The Cheesy Breakfast Casserole is the kind of hearty dish that brings everyone to the table whether it’s a lazy Sunday brunch or a quick weekday breakfast reheat. Combining crispy hash browns with savory bacon, eggs, and bubbling mozzarella, it offers a comforting, well-balanced meal in one skillet.
What makes this dish so appealing is not only its flavor but also its simplicity. It’s designed to go from stovetop to oven in a single pan, minimizing cleanup while maximizing taste. Add your own twist with herbs or veggies, and you’ll find yourself coming back to this recipe time and again.
Full Recipe
Ingredients:
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1 lb (about 4 medium) Yukon gold potatoes, peeled and grated
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5 strips of bacon, sliced into strips
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1/2 medium onion, finely diced
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1 medium bell pepper, diced
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1–2 Tbsp olive oil
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6 large eggs
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1/4 cup sour cream
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1/2 tsp salt
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1/8 tsp black pepper
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1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
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Optional garnishes: diced tomatoes, chopped chives, sliced avocado
Directions:
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Preheat oven to 350˚F. Prepare all vegetables and bacon before starting.
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Grate potatoes and squeeze them dry with paper towels. Set aside.
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In an oven-safe 10-inch skillet, cook bacon over medium-high heat for 2-3 minutes. Add onion and bell pepper; sauté for another 7-10 minutes until golden brown. Remove the mixture from the skillet and set aside.
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In the same skillet, heat 1–2 tbsp olive oil. Add grated potatoes and sauté for 7 minutes, flipping occasionally until lightly crispy. Spread potatoes evenly across the skillet base and remove from heat.
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In a bowl, whisk together eggs, sour cream, salt, and pepper. Stir in the cooked bacon mixture and 3/4 cup of mozzarella.
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Pour egg mixture over the potatoes. Top with remaining 3/4 cup mozzarella. Cover loosely with foil and bake for 25 minutes.
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Remove foil and broil for 3-4 minutes until the cheese is golden brown. Let cool slightly, garnish as desired, and serve warm.
Prep Time: 15 minutes | Cooking Time: 28 minutes | Total Time: 43 minutes
Kcal: 320 kcal | Servings: 6 slices
The Ultimate Comfort Brunch: Cheesy Breakfast Casserole with Bacon and Hash Browns
When it comes to comfort food that brings people together, few dishes compare to a hearty breakfast casserole. The Cheesy Breakfast Casserole with Bacon and Hash Browns is a standout for its rich flavors, balanced textures, and homestyle appeal. It’s not just a dish it’s a tradition, a go-to recipe that’s made its way onto countless weekend brunch menus, holiday tables, and casual weekday breakfasts. Packed with crispy potatoes, savory bacon, fluffy eggs, and melted mozzarella, this casserole is as satisfying as it is simple.
But there’s more to this casserole than meets the eye. Beyond its irresistible golden top and creamy center lies a story of culinary evolution, kitchen creativity, and family heritage. Whether you’re cooking for a crowd, prepping meals ahead of a busy week, or simply craving something indulgent, this casserole delivers.
The History of Breakfast Casseroles
Breakfast casseroles are deeply rooted in American home cooking, particularly popular in the Midwest and Southern United States. Historically, they evolved as a practical solution for feeding large families with ingredients readily available eggs, potatoes, cheese, and meat. These dishes were assembled ahead of time, allowing the cook to simply pop them in the oven the next morning, often before a big family gathering or church service.
Over the decades, breakfast casseroles have remained a staple due to their affordability, adaptability, and minimal prep effort. What began as a farm-family practicality has turned into a beloved comfort food that graces brunch tables from coast to coast. The addition of cheese and bacon makes this specific variation especially appealing, combining the universal love of creamy, crispy, and smoky flavors.
Why This Recipe Works So Well
At its core, this recipe is built on classic pairings that are beloved across cuisines. Potatoes and bacon provide a salty, crispy foundation. Eggs bring the binding and fluffiness. Cheese adds richness and a gooey texture. But it’s not just about ingredients it’s about how they interact. When layered properly and baked until golden, each bite offers contrast: crispy and tender, savory and creamy.
Another reason this casserole shines is that it’s baked in a single skillet, making cleanup easy. Using an oven-safe pan, such as cast iron, allows for even cooking and a beautiful presentation straight from oven to table.
Perfect for Make-Ahead Meals
One of the greatest advantages of this dish is its make-ahead potential. Many breakfast casseroles taste even better after the flavors have had time to meld. You can prep the mixture the night before, refrigerate it, and bake it fresh the next morning. This makes it ideal for holidays like Christmas or Easter when time is precious, and the kitchen is busy.
It also freezes well. Whether you bake it first and reheat, or freeze the unbaked mix for a later date, you’ll find that it holds its flavor and texture. Simply cover tightly to avoid freezer burn and store in a freezer-safe dish.
Versatility and Customization
While the base recipe is incredibly satisfying as-is, the real magic happens when you start customizing. Don’t eat pork? Swap bacon for turkey bacon or sausage. Looking for a vegetarian version? Omit the meat and add mushrooms, zucchini, or spinach for a delicious plant-based alternative.
Not a fan of mozzarella? Try sharp cheddar, pepper jack, or even crumbled feta for a completely different flavor profile. You can also play with the herbs and spices. Fresh parsley or chives brighten things up, while a touch of paprika or chili flakes adds warmth and heat.
For a healthier twist, consider replacing sour cream with Greek yogurt or using sweet potatoes instead of regular ones. Even the cooking fat can be swapped olive oil, avocado oil, or even butter can be used to sauté the vegetables.
Nutritional Perspective
Despite being a rich and comforting meal, this casserole can fit into many balanced diets. It offers a generous amount of protein from eggs and bacon, carbohydrates from potatoes, and fats from cheese and sour creammaking it a complete meal in itself.
Of course, portion control matters. A standard serving is hearty, and pairing it with a fresh side salad or fruit helps round out the nutritional profile. If you’re following a lower-carb lifestyle, you can experiment with cauliflower hash browns as a substitute.
When to Serve It
This breakfast casserole fits seamlessly into a variety of occasions:
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Weekend brunches: Impress guests with a warm, comforting meal that comes together with minimal fuss.
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Holiday mornings: Perfect for feeding a crowd when you’re entertaining family over Thanksgiving or Christmas.
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Potlucks and office parties: It’s easy to transport and reheats well.
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Meal prep: Slice it into individual servings and refrigerate or freeze for grab-and-go breakfast or lunch throughout the week.
You can serve it with toasted bread, fresh fruit, or a dollop of salsa or hot sauce for added flavor. A light arugula or spinach salad with lemon vinaigrette is also a refreshing pairing that balances the richness of the casserole.
Presentation and Serving Tips
While taste is king, presentation matters especially if you’re sharing your dish on social media or hosting guests. Here are a few easy tricks:
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Garnish with fresh herbs like chopped chives or parsley to add color.
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A few slices of ripe avocado or a sprinkle of diced tomato brightens up the plate.
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Serve in the same cast iron skillet for a rustic, homestyle look, or cut into squares and plate individually for a more elegant feel.
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If entertaining, place sour cream or hot sauce in small bowls for guests to customize their portions.
Why It’s a Reader Favorite
There’s something universally comforting about this dish. It’s simple enough for novice cooks, yet satisfying enough for seasoned foodies. Readers who have made it often rave about how the potatoes crisp up on the bottom, how the cheese browns perfectly on top, and how every layer bursts with flavor.
It’s also kid-approved, which is no small feat for a recipe involving vegetables. The bacon and cheese combo usually wins over picky eaters, while parents appreciate the balance of nutrients and ease of preparation.
Conclusion:
The Cheesy Breakfast Casserole with Bacon and Hash Browns is more than just a recipe it’s a celebration of comfort, simplicity, and shared meals. It’s what you make when you want to show love through food, when you want to feed your family with something warm and filling, or when you want to make your guests feel instantly at home.
Whether you stick to the original version or make it your own, this casserole is a reliable, delicious option that belongs in every home cook’s repertoire. Its versatility, ease, and crowd-pleasing nature have earned it a permanent spot at the breakfast table.