Description
This Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole is a hearty and delicious breakfast dish featuring savory breakfast sausage, crispy tater tots, and a flavorful egg and cheese mixture. Perfect for family breakfasts or brunch gatherings, it’s easy to prepare ahead and bake to golden perfection.
Ingredients
Meat and Vegetables
- 1 pound breakfast sausage
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (if needed)
- 1 small onion, diced
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Egg Mixture
- 8 large eggs
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon dried parsley
Cheese
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
Other
- 32 ounces frozen tater tots
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare dish: Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
- Cook sausage and vegetables: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the breakfast sausage until browned and fully cooked, breaking it up as it cooks. Add the diced onion and red bell pepper and cook for 3 to 4 minutes until softened, then stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds.
- Assemble base layers: Spread the cooked sausage and vegetable mixture evenly in the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle half of the shredded cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses over the sausage layer.
- Add tater tots: Arrange the frozen tater tots evenly on top of the cheese layer to create a crispy and delicious topping.
- Prepare egg mixture: In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, whole milk, salt, black pepper, paprika, and dried parsley until well combined and smooth.
- Combine and top: Pour the egg mixture evenly over the casserole, ensuring it covers the tater tots and seeps down into the layers. Sprinkle the remaining shredded cheese over the top.
- Bake: Bake the casserole uncovered in the preheated oven for 40 to 45 minutes, or until the eggs are fully set and the top is golden brown and bubbly.
- Rest and serve: Let the casserole rest for 5 to 10 minutes before slicing into 8 portions and serving warm, allowing the flavors to meld and the casserole to set completely.
Notes
- This casserole can be assembled the night before and refrigerated, then baked fresh in the morning for convenience.
- Cooked bacon or diced ham can be used as a substitute for the breakfast sausage for variation.
- Use gluten-free tater tots to keep the casserole gluten-free.
- Ensure to fully cook the sausage to avoid any food safety issues.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated and reheated for a quick breakfast the next day.
