Hash Brown and Egg Breakfast Casserole

If there is one breakfast dish that never fails to bring people together around the table, it’s a Hash Brown and Egg Breakfast Casserole. Warm, hearty, and deeply comforting, this classic casserole combines crispy potatoes, fluffy eggs, savory sausage, and melted cheese into one satisfying dish that feels like a complete breakfast baked into a single pan.

Whether you’re feeding a hungry family on a weekend morning, preparing brunch for guests, or planning a make-ahead meal for busy weekdays, this Hash Brown and Egg Breakfast Casserole delivers on every level. It’s simple to prepare, endlessly customizable, and hearty enough to keep everyone full for hours. Best of all, it’s one of those recipes that tastes just as good—if not better—the next day.

This dish has earned its place as a breakfast classic for good reason. Frozen hash browns make prep easy, eggs create a soft and custardy base, sausage adds rich savory flavor, and cheese brings everything together in a gooey, golden layer. The result is a casserole that’s crisp on the edges, tender in the center, and packed with comforting breakfast flavors in every bite.

In this post, we’ll walk through everything you need to know to make the best possible Hash Brown and Egg Breakfast Casserole—from ingredient choices and step-by-step techniques to storage, reheating, variations, and serving ideas. If you’re looking for a reliable, crowd-pleasing breakfast recipe you can come back to again and again, this is it.

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Why You’ll Love This Hash Brown and Egg Breakfast Casserole

There are countless reasons this recipe deserves a permanent spot in your breakfast rotation.

First, it’s incredibly easy to make. Using frozen hash browns cuts down on prep time, and everything comes together in a single baking dish. No complicated steps, no special equipment—just simple, straightforward cooking.

Second, this Hash Brown and Egg Breakfast Casserole is perfect for feeding a crowd. Whether you’re hosting brunch, planning a holiday breakfast, or cooking for a family, this recipe scales beautifully and slices cleanly into generous portions.

Third, it’s make-ahead friendly. You can assemble the casserole the night before, store it in the refrigerator, and bake it fresh in the morning. This makes it ideal for holidays, busy mornings, or meal prep.

Fourth, it’s highly customizable. You can swap the sausage, change the cheese, add vegetables, or adjust the seasonings to suit your taste. This flexibility means you’ll never get bored of making it.

Finally, it’s just deeply comforting. The combination of potatoes, eggs, meat, and cheese hits all the right notes. It’s filling, satisfying, and feels like the kind of breakfast that starts the day on a good note.

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Ingredients for Hash Brown and Egg Breakfast Casserole

This recipe uses simple, easy-to-find ingredients, each playing an important role in the final texture and flavor.

Hash Browns

Frozen shredded hash browns form the base of the casserole. Once baked, they become tender inside with lightly crisp edges. Thawing and drying them properly is key to preventing excess moisture.

Pork Sausage

Sausage brings savory richness and depth of flavor. Breakfast sausage works best, but you can use mild or spicy depending on your preference.

Onion

A small diced onion adds sweetness and aromatic flavor that balances the richness of the sausage and cheese.

Eggs

Eggs bind the casserole together and create a soft, fluffy texture. They turn the dish into a complete breakfast.

Milk

Milk helps loosen the eggs slightly, creating a custard-like consistency instead of a dense egg bake.

Seasonings

Onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper enhance the overall flavor without overpowering the dish.

Cheddar Cheese

Sharp Cheddar cheese melts beautifully and adds bold, savory flavor. Using freshly shredded cheese gives the best melting results.

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Ingredient List (Serves 6)

• 1 (2-pound) package frozen hash brown potatoes, thawed

• 1 pound pork sausage

• 1 small onion, diced

• 5 large eggs

• ½ cup milk

• ½ teaspoon onion powder

• ⅛ teaspoon garlic powder

• Salt and ground black pepper, to taste

• 12 ounces shredded Cheddar cheese

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Step-by-Step Directions

1. Prepare the Baking Dish

Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a deep-sided 8×8-inch baking dish. A well-greased dish ensures easy serving and prevents sticking.

Spread the thawed hash browns evenly across the bottom of the dish. Press them down gently so they form an even layer, which helps the casserole bake uniformly.

2. Cook the Sausage

In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the pork sausage along with the diced onion. Break the sausage into crumbles as it cooks. Continue cooking until the sausage is fully browned and the onion is soft and translucent, about 10 minutes.

Drain off any excess grease. This step is essential to prevent the casserole from becoming oily.

3. Mix the Eggs

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Whisk until the mixture is smooth and fully combined. This seasoned egg mixture will evenly flavor the entire casserole.

4. Assemble the Casserole

Pour the egg mixture evenly over the hash browns. Make sure it spreads into all corners of the dish.

Sprinkle half of the shredded Cheddar cheese over the eggs. Next, add the cooked sausage and onion mixture in an even layer. Finish with the remaining cheese on top.

5. Bake

Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake for 1 hour. The foil helps the eggs cook gently without drying out.

After one hour, remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 10 minutes, or until the top is lightly golden and a knife inserted in the center comes out clean.

6. Rest and Serve

Remove the casserole from the oven and allow it to rest for 5 minutes before slicing. This helps it set and makes serving easier.

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Tips for the Best Hash Brown and Egg Breakfast Casserole

• Thaw and dry the hash browns thoroughly. Excess moisture can make the casserole soggy.

• Use sharp Cheddar cheese for the most flavor. Mild cheese can taste bland once baked.

• Drain the sausage well to avoid grease pooling in the dish.

• Don’t overbake. Overcooking can cause the eggs to become rubbery.

• Let it rest before slicing so it holds its shape.

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Make-Ahead Instructions

One of the best things about this Hash Brown and Egg Breakfast Casserole is how well it works as a make-ahead meal.

To prepare in advance, assemble the casserole completely but do not bake it. Cover tightly and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. When ready to bake, remove it from the fridge while the oven preheats, then bake as directed. You may need to add 5–10 extra minutes if it’s very cold.

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Variations and Substitutions

This recipe is incredibly flexible. Here are a few popular variations:

Meat Options

• Use turkey sausage for a lighter option

• Swap sausage for cooked bacon or ham

• Make it vegetarian by omitting the meat entirely

Cheese Options

• Colby-Jack for a milder flavor

• Pepper Jack for a spicy kick

• Mozzarella for extra meltiness

Vegetable Add-Ins

• Bell peppers

• Mushrooms

• Spinach

• Broccoli

Always sauté vegetables first to remove excess moisture.

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Serving Suggestions

Serve this Hash Brown and Egg Breakfast Casserole with:

• Fresh fruit or fruit salad

• Toast or biscuits

• A simple green salad for breakfast-for-dinner

• Hot sauce or salsa on the side

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Storage and Reheating

Refrigeration

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

Freezing

You can freeze individual portions or the whole casserole. Wrap tightly and freeze for up to 2 months.

Reheating

Reheat in the oven at 325°F until warmed through, or microwave individual portions in 30-second intervals.

Print

Nutrition (Approximate per Serving)

• Calories: 420–450 kcal

• Protein: 20–22 g

• Fat: 30–32 g

• Carbohydrates: 18–22 g

• Fiber: 2 g

• Sugar: 2–3 g

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Final Thoughts

There’s a reason the Hash Brown and Egg Breakfast Casserole has become a staple in so many kitchens. It’s the kind of recipe that checks every box: easy to make, deeply satisfying, budget-friendly, and versatile enough to adapt to any taste or occasion.

This casserole is perfect for slow weekend mornings, holiday breakfasts, brunch gatherings, or even busy weeknights when breakfast-for-dinner sounds like the best idea ever. It’s comforting without being complicated, filling without being heavy, and familiar in the best possible way.