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.

A slice of hash brown casserole being dished out of a 9x13 casserole dish.

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.

a piece of breakfast hashbrown casserole on a stack of plates.

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: