Hashbrown Breakfast Casserole is hands down the BEST breakfast casserole recipe ever! It is an easy recipe made with frozen hash browns, eggs, sausage, and cheese, that everyone loves!
This Breakfast Casserole can feed a crowd, is extremely versatile, can be made allergy-friendly, and it can be prepped the night before or in the morning for an effortless way to entertain for breakfast or brunch. I recommend serving with Overnight Cinnamon Rolls for a holiday breakfast everyone will remember--and one that will be effortless for you to pull together!
Why This is the Best Breakfast Casserole
- It can be made in advance. I prepare this hashbrown breakfast casserole the night before entertaining and then simply bake in the morning. However, it can also be prepped the morning of or baked and frozen for future use. It really is adaptable to what works best for your schedule.
- Allergy-Friendly. This casserole is soy-free and nut-free. And it is easy to find gluten-free breakfast sausage and gluten-free hashbrowns, making this breakfast casserole perfect for those with gluten sensitives or allergies. Just be sure to carefully read both your sausage and hash brown labels.
- Feeds a crowd. This breakfast casserole is hearty and filling and can be doubled easily to feed a crowd large or small.
- Incredibly easy to make. It seriously takes minutes to assemble this breakfast casserole. The hardest part is browning up the breakfast sausage. It truly is an effortless, delicious recipe to use when entertaining at breakfast or brunch.
- Inexpensive. There are no fancy ingredients or specialty items in this breakfast bake, making it very affordable.
- Adaptable: While the hashbrowns, sausage, and cheddar cheese are a classic combo, you can use ham or bacon instead of sausage, add in vegetables, and switch out the cheese for Swiss or Gouda.
- Crowd-Pleaser. Who cares if this is an easy and inexpensive dish if it does not taste good. But the reviews on this breakfast casserole are 5 stars. It is simply delicious.
Ingredients Needed
- Hashbrowns: I suggest using shredded or cubed hashbrowns for this recipe. Even O'Brien style with peppers and onions is a great choice. In fact, I have even used frozen tater tots or hash brown patties with great success. If you would like to start by making your own homemade hash browns which I often do because it is so easy, here is a great step by step recipe for homemade hash browns from Country Cleaver.
- Sausage: I love this casserole made with homemade breakfast sausage, but any breakfast sausage you like works. In fact, this recipe works great with leftover cubed ham, crumbled up cooked bacon, or keep this meatless and add in sauteed vegetables like peppers, onions, or mushrooms.
- Cheese: I love sharp cheddar, as it contrasts with the sausage and eggs well and melts beautifully, but feel free to use any shredded cheese your family likes or has on hand.
- Eggs: This recipe calls for 6 eggs and they will puff up a bit as they bake. However, if you like a thick layer of eggs, increase the number of eggs to 8 instead of 6.
How to make Hashbrown Breakfast Casserole
This hash brown breakfast casserole is almost TOO easy--which let's be honest, that is EXACTLY what you need when entertaining or holiday breakfasts.
Step One: Layer defrosted hash browns in a greased casserole dish.
Yes, you can brown your hash browns first in a skillet--but there is NO need to take this step unless of course, you are craving the texture of crispy hash browns mixed with creamy eggs.
If you are desiring, crispier hash browns, I would recommend browning the hash browns ups in the oven for 10-15 minutes before adding the remaining ingredients. This way, you save yourself the step (and extra dish) of browning in the skillet.
Step Two: Layer the hash browns with browned sausage.
Brown up sausage, breaking into small pieces as it cooks, and then drain off any excess grease. Layer the sausage evenly over the potatoes. If you are using ham, bacon, or vegetables, be sure to sprinkle over the potatoes evenly as well.
Step Three: Sprinkle cheese over top of the sausage and hash browns.
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 hash browns, sausage, and cheese.
The eggs will puff up as they bake, but feel free to use 2-3 more eggs if you like your breakfast casserole with a thick layer of eggs--just keep in mind that you will need to increase bake time by 10 to 15 minutes. If you add in more sausage than this recipe calls for, you will need to increase the number of eggs used as well.
Step Five: Bake and serve.
Once your breakfast casserole is assembled, you can immediately bake until the eggs are set and the cheese is browned slightly.
Preparing in Advance
If you are looking for an overnight 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 pouring the eggs over the hash browns and then cover tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight. Remove from the refrigerator when the oven is preheating and add an extra 10-15 minutes to the total baking time.
Easy-peasy and perfect for when you are entertaining.
In fact, you can even FREEZE this breakfast casserole for later use. Bake in a freezer-safe pan (like a foil disposable pan) and cool completely. 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.
Recipe Tips and Notes
- It is best to use DEFROSTED hashbrowns for this recipe. You can brown your hash browns first before layering in your baking dish if you prefer the texture of crispy hash browns mixed with creamy eggs.
- If you opt to use tater tots instead of hashbrowns, do not defrost before layering in your casserole, but you will need to increase bake time by 5-10 minutes.
- Feel free to use only ½ pound of sausage instead of a full pound if you would like to cut back on the amount of sausage used.
- This breakfast casserole recipe can easily be doubled to feed a crowd. Most bags of frozen hash browns come in 32 ounces and this recipe only calls for 16 ounces. Prepare as directed, but bake in a 9x13 pan.
- Feel free to add an additional 2 eggs to the custard if you like a really thick layer of eggs--just increase the bake time by 10 minutes.
- Be sure your pan is a 9x9 or 11x7 or you may need to increase bake time by 10 minutes.
More Breakfast Casserole Recipes
- Overnight French Toast Casserole
- Ham and Egg Breakfast Casserole
- Green Chile Egg Casserole
- Instant Pot Breakfast Casserole
If you made this Sausage Hashbrown Breakfast Casserole I would love for you to leave a comment and a review below! I love to hear from you!
Easy Sausage Hashbrown Breakfast Casserole
Ingredients
- 16 ounces frozen hashbrowns defrosted (this is usually half a bag)
- 1 pound breakfast sausage browned
- 2 cups cheddar cheese shredded
- 6 eggs
- ½ cup milk or cream
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees and brown sausage.
- Layer defrosted hash browns in greased 7x11 or 9x9 casserole dish.
- Layer the browned sausage over the hashbrowns.
- Sprinkle cheese over top the sausage and hashbrowns
- Mix together the eggs with seasonings and milk and pour over the layers of hashbrowns, sausage, and cheese.
- Bake for 40-45 minutes or until eggs are set.
Notes
- Hashbrowns: You can brown your hash browns first if you prefer the texture of crispy hash browns mixed with creamy eggs. You can also opt to use fresh or frozen hashbrowns, just be sure they are defrosted before preparing this casserole.
- To make this casserole the night before serving: assemble as you would up through step five and then cover and refrigerate overnight. Remove the casserole when preheating the oven and remove the plastic wrap. Add an extra 10-15 minutes to the total baking time in the morning.
- I love sharp cheddar for this sausage breakfast casserole, but Gruyere, Swiss, Gouda, or Mozzarella works.
- This recipe can easily be doubled to feed a crowd. Most bags of frozen hash browns come in 32 ounces and this recipe only calls for 16 ounces. Prepare as directed, but bake in a 9x13 pan.
- Feel free to add an additional 2 eggs to the custard if you like a really thick layer of eggs--just increase the bake time by 10 minutes.
- Be sure your pan is a 9x9 or 11x7 or you may need to increase bake time by 10 minutes.
Jackie
Love it make it every year for Christmas Breakfast.
Kristen Chidsey
I love hearing that Jackie! Thank you for sharing!
Amanda
I followed recipe for a Christmas morning breakfast and it was delicious!! Everyone loved it! Thank you! My mom used to make an almost identical recipe but added a layer of Crescent rolls on the bottom. I’ve never been able to get the eggs to set with it, though! Any suggestions?
Kristen Chidsey
I am so glad you enjoyed Amanda. As for the casserole with crescent rolls, I have not made that version myself, but my best guess would be that the crescent rolls absorb the eggs and are never really able to "set" up even though safe to eat.
Ginny
I love easy peasy and this recipe is Great!!!
Mama Bear
I would bake the rolled out Crescent rolls for about 5-10 minutes then add the rest of the ingredients.
Captain pete
those extra crescent rolls from a big gathering make an excellent base also
Bonnie
This was simple and delicious. I have to follow a low sodium diet, so no salt was added nor meat. I did add no sodium spices. I also used swiss and gruyere cheese. The recipe is family approved and a "keeper".
Thank you so much!
Kristen Chidsey
I am so glad you enjoyed Bonnie! I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas.
Mandy
I loved the simple ingredient list of this recipe and we made this for Christmas morning, as instructed for the 32 oz. bag of cubed hash browns in a 9 X 13. Even to my husband's untrained eye it looked too potato-ey, so I removed about 2 cups of potatoes and doubled the egg custard. I also browned onions and bell pepper with the sausage and I'm sorry to say that it was a Christmas morning fail - really bland and still just tasted of potatoes. Unless you're using something like Potatoes O'Brien, the potatoes definitely need more seasonings and I would recommend browning the potatoes first.
Kristen Chidsey
I am so sorry to hear this disappointed Mandy. You are the first to report it being bland and too potatoey--but everyone has different tastes.
Cassie
Can I cook this in advance and then warm up next day?
Kristen Chidsey
Absolutely Cassie! Enjoy. Reheat individually in the microwave or in a 300 degree oven for about 20 minutes. Enjoy.
Nicole
Made this for Christmas morning. Sooo easy and sooo delicious!! Thank you for this scrumptious and simple recipe!
Kristen Chidsey
So happy to hear you enjoyed. Merry Christmas.
Courtney
Would it be OK to add some veggies like peppers and onions? Would it change the baking time anything else I would need to do differently?
So excited for this thank you!
Kristen Chidsey
Hi Courtney! I love adding veggies. I just suggest sautéing first so they don't add water content. Everything else remains the same. Enjoy.
Patti
I would like to make this in a 9 × 13 dish. What would I double and how long to cook for?
Kristen Chidsey
Hi Patti! I would personally double all the ingredients, although you could get away with NOT doubling the sausage easily. For baking, I would plan on 35-40 minutes. Enjoy!
Angela Gallagher
Ive made this time and time again. Simple and absolutely filling
Kristen Chidsey
It makes me so happy to hear you enjoy so much. Thanks for sharing Angela.
Jamie
Made this today and delicious... I used a 50/50 sausage and bacon. Easy and tasty. Will definitely make again! Thanks!!
Kristen Chidsey
Wonderful! So glad you enjoyed Jamie!
Tammy Bly
Can this recipe be made with egg whites instead of the whole eggs? We have some egg yolk allergies in my family.
Kristen Chidsey
Absolutely Tammy! I would suggest using 8-10 egg whites. And enjoy!
Kelly
Yes,of course, only add the egg whites and non-dairy based cheeses😉💪🙏
CKlop
My daughter is allergic to milk and eggs, but loves potatoes, sausage and bacon. Any substitutes I can use? Or just leave the allergens out?
Kristen Chidsey
Hi there. Allergies are tough! I would suggest pan frying the sausage and then tossing with oven roasted hash browns. That would be delicious.
Priscilla
Hello! Have you ever added veggies to this casserole too?
Kristen Chidsey
Hi Priscilla. I love adding veggies. I just recommend sautéing them first to rid them of excess water content that could water down the casserole. Enjoy
Jordan
My family absolutely loves this recipe and we make it all the time! I’m looking to switch things up for the holidays and want to add in some veggies. What veggies would you suggest and how should I incorporate them?
Kristen Chidsey
Hi Jordan! I am so glad your family enjoys so much! Personally, I love to saute onions, mushrooms, peppers, and spinach together to add to the casserole. You can saute with the sausage to keep it easy or saute in a separate pan. Just add the vegetables with the sausage and proceed with the recipe. And you can use any veggies you like, just saute first to rid them of some of their water content.
Charlotte
Do you think I could use frozen cauliflower hash browns instead of potato hash browns?
Kristen Chidsey
Hi Charlotte, I personally have not tried. My only concern is that there may be extra moisture, so I would crisp them up before assembling the casserole and then proceed with recipe. Enjoy!
Laura Skrezyna
I've been making this for a long time now
Been using different types of cheese I now use parmesan cheese (shredded in bag) that's the best cheese so far my family only wants that cheese I also mix hashbrowns,cheese, saugage all together then put in pan then pour egg mixture over it sometimes I'll sprinkle some cheese on top then bake mixing everything together is getting that even all together taste
Nancy
Can I make this 24 hrs ahead
Kristen Chidsey
Absolutely. Enjoy and Merry Christmas.
Barbara
This was great! Everyone liked it even our 5-year-old granddaughter. However, it was very filling, so half was leftover. My husband and I will finish it off over the next couple of days! I want to make this again but use two smaller dishes. Could I freeze this?
Kristen Chidsey
Hi Barbara! So glad you enjoyed! You can wrap slices in plastic wrap and then foil and then place into freezer safe bag and freeze for up to 2 months. Defrost in fridge, remove foil and wrap and reheat.
Barbara
If I switched to bacon, how much would I need?
Kristen Chidsey
Hi Barbara! I would use about 1/2 cup chopped cooked bacon.
Katie
This recipe is GREAT, thank you! I doubled it for a crowd this morning- any way that I can increase the temp some to reduce baking time a little?
Kristen Chidsey
Hi Katie! I would be a bit hesitant to change the temperature of the oven too much, as that could cause the top to brown too quickly. If you do increase the temperature, I would not go above 375 degrees.
CC
Hi there, can I use frozen store bought hash brown patties for this, and would the baking time need to be reduced?
Kristen Chidsey
Hi There! Yes, you can use frozen hashbrowns--I would simply cover the bottom of your baking dish with them still frozen. And the cook time may actually need to be increased by 10 minutes. I hope you enjoy!