Sausage Hashbrown Breakfast Casserole: A Hearty and Flavorful Start to Your Day

Introduction & Inspiration

As someone who loves a savory and satisfying breakfast, I’m always on the lookout for recipes that are both delicious and easy to prepare. This Sausage Hashbrown Breakfast Casserole checks all the boxes! It’s a classic breakfast casserole that’s perfect for feeding a crowd or enjoying for meal prep throughout the week. The inspiration for this recipe comes from my love of classic breakfast flavors and my desire to create a dish that’s both hearty and flavorful.

Homemade Focus

While you can certainly use pre-cooked sausage or store-bought hash browns, I encourage you to embrace the freshness and flavor of homemade ingredients whenever possible. This recipe is simple enough that there’s no need for shortcuts, and using quality ingredients will elevate the taste of your casserole. Plus, making it from scratch allows you to control the quality of ingredients and customize the flavors to your liking.

Flavor Goal

The goal here is to create a breakfast casserole that’s bursting with savory flavors and satisfying textures. We’re talking savory sausage, crispy hash browns, creamy eggs, and melted cheese all in one bite. The combination of these classic breakfast ingredients creates a harmonious blend of flavors that will have you coming back for more.

Ingredient Insights

Let’s explore the key players in this delicious breakfast casserole:

• Eggs: Eggs are the foundation of this casserole, providing protein and binding the other ingredients together.
• Pork Sausage: Pork sausage adds a savory depth of flavor and a satisfying texture. You can use your favorite brand or variety of sausage, such as mild Italian sausage, spicy chorizo, or even breakfast sausage with maple flavoring.
• Whole Milk or Heavy Cream: Whole milk or heavy cream adds richness and creaminess to the egg mixture.
• Frozen Shredded Hash Browns: Frozen shredded hash browns are a convenient and easy-to-use ingredient that provides a crispy texture to the casserole. Be sure to thaw them completely before using.
• Cheddar Cheese: Cheddar cheese adds a sharp and cheesy flavor that complements the other ingredients perfectly. You can substitute with your favorite cheese, such as Monterey Jack, Colby, or a blend.
• Salt, Black Pepper, and Garlic Powder: These seasonings enhance the overall flavor of the casserole.

Equipment

You’ll need a few essential tools to whip up this breakfast casserole:

• 9×13 inch baking dish
• Non-stick cooking spray
• Skillet
• Large mixing bowl
• Whisk
• Aluminum foil

Ingredients

• 8 eggs
• 1 pound pork sausage
• 1 ½ cups whole milk or heavy cream
• 1 package (30 oz) frozen shredded hash browns, thawed
• 2 cups cheddar cheese
• 1 ½ teaspoons salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• ¼ teaspoon garlic powder

Instructions

Preheat and Prep:

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Spray a 9×13 inch baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.

Cook the Sausage:

1. In a skillet over medium heat, brown the pork sausage, breaking it into small pieces as it cooks.
2. Once browned, drain any excess grease and set the cooked sausage aside.

Whisk the Eggs:

1. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, whole milk or heavy cream, salt, black pepper, and garlic powder until well combined.

Layer the Ingredients:

1. In the prepared baking dish, layer the thawed hash browns evenly on the bottom.
2. Add the cooked sausage in an even layer over the hash browns.
3. Sprinkle the cheddar cheese evenly over the sausage.

Pour the Egg Mixture:

1. Carefully pour the whisked egg mixture over the layered ingredients in the baking dish, ensuring that the mixture is evenly distributed.

Cover and Bake:

1. Cover the baking dish with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 40 minutes.
2. After 40 minutes, remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 20 minutes, or until the casserole is golden brown and set in the center.

Serve and Enjoy:

1. Once fully baked, remove the casserole from the oven and allow it to cool slightly before serving.
2. Serve slices of the Sausage Hashbrown Breakfast Casserole with your favorite toppings, such as hot sauce, salsa, sour cream, or avocado.

Troubleshooting

• Casserole too watery: If the casserole seems watery, you can bake it uncovered for a few more minutes to allow the excess moisture to evaporate.
• Hash browns not crispy: Make sure to thaw the hash browns completely before using them. You can also spread them out on a baking sheet and bake them for a few minutes to crisp them up before layering them in the casserole.
• Casserole too bland: Adjust the seasoning with more salt, pepper, or garlic powder to taste. You can also add other spices, such as paprika, onion powder, or cayenne pepper.

Tips and Variations

• For a vegetarian version, you can substitute the pork sausage with plant-based sausage crumbles or chopped vegetables, such as mushrooms, onions, or bell peppers.
• To add more vegetables to the casserole, you can mix in chopped spinach, diced tomatoes, or sliced mushrooms with the hash browns.
• For a cheesy twist, you can sprinkle some extra cheese on top of the casserole during the last few minutes of baking.

Serving and Pairing Suggestions

This Sausage Hashbrown Breakfast Casserole is a hearty and satisfying dish that can be enjoyed on its own or with a variety of accompaniments. It pairs well with fresh fruit, toast, yogurt, or a side of bacon or sausage. It’s perfect for brunch, potlucks, or a cozy weekend breakfast with family and friends.

Nutritional Information

(Per serving, approximate)

• Calories: ~400
• Fat: ~25g
• Cholesterol: ~200mg
• Sodium: ~800mg
• Carbohydrates: ~25g
• Protein: ~25g

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Recipe Summary and Q&A

Recipe Name: Sausage Hashbrown Breakfast Casserole

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour

Yields: 8 servings

Q: Can I use a different type of sausage?

A: Absolutely! You can use any type of sausage that you like, such as Italian sausage, chorizo, or breakfast sausage.

Q: Can I make this casserole ahead of time?

A: Yes, you can assemble the casserole the night before and bake it in the morning. Just cover it and store it in the refrigerator until ready to bake.

Q: Can I freeze this casserole?

A: Yes, you can freeze the baked casserole. Let it cool completely, then wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil before freezing. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.