Description
A hearty and delicious Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole combining crispy tater tots, savory breakfast sausage, and melted Mexican cheese blend baked to perfection with a fluffy egg custard. Perfect for family breakfasts or make-ahead brunches, this casserole is easy to prepare and full of comforting flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat
- 1 pound regular or hot breakfast sausage, cooked and crumbled
Base
- 30 ounces frozen tater tots
Cheese
- 2 cups shredded Mexican blend cheese or cheddar cheese, divided
Egg Mixture
- 8 eggs
- 1 cup milk
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- ½ teaspoon granulated garlic or garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
Instructions
- Preheat Oven & Prepare Dish: Preheat your oven to 350ºF (175ºC). Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish thoroughly with butter and set aside to prevent sticking.
- Cook Sausage: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the breakfast sausage until fully browned and crumbled. Drain any excess grease if necessary.
- Assemble Base Layer: Place the frozen tater tots evenly in the prepared baking dish. Add the cooked sausage over the tots, then sprinkle 1½ cups of shredded cheese evenly on top. Stir gently to combine the layers.
- Prepare Egg Mixture: In a medium bowl, whisk together the 8 eggs, 1 cup of milk, kosher salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder until the mixture is smooth and homogenous.
- Pour Egg Mixture & Top with Cheese: Pour the seasoned egg mixture evenly over the tater tot and sausage layer in the baking dish. Top the casserole with the remaining ½ cup of shredded cheese for a melty, golden finish.
- Bake: Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 55-60 minutes. The eggs should be fully set and the cheese on top golden brown around the edges. Insert a knife or toothpick to ensure the center is cooked through.
- Serve Warm: Remove from the oven and allow the casserole to cool for a few minutes. Serve warm for a filling breakfast or brunch option.
Notes
- You can substitute the sausage with bacon, diced ham, or pork or turkey sausage. Be sure to use about 1 pound (or 2 cups cooked) of whichever meat you choose.
- This casserole is excellent as a make-ahead breakfast. Assemble and cover tightly with foil, refrigerate overnight. When ready to bake, bring the casserole to room temperature as the oven preheats, bake covered for 50 minutes, then uncover and bake an additional 20-25 minutes until eggs are set and top is golden.
- To freeze leftovers, portion cooked casserole into individual servings, store in zip-close and freezer bags. Thaw overnight in fridge to reheat in microwave, or reheat frozen portions starting at half power for 2 minutes followed by full power until hot.
