Description
A hearty and flavorful breakfast casserole featuring savory breakfast sausage, creamy melted cream cheese, tender hash browns, and a blend of cheddar cheese and eggs baked to golden perfection. Perfect for brunch or make-ahead breakfasts.
Ingredients
Scale
Sausage Mixture
- 1 pound breakfast sausage (pork or turkey)
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
Casserole Base
- 1 cup frozen hash browns, thawed
- 1/2 cup diced onion
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Egg Mixture
- 6 large eggs
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- Salt to taste
Additional
- Butter or oil for greasing the baking dish
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare dish: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9×13 inch baking dish with butter or oil to prevent sticking.
- Cook sausage: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the breakfast sausage, breaking it up until browned and completely cooked through. Drain any excess grease to reduce fat content.
- Melt cream cheese: Lower the heat to low and stir the softened cream cheese into the cooked sausage until it melts and combines thoroughly, creating a creamy sausage mixture. Remove from heat.
- Mix eggs and seasonings: In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, garlic powder, black pepper, and salt until smooth and well combined.
- Assemble casserole: Evenly spread the thawed hash browns in the greased baking dish. Layer the sausage and cream cheese mixture over the hash browns. Sprinkle the diced onions and shredded cheddar cheese evenly on top.
- Pour egg mixture: Slowly pour the egg mixture over the layered ingredients in the baking dish, gently pressing down to ensure everything is well-coated and evenly covered.
- Bake: Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 35 to 40 minutes, or until the center is set and the top is lightly golden brown.
- Rest and serve: Remove from the oven and let the casserole rest for 5 minutes before slicing and serving to allow it to set fully.
Notes
- This casserole can be assembled the night before and refrigerated, then baked fresh in the morning for convenience.
- For extra flavor, add diced bell peppers or substitute cheddar cheese with pepper jack cheese.
- Make sure to thaw hash browns before assembling for even cooking.
