This simple Breakfast Casserole is loaded with potatoes, sausage, ham and cheese. It can be made a day ahead of time and is the perfect dish for Christmas morning or any breakfast brunch.
Updated: April 25, 2025
Who doesn’t love a good breakfast casserole? I love their simplicity and the ability to make them ahead of time.
This easy breakfast casserole combines the convenience of frozen shredded hash browns with savory sausage, ham, and eggs for a hearty morning meal. Perfect for feeding a crowd or meal prepping for busy weekdays, it’s a versatile dish that’s both satisfying and easy to prepare.
Imagine waking up to the aroma of sizzling sausage and savory ham, mixed with the comforting scent of golden hash browns baking in the oven.
Whether you’re hosting a brunch gathering, planning ahead for breakfasts throughout the week, or simply craving a hearty morning meal, this frozen hash brown breakfast casserole ticks all the boxes. With its simple preparation and delicious results, it’s certain to become a favorite go-to recipe in your kitchen. I love making this casserole ahead of time for Christmas morning! It’s great, everyone loves it, and a real time-saver.
Ingredients
- 5 cups Frozen Shredded Hash Browns, thawed
- 2 tablespoons butter or vegetable oil
- ½ teaspoon garlic salt
- ¼ teaspoon coarse black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1½ cups breakfast sausage, browned and drained
- 1 cup cubed ham, browned
- ¼ cup onions, diced
- 10 large eggs
- 3 tablespoons of water, or milk
- 2 cups Shredded Cheddar Cheese
- Sour Cream, Salsa, and Avocado Slices for garnish
How to Make Breakfast Casserole
Preheat oven to 350°(F).
Spray a 9 x 13 baking dish with non-stick baking spray. Place the thawed hash browns in the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
In a large skillet, over medium-high heat, brown and crumble the breakfast sausage. Layer the cooked sausage on top of the hash browns. I just sprinkle them all over the top of the potatoes.
Sautéing Toppings for Casserole
In a large skillet, over medium-high heat, melt 2 tablespoons of butter, or vegetable oil. Add onions and sauté with cubed ham.
Note: you can add the onions and ham to the same pan you browned the sausage in if you like. Omit the butter or oil and cook directly in the sausage drippings.
Tip: You can add additional vegetables like bell peppers, mushrooms, squash, and green chili peppers.
Pour the onion and ham mixture over the top of the sausage and hash browns. Make sure to evenly distribute toppings if possible.
Egg Mixture
In a separate bowl, crack and add 10 eggs. Add 3 Tablespoons of water. Garlic Salt, Salt, and Pepper to taste. Whisk together until well beaten.
TIP: Why are we adding water? Water will make for “fluffier” eggs. If you want the egg mixture “creamier”, add milk. Since this is essentially an “Egg bake”, we want the eggs to rise and be lighter than heavier. (I think I have too much “fluffy” water in me! Hmmm?)
Pour the egg mixture directly over the hash browns, meats, and veggies. Spread with a spatula if necessary.
Sprinkle with 2 cups of grated Cheddar Jack Cheese. You can top with chopped chives, parsley, or green onions if desired. It’s not necessary though. Just adds a nice pop of color.
TIP: At this point, if you are preparing the dish ahead of time, you can cover it with cling wrap or foil, and place it in the refrigerator until ready to bake. DO NOT make it more than ONE DAY ahead of time.
Baking Instructions
Place casserole in preheated oven, uncovered, and bake for 35–45 minutes or until a knife inserted into the center comes out clean.
TIP: Insert a knife into the center. If it comes out clean, it is done. However, if it comes out “wet” with the egg mixture on the knife, it needs to bake a little longer. It may be a tiny bit “moist”, so go ahead and remove it from the oven. The casserole will finish baking as it “rests”
Allow to cool for 10 minutes. This will help the casserole finish cooking.
Cut into 12 equal squares with a knife. Garnish with toppings. I like to set out bowls of sour cream, salsa, hot sauce, and avocado slices.
Look at all those luscious layers of goodness! Such a delicious, and hearty, breakfast or brunch casserole.
This casserole is so easy and YUMMY! It feels so good to eat something a little heartier on Christmas morning. I know there will be goodies all day long… so to kick off the day with this filling meal is a delight! It’s wonderful for Easter or Mother’s Day Brunch as well!
You can even cut them into strips, and load them up into a tortilla for breakfast burritos if your kids prefer them over a “casserole” type dish.
TIP: The leftovers can be stored in a storage container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave.
This delightful breakfast casserole is the epitome of ease and flavor, blending together classic breakfast ingredients into a single dish that promises to start your day off right.
Other Favorite Holiday Breakfast Recipes
- Cake Mix Cinnamon Rolls
- Classic Buttermilk Pancakes
- Cake Mix Cinnamon Coffee Cake
- Cherry Cream Cheese Knots
- Cranberry Orange Bread with Crumb Topping
- Make Ahead Breakfast Casserole from Julia’s Simply Southern
Happy Brunching My Friends!
Printable Recipe Card
Breakfast Casserole
Ingredients
- 5 cups Hash browns, shredded and thawed
- 2 Tablespoons Butter or Vegetable Oil
- ½ tsp garlic salt
- ¼ tsp coarse black pepper
- 1½ cups Breakfast Sausage browned and crumbled
- 1 cup ham cubed,
- ¼ cup onions, diced
- 10 eggs
- 3 Tablespoons Water
- ¼ teaspoons salt
- 2 cups Cheddar Cheese shredded
- Garnish with Sour Cream Salsa, and Avocado Slices
Instructions
- Preheat Oven to 350°
- Coat a 9 x 13 baking dish with cooking spray.
- Place hash browns in the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Spread evenly.
- Add browned sausage on top of hash browns.
- In the same skillet you browned the sausage, over medium-high heat, melt butter. Add onions and ham. Cook until onions are tender and ham is lightly browned. Note to omit the butter if using the sausage drippings.
- Pour on top of the sausage and hash browns. Spread the onions and ham evenly and any additional vegetables you like.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together eggs, water, garlic salt, salt and pepper until well mixed.
- Pour over potatoes and meat. Spread with a spatula if necessary.
- Sprinkle with 2 cups grated cheddar jack cheese.
- Place, uncovered, in preheated oven and bake for 35-45 minutes or until a knife inserted comes out clean.
- Allow to rest 10 minutes.
- Garnish with Sour Cream, Salsa, and Avocado.
- Serve while hot.
Notes
Nutrition
About the Author
Meet The Author
Hi! I'm Norine, the cook, baker, and recipe creator behind Norine's Nest. I love sharing and creating recipes that invite family, friends, and neighbors to gather around the dinner table. Sharing good food and creating memories with those we love brings me happiness. Thanks for stopping by my Nest!