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This is truly the BEST Breakfast Casserole! It has a thick and creamy egg base loaded with shredded potatoes, chunks of ham, and flavorful cheese blends that bake up in no time. Make this to enjoy Christmas morning or brunch any time of year.
Reasons You’ll Love This Recipe
- Easy to Make: This is so easy to throw together. It only takes about 5 minutes to get everything together. The hard part is waiting for it to be done cooking!
- Make Ahead: Make this ahead of time, and when ready to bake, simply take it out of the refrigerator and bake.
- Family Favorite: Your family will love this easy breakfast casserole this holiday season. I have our traditional Sticky buns on the menu for Christmas, along with this amazing casserole.
Family Tradition
Breakfast casserole reminds me of Christmas morning. The smells, the ooey gooey cheese, and the smokey chunks of ham are just so good! I always loved waking up to it on Christmas morning! It is perfect the way it is, but if you want to switch up the cheese, meat, or potatoes, you totally can! You can also add some veggies! Get creative and make this part of your family traditions!
Ingredients Needed
How to Make a Breakfast Casserole
This breakfast casserole recipe is the BEST because of how simple it comes together and is in the oven in just minutes. This tried and true breakfast casserole tastes amazing, and I know your whole family will love it!
- Prepare Frozen Hash Browns: Spray a 13 x 9 x 2-inch baking dish with non-stick cooking spray. Add the frozen shredded hash browns to the bottom of the prepared pan. Season with salt and pepper.
- Whisk Eggs/ Add Remaining Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk the eggs. Add the half and half and seasoned salt, then whisk to combine. Stir in the shredded cheese and chopped ham.
- Pour Into Pan and Refrigerate: Pour over the top of the frozen hash browns, then cover with foil and refrigerate for 2 hours or overnight.
- Bake: Bake uncovered at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 60-75 minutes. Let rest for 10 minutes before serving.
Mix It Up!
Try some of these fun variations in this breakfast casserole and find what you enjoy best!
- Can I add vegetables? Add in some veggies like bell peppers, spinach or kale, tomato (fresh or canned), broccoli, mushrooms, or onions are great.
- Do I have to use ham? You can use bacon, variations of sausage, shredded chicken, ground beef, or leftover turkey.
- Do I have to use Half & Half? If you’re not a fan of half and half, you can use whipping cream for a thicker, richer breakfast, or you can simply use milk.
- Can I use any kind of cheese? Switch up which cheese you use. Try Swiss cheese, Colby jack, or mozzarella, which all work well and melt perfectly when baked.
- How can I make this spicy? Adding red pepper flakes, green chilies, or green onions is a fun way to add a little heat.
- Can I use different potatoes? Diced or flavorful frozen potatoes will work great in place of shredded potatoes.
Tips for Making Breakfast Casserole
Here are some tips for making this breakfast casserole even better and easier on you. These tips will help you better understand how to bake this breakfast for you to enjoy with your family.
- Do I Need to Thaw the Frozen Hash Browns? There is no need to thaw the potatoes because they will thaw as they sit in the refrigerator. However, they would cook up perfectly if they were to cook from frozen!
- How Do I Know When the Casserole is Done? Once the outside edges become golden brown and the egg mixture in the middle is firm. You can check by slightly shaking the pan to see if it jiggles. Use a toothpick or knife to check if it is completely cooked through the middle. You can also use a thermometer to see if the breakfast casserole has reached 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Short on Time? Allowing your casserole to refrigerate ahead of time creates the best results, and I highly recommend it! But if you’re short on time, you can assemble the casserole and bake it right away without refrigerating.
- Drain Grease: If you use any other meat in the breakfast casserole, drain the meat before adding it to the dish.
Storing Breakfast Casserole
There are so many options and plans for this breakfast casserole to make your holiday mornings even easier and better.
- In the Refrigerator: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-5 days.
- To Reheat: To reheat the breakfast casserole, microwave individual servings until warmed through.
- In the Freezer: Yes, this is perfect for freezing. Make and bake your breakfast casserole. Once it has completely cooled down, place it in an airtight container or ziplock bag. Lay flat in your freezer for up to 1 month. Thaw from frozen in the refrigerator over night. Warm individual servings in the microwave until warmed through.
- Make Ahead Instructions: Simply follow the instructions until you are ready to bake. Cover it with aluminum foil or a lid and place it in your fridge. When you are ready to bake, simply take it out and bake it according to the instructions. This can sit in the fridge for up to 2 days before baking.
More Breakfast Casserole Ideas
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The Best Breakfast Casserole
Ingredients
- 24 ounces frozen shredded hash brown potatoes
- salt and pepper to taste
- 12 large eggs
- 2 cups half and half
- 1 teaspoon seasoned salt
- 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 ½ cups shredded pepper jack cheese
- 2 cups chopped ham sausage, bacon, or preferred meat
Instructions
- Spray a 13 x 9 x 2-inch baking dish with non-stick cooking spray. Add 24 ounces frozen shredded hash brown potatoes to the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Season the potatoes with salt and pepper.
- In a large bowl, whisk together 12 large eggs. Add 2 cups half and half and 1 teaspoon seasoned salt then whisk to combine. Stir in 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese, 1 ½ cups shredded pepper jack cheese, and 2 cups chopped ham.
- Pour the egg mixture over the frozen hash browns. Cover with aluminum foil and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight.
- Bake uncovered at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 60-75 minutes. Let rest for 10 minutes before serving. Garnish with green onions, if desired!
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Took two hours to finish baking, but was perfect. Not overdone at all. So easy and good!
i want to use fresh, real potatoes, what prep do i need to do instead of frozen potatoes
breakfast casserole
How long would I bake this if I were to halve the recipe?
You would bake it for 30 minutes checking it and then adding another 20 minutes. Hope that helps! XOXO
I am going to use sausage. Do I need to cook the sausage first? (I am not much of a cook as you can tell by my question…LOL
That is a great question! You will want to cook the sausage first. XOXO
Here
I made this as written and found it to be very dry, crumbly and tasteless. It definitely needs something to make it more moist and flavorful–Mushrooms, maybe?
We made it today. It wasn’t dry or crumbly but it was kind of bland. I topped it with siracha ketchup. It was much better. I think next time we will use the potatoes with onions and peppers and add some spices.
I have made this many times with some variations. Works really well for large family gatherings or holidays. I lost most of my cookbooks in a fire this past year, so I am trying to make up cookbook of favorites.
Amazing
Love these recipes!
All your receipys are very helpful thank you for them.
Could you make this in disposable aluminum casserole dish?
Yes, that is a great idea! Hope you are sharing it with friends and family! XOXO
Tried this last night, it was so good! I didnt have enough hashbrowns on hand, maybe 14oz and put sausage and onions in it. So good!! My son loves eggs so I make him one every morning. This is so much easier and he loves it!! Definitely will be making this weekly! Thanks!
Can you use o’brian potatoes instead of shredded potatoes?
That sounds delicious! Yes, let me know how it turns out! XOXO
On the breakfast casserole did you have to to use half n half or can you use whole milk or 2% milk??
That will work too!
Would almond milk work?
Nicole,
It should work but I have not tried it and it could alter the taste or the outcome. Please let me know if you try it. I would love to know!!
Aaaahh…got everything ready to go. Then I read refrigerate 2 hours first! My fault for sure but I wish there was a big heads up! I don’t have the time! $@&%! Going for it.
I use obriens hash browns with red and green peppers. Gives it a little more flavor. Trying spinach and Italian sausage next.
Can you freeze this?
Yes, after it is all cooked.