Loaded Hashbrown Casserole Recipe

Breakfast is often celebrated as the most important meal of the day. What better way to kick off your morning than with a warm, hearty loaded hash brown casserole? This delicious dish merges classic breakfast favorites into a satisfying meal perfect for families or gatherings. With a few straightforward steps and ingredients, you can create a casserole that will have everyone going back for seconds!

The Ingredients You’ll Need

To whip up this loaded hashbrown casserole recipe, gather the following ingredients:

• 1 pound bulk breakfast sausage or links (casing removed)

• 12-18 ounces frozen hash browns, thawed (about half a package)

• 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese

• 6 large eggs

• ½ cup milk

• ½ teaspoon onion powder

• ½ teaspoon garlic powder

• 1 teaspoon salt

• ½ teaspoon pepper

• ¼ teaspoon ground mustard

  
  

Each ingredient plays a crucial role in building flavor and texture in the casserole, ensuring every bite is simply delicious.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Preheat Your Oven

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). This initial step is essential for even cooking throughout the casserole.

Cook the Sausage

Heat a large skillet over medium heat and cook your sausage until it is no longer pink. As the sausage cooks, break it into bite-sized pieces. This ensures even distribution throughout the casserole. Once cooked, drain any excess fat, as this will prevent the dish from becoming greasy.

Assemble the Casserole

In a 9x13-inch baking dish sprayed with nonstick cooking spray, layer the thawed hash browns at the bottom. This foundation provides a desirable crispy texture.

Next, evenly sprinkle the cooked sausage over the hash browns. Follow this with a generous layer of shredded cheddar cheese. As the casserole bakes, the cheese will melt, forming a creamy indulgent topping.

Prepare the Egg Mixture

In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and ground mustard. This flavorful mixture binds all the ingredients together, guaranteeing that every bite is bursting with flavor.

Pour the egg mixture evenly over the assembled casserole, ensuring all ingredients are thoroughly covered.

Baking the Casserole

Cover the dish with foil to prevent it from browning too quickly, and bake for about 40 minutes. After this time, remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 20-30 minutes. You want the center to be set and the top to turn golden brown. To give you a visual, the finished casserole should look fluffy and smell delightful!

Serving Suggestions

After removing the casserole from the oven, let it cool slightly before slicing into squares. This loaded hash brown casserole is best served hot and works wonderfully as a standalone breakfast dish.

To balance the richness, pair your casserole with fresh fruit or a light salad. It also makes an excellent side dish for brunches, potlucks, or family gatherings, allowing guests to enjoy comfort food that strikes the right balance between filling and flavorful.

Storing and Reheating

If you end up with leftovers—though this is rare given how tasty it is—you can store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, simply warm individual portions in the microwave or cover and reheat in the oven at 350°F until heated through.

Delicious Takeaways

This loaded hash brown casserole is not just a fantastic breakfast option; it’s also versatile enough for any meal of the day. You can easily customize it by adding different vegetables, meats, or cheeses to suit your taste. Whether you’re making it for a family breakfast, brunch with friends, or prepping meals for the week, this casserole will impress and satisfy all palates.