Loaded Hash Brown Breakfast Casserole is cheesy and full of fluffy egg delight! Make ahead instructions included! This savory breakfast casserole is kid and adult approved.
What is it about the holidays that makes us crave fancy breakfasts? Sure, we’re all about the pancakes or waffles on weekends, but as we approach mid November through January, we want ALL of the delicious breakfast foods. Savory or sweet, in the morning or at night, we don’t care! We love all breakfast food equally! We are particularly fond of breakfast casseroles, especially when they can be prepped the night before. Just wake up and throw it in the oven, and you can forget about it for the next hour. You can even go back to sleep. We won’t judge.
Should I use ham or sausage in a loaded hash brown breakfast casserole?
We are genuinely a fan of both, and have had it both ways. It really is simply up to your own personal taste preferences. Sounds like a good excuse to make a second casserole to compare and decide!
Frozen vs. Fresh Hash Browns:
We love the convenience of frozen hash browns, but if you prefer to make this breakfast casserole entirely from scratch, you can always make your own hash browns! Simply shred russet potatoes on a cheese grater or in a food processor until you have approximately 20 ounces worth. Make sure to squeeze as much moisture as possible out of your potatoes before adding them to your casserole. You want them to be as dry as possible.
Optional Add-Ins:
This breakfast casserole is easily customizable to your own personal taste preferences. Besides choosing between ham, sausage or bacon, you can also vary up the cheese you use. We love a sharp cheddar in this recipe, but you can try Taleggio, Comté, Gruyere, Monterey Jack, or even Mozzarella! Really, any melting cheese will do. Looking to add a bit more nutrition to your casserole? Add in some of your favorite diced veggies like spinach, tomatoes, peppers and mushrooms.
Make Ahead Instructions:
We love make ahead breakfasts! Prepare the recipe as directed. Once casserole is ready for the oven, simply cover and refrigerate overnight (12 hours) until ready to bake.
Storage Instructions:
Hash brown breakfast casserole is best eaten fresh. However, you can store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat individual servings in the microwave in 30 second increments until warmed through.
If you like this recipe, you may be interested in these other delicious breakfast recipes:
- Easiest Crepe Recipe
- Sausage and Apple Breakfast Strata
- How to Make Poached Eggs
- The Best French Toast Ever
Watch the video below where Rachel will walk you through every step of this recipe. Sometimes it helps to have a visual, and we’ve always got you covered with our cooking show. You can find the complete collection of recipes on YouTube, Facebook Watch, or our Facebook Page, or right here on our website with their corresponding recipes.
Loaded Hash Brown Breakfast Casserole
- 20 ounce package frozen diced or shredded hashbrowns
- 1 white or yellow onion diced
- 1 red bell pepper diced
- 1 pound ground sausage , or 8 ounces diced ham
- 4 ounces diced green chiles drained (optional)
- 10 large eggs
- 2 cups half and half
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F and lightly grease a 9×13 pan.
- Add frozen hashbrowns, onion, bell pepper, ham (or cooked sausage), and green chiles directly in the 9×13 pan and toss together.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk eggs. Pour in half and half and season with salt and pepper and whisk to combine. Stir in shredded cheese.
- Pour egg mixture on top of hashbrown mixture in the prepared pan.
- Cover the pan with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 45-60 minutes until eggs are set.
Prepare the recipe as directed. Once casserole is ready for the oven, simply cover and refrigerate overnight (12 hours) until ready to bake. Diced Ham vs Sausage:
This recipe can be made with either diced ham or cooked ground sausage. To cook ground sausage, simply heat a skillet over medium-high heat. Add in sausage and cook 7 to 10 minutes until cooked through. Drain, and use in recipe.
