Description
This Southwest Breakfast Casserole is a hearty and flavorful morning dish featuring spicy chorizo, tender potatoes, melted Colby Jack cheese, and a seasoned egg mixture. Perfect for a satisfying breakfast or brunch, it combines classic Southwestern spices with comforting ingredients baked to golden perfection.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Vegetables
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 lb chorizo
- 1 (28 oz) bag frozen potatoes O'Brien (with peppers and onion)
- 1 (4 oz) can diced green chiles, drained
Egg Mixture
- 10 eggs
- 1 1/3 cups milk
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Cheese and Garnish
- 2 1/2 cups Colby Jack cheese, grated
- Cilantro or parsley, finely chopped, for serving (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Dish: Preheat the oven to 350°F and grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with nonstick spray to prevent sticking.
- Cook Chorizo: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add chorizo and cook while breaking it apart with a spatula until fully cooked and slightly crispy, about 7-8 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.
- Mix Egg Mixture: In a large bowl or liquid measuring cup, whisk together eggs, milk, chili powder, oregano, salt, and black pepper until fully combined. Stir in the drained diced green chiles and set aside.
- Assemble Casserole: Spread the frozen potatoes evenly in the prepared baking dish. Layer the cooked chorizo over the potatoes, then sprinkle 1 1/2 cups of the grated Colby Jack cheese evenly on top.
- Pour Egg Mixture: Carefully pour the egg mixture over the layered ingredients, spreading gently as needed to ensure even coverage.
- Add Remaining Cheese and Bake: Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of cheese over the top. Bake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes until the cheese is melted and the egg is set.
- Rest and Serve: Allow the casserole to rest for 5 minutes before slicing. Garnish with chopped cilantro or parsley if desired and serve warm. Enjoy your flavorful Southwest breakfast!
Notes
- Use full-fat milk for a richer flavor, or substitute with a milk alternative if desired.
- If chorizo is not available, spicy sausage can be used as a substitute.
- For extra heat, add diced jalapeños or a pinch of cayenne pepper to the egg mixture.
- Letting the casserole rest after baking helps it set and makes slicing easier.
- Can be made ahead and refrigerated overnight, then baked in the morning; add a few extra minutes to the baking time if baking from cold.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 430 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 850 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 320 mg
