Sausage Breakfast Casserole Recipe

This easy breakfast casserole layers crispy hash browns, savory sausage, and cheesy eggs into one 9×13 pan. Just 10 simple ingredients and perfect for making ahead!

The breakfast casserole that feeds a crowd without breaking a sweat.

You know those mornings when you’ve got a house full of people and exactly zero interest in standing at the stove flipping individual pancakes like a short-order cook? This breakfast casserole is for those days! Crispy hash brown patties on the bottom, browned breakfast sausage in the middle, and a blanket of cheesy, fluffy eggs on top. It’s everything you want from a diner breakfast, baked into one dish you can slide into the oven and walk away from!

Here’s how it all comes together.

HEAT OVEN + PREP PAN. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees and grease a 9×13 baking dish with butter or cooking spray.

LAYER HASH BROWNS. Arrange the frozen hash brown patties in a single layer across the bottom of the pan. No need to thaw them first — just put them in straight from the freezer.

Things I learned while testing this recipe.

• Pre-baking the hash browns is a must. I tried skipping this step initially and ended up with a soggy potato layer that was a little sad. Just a quick 20 minutes in the oven ensures that the base of the casserole is sturdy and crisp.
• Don’t skip salting the hash browns right when they come out of the oven after that first bake. It adds tons of flavor, and that’s hard to make up for after the casserole is done. I also like to add a sprinkle of Lawry’s seasoning salt after baking – it bumps up that salty, seasoned flavor.
• Any breakfast sausage works here. I tested with loose sausage, links (casings removed), and patties (crumbled as they cooked), and they all delivered delicious results. Use what’s in your freezer.
• The eggs should be almost set when you add that final layer of cheese — a slight jiggle in the center is what you want. They’ll finish cooking in those last 5 minutes, and carryover heat takes care of the rest while it cools.
• Adding the cheese in two stages gives you the best of both worlds. Stirring it in with the eggs gives that cheddar flavor throughout. Then the layer on top stays melty and gives you that beautiful stretchy texture.

Your future self will thank you for this one.

This casserole basically begs to be made ahead of time. You’ve got a couple of options here:

• Assemble the night before: Bake the hash brown layer and cook the sausage. Allow both to cool and then add the egg mixture. Cover tightly, and refrigerate overnight. In the morning, let it sit on the counter while the oven preheats, then bake as directed. You may need to add 5-10 extra minutes since it’s starting cold.
• Bake it completely ahead: Bake the whole casserole, cool it, cover, and refrigerate for up to 3 days. Reheat individual slices as needed. Perfect for a week of grab-and-go breakfasts.
• Prep the components: Cook the sausage and slice the green onions up to 2 days ahead, then on assembly day, bake the hash browns, whisk the egg mixture, start layering, and bake.

Here’s what I’d serve with this.

• croissant french toast casserole
• air fryer french toast
• biscuits & gravy casserole
• giant homemade pop tart
• easy vegan rawnola
• pizza dough cinnamon rolls

Just in case you have leftovers.

• STORING: Let the casserole cool completely, then store leftovers in an airtight container (or cover the baking dish tightly with foil) in the fridge for up to 4 days.
• FREEZING: Slice the cooled casserole into individual portions, wrap each tightly in plastic wrap, and freeze in a freezer-safe bag or container for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
• REHEATING: For individual slices, microwave in 30-second bursts until heated through, about 60-90 seconds total. For larger portions, cover with foil and reheat in a 350-degree oven for 15-20 minutes until warmed through. The oven method keeps the hash browns crispier, but the microwave gets the job done on a busy morning.

More easy breakfast recipes for your eating pleasure.