Hamdi Saidani This Pioneer Woman Sausage Breakfast Casserole is a cheesy and hearty recipe, which is made with savory breakfast sausage and thawed hash browns. It’s the perfect make-ahead breakfast for a crowd, ready to bake in the morning for a stress-free holiday brunch or special weekend meal.
Pioneer Woman Sausage Breakfast Casserole Ingredients
A classic combination for the ultimate crowd-pleasing breakfast bake.
- 1 lb. breakfast sausage
- 1 red bell pepper, chopped
- 4 green onions, chopped, white and green parts divided
- 1 (30-oz.) package of frozen, shredded hash browns, thawed
- 10 large eggs
- 1 1/4 cups heavy cream
- 1 Tbsp. Dijon mustard
- 2 tsp. hot sauce (optional)
- 1 1/2 tsp. salt
- 1 tsp. black pepper
- 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese, divided
- Butter or nonstick cooking spray, for the dish
How To Make Pioneer Woman Sausage Breakfast Casserole
A step-by-step guide to this easy, cheesy, and satisfying breakfast.
- Prep Oven and Cook Sausage Mixture: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease a 13×9-inch baking dish. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the breakfast sausage, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned and no pink remains. Add the chopped bell pepper and the white parts of the green onions and cook for 3 more minutes until softened. Transfer the mixture to a plate to cool slightly.
- Make the Egg Custard: In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, heavy cream, Dijon mustard, hot sauce (if using), salt, and black pepper.
- Combine the Casserole: To the egg mixture, gently fold in 1 1/2 cups of the shredded cheese, the thawed hash browns, about half of the green onion tops, and the cooled sausage and pepper mixture.
- First Bake: Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish and smooth it into an even layer. Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 50 minutes.
- Final Bake and Serve: Remove the foil and sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of cheese over the top. Increase the oven temperature to 400°F and continue to bake, uncovered, for another 10 to 15 minutes, until the center of the casserole is set and the top is slightly golden. Let the casserole rest for 10 minutes before garnishing with the remaining green onions and serving.
Recipe Tips
For the most delicious and perfectly cooked breakfast casserole.
- Do I need to thaw the hash browns first? Yes, for this recipe it’s important to use thawed hash browns. This ensures that the casserole cooks evenly and you don’t end up with a watery result from the excess moisture in the frozen potatoes. You can thaw them overnight in the refrigerator.
- Can I make this ahead of time? Absolutely! This is the perfect overnight breakfast casserole. Assemble the entire casserole (but don’t add the final cheese topping), cover it tightly, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. In the morning, bake as directed; you may need to add 10-15 minutes to the initial covered baking time since it’s starting from cold.
- How do I know when the casserole is done? The casserole is fully cooked when the center is set and doesn’t jiggle when you gently shake the dish. A knife inserted into the center should come out clean, with no liquid egg on it.
- Can I use a different meat or cheese? Of course. One pound of cooked and crumbled bacon would be a fantastic substitute for the sausage. For the cheese, feel free to use Gruyère, Monterey Jack, or a spicy pepper jack blend.
What To Serve With Sausage Breakfast Casserole
Simple sides to complete your delicious brunch spread.
This hearty casserole is a complete meal on its own, but it pairs wonderfully with:
- A fresh fruit salad
- Sliced avocado or a side of salsa and sour cream
- A hot cup of coffee and a glass of orange juice
- Toasted English muffins or warm biscuits
How To Store Sausage Breakfast Casserole
Keeping your delicious leftovers fresh.
- Refrigerate: Store any leftovers, covered, in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Reheat: For the best texture, reheat individual slices in a 350°F oven for 10-15 minutes until warmed through. You can also use the microwave for a quicker, softer result.
Pioneer Woman Sausage Breakfast Casserole Nutrition Facts
An estimated guide per serving.
- Calories: 480 kcal
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Fat: 35 g
Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.
FAQs
Can I freeze this breakfast casserole?
Yes, this casserole freezes well. You can freeze it before baking (uncovered until firm, then wrapped tightly) or after baking. To bake from frozen, you may need to add 30-40 minutes to the cooking time, keeping it covered with foil for most of the time.
My casserole is watery on the bottom. Why?
A watery casserole can happen if you use frozen hash browns that haven’t been thawed and drained of their excess moisture. It can also occur if the egg custard hasn’t fully set, which means it just needs a little more time in the oven.
Can I add other vegetables?
Of course! Sautéed mushrooms or some wilted spinach (squeezed very dry) would be delicious additions. Just be sure to cook them first to remove excess moisture before adding them to the egg mixture.
Try More Pioneer Woman Recipes:
- Pioneer Woman Hominy Casserole Recipe
- Pioneer Woman Squash Casserole Recipe
- Pioneer Woman Cabbage Casserole Recipe
Pioneer Woman Sausage Breakfast Casserole Recipe
Description
An easy, cheesy, and crowd-pleasing breakfast casserole loaded with savory sausage, hash browns, and cheddar in a rich egg custard. The perfect make-ahead dish for a holiday brunch or a lazy weekend.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 9×13-inch dish.
- In a skillet, brown the sausage. Add the bell pepper and white parts of the green onions and cook until soft. Cool slightly.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, heavy cream, mustard, salt, and pepper.
- Fold in 1 1/2 cups of the cheese, the thawed hash browns, half the green onion tops, and the cooked sausage mixture.
- Pour into the prepared dish. Cover with foil and bake for 50 minutes.
- Uncover, top with the remaining 1/2 cup of cheese. Increase oven temp to 400°F and bake for 10-15 more minutes, until set and golden.
- Let rest for 10 minutes, then garnish with the remaining green onions and serve.
Notes
- u003cliu003eThis is the perfect overnight breakfast casserole. Assemble it the night before, refrigerate, and bake straight from the fridge in the morning.u003c/liu003eu003cliu003eThawing the hash browns is important for an even bake and to prevent a watery casserole.u003c/liu003eu003cliu003eFeel free to substitute the sausage with 1 pound of cooked and crumbled bacon.u003c/liu003eu003cliu003eLeftovers reheat beautifully in the oven or microwave for a quick and easy breakfast.u003c/liu003e
