The Ultimate No Fuss Cheesy Hashbrown Breakfast Casserole

Cheesy Hashbrown Breakfast Bake

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Preparation time:20 Mins

Cooking time:60 Mins

Servings:8 servings

Ingredients:

• 2 lbs frozen shredded hashbrowns, thawed and squeezed dry
• 1 lb breakfast sausage or bacon, cooked, drained, and crumbled
• 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
• 1 cup Monterey Jack or Colby cheese, shredded
• 12 large eggs, lightly whisked
• 1 ½ cups whole milk
• 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of chicken soup
• ½ cup full-fat sour cream
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ medium yellow onion, finely diced
• 1 tablespoon dried chives (for garnish)

Instructions:

• Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Thoroughly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.
• Cook the sausage or bacon in a skillet until done. Drain excess fat. Sauté the diced onion in a tablespoon of the rendered fat until softened (about 5 minutes). Set aside to cool slightly.
• In a large bowl, combine the dried hashbrowns, half of the shredded cheddar cheese, and the cooked meat/onion mixture. Mix well.
• Spread the hashbrown mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish, pressing down firmly with the back of a spatula to create a compact layer.
• In the same large bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, cream of soup, sour cream, salt, pepper, and garlic powder until completely smooth.
• Gently fold in the remaining cheese (reserving a small handful for the very top) into the custard mixture. Slowly pour the entire custard evenly over the hashbrown base in the baking dish.
• Bake for 40 minutes. The custard should look mostly set around the edges.
• Sprinkle the reserved cheese over the top. Return to the oven and bake for an additional 10–15 minutes, or until the center is fully set and the top is golden brown and bubbly.
• Let the casserole rest on a wire rack for 10 minutes before slicing and serving. Garnish with chives, if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Calories:618 kcal

Protein:18.8 g

Fat:17.5 g

Carbs:31.1 g

Fiber:8.3 g

Sugar:0.0 g

Sodium:526 mg

Recipe Info

Category:Breakfast, Brunch, Casserole

Cuisine:American

The Ultimate 'No Fuss' Cheesy Hashbrown Breakfast Casserole: Brunch Elevated

Forget those fiddly pastries; this casserole is the quintessential crowd-pleaser! Inspired by hearty American diner breakfasts but streamlined for the home cook, this bake layers crispy, golden hashbrowns with a rich, creamy custard packed with sharp cheddar and savory sausage or bacon. This Cheesy Hashbrown Breakfast Casserole is not just a dish; it’s a morning event. It emerges from the oven bubbly, deeply flavourful, and guaranteed to silence even the grumpiest morning riser, making it the centerpiece of any perfect brunch spread.

Why This Casserole Reigns Supreme Over Morning Meals

This recipe is a true culinary workhorse. It manages to be both incredibly easy to assemble—relying heavily on pre-shredded staples—and deeply satisfying, which puts it head and shoulders above simpler scrambled eggs or toast routines.

Solving the 'What's for Breakfast?' Dilemma

When faced with feeding a crowd, or simply needing a hearty start to the day that doesn't involve standing over a stove flipping pancakes, the Hashbrown Breakfast Casserole saves the day. Its difficulty level is decidedly easy, requiring mostly mixing and layering. This simplicity makes it an ideal candidate for an Overnight Breakfast Casserole prep session, allowing you to wake up to a ready-to-bake delight. It consistently transforms chaotic mornings into effortless, gourmet-feeling affairs.

The Comfort Factor: A Deep Dive into Golden, Crispy Layers

What truly sets this bake apart is the textural contrast. The bottom layer, composed of thawed and properly drained hashbrowns, crisps up beautifully against the hot sides of the baking dish, forming a satisfying, almost potato-chip-like crust. This crispness provides the perfect foil to the rich, savory custard nestled above it. When you cut into a square of this Cheesy Hashbrown Egg Casserole , you get that satisfying resistance from the base, followed by the soft, creamy interior saturated with sharp cheddar and your choice of protein.

Essential Prep: Tools Needed for Flawless Assembly

To achieve this textural perfection in your 9x13 inch baking dish, you’ll want to have your equipment staged upfront. Beyond the dish itself, you’ll need a large mixing bowl for the custard, a skillet for rendering your protein and sautéing any aromatics, and a sturdy whisk to ensure the egg mixture is homogenous. Having these tools ready streamlines the mere 20 minutes of active prep time required for this magnificent bake.

Stocking Up: Precisely What You Need for This Cheesy Hashbrown Breakfast Casserole

To craft this masterpiece, which serves 8 hungry people, we rely on a strategic mix of dairy, potato, and savory flavor bombs. We require 2 lbs of frozen shredded hashbrowns, which must be thawed completely before use. For the protein element, 1 lb of cooked and crumbled breakfast sausage or bacon is specified—though this can easily be tailored to your preference. The heart of the dish, however, lies in the cheesy custard.

The Dairy Matrix: Selecting the Perfect Cheeses

We are utilizing a dual-cheese approach for optimal melt and tang. You’ll need 2 cups of sharp cheddar cheese for that quintessential flavour punch, complemented by 1 cup of Monterey Jack or Colby cheese. These softer melting cheeses ensure the casserole remains creamy, preventing the cheddar from becoming too oily or stiff upon baking. Remember, for the best outcome in this Cheesy Hashbrown Casserole , shredding your own cheese from blocks is highly recommended over pre-packaged options.

Hashbrown Handling: Frozen vs. Fresh Prep Notes

While this recipe is designed for convenience using frozen shredded hashbrowns, their preparation is non-negotiable. They must be thawed and, critically, squeezed until nearly dry. Use a clean tea towel or layers of paper towels; extracting that excess moisture is the secret weapon against a dreaded soggy base in your Hashbrown Breakfast Casserole .

Binder Breakdown: Achieving the Ideal Custard Consistency

The binder that holds this incredible Cheesy Hash Brown Egg Casserole with Bacon (or sausage) together is a rich blend of 12 large eggs and 1 1/2 cups of whole milk. The real game-changer, though, is the addition of a 10.5 oz can of Cream of Chicken Soup and 1/2 cup of full-fat sour cream. These ingredients lend an unparalleled richness and creaminess to the final texture, far surpassing what milk and eggs alone could achieve.

Optional Flavor Boosters and Spice Adjustments

To give the custard depth, we incorporate 1 teaspoon of salt, 1/2 teaspoon of freshly cracked black pepper, and 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder. If you opt to use sausage or bacon, make sure to sauté half a medium yellow onion in a tablespoon of the rendered fat until soft before mixing it into the hashbrown base for an extra layer of savory aroma.

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Step-by-Step Assembly: Crafting Your Cheesy Hashbrown Masterpiece

With ingredients prepped, assembly moves quickly. Preheat your oven to 375° F ( 190° C) and thoroughly grease your 9x13 inch dish.

Prepping the Base: Pressing the Perfect Hashbrown Layer

In a large bowl, combine the dried hashbrowns, half of your shredded cheddar, and the cooked, crumbled protein (whether you choose Cheesy Hashbrown Breakfast Casserole with Ham or bacon). Mix until evenly distributed. Then, transfer this mixture to the prepared dish. Use the back of a spatula or measuring cup to press this mixture down firmly and evenly across the bottom. A dense, compressed base is essential for achieving that desirable texture contrast.

Mixing the Savory Custard: Integrating Eggs and Seasonings

Without washing that first large bowl, proceed to create the custard. Whisk the 12 eggs lightly, then incorporate the milk, cream of soup, sour cream, and all seasonings (salt, pepper, garlic powder). Whisk until the mixture is perfectly smooth, ensuring no streaks of yolk or soup remain visible.

Layering Strategy: Ensuring Even Cheese Distribution

Gently fold the remaining cheese into the custard mixture—remembering to reserve a small handful for the final sprinkle. Slowly pour this luxurious liquid evenly over the packed hashbrown base. Every corner of the potato layer should receive the custard.

Crucial Resting Period: Why Patience Pays Off Post-Bake

While the baking phase requires attention, the resting period afterward is just as important. After baking until fully set and golden brown (we’ll detail timing next), allow the Brunch Casserole to rest on a wire rack for a full 10 minutes. This crucial pause lets the internal structure stabilize, ensuring that when you slice it, you get clean, defined squares rather than a messy, collapsing portion.

Baking Dynamics: Oven Temperatures and Timing Mastery

Getting the heat right is the final determinant of success for this dish. We aim for a temperature that sets the custard slowly while crisping the edges of the potato base.

The initial bake requires 50– 60 minutes total cooking time. Start by baking at 375° F ( 190° C) for 40 minutes. At this point, the edges should be firm, but the centre might still look slightly moist. Sprinkle that reserved handful of cheese over the top for the final 10– 15 minutes of baking. The casserole is done when the centre no longer jiggles when lightly nudged, and the top is gloriously golden brown and bubbly.

Beyond Brunch: Storage, Reheating, and Meal Prep Strategies

One of the greatest assets of this robust Cheesy Hashbrown Breakfast Casserole Recipe is its adaptability for advance preparation.

Make-Ahead Magic: Preparing the Casserole Overnight

To truly leverage this as an Overnight Breakfast Casserole , complete all steps up to pouring the custard over the hashbrown base. Cover the entire dish tightly with plastic wrap (ensure the wrap doesn't touch the surface if possible) and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. When ready to bake, remove the plastic wrap, add the top layer of cheese, and add 10– 15 minutes to the initial bake time to account for the cold temperature, ensuring it reaches the proper internal temperature of 160° F ( 71° C).

Calculating the Macros: Nutrition Insights for the Cheesy Hashbrown Breakfast Casserole

While this is undeniably a rich dish—estimated at 450–500 calories per serving—it is also packed with protein, thanks to the 12 eggs and sausage/bacon content. This dense calorie profile means a single slice provides sustained energy, making it perfect for fueling long holiday mornings or substantial weekend gatherings.

Protein Swaps: Integrating Sausage, Bacon, or Veggie Alternatives

Feel free to customize the protein. If using ground sausage, ensure you drain off all excess fat before mixing it in. If you prefer a lighter touch, swap the meat entirely for sautéed mushrooms and peppers, or incorporate cooked, crumbled Canadian bacon for a less fatty option in your Cheesy Hash Brown Egg Casserole with Bacon variant.

Troubleshooting Common Casserole Pitfalls (Soggy Bottoms Beware!)

The primary foe of any great breakfast bake is the soggy bottom. If your base turns out wet, it is almost always due to insufficient moisture removal from the hashbrowns. If you find yourself worried, you can pre-bake the hashbrown layer on its own for 15 minutes before adding the custard; this sets the starches and guarantees crispness for your Cheesy Hashbrown Breakfast Casserole . For a truly unique textural alternative, consider attempting this as a Crock Pot Breakfast Casserole , remembering to line the insert with parchment paper for easier serving and to promote better browning around the edges.