Description
Hearty Mexican breakfast casserole promises a fiesta of flavors that dance across your palate with zesty chorizo, eggs, and melted cheese. Bold spices and rich ingredients combine to create a morning meal that will energize and delight you from the first satisfying bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Breakfast Casserole
Main Protein:
- 1 lb (450 g) breakfast sausage, cooked and crumbled
Base Ingredients:
- 1 bag (32 ounces or 900 g) frozen hash browns, thawed
- 8 large eggs
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) whole milk
- 2 cups (200 g) shredded cheddar cheese
- ½ cup (50 g) shredded Monterey Jack cheese (optional)
Seasonings and Garnish:
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ cup (30 g) chopped green onions (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare the cooking vessel by coating a 9×13-inch baking dish with a light layer of cooking spray, ensuring complete coverage to prevent sticking.
- Render the breakfast sausage in a heavy-bottomed skillet, breaking it into small crumbles while cooking over medium heat until no pink remains and a rich golden-brown color develops. Carefully drain excess rendered fat using a slotted spoon.
- Create a foundational layer of thawed hash browns across the entire surface of the greased baking dish, pressing down gently to create an even base.
- Distribute the cooked sausage crumbles uniformly over the potato layer, creating a cohesive protein foundation.
- Whisk eggs in a spacious mixing bowl, incorporating milk and a harmonious blend of seasonings including salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder until the mixture achieves a smooth, consistent texture.
- Gently cascade the seasoned egg mixture across the sausage and hash brown layers, ensuring comprehensive coverage and even distribution.
- Generously sprinkle a blend of shredded cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses over the top, creating a melty, golden blanket.
- Transfer the assembled casserole to a preheated oven set at 375°F (190°C), allowing it to bake uncovered for approximately 35-40 minutes until the eggs set completely and the cheese turns a tempting golden-brown.
- Remove from the oven and allow the casserole to rest for 5 minutes, enabling the ingredients to settle and making serving easier.
- Optional: Garnish with finely chopped green onions for a fresh, vibrant touch before serving warm.
Notes
- Customize the sausage by using turkey or plant-based alternatives for a lighter, healthier version that doesn’t compromise on flavor.
- Swap traditional hash browns with sweet potato or cauliflower hash for a nutrient-dense, low-carb twist that adds exciting texture and taste.
- Prep the casserole the night before and refrigerate, allowing flavors to meld and making morning cooking a breeze for busy households or weekend brunches.
- Add diced bell peppers or spinach to boost vegetable content, creating a more balanced meal that sneaks extra nutrition into a crowd-pleasing breakfast.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 460
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 900 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 13 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 27 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 24 g
- Cholesterol: 260 mg