Sausage Hash Brown Breakfast Casserole Recipe

Breakfast sausage: Adds a savory and slightly spicy flavor to the casserole.

Frozen hash browns: Provides a crispy and hearty base for the dish.

Shredded cheddar cheese: Melts beautifully and adds a rich, cheesy taste.

Eggs: Helps to bind the ingredients together and adds protein.

Milk: Creates a creamy texture and helps to blend the flavors.

Salt: Enhances the overall flavor of the dish.

Black pepper: Adds a touch of heat and depth to the flavor.

When cooking the sausage, make sure to break it up into small, even pieces as it browns. This ensures that the sausage is evenly distributed throughout the casserole, giving each bite a balanced flavor. Additionally, consider using a mix of cheddar cheese and another type of cheese, such as Monterey Jack or pepper jack, to add a layer of complexity to the dish. When whisking the eggs and milk, make sure they are fully combined and slightly frothy; this will help the casserole set more evenly and create a light, fluffy texture.

• breakfast sausage - Substitute with ground turkey: Ground turkey is a leaner option and can be seasoned to mimic the flavors of breakfast sausage.

• breakfast sausage - Substitute with vegetarian sausage: For a vegetarian option, use plant-based sausage which provides a similar texture and flavor.

• frozen hash browns - Substitute with freshly grated potatoes: Freshly grated potatoes can be used if you prefer a fresher taste and texture.

• frozen hash browns - Substitute with sweet potatoes: Sweet potatoes add a different flavor profile and are a healthier alternative.

• shredded cheddar cheese - Substitute with shredded mozzarella: Mozzarella provides a milder flavor and a gooey texture.

• shredded cheddar cheese - Substitute with shredded Swiss cheese: Swiss cheese offers a nutty flavor that complements the other ingredients.

• large eggs - Substitute with egg substitute: For a lower cholesterol option, use an egg substitute which mimics the texture and binding properties of eggs.

• large eggs - Substitute with flaxseed meal and water mixture: Combine 1 tablespoon of flaxseed meal with 3 tablespoons of water per egg for a vegan alternative.

• milk - Substitute with almond milk: Almond milk is a dairy-free option that works well in casseroles.

• milk - Substitute with oat milk: Oat milk provides a creamy texture and is a good alternative for those with nut allergies.

• salt - Substitute with soy sauce: Soy sauce adds a salty flavor along with umami notes.

• salt - Substitute with sea salt: Sea salt can be used as a direct replacement and may offer a slightly different mineral content.

• black pepper - Substitute with white pepper: White pepper provides a similar heat but with a slightly different flavor profile.

• black pepper - Substitute with cayenne pepper: Cayenne pepper adds a bit more heat and a different flavor dimension.

• Allow the casserole to cool completely before storing. This helps prevent condensation, which can make the dish soggy.
• For short-term storage, cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil or plastic wrap and place it in the refrigerator. It will stay fresh for up to 3-4 days.
• If you prefer individual servings, cut the casserole into portions and store them in airtight containers. This makes reheating easier and quicker.
• To freeze, first ensure the casserole is completely cooled. Wrap the entire dish tightly in plastic wrap, followed by a layer of aluminum foil to prevent freezer burn.
• For individual frozen servings, cut the casserole into portions and wrap each piece in plastic wrap before placing them in a freezer-safe bag or container.
• Label the casserole with the date it was made to keep track of its freshness. It can be stored in the freezer for up to 2-3 months.
• When ready to enjoy, thaw the casserole in the refrigerator overnight. This ensures even reheating.
• Reheat the casserole in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 20-25 minutes, or until heated through. For individual portions, microwave on high for 2-3 minutes, checking and stirring halfway through.
• To maintain the casserole's texture, avoid reheating multiple times. Only reheat the amount you plan to consume immediately.

• Oven Method:

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Place the leftover sausage hash brown breakfast casserole in an oven-safe dish.
  3. Cover the dish with aluminum foil to prevent it from drying out.
  4. Heat for about 20-25 minutes, or until the casserole is warmed through and the cheese is melted.

• Microwave Method:

  1. Place a portion of the casserole on a microwave-safe plate.
  2. Cover with a microwave-safe lid or a damp paper towel to retain moisture.
  3. Heat on medium power for 2-3 minutes, checking halfway through to ensure even heating.
  4. If needed, continue heating in 30-second intervals until hot.

• Stovetop Method:

  1. Heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat.
  2. Add a small amount of butter or olive oil to the skillet.
  3. Place the leftover casserole in the skillet, breaking it up slightly to ensure even heating.
  4. Cook for about 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the casserole is heated through and has a slight crisp.

• Air Fryer Method:

  1. Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Place the leftover casserole in the air fryer basket in a single layer.
  3. Heat for about 5-7 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through to ensure even heating.
  4. Check to ensure the casserole is heated through and the hash browns are crispy.

• Toaster Oven Method:

  1. Preheat your toaster oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Place the leftover casserole on a toaster oven tray.
  3. Cover with aluminum foil to prevent drying out.
  4. Heat for about 15-20 minutes, or until the casserole is warmed through and the cheese is melted.

• Oven: Used to bake the casserole at a consistent temperature of 350°F (175°C) until it is golden and set.

• Skillet: Utilized to cook the sausage over medium heat until it is browned.

• Mixing bowl: A large bowl is needed to mix the hash browns, cooked sausage, and cheese together.

• Whisk: Essential for whisking the eggs, milk, salt, and pepper until well combined.

• Baking dish: A greased 9x13 inch baking dish is required to transfer the combined mixture for baking.

• Spatula: Handy for stirring the egg mixture into the hash brown mixture and ensuring everything is well combined.

• Measuring cups: Used to measure out the milk and shredded cheddar cheese accurately.

• Measuring spoons: Necessary for measuring the salt and black pepper precisely.

Use pre-cooked sausage: Save time by using pre-cooked sausage instead of raw. Just chop and mix it in.

Thaw hash browns: Thaw frozen hash browns overnight in the fridge to reduce cooking time.

Pre-shredded cheese: Opt for pre-shredded cheese to skip the grating step.

Mix ahead: Combine hash browns, sausage, and cheese the night before and store in the fridge.

Use a blender: Blend eggs, milk, salt, and pepper in a blender for a quick mix.