Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole

Article by Layla Khoury-Hanold

Breakfast casseroles, also known as breakfast hot dish or breakfast bakes, are an all-in-one dish that combines potatoes, protein, eggs and cheese. Breakfast casseroles are an ideal make-ahead dish, perfect for a weekend breakfast or holiday brunch, or an everyday meal prep morning saver or breakfast-for-dinner winner. Breakfast casseroles lend themselves to a variety of mix-and-match combinations: potatoes, such as tater tots or hash browns; veggies, like peppers or mushrooms; cheeses, like cheddar, Monterey jack or mozzarella; and protein, such as diced ham, bacon and beef, turkey or pork sausage. For her take, Ree Drummond makes her feeds-a-crowd breakfast casserole with crispy tater tots, savory sausage and fluffy, cheesy eggs. With Ree’s easy recipe, you’ll learn how to build flavor with each layer, how long to cook breakfast casseroles and how to ensure a bubbly, browned cheesy topping.

How to Make Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole Like a Pro

Reach for bulk breakfast sausage. Ree uses bulk breakfast sausage which can easily be broken up in the pan. She prefers spicy breakfast sausage, but you can opt for regular breakfast sausage if you prefer.

Brown the sausage with aromatic onions to build flavor. Browning the sausage helps to build flavor and the addition of finely diced onion imparts a mild, savory and aromatic flavor.

Layer frozen tater tots in a single layer in the bottom of the pan. Tater tots can go straight from the freezer to a buttered baking dish, creating a sturdy base layer that’ll crisp up as it bakes. Ensure that the tots are arranged in an even layer before adding the sausage-onion mixture.

Build a flavorful, rich egg mixture with a blend of dairy, peppers and seasonings. Ree adds both milk and half and half for richness, vibrant green and red bell peppers, cayenne for kick and seasoned salt for a savory hit, plus a duo of shredded cheddar and Monterey jack cheeses for extra cheesy flavor.

Finish baking the casserole without foil for a golden finish. Once the layered casserole has baked for 20 minutes at 350 degrees, remove the foil and bake for an additional 20 minutes so the eggs finish setting and the top layer of cheese gets bubbly and golden brown.

How Long to Cook Tater Tot Casserole

Cook tater tot casserole for about 40 minutes. Ree recommends first baking tater tot casserole in a foil-covered dish for 20 minutes in a 350 degree F oven, then removing the foil and baking it for an additional 20 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and browned.

Can You Freeze Egg Casserole?

Yes, you can freeze egg casserole. The USDA recommends baking the breakfast casserole first, allowing it to cool and then storing leftovers in the freezer in an airtight, freezer-safe container or bag for up to three months. Uncooked egg casserole should not be frozen.

What to Serve with Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole

Serve tater tot breakfast casserole with fruit salad, like Ree’s gorgeous Citrus Salad or fan-favorite Fruit Salad with Orange-Vanilla Syrup, and festive brunch beverages, such as her Tropical Bellinis or Bloody Mary Bar.