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A hashbrown breakfast casserole is the ultimate comfort food! Whether it’s a holiday breakfast feast, a laid-back weeknight dinner, or a potluck, this cheesy dish is always a hit. It’s quick to make and oh-so-delicious, making it a favorite for any occasion. With a hearty base of crispy hash browns and a flavorful topping of eggs, bacon, sharp cheese, and bright spinach, this dish is sure to be a hit with everyone. The best part? It reheats beautifully, making it an ideal option for busy families. Whether you’re hosting a weekend brunch or simply want to simplify your morning routine, this hashbrown casserole is a delicious way to start the day.
Start your day with a delicious and satisfying hashbrown casserole with all your favorite ingredients: bacon, cheese, spinach, and hot sauce for a little sass.
Also consider breakfast fries, pink pancakes, breakfast sliders and sheet pan eggs. And breakfast burritos are great!
Why You’ll Love It
Made with basic ingredients: Mostly pantry staple ingredients that you probably already have on hand.
Dead simple and a great make-ahead: This breakfast casserole with hash browns and bacon is a cinch to prepare and the perfect plan-ahead recipe for Christmas morning.
A good base recipe: You can easily swap the ingredients and customize this delicious breakfast casserole.
Freezer-friendly: You can freeze this casserole for up to 3 months.
Ingredients for a Hashbrown Casserole
A complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the recipe card below.
Crispy bacon: Cooking the bacon until crispy elevates its texture and provides a delightful contrast to the softer components. Feel free to sub breakfast sausage in this egg bake casserole.
Yellow onion: Provides a sweet and mild flavor that complements the bacon and adds depth to the dish.
Eggs: These are the base of the casserole, providing structure and richness.
Milk: This helps to create a creamy and smooth consistency in the egg mixture. You can use whole milk or a similar substitute.
Baby spinach: Provides a pop of color and a boost of nutrients.
Hot sauce: Adds a spicy kick to the casserole. Use as desired for a bit of heat and extra flavor dimension.
Frozen hash browns: The starchy base of the casserole that adds texture and body. Ensure your shredded or cubed hashbrowns are well-thawed and drained to avoid excess moisture in the dish.
Swiss cheese: Melts beautifully in your hash brown casserole and adds a creamy, nutty flavor. Using freshly shredded cheese enhances reliability and taste. Sub shredded cheddar cheese if liked.
How to Make a Hash Brown Breakfast Casserole
For more detailed instructions with weights and measurements, jump to the printable recipe card.
Prepare the oven and dish: Preheat your oven to 350°F. Grease a 9 x 13-inch casserole dish with nonstick cooking spray, oil or butter, and set it aside.
Cook the bacon and onions: In a skillet over medium heat, cook the diced bacon for about 5 minutes. Add the diced onions and cook until they become translucent and the bacon is crispy. Remove from heat and set aside.
Mix the egg mixture: In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, salt, pepper, nutmeg, chopped spinach, and hot sauce (if using).
Combine all ingredients: Add the thawed hash browns, shredded Swiss cheese, cooked bacon, and onions to the bowl with the egg mixture. Mix everything until well combined.
Bake the casserole: Pour the hashbrown casserole mixture into the prepared baking dish. Bake for 40 to 45 minutes or until the center is set.
Garnish and serve: Garnish the finished egg casserole with chopped chives before serving.
Substitutions and Variations
Hash brown swaps: I’m using shredded hash browns for this easy recipe, but you could also use leftover French fries, roasted potatoes, or sweet potatoes.
Other meat: Cooked pork sausage, turkey sausage or any other cooked sausage, diced ham, ground beef, and turkey bacon are all great meats to use.
More vegetables: Try making it with bell peppers (green bell pepper and red bell pepper are both good), asparagus, broccoli, mushrooms, or kale.
Cheese alternatives: Monterey jack, pepper jack cheese, sharp cheddar cheese, or gruyere would work.
For a richer version: Milk can be substituted with two tablespoons of heavy whipping cream. And you can serve the casserole with a dollop of sour cream.
Serving Suggestions
Appetizer: Start with a cozy bowl of carrot cake oatmeal or these pancake nachos as a fun appetizer. Try this Mexican pudding for something creamy!
Main: Serve a wedge or slice of this breakfast casserole recipe with hash browns or breakfast potatoes.
Dessert: After the hashbrown breakfast casserole, end off with a plate of this super delicious bombolinI donuts or these cream cheese Danishes!
How to Store This Breakfast Casserole
Store: Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container or in the casserole dish with plastic wrap on top, in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Freezer: Freeze any leftovers by slicing the casserole and storing the squares in a gallon-size Ziploc bag.
Thaw: Leave the leftovers or frozen premade casserole in the fridge overnight to thaw.
Reheat: Reheat in the microwave, air fryer or oven until warm.
Top Tips
Thaw and drain hash browns: Make sure the frozen hashbrowns are fully thawed and well-drained to prevent excess moisture, which can make the easy breakfast casserole soggy.
Cook bacon and onions properly: Cook until it is crispy and the onions are translucent. This step adds flavor and texture to the casserole.
Check for doneness: Bake until the center is set. You can check this by inserting a knife or toothpick into the center; it should come out clean when done.
Let it rest: Allow the casserole to rest for a few minutes after baking. This helps it set further and makes it easier to slice and serve.
Hashbrown Breakfast Casserole FAQs
The casserole is done when the center is set and no longer jiggly. You can test this by inserting a knife or toothpick into the center; it should come out clean. The top should be golden brown.
If you prefer a milder flavor, skip the hot sauce or replace it with a dash of paprika or a pinch of cayenne pepper for a little kick. You can also use mild salsa or diced green chilies for a different type of heat.
Make sure the shredded hashbrowns are well-thawed and drained. If using fresh vegetables, sauté them first to remove excess moisture. Also, avoid using too much milk or directly adding watery ingredients to the mixture.
Hashbrown Breakfast Casserole Recipe
Hash Brown Breakfast Casserole
Ingredients
- 5 Slices bacon, diced
- 1 yellow onion, diced
- 8 eggs, large
- 3 Tablespoons milk
- 1 Teaspoon salt
- ½ Teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ Teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ¼ Cup baby spinach, chopped
- 1 Teaspoon hot sauce, optional
- 4 Cups hashbrowns, thawed
- 12 Ounces Swiss cheese, shredded
- chives, chopped, for optional garnish
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 9 x 13-inch baking dish and set aside.
- Cook bacon in a skillet over medium heat for 5 minutes.
- Add onions and cook until translucent and the bacon is crispy. Remove from heat and set aside.
- Whisk together the eggs, milk, salt, pepper, nutmeg, spinach, and hot sauce in a large bowl.
- Add hash browns, cheese, bacon, and onions. Mix until combined.
- Pour mixture into prepared baking dish and bake for 40 to 45 minutes, or until the center is set.
- Garnish with chives and serve.
Notes
Cook bacon and onions properly: Cook until it is crispy and the onions are translucent. This step adds flavor and texture to the casserole.
Check for doneness: Bake until the center is set. You can check this by inserting a knife or toothpick into the center; it should come out clean when done.
Let it rest: Allow the casserole to rest for a few minutes after baking. This helps it set further and makes it easier to slice and serve.
Nutrition
Make a hash brown casserole recipe that has all the goods: bacon, cheese, spinach, and hot sauce! This is one of the best breakfast casserole recipes ever if you want to make hashbrown breakfast casserole for the family.
Serve this bacon or sausage breakfast casserole hot for breakfast, brunch, or lunch with a salad and your favorite pickles. This easy make-ahead recipe is ideal for holiday menu planning, so remember to add it to your list!
Other Breakfast Recipes to Try
- Try my copycat recipe for Starbucks egg-bites; you won’t believe how similar they are to the OG Starbucks egg-bites.
- A batch of sheet pan eggs benedict is just as impressive as serving them the classic way.
- Biscuits and gravy breakfast casserole is really satisfying.
- A crockpot breakfast casserole is one of those easy-going recipes you need in your back pocket. And chicken tater tot casserole is fantastic.
- Whip up these breakfast tacos! They will be a hit.
This breakfast skillet is also really easy to make and so hearty!
Bella Bucchiotti
Bella Bucchiotti is a Canadian-based syndicated food, travel, and lifestyle writer, photographer, and creator at xoxoBella. She founded xoxoBella in 2015, where she shares her love for food, dogs, sustainability, fitness, crafts, outdoor adventures, travel, and philanthropy to encourage others to run the extra mile, try new recipes, visit unfamiliar places, and stand for a cause. Bella creates stress-free and family-friendly recipes for weeknight dinners and festive feasts.
Made this for brunch, and it was a hit! So cheesy and reheats perfectly—definitely making it again.
This hashbrown breakfast casserole is cheesy, hearty, and always a crowd-pleaser—perfect for any meal!
I love this elevated take on a classic hashbrown. Food for the soul!
This hashbrown breakfast casserole is the best! Quick, cheesy, and delicious— the whole family loved it!
Didn’t see this coming! This recipe is surprisingly delicious!