Description
This hearty brunch casserole combines spicy pork sausage, hash brown potatoes, bell peppers, green onions, and cheese baked in a creamy egg and milk mixture. Perfect for a make-ahead brunch, it offers a flavorful, satisfying dish that serves a crowd.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 11 oz frozen hash brown potatoes, thawed
- 1 1/2 lbs bulk spicy pork sausage or breakfast sausage
- 2 medium red bell peppers, chopped
- 7 medium green onions, chopped
- 2 cups shredded cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese, divided
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 6 eggs, beaten
Instructions
- Preheat oven: Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit to prepare for baking the casserole.
- Cook sausage and peppers: Heat a skillet over medium heat and add the bulk spicy pork sausage. Cook the sausage for 4 minutes, then add the chopped red bell peppers and continue to cook for another 4 minutes until the sausage is browned and peppers have softened.
- Combine with potatoes and cheese: Remove the skillet from heat and transfer the sausage and pepper mixture to a 9x13 inch baking dish. Add the thawed hash brown potatoes and stir in 1 cup of shredded cheese evenly throughout the mixture.
- Mix egg and milk base: In a separate bowl, whisk together the whole milk, beaten eggs, salt, pepper, and garlic powder until the mixture is uniform in color. Stir in the chopped green onions.
- Assemble casserole: Pour the egg and milk mixture over the sausage and potato mixture in the baking dish. Then sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of shredded cheese evenly on top.
- Bake casserole: Place the casserole dish in the preheated oven and bake for 50 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the eggs are fully cooked through.
- Serve: Allow the casserole to cool slightly before slicing and serving. It can be enjoyed fresh or assembled the night before and baked the next day.
Notes
- Use turkey sausage as a lower-fat substitution.
- For a milder flavor, substitute sweet sausage instead of spicy pork sausage.
- You can prepare the casserole the night before and refrigerate; bake it the following morning for a stress-free brunch.
- If preferred, use reduced-fat cheese and milk for a lighter dish.
- Ensure hash browns are fully thawed to allow even cooking.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 12 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 18 g
- Cholesterol: 220 mg
