Easy Tator Tot Breakfast Casserole
You'll love this Easy Tator Tot Breakfast Casserole recipe made with tator tots. sausage, eggs, and cheese. This recipe is perfct for holiday brunches or weekend breakfast with the family.
Servings: 8 servings
Ingredients
- 1 pound spicy breakfast sausage or use regualar flavored
- 8 eggs
- ¾ cup half and half
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon pepper
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese shredded cheddar cheese, divided
- 1 pound frozen Tator Tots
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 9′ x 13′ baking dish with no stick cooking spray. (Glass works best.)
- In a skillet, cook the ground sausage over medium heat while breaking into small pieces until no longer pink. Remove skillet from heat, drain grease from sausage and set aside. Pro Tip: I like to line a plate with paper towels and spoon the sausage onto the plate. The paper towel will absorb the grease and then you can continue with your recipe.
- Spread the crumbled sausage in an even layer over the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
- In a medium bowl whisk eggs, half and half, garlic powder, salt and pepper until well combined.
- Pour the egg mixture over the sausage into the baking dish. Top with 1 cup shredded cheese.
- Place frozen tater tots evenly over the top of the sausage, egg, and cheese mixture. Do not submerge tater tots. Top with remaining 1 cup shredded cheese.
- Bake for about 50 minutes or until a knife inserted in the middle comes out clean. If you want crispier tator tots, turn on the broiler for the last 5 or 6 minutes of baking time to crisp up the tops of the tots. Remove the casserole from the oven and let it sit for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
How to Make Ahead
You can freeze this Tator Tot Breakfast Casserole either before baking or once it’s baked and cooled. To Freeze before baking:
- Assemble the breakfast casserole according to recipe instructions but DON’T add the tater tops on top.
- Tightly cover with plastic wrap or aluminum foil.
- Refrigerate the unbaked casserole for up to 24 hours.
- When ready to bake, remove the covering and let sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before baking.
- Add the frozen tater tots and bake according to recipe directions, adding an additional 10-15 minutes, if needed.
You can freeze this Tator Tot Breakfast Casserole either before baking or once it’s baked and cooled. To Freeze before baking:
- Assemble the breakfast casserole according to recipe instructions but DON’T add the tater tops on top.
- If you add the tots now, they will not bake up crispy.
- Cover the casserole with two layers of aluminum foil; freeze for up to 2 months.
- The night before you want to serve this for breakfast, take the casserole out of the freezer and allow it to thaw overnight in the refrigerator.
- When ready to bake, remove the foil and let sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before cooking.
- Add the frozen tater tots and bake according to recipe directions, adding an additional 10-15 minutes, if needed.
- Let the casserole cool completely. I found it best to chill the casserole overnight in the refrigerator before freezing. It sets up better.
- Freeze the entire baking dish by covering the casserole with two layers of aluminum foil. For individual servings, cut into serving sizes and place in an individual freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 2 months.
To reheat: - Freezing the casserole after it’s baked will result in the tots not being as crispy upon reheating but it will stay yummy.
- Reheat individual servings straight from frozen in the microwave.
- To reheat the entire casserole, allow it to thaw completely overnight in the refrigerator.
- Cover and bake at 350 degrees until heated through, approximately 30 minutes.
- If you prefer, use a regular ground sausage, turkey sausage, or try the Impossible brand of breakfast sausage. Or, substitute diced ham for the sausage (a great way to use up leftover ham from the holidays.)
- Substitute the cheddar cheese for your favorite. Monterey Jack or Pepper Jack is excellent in this dish. Swiss or even Mozzarella will be so good with this.
- Be sure the tator tots are frozen when you top the casserole.
- Add sauteed diced onion and bell peppers to the egg mixture.
- For more spice, add chopped jalapenos or a pinch of red pepper flakes.
- Serve with salsa, sliced green onion, or even a dollop of sour cream.
- Storing leftovers – Cool completely, then place in an airtight container and keep in the fridge for up to 3 days