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The Best Breakfast Casserole is a thick and creamy egg base with shredded potatoes, chunks of ham and flavorful cheese blends that bakes up in no time. Make ahead or enjoy the morning of during the holidays!
Breakfast for the holidays is a favorite for us! If you love breakfast casseroles as much as I do try this Slow Cooker Breakfast Casserole, Overnight Breakfast Casserole or Overnight Cinnamon Apple French Toast Casserole.
Amazing Breakfast Casserole
A delicious and hearty breakfast casserole that is the BEST that you will make! When I tell you that this is the BEST breakfast casserole it is no joke. I have made a few breakfast casseroles in my day and this one became an instant favorite! I especially love this casserole because it is so hearty and full of wonderful breakfast goodness.
It is a classic breakfast casserole with amazing flavor. It has hash browns packed right inside which is my favorite part. Simple ingredients for a simple egg base that is exploding with flavor. Your family will love this easy breakfast casserole this holiday season. It is perfect for baking ahead of time or making it the morning of. This breakfast casserole is sure to please your entire family this holiday season!
What you need to make a Breakfast Dish
This breakfast is perfect any time of the year but great for Christmas! Simple and easy recipe that bakes up perfectly and can feed a crowd. All the right ingredients that are simple and comes together quickly. It is packed and loaded with all the favors you will love. You take everything out the night before and throw it in the oven in the morning. It can feed a lot of people which is awesome. I have our traditional Sticky buns on the menu for Christmas along with this amazing casserole. When I made it last week for my hubby, we couldn’t seem to get enough of it! Luckily it makes a big casserole and is enough to feed a small army! Try it out for yourself! You will agree that it is amazing!
- Shredded potatoes: frozen and they do not need to be thawed.
- Salt and pepper: to taste
- Eggs: whisked together
- Half and half: adds creamy texture and thickness.
- Season salt: more flavoring
- Cheddar cheese: grated
- Pepper jack cheese: grated
- Ham: chopped to your liking. I prefer thicker pieces but go as little as you would like.
How to Make a Breakfast Casserole
This breakfast casserole is the BEST for so many reasons. One of which, is how simple this breakfast casserole recipe comes together quickly and is in the oven in minutes. There is not a lot of planning and prepping for this breakfast casserole recipe. It makes it simple and easy to throw together and place in the oven to bake. Make this ahead of time and when ready to bake simply take out of the refrigerator and bake. This tried and true breakfast casserole is so simple and everyone loves the blended flavoring. Try the BEST breakfast casserole with your family this holiday season!
- Prepare pan and add ingredients: Grease a 9×13 inch pan. Add the frozen and shredded potatoes to the bottom of the pan. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
- Whisk eggs: In a large bowl, whisk the eggs together.
- Add remaining ingredients: Then add half and half, season salt, cheddar cheese, pepper jack, and chopped ham.
- Pour into pan and refrigerate: Pour over the top of the frozen potatoes. Cover with foil and refrigerate for 2 hours or overnight.
- Bake your breakfast casserole: Bake covered in foil at 350 degrees for 90 minutes. Let rest for 10 minutes before serving.
What to Serve with a Delicious Breakfast Casserole
Make this a complete meal by adding a little extra on the side. This breakfast casserole recipe has all the greatness inside it and can be a great breakfast all by itself. If you are looking for a more complete meal, add sides that will make this breakfast casserole recipe more complete. With these extra sides, this breakfast casserole will be one amazing meal all together. Here are some ideas of what can go along with this breakfast casserole recipe during the holiday season.
- Fruit: Christmas Fruit Salad or The Best Winter Fruit Salad
- Bread: Buttermilk Biscuits
- Potatoes: Skillet Potatoes with Peppers or Baked Parmesan Hash browns Recipe
- Meat: Bacon, sausage or ham from my Classic Honey Glazed Ham recipe.
- French Toast: Secret Ingredient French Toast Recipe or Creme Brûlée French Toast
- Pancakes: The Best Buttermilk Pancakes or Best Ever German Oven Pancake
- Muffins: Blueberry Oatmeal Muffins or Fruit Explosion Muffins
Mix It Up!
There are so many fun things to add into this casserole to make it even better and flavorful. Switch ingredients around or add in new ones that you prefer for your family. This breakfast recipe continues to get better and better. That is why it is the BEST! There are so many options with this breakfast casserole recipe that it makes it so fun to make often. Make this Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole by substituting the frozen hash browns for a layer of frozen tater tots. Adding and substituting ingredients makes this breakfast better every time you make it.
Try some of these fun variations in this breakfast casserole and find what you enjoy best!
- Vegetables: bell peppers, spinach or kale, tomato (fresh or canned), broccoli, mushrooms or onions are great add ins.
- Meat: bacon, variations of sausage, shredded chicken, ground beef or left over turkey.
- Cream: not a fan of half and half, you can use whipping cream for a thicker, richer breakfast or simply use milk that you have on hand.
- Cheese: Swiss cheese, Colby jack or mozzarella work well and melt perfectly when baked.
- Spicy: red pepper flakes, green chilies or green onions are fun way to add a little heat.
- Potatoes: rather than shredded potatoes, diced or flavorful frozen potatoes will work great.
Tips for Making the Perfect Breakfast Casserole
Here are some tips for making this breakfast casserole even better and easier on you. This recipe is fun to make different variations, make ahead or even the morning of. There are so many great things that make this casserole the BEST! These tips will help you better understand how to bake this breakfast for you to enjoy with your family.
- Covering or Not Cover: This is an option. I recommend not covering it so the topping can have that nice crisp edge. If you prefer to cook it covered be sure to uncover 10 to 15 minutes remaining, cook uncovered for that crisp crust on top.
- Keep your potatoes frozen: No, there is no need to thaw the potatoes. They will cook frozen.
- How to know when breakfast is done: once the outside edges become golden brown and the egg mixture in the middle is firm ( check by rocking the pan). Use a toothpick or knife to check if it is completely cooked through. You can also use a thermometer to check to see if the breakfast casserole has reached 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Drain grease: if you are using any other meat in the breakfast casserole, be sure to drain the meat prior to adding it in the dish.
- Gluten free: make this gluten free by keeping with this breakfast recipe. Check your labels on other ingredients to make sure.
Storing Breakfast Casserole
Make this ahead of time the night before or morning of, this breakfast casserole recipe is sure to please! It makes it perfect for storing for the busy Christmas morning breakfast or weekend breakfast that you want to sleep in and wake up to it baking. This is just another reason why this breakfast casserole recipe is the BEST or the BEST!
So many options and plans for this breakfast casserole to make your holiday mornings even easier and better.
- Making ahead: Simply follow the instructions until you are ready to bake. Cover with aluminum foil or lid and place in your refrigerator. When you are ready to bake, simply take it out of the refrigerator and bake it according to the instructions. This will sit in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
- Can you freeze a casserole? Yes, this is perfect for freezing. Make and bake your breakfast casserole. Once it has completely cooled down, place in an airtight container or ziplock bag. Lay flat in your freezer for up to 1 month. When ready to warm up, place on baking sheet frozen and bake until warmed through about 20 to 25 minutes.
- Warming up the casserole: To reheat breakfast casserole add it to the microwave or covered in the oven. Checking it occasionally until it has been warmed through.
More delicious breakfast recipes
- Incredible Blueberry Buttermilk Breakfast Cake
- Breakfast Sausage Avocado Burritos
- Best Banana Pancakes
- Perfect Crepes
- Monte Cristo Croissant Sandwich
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The Best Breakfast Casserole
Ingredients
- 24 ounces frozen shredded potatoes
- salt and pepper
- 12 eggs
- 2 cup half and half
- 1 teaspoon season salt
- 1 1/2 cup cheddar cheese grated
- 1 1/2 cup pepper jack cheese grated
- 2 cup chopped ham Or your preferred meat, sausage would also be great
Instructions
- Grease a 9x13 inch pan. Add the frozen and shredded potatoes to the bottom of the pan. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
- In a large bowl, whisk the eggs together. Then add half and half, season salt, cheddar cheese, pepper jack, and chopped ham.
- Pour over the top of the frozen potatoes. Cover with foil and refrigerate for 2 hours or overnight.
- Bake uncovered at 350 degrees for 90 minutes. Let rest for 10 minutes before serving.
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.