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This is truly the BEST Breakfast Casserole! It has a thick and creamy egg base loaded with shredded potatoes, chunks of ham, and flavorful cheese blends that bake up in no time. Make this to enjoy Christmas morning or brunch any time of year.
Reasons You’ll Love This Recipe
- Easy to Make: This is so easy to throw together. It only takes about 5 minutes to get everything together. The hard part is waiting for it to be done cooking!
- Make Ahead: Make this ahead of time, and when ready to bake, simply take it out of the refrigerator and bake.
- Family Favorite: Your family will love this easy breakfast casserole this holiday season. I have our traditional Sticky buns on the menu for Christmas, along with this amazing casserole.
Family Tradition
Breakfast casserole reminds me of Christmas morning. The smells, the ooey gooey cheese, and the smokey chunks of ham are just so good! I always loved waking up to it on Christmas morning! It is perfect the way it is, but if you want to switch up the cheese, meat, or potatoes, you totally can! You can also add some veggies! Get creative and make this part of your family traditions!
Ingredients Needed
How to Make a Breakfast Casserole
This breakfast casserole recipe is the BEST because of how simple it comes together and is in the oven in just minutes. This tried and true breakfast casserole tastes amazing, and I know your whole family will love it!
- Prepare Frozen Hash Browns: Spray a 13 x 9 x 2-inch baking dish with non-stick cooking spray. Add the frozen shredded hash browns to the bottom of the prepared pan. Season with salt and pepper.
- Whisk Eggs/ Add Remaining Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk the eggs. Add the half and half and seasoned salt, then whisk to combine. Stir in the shredded cheese and chopped ham.
- Pour Into Pan and Refrigerate: Pour over the top of the frozen hash browns, then cover with foil and refrigerate for 2 hours or overnight.
- Bake: Bake uncovered at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 60-75 minutes. Let rest for 10 minutes before serving.
Mix It Up!
Try some of these fun variations in this breakfast casserole and find what you enjoy best!
- Can I add vegetables? Add in some veggies like bell peppers, spinach or kale, tomato (fresh or canned), broccoli, mushrooms, or onions are great.
- Do I have to use ham? You can use bacon, variations of sausage, shredded chicken, ground beef, or leftover turkey.
- Do I have to use Half & Half? If you’re not a fan of half and half, you can use whipping cream for a thicker, richer breakfast, or you can simply use milk.
- Can I use any kind of cheese? Switch up which cheese you use. Try Swiss cheese, Colby jack, or mozzarella, which all work well and melt perfectly when baked.
- How can I make this spicy? Adding red pepper flakes, green chilies, or green onions is a fun way to add a little heat.
- Can I use different potatoes? Diced or flavorful frozen potatoes will work great in place of shredded potatoes.
Tips for Making Breakfast Casserole
Here are some tips for making this breakfast casserole even better and easier on you. These tips will help you better understand how to bake this breakfast for you to enjoy with your family.
- Do I Need to Thaw the Frozen Hash Browns? There is no need to thaw the potatoes because they will thaw as they sit in the refrigerator. However, they would cook up perfectly if they were to cook from frozen!
- How Do I Know When the Casserole is Done? Once the outside edges become golden brown and the egg mixture in the middle is firm. You can check by slightly shaking the pan to see if it jiggles. Use a toothpick or knife to check if it is completely cooked through the middle. You can also use a thermometer to see if the breakfast casserole has reached 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Short on Time? Allowing your casserole to refrigerate ahead of time creates the best results, and I highly recommend it! But if you’re short on time, you can assemble the casserole and bake it right away without refrigerating.
- Drain Grease: If you use any other meat in the breakfast casserole, drain the meat before adding it to the dish.
Storing Breakfast Casserole
There are so many options and plans for this breakfast casserole to make your holiday mornings even easier and better.
- In the Refrigerator: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-5 days.
- To Reheat: To reheat the breakfast casserole, microwave individual servings until warmed through.
- In the Freezer: Yes, this is perfect for freezing. Make and bake your breakfast casserole. Once it has completely cooled down, place it in an airtight container or ziplock bag. Lay flat in your freezer for up to 1 month. Thaw from frozen in the refrigerator over night. Warm individual servings in the microwave until warmed through.
- Make Ahead Instructions: Simply follow the instructions until you are ready to bake. Cover it with aluminum foil or a lid and place it in your fridge. When you are ready to bake, simply take it out and bake it according to the instructions. This can sit in the fridge for up to 2 days before baking.
More Breakfast Casserole Ideas
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The Best Breakfast Casserole
Ingredients
- 24 ounces frozen shredded hash brown potatoes
- salt and pepper to taste
- 12 large eggs
- 2 cups half and half
- 1 teaspoon seasoned salt
- 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 ½ cups shredded pepper jack cheese
- 2 cups chopped ham sausage, bacon, or preferred meat
Instructions
- Spray a 13 x 9 x 2-inch baking dish with non-stick cooking spray. Add 24 ounces frozen shredded hash brown potatoes to the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Season the potatoes with salt and pepper.
- In a large bowl, whisk together 12 large eggs. Add 2 cups half and half and 1 teaspoon seasoned salt then whisk to combine. Stir in 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese, 1 ½ cups shredded pepper jack cheese, and 2 cups chopped ham.
- Pour the egg mixture over the frozen hash browns. Cover with aluminum foil and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight.
- Bake uncovered at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 60-75 minutes. Let rest for 10 minutes before serving. Garnish with green onions, if desired!
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
What is “2 C half and half?
looks great! Thanks
2 cups half and half is found by the milk. It is half milk and half cream. Hope this helps! 🙂
Actually, half and half is about 2/3 skim milk and 1/3 cream. The name is very misleading. You can tell by fat content (and also by price).
Bake 90 min?
Yes. You want the egg to be thoroughly cooked.
I had to bake mine for 2 hours?? Anyone else have this problem?
I’ve just reached the 90 minute mark & a good portion of the center is still watery. Came here to see if anyone else had the same problem.
Yes, I always have to cook mine for at least 2 hours.
I love pepper jack cheese but will this be too spicy for my kids? Thanks!
No. My family loves it. It doesnt add spice at all. But if you are worried, you can definitely substitute. 🙂
I make this with 1/2 sausage and 1/2 bacon . I use 1/2 Hawaiian rolls (6 total) and 1/2 potatoes, a variation on “strata”. I only use 1-1/2 to 2 cups of cheese. 3 cups of cheese seems like waaaaaaay too much. I use 1/2 half-n-half and half milk. (Again, too rich for my druthers.) I use frozen chopped up potatoes (or fresh) instead of shredded. I prefer the texture.
As you can see, this dish is EASILY adaptable to your personal tastes, likes/dislikes, preferences, etc.
Even though I made a lot of modifications, it’s still a good recipe, as is. I just like to add more/less depending on my favorites.
Thanks, Alyssa !
Have you tried this without meat? Was wondering if it still tasted good.
Every time I try to pin this on Pinterest, it tells me it is blocked because it may lead to spam 🙁 There are other of your yummy recipes that do that same. I want to pin them!
Trish, If you still having that problem find and follow me. I have a good size collection..lol
Hope it turns out for you.
I add mushrooms that I have sauteed with the sausage.
Alyssa, Can this casserole be frozen then baked when needed ? Sara
what kind of “season salt” do you use?
Lawery’s Seasoning Salt is the best.
I agree!
Alyssa,
I’m looking forward to making this! Have you tried this using diced hashbrowns instead of shredded potatoes?
No I haven’t! But I have also wondered how that would turn out!
This breakfast casserole looks so good! I’ve never had a breakfast casserole with shredded hash browns, but it sounds incredible. I know my husband will love this!
Same amount of time if you make half?
Would you cook the bacon before adding it in?
Yes I definitely would! 🙂
Thank you! Happy Holidays. 🙂
would you cook sausage before adding.
Yes cook the sausage before adding. 🙂
Yes cook your bacon until crisp and then drain on paper towel. Cut or pinch into pieces.
Have you tried this with bacon? My family is not so much into ham and everything tastes better with bacon … 😉 want to make for Christmas morning. Thank you!!
I actually plan on making it with Bacon on Christmas!! It will be fully loaded! And you are right… everything is better with bacon!!
Awesome! Cant wait to try this. making it tomorrow for Christmas morning! Let me know what you think about the bacon. Thanks for a great recipe!
Love all of your posts and recipes. I would like to make this for Christmas breakfast but will have several vegetarians in our midst. Can I make it without any meat and just serve bacon or sausage as side dishes for those that eat meat products?
You could put vegetables in it, like chopped tomatoes, cooked mushroom, bell pepper, whatever you put in a vegetarian omelette would work. I make something very similar with biscuit instead of hashbrown and I’ve done vegetarian ones
Do you think I should cook the bacon before putting it in the casserole? What do you plan on doing?
I’m wondering this too… will I die of food poisoning if I use raw bacon in this recipe??
The recipe calls for chopped ham but if you prefer bacon, I would recommend either frying it first or using the precooked packaging bacon. Hope you enjoy!! XOXO
Too greasy with uncooked bacon. Cook it first and lay on paper towels to drain
I have made breakfast casserole’s and have even made with using a mixture of ham, eggs and bacon. Turns out really good. Just cook your bacon crisp and then pinch into peices after draining on paper towel. Enjoy!
I divided the meat and used half bacon and half sausage and it turned out amazingggg!
That is so great to hear! I love that! Thanks so much for sharing! XOXO
Do you think it will work with hash browns. I’m not sure we have shredded potatoes in Canada. But this is exactly the type of recipe I wanted to make along with our usual Land Of Nod buns, that I also get ready the night before Santa arrives Merry Christmas
I made a very similar version with hash browns, turned out great. I used turkey sausage pieces instead of ham. I am sure both are equally good.
shredded potatoes/hashbrowns are in the same section as cubed hash browns. I live in Canada and can find them everywhere
Simply shred fresh potatoes (or use a grater with large holes) into water to stop them from browning. When ready to bake, drain well and mix as usual. Allows you to avoid all the extra/unnecessary additives in frozen shredded potato and it will taste like potatoes!
McCains in B.c. diced and shredded.
Do you leave the foil on while baking?
Yes. Leave the foil on. 🙂
I baked the hash brown the night before it made a wonder bottom crust then just filled and baked next day
I was wondering if you could use obrien potatos?
For a more fluffy casserole add 1/2 cup hot cake mix.