Description
This Crack Breakfast Casserole is a hearty and flavorful morning meal featuring layers of savory breakfast sausage, crispy bacon, shredded hash browns, cheddar cheese, and a seasoned egg mixture. Baked to golden perfection, it’s perfect for brunch gatherings or a satisfying family breakfast.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat
- 1 pound breakfast sausage
- 8 slices of bacon, cooked and crumbled
Vegetables and Cheese
- 2 cups frozen shredded hash browns
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/4 cup chopped green onions
Egg Mixture
- 6 large eggs
- 1 cup milk
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Dish: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Cook the Sausage: In a skillet over medium heat, cook the breakfast sausage until it is browned and fully cooked through. Drain any excess fat to keep the casserole from becoming greasy.
- Layer Sausage: Evenly spread the cooked sausage across the bottom of the prepared baking dish, creating the base layer for the casserole.
- Add Bacon: Sprinkle the crumbled cooked bacon evenly over the sausage layer for added crunch and flavor.
- Layer Hash Browns and Cheese: Evenly distribute the frozen shredded hash browns over the meat layers, followed by an even sprinkling of shredded cheddar cheese.
- Mix Egg Mixture: In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika until fully blended and smooth.
- Pour Egg Mixture: Pour the seasoned egg mixture evenly over the layered ingredients in the baking dish, ensuring it seeps into all layers.
- Add Green Onions: Sprinkle the chopped green onions evenly over the top of the casserole for a fresh, mild onion flavor and a pop of color.
- Initial Bake Covered: Cover the casserole dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes to allow the eggs to set and flavors to meld.
- Bake Uncovered: Remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 15 to 20 minutes, or until the eggs are fully set, and the cheese is bubbly and golden brown on top.
- Cool and Serve: Let the casserole cool for about 5 minutes before slicing and serving to allow it to firm up slightly for easier serving.
Notes
- This casserole can be prepared the night before, covered, and refrigerated to bake fresh in the morning.
- For a spicier variation, add diced jalapeños or a pinch of cayenne pepper to the egg mixture.
- Use turkey sausage and reduced-fat cheese for a lighter version of this dish.
- Make sure to drain excess fat from the cooked sausage to avoid a greasy casserole.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.
