Easy Hashbrown Breakfast Casserole: An easy breakfast casserole is made with frozen hashbrowns, eggs, sausage and cheese. This will become your go-to casserole for entertaining at breakfast–perfect for a feeding a crowd, allergy-friendly, and can be made the night before or the morning of.
A few weeks ago I hosted middle school boys for two nights at my house.
Our church was having an event and they needed host families to house middle schoolers for the weekend. Our duties included giving them a place to sleep (which let me tell you these boys DID not sleep!), snacks, and breakfast two mornings.
Other than my house smelling like teenage boys, I enjoyed the moments these boys were with us over the weekend.
They raved over my Skinny Cinnamon Rolls and my Hashbrown Breakfast casserole–which I have to admit felt good to my ego!
Easy Hashbrown Breakfast Casserole
When planning the breakfast menu for the boys, I debated between Overnight Ham and Egg Breakfast Casserole, Overnight French Toast Casserole and Breakfast Enchiladas.
Because I was already serving cinnamon rolls, I decided that french toast casserole was not a smart option and I also wanted to be sure I had a gluten-free breakfast casserole in case any of the boys had any gluten sensitivities.
That is when I opted for this Easy Hashbrown Breakfast Casserole.
This breakfast casserole is the perfect dish for entertaining because:
- it can be made in advance
- it is adaptable to gluten allergies
- feeds a crowd
- incredibly easy to make
- very inexpensive
While the boys raved about Cinnamon rolls, they also devoured the egg and sausage hashbrown casserole and many of them didn’t just get seconds but some of the boys helped themselves to 3 or 4 servings.
How to make a breakfast casserole with sausage and hashbrowns
This hashbrown breakfast casserole is almost TOO easy.
Step One: Layer defrosted hashbrowns in greased casserole dish.
Yes, you can brown your hashbrowns first, in the skillet–but there is NO need to take this step unless of course you are craving the texture of crispy hashbrowns mixed with creamy eggs.
Step Two: Layer the hashbrowns with browned sausage.
Step Three: Sprinkle cheese over top the sausage and hashbrowns.
Wondering why I put the cheese on now, before I add the egg custard?
This helps the cheese to be in every bite of the casserole, not just one gooey layer on top. But hey, if you are craving gooey, layers of slightly browned cheese like a classic lasagna, put the cheese on top of the egg mixture.
Step Four: Mix together the eggs with seasonings and milk and pour over the layers of hashbrowns, sausage and cheese.
Step Five: Bake and serve.
Can this Sausage Egg Breakfast Casserole be made the the night before?
If you are looking for an overnight hashbrown breakfast casserole, this recipe is perfect for you!
I have made this casserole many times the night before baking. Just assemble as you would up to step four and then cover and refrigerate overnight. Add an extra 10-15 minutes to the total baking time in the morning.
Easy-peasy and perfect for when you are entertaining.
Is this Hashbrown Breakfast Casserole gluten-free?
This sausage hashbrown casserole can easily be made gluten-free. There are just a few things you need to watch out for.
- Be sure to use gluten free sausage. I love organic chicken or turkey sausage because there are very few fillers used and easier to find a brand that is gluten-free and MSG free.
- Be sure your hashbrowns are gluten-free. When I posted this recipe Ore-Ida shredded hashbrowns were certified gluten-free but my local store brand contained gluten.
Bottom line: If you are serving this breakfast dish to gluten-free guests be sure to carefully read both your sausage and hashbrown label.
Can this Cheese and Egg Hashbrown Breakfast Casserole be made without sausage?
I use turkey or chicken sausage, but any breakfast sausage will work. If you don’t like sausage, omit meat althogether or use diced leftover ham or crisped up bacon.
Notes on Sausage Breakfast Casserole made with Hashbrowns
- If you would like to start by making your own homemade hashbrowns which I often do because it is so easy, here is a great step by step recipe for homemade hashbrowns from Country Cleaver.
- I use shredded hashbrowns and cubed hashbrowns for this recipe. Even O’Brian style with peppers and onions is a great choice.
- I love sharp cheddar for this sausage breakfast casserole, but Gruyere, Swiss, Gouda, or Mozzarella works.
- If you would like to FREEZE this breakfast casserole for later use, bake and cool before freezing in a freezer safe pan (like a foil disposable pan). Wrap well in foil and freeze. Defrost in fridge night before planning to eat and then cook for 30 minutes at 350 or until warmed through.
- This recipe can easily be doubled to feed a crowd. Most bags of frozen hashbrowns come in 32 ounces and this recipe only calls for 16 ounces.
How to make Sausage Hashbrown Breakfast Casserole
Easy Sausage Hashbrown Breakfast Casserole
An easy and adaptable casserole perfect for feeding a large crowd.
Ingredients
- 16 ounces frozen hashbrowns defrosted (this is usually half a bag)
- 1 pound breakfast sausage browned
- 2 cups cheddar cheese shredded
- 6 eggs
- 1/2 cup milk or cream
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 350 degrees and brown sausage.
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Layer defrosted hashbrowns in greased 13x9 casserole dish.
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Layer the browned sausage over the hashbrowns.
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Sprinkle cheese over top the sausage and hashbrowns
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Mix together the eggs with seasonings and milk and pour over the layers of hashbrowns, sausage and cheese
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Bake for 30-35 minutes or until eggs are set.
Recipe Notes
- You can brown your hashbrowns first if you prefer the texture of crispy hashbrowns mixed with creamy eggs.
- To make this casserole the night before serving: assemble as you would up to step four and then cover and refrigerate overnight. Add an extra 10-15 minutes to the total baking time in the morning.
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