Joyful breakfast casserole: 1 simple bake

You know, for years the kitchen felt like this intimidating place to me. My corporate job had me completely drained, and cooking felt like one more thing to *do*. I honestly believed I wasn’t a “kitchen person.” But then I learned to bake bread, and that moment of pulling a warm loaf out of the oven? Pure joy! It sparked this whole new passion. That’s why I started Pure Cooking Joy – to show everyone that delicious food, like this amazing breakfast casserole, doesn’t have to be complicated. This recipe is the perfect example of finding happiness in simple steps, something I call ‘dump-and-bake’ simplicity. It’s so approachable for all skill levels, and trust me, it’s a total crowd pleaser that’s built for stress-free make ahead brunch days and even those special holiday breakfast moments. It’s truly a labor of love, made easy.

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Why You’ll Love This Breakfast Casserole

Seriously, this recipe is a game-changer for hectic mornings. It’s ridiculously easy and tastes absolutely amazing. Plus, it’s designed to feed a whole bunch of people, so you’re covered whether it’s a mellow Sunday morning or a festive holiday breakfast.

Dump-and-Bake Simplicity

When I say “dump-and-bake,” I mean it! You literally just layer all the goodies in the pan and pour the egg mixture over. No fancy techniques, no separate bowls for dry and wet (well, just one for the eggs!), just pure, simple assembly. It’s my kind of cooking!

Perfect for Make Ahead Brunch

This is where the magic really happens. You can totally prep this entire breakfast casserole the night before. Just assemble everything, cover it up, and pop it in the fridge. Then, in the morning, it’s a quick bake and you’ve got a warm, delicious make ahead brunch ready to go without any last-minute stress!

A True Crowd Pleaser

Oh, this dish disappears fast! The combo of savory sausage, fluffy eggs, creamy cheese, and perfectly browned hash browns is just irresistible. It’s the kind of sausage egg casserole that gets rave reviews and requests for the recipe every single time. Definitely a winner for family gatherings or when you have guests over!

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Gather Your Ingredients for This Breakfast Casserole

So, let’s get down to what you’ll need for this flavor-packed, stress-free breakfast casserole. It’s all about simple stuff you probably already have or can grab easily at the store:

• 1 pound breakfast sausage, cooked and crumbled
• 1 bag (20-30 ounces) frozen shredded hash browns, thawed
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1/2 cup chopped onion (optional, but I love it!)
• 1/2 cup chopped bell pepper (optional, any color works!)
• 6 large eggs
• 1 cup milk
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Ingredient Notes and Substitutions

A few little pointers here! Make sure those hash browns are totally thawed out – nobody wants a watery casserole, right? If you’re steering clear of sausage, no worries at all. You can totally swap it for more veggies! Mushrooms, fresh spinach, or even some chopped broccoli would be fantastic additions to this make ahead brunch star. And cheese? Feel free to mix up the cheddar with some Monterey Jack or pepper jack for a little kick!

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How to Prepare Your Overnight Breakfast Bake

Alright, get ready for the easiest part! This is where the “dump-and-bake” magic really happens for our breakfast casserole. It’s so straightforward, you’ll wonder why you ever stressed about brunch before. Just follow these simple steps, and you’ll have a delicious, make-ahead meal ready to go.

Assembling the Overnight Breakfast Bake

First things first, grab your 9×13 inch baking dish. You’ll want to grease it up really well – a little cooking spray or butter does the trick. Then, just start layering! Spread out your cooked sausage (or veggies, if you went that route), then toss in those thawed hash browns, the cheesy goodness, and any onions or peppers you’re using. Now, in a separate bowl, whisk up those eggs, milk, salt, and pepper until they’re nice and combined. Pour that eggy mixture evenly all over everything in the pan. See? So easy! Cover it tightly with plastic wrap and pop it in the fridge overnight. That’s it for assembly!

Baking Your Sausage Egg Casserole to Perfection

Morning comes, no sweat! Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Take that plastic wrap off the casserole – it’s ready for its close-up. Slide it into the hot oven and let it bake for about 40 to 50 minutes. You’ll know it’s done when the center looks set, not jiggly, and the top is beautifully golden brown. A little knife inserted in the middle should come out mostly clean. Let it rest for about five minutes before you slice into it. Trust me, the smell alone is worth the wait!

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Tips for a Perfect Hash Brown Casserole

You want this hash brown casserole to be just right, don’t you? It’s all about a few little tricks that make a big difference. Getting the texture perfect and ensuring everything cooks evenly is key to making this a true winner, whether it’s for a casual breakfast or a fancy brunch.

Ensuring Thawed Hash Browns

Seriously, don’t skip this! Make sure your frozen hash browns are completely thawed. I usually pull them out the night before and just let them hang out in the fridge. If you’re in a pinch, you can pop them in a colander and rinse them under cold water, then drain them really well. We don’t want any icy bits messing with our bake!

Achieving Crispier Hash Browns

Want those little hash brown bits on top to have a nice, crispy edge? Here’s my secret: after you’ve assembled everything and poured over the egg mixture, just pull out those hash browns that are peeking through on top and give them a little quick sauté in a separate pan with a touch of butter or oil! Just a minute or two until they get a little color. Then, tuck them back into the casserole before baking. It adds such a lovely texture contrast!

Serving Suggestions for Your Breakfast Casserole

Now that you’ve got this fantastic breakfast casserole ready to go, what else makes the perfect brunch spread? I love to pair it with some fresh fruit salad – the bright, juicy flavors are a great contrast to the savory casserole. A big bowl of berries or some melon slices always hits the spot! And for drinks? A carafe of coffee is a must, of course, but a mimosa or some fresh-squeezed orange juice would be lovely too!

Storing and Reheating Your Make Ahead Brunch

Got leftovers? Lucky you! This breakfast casserole is just as delicious the next day. Once it’s cooled down a bit, just pop any extra into an airtight container in the fridge. It’ll keep nicely for about 3-4 days. If you want to freeze it for later – yes, you totally can! Just make sure it’s cooled completely, then wrap it up super tight. You can freeze the whole thing or individual portions for up to 3 months. Just remember to thaw it overnight in the fridge before you plan to reheat it. It makes those busy mornings feel like a breeze!

Frequently Asked Questions about this Breakfast Casserole

Nutritional Information for this Sausage Egg Casserole

Just a friendly heads-up! While this sausage egg casserole is incredibly delicious and easy, the nutritional details can vary a bit depending on the exact brands and ingredients you use. Think of this as a general guide – the real magic is in the flavor and how it brings everyone together!

Easy Sausage and Hash Brown Breakfast Casserole

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A simple dump-and-bake breakfast casserole perfect for feeding a crowd, with options for sausage or vegetables. Assemble it the night before for a stress-free morning.

• Author: purejoyalex
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 45 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour 0 minutes
• Yield: 8 servings 1x
• Category: Breakfast
• Method: Bake
• Cuisine: American
• Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

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• 1 pound breakfast sausage, cooked and crumbled
• 1 bag (20-30 ounces) frozen shredded hash browns, thawed
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1/2 cup chopped onion (optional)
• 1/2 cup chopped bell pepper (optional)
• 6 large eggs
• 1 cup milk
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

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Instructions

1. Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
2. Spread the cooked sausage, thawed hash browns, cheese, onion, and bell pepper (if using) evenly in the prepared baking dish.
3. In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, salt, and pepper.
4. Pour the egg mixture evenly over the ingredients in the baking dish.
5. Cover the dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight, or for at least 4 hours.
6. When ready to bake, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
7. Remove the plastic wrap and bake for 40-50 minutes, or until the casserole is set and lightly golden brown.
8. Let stand for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

• For a vegetarian option, omit the sausage and add more vegetables like mushrooms, spinach, or broccoli.
• You can freeze the assembled casserole (before baking) for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before baking.
• Ensure hash browns are completely thawed to prevent a watery casserole.
• For crispier hash browns, you can lightly toast them before adding to the casserole.

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 serving
• Calories: 350
• Sugar: 4g
• Sodium: 700mg
• Fat: 22g
• Saturated Fat: 8g
• Unsaturated Fat: 14g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 18g
• Fiber: 1g
• Protein: 18g
• Cholesterol: 200mg