Classic Quick Prep Breakfast Casserole
This Classic Quick Prep Breakfast Casserole is a perfect dish for a weekend brunch or a holiday gathering. It's packed with savory sausage or ham, crispy hash browns, colorful bell peppers, and melted cheddar cheese, all bound together in a fluffy egg mixture.
Equipment
- Baking dish (9x13 inch)
- Large skillet
- Large bowl
- Whisk
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb pre-cooked breakfast sausage or ham crumbled or diced
- 1 bag (30 oz) frozen shredded hash browns thawed slightly
- 1 medium onion
- 1 bell pepper any color, chopped
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese plus more for topping
Egg Mixture
- 8 large eggs
- 1 cup milk any kind works, whole milk adds richness
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- red pepper flakes optional, for a little kick
Other
- Cooking spray or butter for greasing the baking dish
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish with cooking spray or butter.
Cooking
- In a large skillet, sauté the chopped onion and bell pepper for 5-7 minutes until softened.
- If using uncooked sausage, brown it with the vegetables and drain excess fat; otherwise, stir in pre-cooked meat.
- Spread the thawed hash browns evenly in the baking dish, then layer with the sautéed vegetables and meat.
- Whisk together eggs, milk, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and optional red pepper flakes in a large bowl.
- Pour the egg mixture over the ingredients in the baking dish and sprinkle with 1 cup of cheddar cheese.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes until set and golden; loosely cover with foil if browning too quickly.
Serving
- Remove from the oven and let it rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing and serving for cleaner cuts.
Notes
This casserole is great for meal prepping! You can assemble it the night before and bake it in the morning. For a vegetarian option, simply omit the sausage/ham and add more vegetables like mushrooms or spinach.