Name: Cheddar Pepper Jack Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 1 h 20 min
Total time: 1 h 40 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 32-ounce bag frozen Tater Tots®, divided (DON'T THAW); 1 pound hot bulk pork sausage; 1 medium onion, diced; 1 red bell pepper, chopped; 1 green bell pepper, chopped; 3 cloves garlic, minced; 1 ½ cups freshly grated sharp cheddar cheese; 1 ½ cups freshly grated pepper Jack cheese; 8 large eggs; 2 cups half-and-half; 4 ounces diced green chilies; 1 teaspoon dried parsley; ½ teaspoon paprika; ½ teaspoon ground mustard; ½ teaspoon dried oregano; ½ teaspoon salt; ½ teaspoon pepper

There’s something irresistibly comforting about a casserole loaded with crispy tots, melty cheese, and savory sausage. This Cheddar Pepper Jack Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole Recipe is one of my all-time favorites — it’s like breakfast and comfort food had the perfect marriage. Let me tell you, once you try it, you’ll want it on your rotation for weekends or brunch gatherings.

This image shows a white rectangular baking dish filled with a layered casserole on a white marbled surface. The dish has a blue handle labeled

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Cheddar Pepper Jack Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Cheddar Pepper Jack Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Cheddar Pepper Jack Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

This Cheddar Pepper Jack Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole Recipe is the winning combo of crispy texture, creamy eggs, and gooey cheese wrapped up in one dish. It’s the kind of crowd-pleaser that feels homemade but impresses everyone.

Savory and Cheesy Goodness: The marriage of sharp cheddar and pepper jack cheeses really pumps up the flavor to a melt-in-your-mouth level.
Hands-Off Easy Prep: Most of the work happens just once, then your oven takes over — perfect for busy or leisurely mornings.
Flexible and Versatile: You can easily swap in your favorite veggies or meat to suit your tastes or what’s available in the fridge.
Feeds a Crowd Gracefully: Whether for holiday brunch or a casual get-together, this dish scales and serves 12 without any stress.

A white rectangular baking dish filled with a golden-brown tater tot casserole, cut into squares. The top layer is made of crispy, browned tater tots with melted yellow and white cheese sprinkled over them, and small flecks of green herbs scattered across. The inside layers show a mix of ground meat and creamy sauce peeking through the edges where one square is missing. The dish rests on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Every ingredient in this Cheddar Pepper Jack Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole Recipe plays a part in creating a texture and flavor harmony that makes it so crave-worthy. From the perfectly crispy tots to the robust cheeses and savory sausage, you’ll want to give special attention when shopping.

Flat lay of fresh whole pork sausage links, a medium yellow onion diced, one red bell pepper chopped, one green bell pepper chopped, three peeled garlic cloves minced, two small piles of freshly grated sharp cheddar cheese and pepper jack cheese, eight whole uncracked brown eggs, small white ceramic bowl of half-and-half, small white ceramic bowl with diced green chilies, small white ceramic bowl with mixed dried herbs and spices including parsley, paprika, ground mustard, oregano, salt, and pepper, and a pile of frozen golden tater tots, all arranged in perfect symmetry on a clean white ceramic plate and separate white ceramic bowls, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Frozen Tater Tots: Don’t thaw these! They crisp up beautifully in the oven while soaking up the egg mixture, giving you that signature crunch-soft combo.
Hot Bulk Pork Sausage: Adds a hearty, spicy backbone to the casserole — you can substitute turkey sausage for a lighter version, just add a pinch of cayenne for kick.
Onion and Bell Peppers: These veggies soften into sweet, tender bites that balance the savory meat.
Garlic: Just enough warmth and depth — be careful to sauté briefly so it doesn’t turn bitter.
Sharp Cheddar Cheese: Its tangy bite anchors the cheesy flavors and melts like a dream.
Pepper Jack Cheese: Adds creamy texture with a subtle spicy punch, making each bite exciting.
Eggs and Half-and-Half: The silky custard that holds everything together — half-and-half makes it rich without being too heavy.
Diced Green Chilies: A sneaky kick that perks up the casserole without overpowering.
Seasonings (Parsley, Paprika, Ground Mustard, Oregano, Salt, Pepper): Layered spices that build complex flavors without needing a ton of extra salt.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I love playing with this Cheddar Pepper Jack Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole Recipe, depending on what’s in my fridge or what mood I’m in. Feel free to get creative by swapping veggies, adding herbs, or switching up the cheese — I promise, it still turns out delicious.

Vegetarian Variation: Replace sausage with sautéed mushrooms and add extra bell peppers — works wonderfully and keeps all the tasty layers intact.
Cheese Swap: I’ve tried mozzarella or gouda instead of pepper jack for milder flavor — still melty and rich!
Spicy Kick: Sometimes I add a dash of smoked paprika or chipotle powder to kick the heat up a notch.
Make-It-Ahead: Assemble the casserole the night before, refrigerate, then add the remaining frozen tots right before baking for a morning-saving hack.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Cheddar Pepper Jack Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole Recipe

Step 1: Brown the Sausage and Sauté Veggies

Start by heating your skillet over medium-high and tossing in the sausage, diced onion, and chopped bell peppers. I like to crumble the sausage as I cook so it cooks through evenly and browns up nicely. When the onions soften—around 5 minutes—add the garlic and sauté just 30 seconds to release that fragrant aroma without burning it. Drain the excess grease to keep the casserole from getting greasy, then transfer the mixture into your prepared baking dish to cool slightly.

Step 2: Whisk Together the Egg Mixture

In a large bowl or measuring cup, whisk together the eggs, half-and-half, diced green chilies, and all your seasonings — parsley, paprika, ground mustard, oregano, salt, and pepper. Take a moment here to really whisk it well until smooth and combined; this helps create that custardy, luscious texture in the casserole. Set it aside while you prepare the rest.

Step 3: Layer The Casserole

Time to build your masterpiece. Add half of the frozen tater tots (no thawing, remember!) to the sausage mixture in the baking dish. Sprinkle half of each cheese — cheddar and pepper jack — over the top, then gently stir to blend everything together evenly. Spread this into an even layer to make sure each bite gets a little bit of everything.

Step 4: Pour the Egg Mixture and Top

Pour your smooth egg mixture right over the layered filling — you’ll notice it nestles beautifully around the tots and sausage. Now sprinkle the remaining frozen tater tots evenly on top. This layering lets the tots on top get crispy while everything underneath remains soft and melty.

Step 5: Bake and Melt That Cheese

Bake uncovered at 350°F for 70 to 80 minutes. You’re looking for the eggs to be fully set but still creamy, and for the tots on top to be golden and crispy. When it’s done, take it out and sprinkle the rest of the cheese on top, then return it to the oven for another 5 to 10 minutes to melt that glorious cheese layer. Don’t skip this step — it’s worth the wait.

Step 6: Garnish and Serve

Once out of the oven, I love to sprinkle chopped chives or green onions for a fresh, vibrant finish that adds a subtle bite to each forkful. Now, grab a big spoon and dig in!

Top Tip

Making this Cheddar Pepper Jack Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole Recipe several times taught me that a few small tweaks make a big difference. Here are the insights that helped me nail it every time:

Don’t Thaw the Tater Tots: Keeping the tots frozen until baking means you get crispy edges and a soft interior. It’s tempting to thaw, but trust me, it's worth the wait.
Drain the Sausage Grease Thoroughly: I once skipped this step and the casserole got unusually greasy — draining makes your dish perfectly balanced.
Freshly Grate Your Cheese: Packaged shredded cheese often has anti-clumping agents that stop it from melting well; fresh cheese melts smoother and tastes fresher.
Use a Whisk for the Egg Mixture: Whisking breaks up any clumps and incorporates air, leading to a fluffier custard texture.

How to Serve Cheddar Pepper Jack Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole Recipe

cheddar pepper jack casserole - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

My go-to garnishes are freshly chopped chives or green onions. They add that perfect pop of color and fresh savoriness that contrasts with the creamy richness of the casserole. Sometimes I’ll even add a dollop of sour cream or a drizzle of hot sauce if we’re feeling daring!

Side Dishes

I often pair this casserole with a light side salad of mixed greens or some crispy bacon strips for extra indulgence. Fresh fruit or a simple fruit salad is also a bright counterpoint that keeps the meal balanced.

Creative Ways to Present

For special brunches, I like serving this casserole in individual ramekins or muffin tins for perfectly portioned, crisp-edged servings. It looks charming and helps everyone grab-and-go, perfect for casual gatherings or potluck style meals.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

After it cools, cover the casserole tightly with foil or transfer it to an airtight container and refrigerate. I’ve found it stays delicious for up to 5 days — perfect for reheating those quick breakfasts or snacks during the week.

Freezing

I have frozen portions of this casserole successfully by wrapping them tightly in plastic wrap and foil before popping into a freezer bag. Just thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating. The texture holds up quite well, which is a total win for a cheesy breakfast bake!

Reheating

For individual servings, I cut slices in half and microwave for about a minute until warmed through—this prevents uneven heating. If reheating the whole dish, cover with foil and bake at 325°F for around 20 minutes or until hot, depending on the portion size left.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use turkey sausage instead of pork?

Absolutely! Turkey sausage works great as a lighter alternative. I recommend adding a pinch of cayenne pepper and a bit of beef bouillon to boost the flavor since turkey is milder.

Should I thaw the tater tots before baking?

Nope, keep them frozen. Thawed tots tend to get soggy; frozen ones bake up nicely with crisp edges while staying soft inside.

Can I prepare this casserole ahead of time?

Yes! You can assemble everything except the top layer of frozen tots the night before. Cover it tightly, refrigerate up to 24 hours, then add the remaining tots right before baking. It’s perfect for busy mornings.

Can I swap the pepper jack cheese?

Definitely. Cheeses like mozzarella, Gruyere, Swiss, Monterey Jack, Colby Jack, Fontina, or Gouda are excellent melters and can be used in place of pepper jack depending on your preference.

Final Thoughts

This Cheddar Pepper Jack Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole Recipe holds a special place in my recipe box — it’s that dependable, crowd-pleasing dish that makes mornings feel a little brighter and more indulgent. Whether you’re feeding a family, prepping ahead for busy weekdays, or sharing with friends, it’s a recipe that brings everyone together over warm, cheesy goodness. Give it a try and let me know how you customize yours — I bet you’ll love it as much as I do!