Description
A make-ahead, crowd-pleasing breakfast casserole featuring crispy hash browns, savory sausage, and a creamy egg mixture. Perfect for weekend brunches, this dish offers a golden crust and tender interior with minimal morning stress.
Ingredients
Scale
- 30 ounces frozen shredded hash browns (thawed)
- 1 pound ground breakfast sausage
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (for greasing)
- 8 large eggs
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup whole milk
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese (shredded)
- 1 medium yellow onion (finely diced)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 2 tablespoons fresh chives (chopped, for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Thaw hash browns completely and drain excess moisture.
- Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish generously with butter.
- In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the ground sausage, breaking it up with a spoon. Add diced onion in the last 2 minutes to soften. Drain excess fat thoroughly.
- Spread half of the thawed hash browns evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking dish, pressing down lightly.
- Spread the cooked sausage and onion mixture over the hash browns, then sprinkle with half of the shredded cheddar cheese.
- Spread the remaining hash browns over the meat layer and press down gently. Sprinkle the remaining cheese on top.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together eggs, heavy cream, milk, salt, pepper, and garlic powder until smooth.
- Pour the egg mixture evenly over the layered casserole, using a spatula to help the liquid seep down into the hash browns.
- Bake for 45-50 minutes, or until the top is golden brown, edges are bubbling, and a knife inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Remove from oven and let rest for 10 minutes before slicing. Garnish with chopped chives and serve.
Notes
Ensure hash browns are fully thawed to prevent a watery casserole. Drain sausage fat well to avoid greasiness. Let the casserole rest for 10 minutes after baking to allow it to set properly for clean slicing. Can be assembled the night before and refrigerated; add 5-10 minutes to baking time if baking from cold.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 45-50 minutes
- Category: Breakfast
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 square slice
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 2
- Sodium: 650
- Fat: 24
- Saturated Fat: 12
- Carbohydrates: 25
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 22
Keywords: breakfast casserole, hash brown casserole, weekend brunch, make-ahead breakfast, sausage casserole, crispy hash browns, egg bake