheddar gives that strong flavor while the mozzarella makes those amazing stretchy cheese pulls that get everyone smiling at the breakfast table.
Make Ahead Magic
This bake really shines when you make it ahead of time. You can put the whole thing together, wrap it up tight, and keep it in the fridge for up to 24 hours before cooking. It's just perfect for holiday mornings when you want to hang out with your family instead of cooking in the kitchen. Just remember to add about 5 to 10 extra minutes to your cooking time since you'll be starting with cold stuff from the fridge.
Freezer Friendly Tips
You can freeze this dish for longer storage. It works well frozen either before or after cooking. To freeze it uncooked, just put everything together, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap, then cover with foil and freeze for up to 3 months. When you're ready to use it, let it thaw completely in the fridge overnight before cooking as usual. If you want to freeze it after cooking, let it cool all the way down, cut it into pieces, wrap them up separately and freeze. This gives you quick breakfast options for crazy weekday mornings.
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Customization Options
You can easily change this dish to match what your family likes. Try adding chopped bell peppers and onions cooked with the sausage for extra veggies. Switch the cheddar for pepper jack if you want more spice. Vegetarians can leave out the sausage and add more veggies like spinach, mushrooms and tomatoes. The basic mix of tater tots, eggs and cheese lets you create countless different versions.
Serving Suggestions
This dish works great by itself but pairs really well with simple sides for a complete meal. Serve it with some fresh cut fruit for brightness, yogurt cups for something lighter, or sliced avocado for healthy fats. For a fancy brunch, add mimosas for the grown-ups and fruit smoothies for the kids. In colder weather, warm applesauce with a sprinkle of cinnamon makes a cozy addition.
Common Questions
- → Can I make this casserole ahead of time?
You bet! Put everything together early, pop it in the fridge, and bake when you're ready. Just know it might need a few extra minutes in the oven if it's cold.
- → Can I freeze the casserole?
For sure! Get it all assembled, stick it in the freezer, and let it thaw completely before cooking as instructed. You can even freeze leftovers for reheating later.
- → What kind of sausage should I use?
Hot breakfast sausage gives the best kick, but mild works too. Really, any ground sausage you like will do the trick.
- → Can I use different types of cheese?
Definitely! Switch things up or throw in other options like Monterey Jack or Gouda for a twist on the flavor.
- → What sides pair well with this dish?
This casserole tastes great alongside some fresh fruit, a basic salad, or a few slices of toast to round out your meal.