Description
A hearty and comforting breakfast casserole featuring savory sausage, creamy melted cream cheese, fluffy eggs, and crispy hashbrowns, all baked to golden perfection and topped with cheddar cheese. Perfect for a make-ahead breakfast that serves a crowd with rich flavors and satisfying texture.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Dairy
- 1 pound breakfast sausage (pork or turkey)
- 1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened
- 6 large eggs
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
Vegetables and Seasonings
- 3 cups frozen shredded hashbrowns, thawed
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Other
- Nonstick spray or butter for greasing pan
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare pan: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick spray or butter to prevent sticking.
- Cook the sausage: In a skillet over medium heat, cook the sausage until browned and fully cooked, breaking it into crumbles as it cooks. Once done, drain any excess fat to remove grease.
- Melt cream cheese with sausage: Lower the heat to low and add the softened cream cheese to the cooked sausage. Stir continuously until the cream cheese is fully melted and combined, creating a creamy sausage mixture. Remove from heat and set aside.
- Mix eggs and seasonings: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper until smooth and well combined.
- Add hashbrowns and cheese: Stir the thawed hashbrowns and 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese into the egg mixture, folding gently to mix evenly.
- Combine sausage mixture: Fold the creamy sausage and melted cream cheese mixture into the hashbrown and egg mixture until all ingredients are evenly combined.
- Assemble casserole: Pour the combined mixture into the prepared baking dish. Spread it evenly and sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of shredded cheddar cheese on top for a cheesy crust.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 35 to 40 minutes, or until the casserole is set in the center and the top turns golden brown.
- Cool and serve: Allow the casserole to cool for 5 to 10 minutes before slicing and serving to let it set perfectly.
Notes
- This casserole can be prepared the night before and baked fresh in the morning for convenience.
- Add diced bell peppers, chopped green onions, or fresh spinach to the mixture before baking for extra flavor and color.
- For a spicy variation, use spicy breakfast sausage, or replace sausage with cooked bacon instead.
