Why You’ll Love This Recipe
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Effortless and Delicious: No need for complicated steps. Simply layer your ingredients and bake for a stress-free and flavorful meal.
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Make-Ahead Option: This casserole can be prepared the night before and baked in the morning, making it perfect for busy mornings or entertaining guests.
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Comforting and Satisfying: With its crispy tater tots, savory sausage, and gooey cheese, this casserole is the ultimate comfort food.
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Customizable: Add in your favorite vegetables, swap out sausage for chicken or lamb sausage, or experiment with different cheeses to make it your own.
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Perfect for Any Occasion: Whether you’re serving it for a holiday breakfast, a family brunch, or even for dinner, this casserole is sure to impress.
Ingredients
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1 pound breakfast sausage (or your choice of chicken or lamb sausage)
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1 (32-ounce) package frozen tater tots
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2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (or a blend of your favorite cheeses)
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8 large eggs
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1 cup milk (whole or 2%)
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Salt and pepper to taste
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Optional add-ins: diced onions, bell peppers, mushrooms, spinach, or herbs for added flavor and nutrition
Tip: If you’re looking to lighten up this dish, you can use a lower-fat milk or reduce the amount of cheese.
Directions
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Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
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Cook the sausage: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the sausage until browned and crumbled. Once fully cooked, drain any excess fat and set the sausage aside.
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Layer the casserole: Spread the frozen tater tots evenly across the bottom of your prepared baking dish.
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Add the sausage: Sprinkle the cooked sausage evenly over the tater tots.
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Add cheese: Evenly distribute 2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese over the sausage layer.
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Whisk the eggs: In a bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, salt, and pepper. Pour this mixture over the tater tot, sausage, and cheese layers, ensuring the eggs are evenly distributed.
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Bake: Place the casserole in the oven and bake for 45–50 minutes, or until the eggs are fully set and the top is golden brown.
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Serve and enjoy: Once the casserole is done, let it cool slightly before serving. Top with fresh herbs or a drizzle of hot sauce if desired for an extra kick.
Tips for the Perfect Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole
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Make it spicy: If you love a bit of heat, add some diced jalapeños, chili flakes, or use spicy sausage.
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Add vegetables: For a healthier twist, stir in some spinach, bell peppers, or mushrooms into the sausage mixture.
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Use different cheeses: Switch up the flavor profile with different cheeses. Mozzarella, Monterey Jack, or pepper jack cheese all work beautifully in this dish.
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Make it ahead: To save time in the morning, you can assemble the casserole the night before. Just cover it and refrigerate overnight. In the morning, bake it for 45–50 minutes as directed.
Serving Suggestions
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With a side of fruit: Balance the richness of the casserole with some fresh fruit on the side for a refreshing contrast.
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Drizzle with hot sauce: Add a little extra spice by drizzling your favorite hot sauce on top.
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Pair with a salad: If you want to add some greens, serve this casserole with a simple arugula or mixed greens salad dressed with olive oil and lemon.
Variations
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Vegetarian Version: Skip the sausage and load the casserole with vegetables like spinach, bell peppers, onions, and mushrooms. You could even add a meat substitute like plant-based sausage for the same great flavor.
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Gluten-Free: This casserole is naturally gluten-free if you use gluten-free tater tots and ensure all your other ingredients are gluten-free as well.
Storage and Reheating
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Storage: If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
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Reheating: Reheat individual portions in the microwave or reheat the entire casserole in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 15 minutes, or until warmed through.
Conclusion
Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole is the ultimate comfort food that is easy to make and loved by everyone. With its hearty layers of tater tots, savory sausage, creamy eggs, and gooey cheese, it’s sure to be a hit whether you’re serving it for a special occasion or a simple family meal. Customize it to your liking, make it ahead of time, and enjoy a delicious, satisfying dish any day of the week. This casserole will quickly become a favorite in your breakfast or brunch rotation!
Print
Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 6 servings
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole is a hearty and delicious dish combining crispy tater tots, savory sausage, fluffy eggs, and melted cheese. Perfect for busy mornings, family brunches, or special occasions, this make-ahead recipe is a crowd-pleaser that can be customized to your taste.
Ingredients
1 lb breakfast sausage (or chicken/lamb sausage)
1 (32-ounce) package frozen tater tots
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (or your favorite cheese blend)
8 large eggs
1 cup milk (whole or 2%)
Salt and pepper to taste
Optional Add-ins:
Diced onions, bell peppers, mushrooms, spinach, or herbs
Tip: Use lower-fat milk or reduce cheese for a lighter version.
Instructions
Preheat the Oven:
Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
Cook the Sausage:
In a large skillet over medium heat, cook sausage until browned and crumbled. Drain excess fat and set aside.
Layer the Casserole:
Spread frozen tater tots evenly across the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
Add Sausage and Cheese:
Sprinkle cooked sausage over the tater tots, followed by the shredded cheddar cheese.
Whisk the Eggs:
In a bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, salt, and pepper. Pour this mixture evenly over the casserole layers.
Bake:
Bake for 45–50 minutes, or until the eggs are fully set and the top is golden brown.
Serve and Enjoy:
Let cool slightly before serving. Garnish with fresh herbs or hot sauce if desired.
Notes
Make it Spicy: Add diced jalapeños, chili flakes, or spicy sausage for a kick.
Add Vegetables: Stir in spinach, bell peppers, or mushrooms for added flavor and nutrition.
Use Different Cheeses: Try mozzarella, Monterey Jack, or pepper jack for varied tastes.
Make Ahead: Assemble the casserole the night before and refrigerate overnight. Bake the next morning for a hassle-free breakfast.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Brunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
