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Lately my mother-in-law’s chickens have been laying well, so I had a ton of eggs ready to use up and wanted to turn some of them into a breakfast the whole family could eat. A breakfast casserole seemed like the obvious answer, but I also knew my kids weren’t going to be especially excited about one packed with peppers, spinach, or mushrooms.
So I kept this one simple. This Sausage Hash Brown Breakfast Casserole has shredded hash browns, breakfast sausage, eggs, and plenty of cheddar cheese. It has all the familiar breakfast flavors without a long ingredient list.
It’s hearty enough to serve on its own, but you can easily turn it into a bigger weekend breakfast. Add something sweet like Hotel Style Waffles or put a batch of Sausage Links or Bacon in the Air Fryer on the side when you need to feed a crowd.
I also love that this works as a make-ahead breakfast casserole. You can assemble everything the night before, cover it, and refrigerate it until morning. Then all that’s left to do is bake it. That makes it especially useful for holidays, overnight guests, Church or Co-op mornings, or mornings when you don’t want to or have time to start breakfast from scratch!
Why You’ll Love This Sausage Hash Brown Breakfast Casserole
- Simple ingredients. Nothing complicated or hard to find goes into this breakfast casserole.
- Family friendly. The basic version sticks with sausage, potatoes, eggs, and cheese.
- Feeds a crowd. One casserole gives you plenty of hearty servings without standing at the stove cooking individual breakfasts.
- Make it ahead. Assemble it the night before and bake it fresh the next morning.
- Easy to customize. Keep it simple for the kids or add vegetables and other extras.
- Great for leftovers. Individual slices reheat well for an easy breakfast later in the week.
- Works for more than holidays. It’s just as useful for a regular Saturday morning as it is for Christmas breakfast.
Ingredients
- Breakfast sausage
- Frozen shredded hash browns
- Butter
- Eggs
- Milk
- Shredded cheddar cheese
- Salt
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Black pepper
- OPTIONAL INCLUSIONS: Tomatoes, onions, bell peppers, mushrooms, spinach
Equipment
Large skillet: You’ll need a skillet to brown and crumble the breakfast sausage before assembling the casserole. A good heavy skillet also helps the sausage brown instead of steaming.
9 x 13 baking dish: Use a casserole dish with enough room for the hash browns, sausage, cheese, and egg mixture without crowding everything together.
Large mixing bowl: Choose a bowl with plenty of room to whisk the eggs and milk without splashing them all over the counter.
Whisk: A sturdy whisk makes it easy to combine the eggs, milk, and seasonings until everything is evenly mixed.
Spatula or wooden spoon: Use this to break the sausage into small crumbles as it cooks.
How to Make Sausage Hash Brown Breakfast Casserole
Start by cooking the breakfast sausage in a skillet.
Break it into small crumbles as it browns so you get sausage throughout every slice of casserole. Once it’s completely cooked, drain off any excess grease.
The hash browns create the base of the casserole. Thaw them first, then toss them with melted butter before spreading them across the bottom of your baking dish. The butter gives the potatoes a little more flavor and keeps that bottom layer from tasting plain.
Scatter the cooked sausage over the potatoes, then add most of the cheddar. If you’re using any other veggies, go ahead and add after the sausage.
Spreading each layer evenly is worth the extra few seconds. You want sausage, potato, egg, and cheese in every piece rather than one section getting all the good stuff.
Whisk the eggs with the milk and seasonings until the mixture looks uniform. Pour it slowly over the casserole so it can work its way down between the sausage and hash browns.
Finish with the remaining cheddar, then bake at 350°F until the center has completely set. The outside will usually finish before the very middle, so check the center rather than judging doneness from the edges alone.
Let the casserole rest briefly before cutting it. That little bit of time helps the egg mixture settle and gives you cleaner slices.
This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
PrintSausage Hash Brown Breakfast Casserole
This Sausage Hash Brown Breakfast Casserole is loaded with shredded hash browns, savory breakfast sausage, fluffy eggs, and plenty of cheddar cheese. It’s an easy, family-friendly breakfast that can feed a crowd and is perfect for weekends, holidays, or busy mornings.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40-50 minutes
- Total Time: 55 – 65 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Breakfast, Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 1 pound mild or original breakfast sausage
- 24–26 ounces frozen shredded hash browns, thawed
- 4 tablespoons butter, melted
- 12 large eggs
- 1 cup milk
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- OPTIONAL INCLUSIONS:
- Tomatoes
- Onions
- Bell peppers
- Mushrooms
- Spinach
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Add the breakfast sausage to a large skillet over medium heat. Cook, breaking it into small crumbles, until browned and cooked through. Drain any excess grease.
- Toss the thawed shredded hash browns with the melted butter. Spread them evenly across the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
- Sprinkle the cooked breakfast sausage evenly over the hash browns.
- If you are using any additional vegetables, add them on top of your sausage layer.
- Top with 1 1/2 cups of the shredded cheddar cheese.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, salt, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper until well combined.
- Pour the egg mixture evenly over the hash browns, sausage, and cheese.
- Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top.
- Bake for 40–50 minutes, or until the eggs are set in the center and no longer look wet.
- Allow the casserole to rest for 5–10 minutes before slicing and serving.
Notes
- Hash browns: Thaw the frozen hash browns before assembling the casserole so they cook evenly.
- Sausage: Use mild or original breakfast sausage for a classic breakfast flavor. Hot breakfast sausage can be used if you prefer more spice.
- Cheese: Freshly shredded or bagged shredded cheddar will both work. You can also substitute Colby Jack or a cheddar blend.
- Make ahead: Assemble the casserole, cover tightly, and refrigerate overnight. Bake the following morning. It may need a few additional minutes in the oven when baked straight from the refrigerator.
- Doneness: The center should be completely set before removing the casserole from the oven. If the edges are browning before the middle is finished, loosely cover the dish with foil for the remainder of the baking time.
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Make-Ahead Overnight Option: Assemble the casserole as directed, but do not bake. Cover tightly and refrigerate overnight. In the morning, remove the casserole from the refrigerator while the oven preheats to 350°F. Bake as directed, adding about 5–10 minutes to the baking time if needed, until the eggs are completely set in the center.
- Bake and Reheat Option: You can also bake the casserole the night before. Allow it to cool, cover, and refrigerate overnight. The next morning, cover the casserole with foil and reheat at 325°F until warmed through, about 20–30 minutes. Individual slices can also be reheated in the microwave.
Recipes That Pair Well With This
- Fluffy Homemade Pancakes are a classic choice when you want something sweet alongside the savory sausage, eggs, and hash browns.
- Flaky Homemade Buttermilk Biscuits make this breakfast feel a little more special without adding another complicated dish.
- Bakery-Style Cinnamon Rolls are a good addition for a holiday breakfast or brunch when you want both sweet and savory options.
- Classic Sausage Gravy can be served with biscuits on the side for an extra-hearty breakfast spread.
- Fruit Pizza with Sugar Cookie Crust adds fresh fruit and something sweet to a brunch table while still being easy to serve.
- Banana Cream Bundt Cake is a simple dessert option for a larger brunch or family gathering.
- Triple Chocolate Bundt Cake works well when this casserole is part of a holiday brunch and you want a richer dessert afterward.
More Recipes to Try
- Fluffy Cheesy Scrambled Eggs are another easy way to turn a carton of eggs into a simple family breakfast.
- Bacon Egg and Cheese Croissant gives you those same classic breakfast flavors in an easy sandwich.
- Cinnamon Sugar French Toast Sticks are especially fun for kids and can also be made as traditional French toast.
- Southwest Breakfast Burritos are freezer friendly and another good option when you want breakfast ready ahead of time.
- Strawberries and Cream Overnight Oats are a cold make-ahead breakfast that’s handy for busy mornings.
- Classic Biscuits and Gravy is another filling breakfast when you’re feeding a hungry family.
Tips for Little Helpers
This is an easy recipe for little helpers because most of the assembly happens right in the baking dish. Kids can help spread out the hash browns, sprinkle on the cooked sausage, and add the shredded cheese.
Older kids can help crack and whisk the eggs. Let younger helpers handle ingredients only after the sausage and skillet have cooled enough to stay safely out of the way.
They can also help choose any extras for one section of the casserole. That works especially well when some people want vegetables and others would rather keep their slice simple.
Tips for Success
Thaw the hash browns first. Frozen potatoes can release extra moisture as they cook. Thawing them helps the casserole cook more evenly.
Drain the sausage. Too much grease can make the bottom of the casserole heavy. Drain any obvious excess before adding the sausage to the baking dish.
Spread the layers evenly. Don’t leave all the sausage or cheese in one area. Even layers make each serving more consistent.
Check the middle before taking it out. The edges may look completely done while the center still needs more time. The egg mixture in the middle should look set rather than wet.
Give it time to rest. Cutting immediately can make the casserole fall apart. A short rest helps each piece hold together.
Use the overnight option when mornings are busy. Assemble everything ahead, refrigerate it, and bake it in the morning. A cold casserole may need a little extra time in the oven.
FAQs
Can I make sausage hash brown breakfast casserole the night before?
Yes. Assemble the casserole completely, cover it tightly, and refrigerate it overnight without baking. The next morning, take it out while the oven preheats. Bake at 350°F until the center is completely set. Since the casserole starts cold, it may need a little longer than one assembled right before baking.
Can I bake the breakfast casserole the night before instead?
Yes. Bake it completely, allow it to cool, then cover and refrigerate it. Reheat the casserole covered in the oven the next morning until it is hot throughout. You can also microwave individual slices.
Do I have to thaw frozen hash browns first?
I recommend it. Thawed hash browns cook more predictably and don’t add as much excess moisture to the egg mixture.
Can I use a different cheese?
Yes. Cheddar gives the casserole that classic breakfast flavor, but Colby Jack, Monterey Jack, or a cheddar blend would also work.
Can I use spicy breakfast sausage?
Absolutely. Mild or original sausage keeps the base recipe family friendly, but spicy sausage is an easy swap for more heat.
How do I know when an egg casserole is done?
Check the center of the casserole. It should look completely set without wet egg mixture in the middle. The edges often cook faster, so don’t use them as your only guide.
Can I add vegetables to sausage hash brown breakfast casserole?
Yes. The basic version is intentionally simple, but vegetables are easy to add. Spinach, mushrooms, tomatoes, bell peppers, or onions would all work. Cook vegetables that release a lot of moisture before adding them so they don’t make the casserole watery.
Storage
Let leftover Sausage Hash Brown Breakfast Casserole cool before transferring it to an airtight container. You can also cover the baking dish tightly and refrigerate the remaining casserole right in the dish.
Store leftovers in the refrigerator and reheat only the portions you plan to eat. Individual slices warm up especially well in the microwave, which makes this a useful breakfast to have ready for the next few mornings.
Freezing Instructions
This breakfast casserole can also be frozen after baking. Allow it to cool completely first, then cut it into individual portions or freeze a larger section.
Wrap the casserole well and place it in a freezer-safe container. Individual pieces are convenient because you can thaw only what you need.
For the best texture, thaw frozen casserole in the refrigerator before reheating. Warm it until the center is hot throughout.
Variations
- Add vegetables: Stir in cooked spinach, sautéed mushrooms, diced bell peppers, tomatoes, or onions. You can use one vegetable or a combination. Cook watery vegetables first and drain off extra liquid before adding them.
- Bacon and sausage: Add cooked crumbled bacon along with the breakfast sausage for an even heartier version.
- Spicy sausage: Swap the mild breakfast sausage for hot sausage when you’re serving people who like a little heat.
- Change the cheese: Try Colby Jack, Monterey Jack, pepper jack, or a combination of cheeses.
- Extra cheesy: Add a little more shredded cheese throughout the casserole for an even cheesier version.
- Overnight breakfast casserole: Assemble the casserole the night before and refrigerate it unbaked. Bake it fresh in the morning for an easy make-ahead breakfast.
- Bake ahead: Bake the whole casserole the night before, refrigerate it, and reheat it the next morning. This option works well when you want absolutely no prep before breakfast.
Final Thoughts
Sausage Hash Brown Breakfast Casserole ended up being exactly what I wanted when I was looking for a way to use up a bunch of eggs. It’s filling, simple, and made with breakfast ingredients my kids already know and like.
The basic version keeps things straightforward with sausage, hash browns, eggs, and cheddar. Anyone who wants more can easily add vegetables or change up the cheese.
I especially like having the overnight option. Being able to get breakfast completely assembled the night before makes this one practical for holidays, company, and regular busy mornings too.
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