Description
A hearty and flavorful brunch casserole featuring spicy pork sausage, melted cheese, and tender hash brown potatoes baked to perfection. Perfect for a weekend brunch or a special breakfast gathering.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 11 oz frozen hash brown potatoes, thawed
- 1 1/2 lbs bulk spicy pork sausage or breakfast sausage
- 2 medium red bell peppers, chopped
- 7 medium green onions, chopped
- 2 cups shredded cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese, divided
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 6 eggs, beaten
Instructions
- Preheat and cook sausage: Preheat oven to 375˚F. Add sausage to a skillet over medium heat. Cook for 4 minutes, then add chopped red bell peppers. Cook for an additional 4 minutes or until sausage is browned and peppers are softened.
- Combine with potatoes: Remove skillet from heat. In a 9”x13” baking dish, combine cooked sausage and peppers with thawed hash brown potatoes. Stir in 1 cup of shredded cheese.
- Prepare egg mixture: In a bowl, whisk together whole milk, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and beaten eggs until the mixture is uniform in color. Stir in chopped green onions.
- Assemble casserole: Pour the egg mixture evenly over the potato and sausage mixture in the baking dish. Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of shredded cheese on top.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 50 minutes or until the cheese is melted and the eggs are fully cooked (a knife inserted should come out clean).
- Optional advance assembly: The casserole can be assembled the night before, covered, and refrigerated. Bake it the next day for a convenient brunch option.
Notes
- Substitute turkey sausage for a leaner option.
- Use low-fat or lactose-free milk to reduce fat or accommodate lactose sensitivity.
- To make it vegetarian, replace sausage with a plant-based sausage alternative or sautéed mushrooms and vegetables.
- Ensure hash browns are fully thawed to avoid excess water in the casserole.
- Allow casserole to rest 5-10 minutes after baking before serving to set.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/10 of casserole)
- Calories: 380 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 18 g
- Cholesterol: 210 mg
