Description
This hearty Hash Brown Egg Casserole combines crispy hash browns, savory sausage or ham, colorful vegetables, and melted cheddar cheese all baked together in a creamy egg mixture. It’s a perfect make-ahead breakfast or brunch dish that’s satisfying and full of comforting flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
Base
- 1 lb (450g) frozen hash browns, thawed
Meat
- 1 cup (240ml) cooked and crumbled sausage or diced ham
Vegetables
- 1/4 cup (30g) diced onion
- 1/4 cup (30g) diced bell pepper
Dairy
- 1 cup (115g) shredded cheddar cheese
- 8 large eggs
- 1 cup (240ml) milk
- 1 tablespoon butter or non-stick cooking spray
Seasonings
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish thoroughly with butter or non-stick cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Layer Hash Browns: Spread the thawed hash browns evenly across the bottom of the prepared baking dish to create a solid base layer.
- Add Meat: Evenly sprinkle the cooked and crumbled sausage or diced ham over the hash browns for savory flavor.
- Add Vegetables: Distribute the diced onion and bell pepper evenly across the meat and hash brown layer for color and freshness.
- Cheese Layer: Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese evenly on top of the vegetables and meat to add richness.
- Mix Egg Mixture: In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, salt, and black pepper until the mixture is smooth and homogenous.
- Pour Egg Mixture: Carefully pour the egg mixture evenly over all the layered ingredients in the baking dish, ensuring it seeps into the layers well.
- Settle Mixture: Gently shake or tap the baking dish to help distribute the egg mixture evenly throughout the casserole layers.
- Bake: Place the dish in the oven and bake for 45-50 minutes, or until the eggs are fully set, the top is golden brown, and the casserole is slightly puffed.
- Cool and Serve: Remove from oven and let the casserole cool for about 5 minutes before slicing and serving to allow it to set for easier portioning.
Notes
- Use cooked sausage or ham to ensure the meat is fully cooked before baking in the casserole.
- Thaw hash browns fully to avoid excess moisture during baking.
- Feel free to customize the veggies with mushrooms, spinach, or tomatoes for extra nutrition and flavor.
- This casserole can be made a day ahead and refrigerated before baking for convenience.
- Leftovers store well in the fridge for up to 3 days and reheat nicely in the oven or microwave.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Breakfast Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
