Tater Tot Sausage Breakfast Casserole Recipe

Savory Tater Tot Sausage Breakfast Casserole Recipe for Early Birds

A mouthwatering tater tot sausage breakfast casserole that turns ordinary mornings into extraordinary culinary adventures.

Crispy golden tots nestle between savory layers of seasoned sausage and melted cheese.

Our recipe promises pure comfort in every single bite.

Weekend brunch warriors will absolutely adore this hearty dish that comes together with minimal effort.

The delightful aroma filling your kitchen, tempting everyone to gather around the table.

Each forkful delivers a perfect balance of textures and flavors that’ll make you the breakfast hero.

Wake up and treat yourself to this irresistible morning masterpiece that’ll have everyone asking for seconds.

Tips to Make This Casserole Even Better

  • Swap Sausage Smartly: Replace pork sausage with turkey or plant-based alternatives for a lighter, healthier version that doesn't compromise on flavor.
  • Crisp Tater Tot Technique: Arrange tots in a single layer and avoid overcrowding to ensure maximum crispiness and golden-brown edges.
  • Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the entire casserole the night before, refrigerate, and bake in the morning for a stress-free breakfast that's ready in minutes.
  • Cheese Customization: Experiment with different cheese blends like sharp cheddar, pepper jack, or gruyère to add unique flavor profiles to your breakfast casserole.
  • Veggie Boost Option: Sneak in diced bell peppers, spinach, or mushrooms between the sausage and egg layers for added nutrition and texture.

Store and Reheat Breakfast Casserole Without Fuss

  • Refrigerate: Store leftovers in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking, keeping them fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
  • Freeze: Wrap the casserole tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, then freeze for up to 2 months. Label the container with the date for easy tracking.
  • Reheat Refrigerated Portion: Warm individual servings in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through to ensure even heating. Add a splash of milk to maintain moisture and prevent dryness.
  • Oven Reheating: Preheat the oven to 350F, cover the casserole with foil to prevent burning, and heat for 15-20 minutes until warmed completely through. Remove foil during the last 5 minutes to crisp up the tater tots.

Best Things to Pair with Breakfast Casserole

  • Brew Bold Morning Coffee: Pair this hearty casserole with a robust dark roast coffee that cuts through the richness of the sausage and cheese, awakening your taste buds with its strong, aromatic profile.
  • Splash with Fresh Citrus Juice: Complement the savory casserole with a glass of fresh orange or grapefruit juice, which provides a bright, tangy contrast and helps balance the dish's heavy textures.
  • Sprinkle Fresh Green Herbs: Top the casserole with chopped chives or parsley to add a light, fresh element that brings a crisp, clean flavor to the rich and comforting breakfast.
  • Mix with Zesty Bloody Mary: For a weekend brunch, serve alongside a classic Bloody Mary that echoes the casserole's spicy and savory notes while adding a refreshing kick to the meal.

Tasty Changes You Can Make to This Casserole

  • Veggie Fusion Casserole: Replace sausage with sautéed mushrooms, spinach, and bell peppers for a vegetarian-friendly version packed with colorful nutrients.
  • Southwestern Spice Blast: Add diced jalapeños, swap regular cheese for pepper jack, and sprinkle taco seasoning into the egg mixture for a zesty southwestern kick.
  • Mediterranean Morning Mix: Incorporate crumbled feta cheese, chopped sun-dried tomatoes, and dried oregano to transform the classic breakfast casserole with Mediterranean flavors.
  • Bacon Lover's Dream: Substitute sausage with crispy bacon pieces and mix in sharp cheddar cheese for an indulgent breakfast experience that bacon enthusiasts will adore.

Breakfast Casserole FAQ Quick Answers

  • Can I use a different type of meat instead of sausage?

Absolutely! Ground beef, bacon, or even ham work great as alternatives. Just make sure to cook the meat thoroughly before adding it to the casserole.

  • Is this recipe good for meal prep?

Yes! You can prepare this casserole the night before, cover it, and refrigerate. Just pop it in the oven in the morning for a quick and delicious breakfast.

  • Can I make this casserole gluten-free?

To make it gluten-free, use gluten-free tater tots and double-check that your sausage and cheese are gluten-free. Most of the ingredients are naturally gluten-free.

  • How can I make this casserole healthier?

Use turkey sausage instead of pork, add more vegetables like spinach or bell peppers, and opt for reduced-fat cheese to cut down on calories and fat.

What Makes This Breakfast Casserole So Good

  • Effortless Morning Feast: Whip up a crowd-pleasing breakfast that combines crispy tater tots, savory sausage, and gooey cheese in one simple dish.
  • Texture Explosion: Experience the perfect balance of crunchy potato tots, creamy eggs, and tender sausage crumbles that create a mouthwatering morning sensation.
  • Crowd-Pleasing Convenience: Prepare this make-ahead casserole that saves time, feeds a hungry family, and delivers maximum flavor with minimal morning effort.
  • Customizable Comfort: Easily adapt the recipe by swapping sausage, adding veggies, or experimenting with different cheese blends to suit individual tastes and preferences.

Ingredients for Tater Tot Sausage Breakfast Casserole

Meat Base:
  • Sausage: Hearty protein that adds rich flavor and satisfying texture to the breakfast casserole. Choose ground pork sausage for best results.
  • Onion: Provides subtle sweetness and aromatic base for the meat layer. Optional but recommended for depth of flavor.
Dairy and Egg Components:
  • Eggs: Essential binding ingredient that creates the creamy custard base. Fresh large eggs work best.
  • Milk: Creates smooth, rich texture in the egg mixture. Whole milk recommended for richness.
  • Shredded Cheese: Adds creamy, melty goodness throughout the casserole. Sharp cheddar provides the most robust flavor.
Seasoning and Topping Ingredients:
  • Garlic Powder: Adds subtle background flavor without overwhelming the dish.
  • Onion Powder: Enhances overall savory profile of the casserole.
  • Salt and Pepper: Basic seasonings that balance and elevate other flavors.
  • Frozen Tater Tots: Crispy potato topping that provides satisfying crunch. Standard frozen tots work perfectly.
  • Green Onions or Parsley: Optional garnish for fresh color and light herbaceous note.

Easy Steps for Making Breakfast Casserole

Easy Steps for Making Breakfast Casserole

Step 1: Fire Up The Oven

Crank your oven to a toasty 375F (190C). Grab a 9×13-inch baking dish and give it a quick spray with non-stick cooking spray or swipe it with butter to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Sizzle The Sausage

Grab a large skillet and toss in your sausage. If you’re feeling fancy, chop up some onions and throw them in too. Cook over medium heat, breaking the sausage into tiny crumbly bits. Once it’s beautifully browned, drain away any extra grease.

Step 3: Whip Up The Egg Base

In a big mixing bowl, crack open those eggs and add:
  • Milk
  • Garlic powder
  • Onion powder
  • Salt
  • Pepper

Whisk everything together until it’s smooth and well-blended.

Step 4: Layer The Deliciousness

Start building your breakfast masterpiece:
  • Spread the cooked sausage across the bottom of the baking dish
  • Sprinkle a generous layer of shredded cheese
  • Pour the egg mixture evenly over the cheese
  • Arrange frozen tater tots in a single beautiful layer on top

Step 5: Bake To Golden Perfection

Pop the dish into the oven and let it bake uncovered for 35-40 minutes. You’re looking for set eggs and tater tots that are crispy and golden brown.

Step 6: Cheese Crown

Shower the top with the remaining cheese and bake for an extra 5 minutes until the cheese melts into gooey goodness.

Step 7: Serve And Enjoy

Pull your masterpiece out of the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes. Sprinkle some chopped green onions or parsley on top if you want to get fancy. Slice, serve, and watch everyone’s eyes light up!

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Tater Tot Sausage Breakfast Casserole Recipe

Tater Tot Sausage Breakfast Casserole Recipe


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4.9 from 32 reviews

  • Total Time: 1 hour
  • Yield: 8 1x

Description

Hearty “Tater Tot Sausage Breakfast Casserole” brings morning comfort with layers of savory sausage, golden potato bites, and melted cheese. Rich flavors combine in this simple yet satisfying breakfast dish that promises to kickstart your day with delicious warmth.


Ingredients

Scale

Protein and Meat:

  • 1 lb (450 g) breakfast sausage (pork or turkey)
  • 8 large eggs

Dairy and Cheese:

  • 2 cups (200 g) shredded cheddar cheese (or your favorite cheese)
  • ½ cup (120 ml) milk

Vegetables and Seasonings:

  • 1 medium onion, finely chopped (optional)
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper

Potato:

  • 1 bag (32 oz) frozen tater tots

Optional Garnish:

  • Chopped green onions
  • Fresh parsley

Instructions

  1. Prepare the cooking vessel by coating a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray, ensuring complete surface coverage to prevent sticking.
  2. Transform sausage into crumbly, browned morsels by sautéing in a skillet over medium heat, incorporating diced onions for enhanced flavor profile. Eliminate excess oil through careful draining.
  3. Craft a silky egg foundation by whisking eggs with milk, infusing depth through garlic and onion powders, then seasoning with salt and pepper until thoroughly integrated.
  4. Create layered culinary architecture by distributing sausage across baking dish bottom, generously blanketing with shredded cheese, then gently cascading egg mixture to fill interstitial spaces.
  5. Strategically position frozen tater tots in uniform arrangement, creating a crispy geometric landscape atop the liquid egg base.
  6. Slide the assembled dish into a preheated 375°F oven, allowing approximately 35-40 minutes of transformative cooking until eggs solidify and potato nuggets achieve golden-brown elegance.
  7. Execute final flourish by sprinkling remaining cheese, returning to oven for brief 5-minute melting session to create irresistible molten cheese crown.
  8. Extract casserole, permitting brief cooling interval, then garnish with optional verdant herbs like green onions or parsley for visual and flavor enhancement before serving.

Notes

  • Customize the heat level by choosing spicy or mild sausage to match your taste preferences.
  • Swap frozen tater tots with diced hash browns for a different crispy texture and homemade feel.
  • Prepare the casserole the night before by assembling all ingredients and refrigerating, then bake in the morning for a hassle-free breakfast.
  • Make this dish vegetarian-friendly by replacing sausage with plant-based crumbles or diced mushrooms for protein and depth of flavor.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 40-45 minutes
  • Category: Breakfast, Lunch
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 8
  • Calories: 480
  • Sugar: 2 g
  • Sodium: 900 mg
  • Fat: 30 g
  • Saturated Fat: 12 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 34 g
  • Fiber: 2 g
  • Protein: 22 g
  • Cholesterol: 280 mg
Isabella Rossi

Isabella Rossi

Founder & Culinary Content Creator

Expertise

Recipe Development​, Traditional Irish and European Cuisines, Food Styling and Photography, Culinary Education​

Education

Dublin Institute of Technology (DIT) – School of Culinary Arts and Food Technology

  • Degree: Bachelor of Arts in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Comprehensive training in classical and modern cooking techniques, kitchen management, and menu development.​

Ballymaloe Cookery School

  • Program: 12-Week Certificate Course
  • Focus: Intensive, hands-on experience emphasizing farm-to-table cooking and sustainable practices.​

Liam is the voice behind many of Craft Meats’ most flavorful features. With roots in Dublin’s smoky barbecue scene and a culinary degree from the Dublin Institute of Technology, he brings time-tested cooking techniques to life. 

His training at Ballymaloe Cookery School sharpened his farm-to-table approach, giving him a deep respect for every ingredient he writes about.

He’s not about overcomplicating the process, just helping you cook meat that’s worth talking about. When he’s not writing or grilling, he’s out foraging or nerding out on regional spice blends to add to his next recipe.

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