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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.
- Change up the Meat: If you love more meat or prefer a different protein, go ahead and switch the ham up with bacon or sausage instead!
Family Tradition
Breakfast casserole is pure comfort! The gooey cheese, smoky ham, and cozy smells take me right back to lazy mornings with my family. It’s perfect as is, but feel free to switch up the cheese, meat, or potatoes—or throw in some veggies!
Ingredients Needed
***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 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.
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 it, simply take it out and bake it according to the instructions. This can sit in the fridge for up to 2 days before baking.
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.
- 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.
- 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.
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 overnight. Warm individual servings in the microwave until warmed through.
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.
If using sausage do you cook it first before adding it?
Yes. Cook the sausage before adding it. 🙂
You say grease the pan, are you talking Crisco or can I use pam? It will be refrigerated over night so I’m not sure how the pam will hold up.
You can lightly spray with Pam or cooking spray. 🙂
Question on the grated cheese- can you just use shredded cheese?
Yes. You can use packaged shredded cheese.
Can I substitute like potatoes obrien( chopped potatoes with peppers ) instead of hash Browns? and also my family is small. Would I BA able to cut this recipe in half u think? And just cut down the baking time by half ? Thanks 🙂
I personally like shredded potatoes and I am not sure how chopped potatoes would turn out. I just made this and halfed the recipe and kept the cooking time the same. It turned out great!
You said leave the foil on..when asked way up in the beginning. Now you said “without the foil”. So which is it?
Did I say with the foil? It is supposed to be baked with the foil on. Just made this yesterday and it turned out amazing!
I’m confused. Do you bake this with or without foil on top. You say both ways in different questions. Ty!
Bake with the foil on. I have noted it in the directions. Thanks! 🙂
I have looked back through the responses and I never saw a response that said ‘without the foil’, always noted ‘WITH the foil’.
Thanks for the recipe. I intend to try this with the hash browns and ham instead of my usual bread cubes and sausage.
I was going to do this last night for my Bunco group tonight. I didn’t get a chance to. Will it be ok if I cook it right when I get home tonight and serve ??
Yes. It just needs to rest in the fridge for a few hours.
Do you bake this with or without the foil?
With the foil. 🙂
OK, now I’m confused, cook with or without the foil? Earlier in this thread you say to cook with the foil on. Thanks!
I have noted it in the directions. Bake with the foil on. 🙂
Does anyone know cooking time for half the recipe
I just made it yesterday and halved the recipe. I still baked it for the same time and it turned out great!
I have also used frozen Potatoes O’Brien w the onions and green pepper in them . Makes for a very flavorful casserole. I thaw out before using them.
I halved this recipe recently and it turned out great. I used whole milk instead of half and half. I am making it again but this time I want to add veggies (gr and red pepper, onion). Any advice? Thanks!
I added saute’ed mushrooms, red bell pepper, red onions and spinach. I used chicken sausage, homemade frozen hashbrowns and three different cheeses I had in the fridge. I layered it like a lasagna, topping each layer with the different veggies and cheese. The final topping was cheese. I made sure to season each layer with salt, pepper and some crushed red peppers as I cooked them. Just now putting it in the oven. I’ll let you know how it turns out if you like.
This sounds amazing!!
Hi there! Can this be baked the night before and reheated in the morning? I need this for an early brunch that is 2 hours away!! Thanks!
Thats a good question! I am not sure if an egg casserole can be reheated??
Yes, it can be reheated. Actually tastes better the next day!
I am a vegetarian. Instead of meat, I used portabello mushrooms (rough chop). For the seasoned salt, I used Morton’s Nature’s Seasons. The casserole was delicious! My family loves it. Thank you!
Can you freeze this recipe?
Do I have to refrigerate it for two hours or can I just pop it in the oven?
Can you easily just cut this in half and reduce baking time?