Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole Recipe
Introduction
This Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole is a hearty and satisfying dish perfect for busy mornings or weekend brunches. Packed with savory sausage, crispy bacon, melty cheese, and crispy tater tots, it’s a crowd-pleaser that’s easy to assemble and bake.
Ingredients
- 2 (9-ounce) packages breakfast sausage links
- 1 pound bacon
- 1 (32-ounce) package tater tots
- 12 large eggs
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/4 cup green onions, thinly sliced
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup Monterey jack cheese, shredded
- 2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded (divided)
- 2 tablespoons green onions, thinly sliced (for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 350ºF (177ºC) to prepare for baking.
- Cook the sausage: In a skillet, cook the sausage links until fully cooked. Transfer them to a paper towel-lined plate to drain, then slice into 1/2-inch pieces. Drain the skillet of any fat.
- Cook the bacon: Using the same skillet, cook the bacon until it is brown and crispy. Drain on a paper towel-lined plate, then crumble.
- Arrange tater tots: Place the tater tots in a single layer in a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Prepare the egg mixture: In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, 1/4 cup sliced green onions, salt, and pepper. Stir in the cooked sausage and half of the crumbled bacon.
- Add cheese: Fold in 1 cup Monterey jack cheese and 1 cup cheddar cheese into the egg mixture. Pour this mixture evenly over the tater tots in the baking dish.
- Bake the casserole: Bake in the preheated oven for 40-45 minutes, or until the egg mixture is set.
- Add remaining cheese: Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of cheddar cheese on top, then return to the oven for 5-7 minutes until the cheese melts.
- Finish and serve: Let the casserole stand for 10 minutes before cutting. Garnish with the remaining crumbled bacon and green onions, then serve warm.
Tips & Variations
- For extra flavor, add diced bell peppers or mushrooms to the egg mixture before baking.
- Use turkey bacon or vegetarian sausage for a lighter version.
- Prepare the casserole the night before and refrigerate; bake fresh in the morning for convenience.
Storage
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat individual portions in the microwave or oven until warmed through. To maintain crispiness, reheat in a toaster oven or conventional oven rather than the microwave when possible.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use frozen tater tots directly from the bag?
Yes, you can use frozen tater tots directly without thawing; just arrange them frozen in the baking dish before pouring the egg mixture over them.
Can I make this casserole ahead of time?
Absolutely. Assemble the casserole the night before, cover it tightly, and refrigerate. Bake it in the morning, adding a few extra minutes to the baking time if cold from the fridge.
PrintTater Tot Breakfast Casserole Recipe
This Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole is a hearty and delicious morning meal perfect for brunch or a family breakfast. Packed with savory sausage, crispy bacon, melty cheeses, and fluffy eggs baked atop a golden layer of tater tots, it combines comfort food flavors with easy preparation. Finished with fresh green onions for a touch of brightness, this casserole is crowd-pleasing and perfect for feeding a group.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Yield: Serves 8 to 10 1x
- Category: Breakfast Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Meat
- 2 (9-ounce) packages breakfast sausage links
- 1 pound bacon
Vegetables & Tots
- 1 (32-ounce) package tater tots
- 1/4 cup green onions, thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons green onions, thinly sliced (for garnish)
Dairy & Eggs
- 12 large eggs
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 cup Monterey Jack cheese, shredded
- 2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded (divided)
Seasonings
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350ºF (177ºC) to prepare for baking the casserole.
- Cook Sausage: In a skillet, cook the breakfast sausage links until thoroughly cooked. Once done, transfer them to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess fat, then slice them into 1/2-inch pieces.
- Cook Bacon: Using the same skillet, now free of sausage fat, cook the bacon until it’s browned and crispy. Drain on a paper towel-lined plate and crumble the bacon pieces.
- Prepare Baking Dish: Arrange the tater tots in a single even layer inside a prepared 9×13-inch baking dish to create the casserole base.
- Mix Egg Mixture: In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, 1/4 cup sliced green onions, salt, and black pepper. Stir in the cooked sausage and half of the crumbled bacon.
- Add Cheeses: Fold in 1 cup Monterey Jack cheese and 1 cup cheddar cheese into the egg mixture. Then pour this combined mixture evenly over the tater tots in the baking dish.
- Bake Casserole: Bake the casserole in the preheated oven for approximately 40-45 minutes, or until the egg mixture is fully set and cooked through.
- Add Topping Cheese: Remove the casserole from the oven, sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of cheddar cheese evenly on top, then return it to the oven for an additional 5-7 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Rest and Garnish: Allow the casserole to rest for 10 minutes before cutting. Sprinkle with the remaining crumbled bacon and sliced green onions before serving to add extra flavor and presentation appeal.
Notes
- Use fresh eggs and high-quality cheeses for best flavor.
- The casserole can be assembled the night before and baked in the morning for convenience.
- To make it spicier, add some diced jalapeños or hot sauce to the egg mixture.
- For a lower-fat version, use turkey sausage and reduced-fat cheese.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated and reheated, but the tater tots will lose some crispiness.
Keywords: tater tot casserole, breakfast casserole, sausage casserole, bacon breakfast bake, cheesy egg casserole, family brunch recipe
