The Breakfast Tater Tot Casserole is a hearty, all-in-one morning meal that makes breakfast a breeze. This incredibly useful recipe combines savory breakfast staples with crispy tater tots in a comforting baked dish, perfect for busy weekdays or leisurely weekend brunches.
Key Ingredients for Breakfast Tater Tot Casserole
- 1 pound breakfast sausage (pork or turkey), cooked and crumbled
- 1 pound tater tots, thawed slightly
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 1/2 green bell pepper, finely chopped
- 4 large eggs
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese (or your favorite cheese blend)
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- Optional toppings: extra cheese, chopped chives, hot sauce
How to Make Breakfast Tater Tot Casserole
This Breakfast Tater Tot Casserole is your secret weapon for stress-free mornings! In under an hour, you can whip up a dish that’s unbelievably easy, incredibly satisfying, and bursting with delicious breakfast flavors. Imagine the comforting combination of savory sausage, fluffy eggs, and those perfectly crisp tater tots – it’s a symphony of taste and texture that will have everyone asking for seconds.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish with cooking spray or butter.
- If you haven’t already, cook your breakfast sausage according to package directions until browned and cooked through. Drain off any excess grease and set aside.
- In a large skillet, heat a tablespoon of oil or butter over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and green bell pepper and sauté until softened, about 5-7 minutes.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the eggs and milk. Season generously with salt and pepper.
- In the prepared baking dish, spread about half of the slightly thawed tater tots in an even layer. This will form the bottom crust.
- Next, layer the cooked and crumbled breakfast sausage over the tater tots.
- Evenly distribute the sautéed onions and bell peppers over the sausage.
- Pour the egg and milk mixture evenly over the sausage, vegetables, and tater tots.
- Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese over the top of the casserole.
- Arrange the remaining tater tots in a single layer over the cheese. Press them down gently to ensure they are nestled into the filling.
- Bake for 30-40 minutes, or until the tater tots are golden brown and crispy, and the egg mixture is set and puffed. You can test for doneness by inserting a knife into the center; it should come out clean.
- If desired, for extra browning on the tater tots, you can switch the oven to the broiler setting for the last 2-3 minutes of baking, watching carefully to prevent burning.
- Let the Breakfast Tater Tot Casserole rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing and serving. This allows the casserole to set up nicely.
Why You’ll Love This Breakfast Tater Tot Casserole
You’ll adore this Breakfast Tater Tot Casserole for its glorious, golden-brown tater tot topping – a delightful crunch that elevates simple breakfast ingredients into something truly special. It’s like a deconstructed breakfast burrito, but baked into one incredibly cohesive and comforting dish. The best part? Making this at home means saving a significant chunk of change compared to those fancy brunch spots, all while enjoying a flavor-packed meal that rivals any restaurant.
The savory breakfast sausage and tender vegetables are perfectly complemented by the creamy egg base, creating a satisfying melody of tastes and textures. This casserole is a fantastic way to use up leftover sausage or simply to simplify your morning routine with a wholesome, crowd-pleasing meal. Don’t wait to experience the magic – give this irresistible Breakfast Tater Tot Casserole a try this week!
Storing and Reheating Tips
To store leftover Breakfast Tater Tot Casserole, allow it to cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container. It will stay fresh in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
When you’re ready to reheat, you have a few excellent options:
- Oven Reheating: For the crispiest results, reheat individual portions or the whole casserole in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 15-20 minutes, or until heated through. You can cover it loosely with foil to prevent the tops from over-browning if needed.
- Microwave Reheating: For a quick reheat, place a portion on a microwave-safe plate and heat in 60-second intervals until hot. Note that the tater tots may lose some of their crispiness with this method.
- Freezing for Future Meals: This casserole freezes beautifully! Once cooled, wrap individual portions tightly with plastic wrap and then aluminum foil, or place in freezer-safe containers. It can be frozen for up to 2-3 months. To reheat from frozen, bake at 350°F (175°C) for about 45-60 minutes, or until heated through, adding extra time as needed.
Final Thoughts
This Breakfast Tater Tot Casserole is the ultimate comfort food for your morning, offering a complete and delicious meal in one dish with minimal fuss. Encourage everyone to gather around the table for this delightful breakfast experience; it’s sure to become a family favorite!
try also :
- Lentil and Sweet Potato Salad
- Cranberry Brie Bites
- Crispy Sweet Potato Bites
- Matcha Cake Recipe
- find more in Pinterest
Breakfast Tater Tot Casserole
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish with cooking spray or butter.
- If you haven’t already, cook your breakfast sausage according to package directions until browned and cooked through. Drain off any excess grease and set aside.1 pound breakfast sausage
- In a large skillet, heat a tablespoon of oil or butter over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and green bell pepper and sauté until softened, about 5-7 minutes.1 small onion, 1/2 green bell pepper
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the eggs and milk. Season generously with salt and pepper.4 large eggs, 1/2 cup milk, salt, freshly ground black pepper
- In the prepared baking dish, spread about half of the slightly thawed tater tots in an even layer. This will form the bottom crust.1 pound tater tots
- Next, layer the cooked and crumbled breakfast sausage over the tater tots.1 pound breakfast sausage, 1 pound tater tots
- Evenly distribute the sautéed onions and bell peppers over the sausage.1 small onion, 1/2 green bell pepper, 1 pound breakfast sausage
- Pour the egg and milk mixture evenly over the sausage, vegetables, and tater tots.4 large eggs, 1/2 cup milk, 1 pound breakfast sausage, 1 small onion, 1/2 green bell pepper, 1 pound tater tots
- Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese over the top of the casserole.1/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- Arrange the remaining tater tots in a single layer over the cheese. Press them down gently to ensure they are nestled into the filling.1 pound tater tots, 1/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- Bake for 30-40 minutes, or until the tater tots are golden brown and crispy, and the egg mixture is set and puffed. You can test for doneness by inserting a knife into the center; it should come out clean.
- If desired, for extra browning on the tater tots, you can switch the oven to the broiler setting for the last 2-3 minutes of baking, watching carefully to prevent burning.1 pound tater tots
- Let the Breakfast Tater Tot Casserole rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing and serving. This allows the casserole to set up nicely.