A simple Sausage Hash Brown Casserole is the perfect make-ahead egg dish for any occasion! Prep it the night before and serve the easy breakfast casserole on a holiday brunch buffet, or bake the casserole on Sunday to enjoy quick breakfasts all week long. The combination of eggs, cheese, pork breakfast sausage and shredded hash brown potatoes is a classic recipe with just 15 minutes of prep!
Not only is this sausage hash brown casserole recipe super-easy, but it's one of those convenient dishes that can be made way in advance. That means that there's no last-minute prep or stress for you -- and you can enjoy a warm, comforting meal with your friends and family!
This is seriously the best breakfast casserole because it tastes delicious as is, but it can also be adapted to suit your family's taste preferences. Swap out the sausage for ham or bacon; add some diced vegetables; mix up the cheese flavors -- you get the idea!
How to make Sausage Hash Brown Casserole:
You only need a handful of simple, affordable ingredients and about 15 minutes to prep this dish. Let's get started!
Ingredients for the Make Ahead Sausage Egg Hash Brown Casserole:
- Bag of frozen shredded hash brown potatoes
- Bulk pork breakfast sausage
- Eggs
- Whole milk or cream
- Salt, onion powder and garlic powder
- Shredded cheddar cheese
Step 1: Brown the sausage in a skillet
Step 2: Prepare the Egg Mixture
While the sausage cooks, whisk together the eggs, milk (or cream), ½ teaspoon salt, onion powder and garlic powder.
Step 3: Arrange Ingredients in the Dish
In a 9 x 13-inch baking dish, combine the hash brown potatoes, cooked sausage, 1 cup of cheese and ½ teaspoon salt.
Step 4: Pour Egg Mixture over Top and Finish with Cheese
Pour the egg mixture over the casserole, then sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of cheese over top.
Step 5: Bake the Casserole
Cover the dish with foil and bake the casserole in a 350 degree F oven for 50 minutes. Then remove the cover and return the dish to the oven for about 10-15 more minutes, or until the eggs are set. Let the casserole stand for a few minutes before slicing and serving!
What to serve with Sausage Hash Brown Casserole:
This hearty overnight hashbrown casserole goes well with just about any of your favorite brunch dishes. Here are a few delicious options to serve with the casserole:
- Fresh fruit salad
- Bran Muffins
- Brown Sugar Cinnamon Muffins
- Cinnamon Roll Monkey Bread
- Pumpkin Bread
- Banana Bread
- Baked Buttermilk Pancakes
- Overnight French Toast Casserole
- Southern Fried Apples
Preparation and Storage Tips:
- This easy breakfast casserole with sausage is perfect for entertaining because you can prepare it in advance. The overnight breakfast casserole can be assembled up to 24 hours ahead of time, and then baked according to recipe instructions. Allow the dish to sit on the counter and come to room temperature while the oven preheats.
- Leftover casserole will keep in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
- To freeze the casserole: Bake in a freezer safe pan (like a foil disposable pan) and cool completely. Wrap well in foil and freeze for up to 3 months. Defrost in the fridge the night before you plan to eat the casserole. Reheat the casserole in a 350 degree F oven for about 30 minutes, or until warmed through. You can also reheat individual slices in the microwave for about 1 minute.
- This casserole is an easy breakfast or brunch dish, but it's also a convenient weeknight dinner that you can prep ahead.
Cook's Tips and Recipe Variations:
- I prefer using whole milk or cream for this recipe. I don't recommend low-fat or fat-free milk, since the fat in the milk or cream helps create the rich egg custard for the dish.
- Substitute other cheeses for the cheddar. For instance, try Monterey Jack, Pepper Jack, Swiss or Gruyere.
- Add diced, sautéed vegetables to the casserole. You can use mushrooms, onion and bell peppers, for example. A can or two of chopped green chiles would also be delicious!
- Make the breakfast casserole with bacon or ham instead of the sausage. You will need about 2 - 2.5 cups of diced ham or cooked, crumbled bacon.
- Give the dish some "kick" by using spicy sausage.
More breakfast casserole recipes that you might enjoy:
- Sally's Easy Overnight Breakfast Casserole
- Dump-and-Bake Hash Brown Breakfast Casserole with Sour Cream
- Biscuits and Gravy Casserole
- Crock Pot Breakfast Casserole
- Spinach Quiche Casserole
- Frittata Casserole
Sausage Hash Brown Casserole
Ingredients
- 1 (30 ounce) package frozen shredded hash brown potatoes, thawed
- 1 lb. bulk pork breakfast sausage
- 8 eggs
- 1 ¼ cups whole milk (or cream)
- 1 teaspoon salt, divided
- ¾ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 cups (8 ounces) shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C). Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish and set aside.
- Brown the sausage in a skillet; drain.
- While the sausage cooks, prepare the egg mixture. In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, ½ teaspoon salt, onion powder and garlic powder. Set aside.
- In the prepared baking dish, combine hash brown potatoes, cooked sausage, 1 cup of cheese and remaining ½ teaspoon salt. Pour egg mixture over top.
- Sprinkle remaining 1 cup of cheese over top. Cover tightly with foil.
- Bake for 50 minutes. Remove foil and bake for another 10-15 minutes, or until knife inserted in center comes out clean. Let stand for 5-10 minutes before serving.
Notes
- This easy breakfast casserole with sausage is perfect for entertaining because you can prepare it in advance. The overnight breakfast casserole can be assembled up to 24 hours ahead of time, and then baked according to recipe instructions. Allow the dish to sit on the counter and come to room temperature while the oven preheats.
- Leftover casserole will keep in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
- To freeze the casserole: Bake in a freezer safe pan (like a foil disposable pan) and cool completely. Wrap well in foil and freeze for up to 3 months. Defrost in the fridge the night before you plan to eat the casserole. Reheat the casserole in a 350 degree F oven for about 30 minutes, or until warmed through. You can also reheat individual slices in the microwave for about 1 minute.
- This casserole is an easy breakfast or brunch dish, but it's also a convenient weeknight dinner that you can prep ahead.
- I prefer using whole milk or cream for this recipe. I don't recommend low-fat or fat-free milk, since the fat in the milk or cream helps create the rich egg custard for the dish.
- Substitute other cheeses for the cheddar. For instance, try Monterey Jack, Pepper Jack, Swiss or Gruyere.
- Add diced, sautéed vegetables to the casserole. You can use mushrooms, onion and bell peppers, for example. A can or two of chopped green chiles would also be delicious!
- Make the breakfast casserole with bacon or ham instead of the sausage. You will need about 2 - 2.5 cups of diced ham or cooked, crumbled bacon.
- Give the dish some "kick" by using spicy sausage.
Nutrition
This post was originally published in April, 2016. It was updated in March, 2020.
Beverley @ Born to Sweat
these are my favorite types of recipes - eggy/cheesy/potato-y! I love that you can make this and have it for breakfast for the rest of the week. Plus its so simple! Pinning for later 🙂
Blair
Thanks, Beverley! Exactly -- you can't beat the leftovers on a busy morning!!
Paula
This is delicious. I used bacon. This is the only recipe I make for a hash brown casserole. I like the cheddar cheese. You don't need all those other cheeses. And I don't use vegetables either. Vegetables are good for omelets. I love it just the way it is.
Blair
Wonderful, Paula! So glad that you enjoy it. 🙂
Mary Meyer
I am a egg and potatoes kind of girl. Potatoes are my downfall. Would appreciate any frozen potato recipes
Robyn @ Simply Fresh Dinners
Such a great idea, Blair! So versatile and easy. You are so creative with your recipes. I need to come to your house for a week and get my brain re-energized, lol.
Seems we all need to take meal planning seriously these days. It's the only way to survive it all!
Sharing 🙂
Blair
Thanks, Robyn! That's right -- you can have it for dinner one night and then enjoy the leftovers for breakfast all week long! 🙂
Megan @ Skinny Fitalicious
Perfect for a weekend breakfast!
Blair
Exactly, Megan! 🙂
Kimber
Holy YUM!! Breakfast potatoes are my favorite!
Blair
Thank you, friend! You just can't go wrong with these ingredients, right? They seem to make everyone happy! 🙂
Missy Ieropoli
When I googled this recipe, I got about 20 different ones. I chose this one, and hit the jackpot! I have had 10 adult kids here for the Thanksgiving weekend. I made this AWESOME recipe, and the made me make it the next morning also. Don’t look anywhere else, this is the one!!!! For some reason, the rating stars below won’t take my ratio, but it’s definitely a 5 star recipe.
Blair
Yay! That's the best complement. Thank you, Missy!!!
Nancy
Says it can be made way in advance....can I prepare it the night before and put it in the fridge overnight? Bake it in the morning?
Blair
Absolutely! It's perfect for that situation! 🙂
Kimberly Thompson
I've made this casserole a few times. It's very good! When I make it though I also use a large can odd green chilies, chopped. You can add them right in with the potatoes and sausage. Wonderful!
Blair
Sounds like a perfect addition, Kimberly! Thank you! 🙂
Shirley Covington
I prepared the Sausage Hash Brown Casserole using your recipe. The end result: tasted bland and was dry. Where did I go wrong?
Blair
Hi, Shirley! I'm sorry that you didn't care for it. I'm not sure what went wrong.