Description
Cracked out hash brown breakfast casserole combines hearty potatoes with creamy cheese and savory bacon for a morning sensation. Rich layers of comfort promise delicious satisfaction that will have guests asking for seconds.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (450 g) bacon, cooked and crumbled
- 4 large eggs
- 1 bag (32 oz or 900 g) frozen hash browns, thawed
- 2 cups (200 g) shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup (240 ml) sour cream
- ½ cup (120 ml) whole milk
- 1 can (10.5 oz or 300 ml) condensed cream of chicken soup
- 1 packet (1 oz) ranch seasoning mix
- ¼ cup (30 g) chopped green onions (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Preparation: Preheat oven to 375F (190C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
- Base Mixture: Combine thawed hash browns with crumbled bacon, ensuring even distribution of ingredients throughout the mixture.
- Flavor Integration: Fold in shredded cheese, sour cream, cream of chicken soup, and ranch seasoning, blending until a cohesive mixture forms.
- Liquid Binding: Whisk eggs and milk together, then gently fold into the hash brown blend to create a uniform consistency.
- Baking Process: Transfer mixture to prepared baking dish, smoothing the surface for even cooking. Bake for 40-45 minutes until the top turns golden-brown and the center sets completely.
- Finishing Touches: Allow casserole to rest for 5 minutes after removing from oven. Garnish with reserved bacon crumbles and chopped green onions to enhance visual appeal and add a fresh flavor dimension.
- Serving: Present the casserole warm, showcasing its rich layers and crispy texture for maximum enjoyment.
Notes
- Bacon Precision: Ensure bacon is crispy and well-crumbled for maximum flavor distribution and crunchy texture throughout the casserole.
- Moisture Management: Thoroughly drain thawed hash browns to prevent excess liquid that could make the dish soggy and compromise its overall texture.
- Cheese Coating Strategy: Use freshly shredded cheese for better melting and more even coverage, avoiding pre-packaged shredded cheese which contains anti-caking agents.
- Temperature Control: Let the casserole rest exactly 5 minutes after baking to allow ingredients to set and make cutting and serving easier without falling apart.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 7
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 850 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 18 g
- Cholesterol: 180 mg