Name: Ultimate Breakfast Casserole with Sausage and Hashbrowns Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 1 h
Total time: 1 h 20 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 pound pork sausage; 1 pound bacon, chopped; 4 ounces cream cheese, room temperature; ½ cup sour cream; 1 cup whole milk; 8 large eggs; 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided; 1 package dry ranch seasoning mix; ½ teaspoon onion powder; ½ teaspoon garlic powder; ½ teaspoon salt; ½ teaspoon black pepper; 1 (30-ounce) bag frozen hashbrowns, thawed and drained of excess water

Jump to Recipe· 4.7 from 71 reviews

If you’re hunting for a breakfast that’s truly next-level, trust me, this Ultimate Breakfast Casserole with Sausage and Hashbrowns Recipe is exactly what you need. It’s this ridiculously delicious, hearty casserole that melds crispy bacon, savory sausage, creamy cheese, and hashbrowns into one ooey-gooey, flavor-packed morning feast. I absolutely love how this turns out — it’s like breakfast and comfort food had the best baby ever. Stick with me, and I’ll walk you through everything to nail it every time.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Crowd-Pleaser: My family goes crazy for this hearty, cheesy dish that’s perfect for feeding a crowd on weekends or holidays.
Make-Ahead Friendly: You can prep it the night before, making busy mornings or brunch parties fuss-free.
Balanced Flavors: The creamy, cheesy sauce works beautifully with salty sausage and crisp bacon, with hashbrowns bringing satisfying texture.
Simple Ingredients: No complex or hard-to-find stuff — just good old breakfast staples you probably already have.

A rectangular white baking dish filled with a cheesy casserole, showing one thick layer of melted golden-orange cheese with browned edges. The top layer has bits of browned ground meat and small pieces of red bacon scattered throughout, with small green onion pieces sprinkled over. The cheese surface looks creamy and slightly textured with some darker spots where it baked more. The dish is placed on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Ultimate Breakfast Casserole with Sausage and Hashbrowns, breakfast casserole with sausage and hashbrowns, hearty breakfast casserole, make-ahead breakfast casserole, cheesy breakfast casserole

Ingredients You’ll Need

These ingredients come together perfectly to create that rich and comforting casserole everyone will fight over. When you’re shopping, look for quality sausage and fresh bacon — they really elevate the dish you’ll serve.

Flat lay of raw ground pork sausage formed into a small mound, chopped crispy cooked bacon pieces, a block of cream cheese at room temperature in a simple white ceramic bowl, a small white bowl filled with sour cream, a small white bowl with whole milk, eight large whole uncracked brown eggs arranged neatly, a small white bowl containing dry ranch seasoning mix, tiny heaps of onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper each placed separately on the white surface, thawed frozen hashbrowns loosely piled, and two small piles of shredded cheddar cheese divided evenly, all placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997 - Ultimate Breakfast Casserole with Sausage and Hashbrowns, breakfast casserole with sausage and hashbrowns, hearty breakfast casserole, make-ahead breakfast casserole, cheesy breakfast casserole

Pork sausage: I prefer fresh, mild sausage; it browns nicely and carries the seasonings well.
Bacon: Thick-cut gives you great texture, but regular works fine too — just chop it up so it integrates well.
Cream cheese: Keep it at room temperature so it mixes smoothly without lumps.
Sour cream: Adds tang and creaminess that balances the richness of the meats and cheese.
Whole milk: Full-fat milk creates a silky custard base — skim or non-dairy won’t give you quite the same results.
Eggs: These bind everything and provide that fluffy, bake-together magic. Make sure they’re fresh!
Dry ranch seasoning mix: This adds a subtle herb-and-garlic punch that brightens every bite.
Onion powder & garlic powder: Double-down on that savory profile without the moisture fresh garlic or onion would add.
Salt & black pepper: Season to taste — this combo wakes up the flavors just right.
Frozen hashbrowns: Thawed and drained well to avoid sogginess; they add that must-have crispy potato texture.
Shredded cheddar cheese: Sharp cheddar gives a fantastic tang and melty stretch; dividing it for inside and on top makes every forkful cheesy.

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Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

I love that this recipe is a great starting point to play with — whether you want it more veggie-packed, go meatier, or make it lighter. Feel free to experiment while keeping the core elements the same.

Vegetable Boost: I sometimes toss in diced bell peppers or mushrooms cooked first, which adds a fresh flavor and some color.
Spicy Kick: Adding a pinch of cayenne or substituting breakfast sausage with spicy Italian sausage totally changes the vibe — gives it that extra zing I secretly crave.
Cheese Swap: Mix in pepper jack or a blend of mozzarella and cheddar for a different cheesy profile we’ve enjoyed before.
Low Carb Version: Swap hashbrowns for cauliflower rice — works surprisingly well for those avoiding carbs!

How to Make Ultimate Breakfast Casserole with Sausage and Hashbrowns Recipe

Step 1: Cook the Meats to Perfection

Heat up a large skillet over medium-high heat and cook both the pork sausage and chopped bacon together, stirring occasionally, until everything is fully cooked and no longer pink. Drain the excess fat carefully — you don’t want your casserole swimming, but leaving a little bit adds flavor. Set the cooked meat aside to cool while you prep the rest.

Step 2: Whip Up the Creamy Egg Mixture

In a big mixing bowl, use a hand mixer or whisk to blend the softened cream cheese and sour cream until smooth — this little trick ensures no lumps sneak in. Next, stir in the whole milk, eggs, ranch seasoning, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper until combined. That ranch seasoning is the secret ingredient that brings it all to life.

Step 3: Mix in Hashbrowns, Meat, and Cheese

Add the thawed and well-drained hashbrowns, the cooked sausage and bacon, plus half of your shredded cheddar cheese into the egg mixture. Stir gently until everything is evenly mixed without overworking it — you want the potatoes to keep some texture.

Step 4: Bake Until Golden and Bubbly

Spray a 9×13 baking dish with cooking spray, then pour your mixture inside. Sprinkle the remaining cheddar cheese on top, cover the dish tightly with foil, and bake at 350°F for around 50-60 minutes. Then, uncover and bake an additional 8-10 minutes so the cheese bubbles and turns a gorgeous golden brown. Let it rest a few minutes before slicing — it helps everything set up perfectly.

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Pro Tips for Making Ultimate Breakfast Casserole with Sausage and Hashbrowns Recipe

Drain Hashbrowns Thoroughly: I learned the hard way that excess water leads to a soggy casserole, so be sure to thaw and squeeze out as much moisture as possible.
Let it Rest Before Serving: Waiting just 5-10 minutes after baking helps the casserole firm up, making it easier to slice and serve without falling apart.
Use Room Temp Cream Cheese: Mixing when softened makes your custard silky smooth and lump-free every time.
Cover with Foil Initially: Baking covered locks in moisture so your casserole stays creamy; removing the foil at the end gets that irresistible golden cheese crust.

How to Serve Ultimate Breakfast Casserole with Sausage and Hashbrowns Recipe

A square white baking dish holds a cheesy casserole with three visible layers: the bottom layer is mixed with hash browns and small bits of cooked meat, the middle layer is creamy and lighter in color showing more shredded potatoes, and the top layer is bright orange melted cheese topped with small pieces of crispy bacon and green herbs sprinkled over it. A metal spatula lifts one portion from the dish, showing the layers inside, on a white marbled surface with a soft gray cloth nearby. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Ultimate Breakfast Casserole with Sausage and Hashbrowns, breakfast casserole with sausage and hashbrowns, hearty breakfast casserole, make-ahead breakfast casserole, cheesy breakfast casserole

Garnishes

I like to finish it off with a sprinkle of fresh chopped chives or green onions — they add a burst of color and a mild sharpness that cuts through the richness beautifully. Sometimes I even add a dollop of sour cream or hot sauce on the side for those who want a little zip.

Side Dishes

This casserole is pretty much a full meal on its own, but I’ve paired it with fresh fruit salad or a simple green salad for some brightness. My family also loves some crunchy toast or warm biscuits alongside to scoop up any leftover cheesy goodness.

Creative Ways to Present

For a brunch party, I’ve assembled this casserole in individual ramekins so everyone gets a personal mini casserole — super cute and perfect for plating. Another time, I layered it like a breakfast lasagna with extra cheese between layers for an impressive, gooier presentation that vanished fast.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

After it cools completely, I wrap leftovers tightly in plastic wrap or transfer to an airtight container and keep it in the fridge for up to 4 days. It reheats beautifully, making it perfect for busy weekday breakfasts.

Freezing

I’ve frozen this casserole successfully either before or after baking. Just wrap tightly in foil and plastic wrap to prevent freezer burn. When you’re ready, thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat at 350°F until warmed through. The texture stays great, which is a huge win for busy mornings.

Reheating

Reheat individual portions in the microwave for about 1-2 minutes or pop the whole dish in a 350°F oven, covered with foil, for 20-25 minutes to retain moisture. I avoid high heat so the casserole doesn’t dry out.

FAQs

Can I make the Ultimate Breakfast Casserole with Sausage and Hashbrowns Recipe vegetarian?

Absolutely! Swap the sausage and bacon for your favorite plant-based sausage or smoked tofu. You can also bulk up the casserole with extra veggies like bell peppers, spinach, or mushrooms to keep it hearty and satisfying.
Do I have to use frozen hashbrowns?

Frozen hashbrowns are convenient and give great texture, but you can use freshly shredded potatoes if you prefer. Just be sure to squeeze out excess moisture to avoid sogginess in your casserole.
Can I prepare this casserole the night before?

Yes! Assemble everything in the baking dish, cover tightly, and refrigerate overnight. In the morning, just pop it in the oven—add around 10-15 extra minutes to the baking time since it will be cold from the fridge.
Is this recipe gluten-free?

Check the labels on your sausage, bacon, and ranch seasoning mix to ensure they don’t contain gluten. If all ingredients are gluten-free, then yes, this casserole is safe for gluten-sensitive diners.
Can I substitute the cream cheese or sour cream?

You can experiment with Greek yogurt instead of sour cream for a lighter option, but it might alter the tang and texture slightly. Cream cheese is key for the creamy custard feel, so I’d recommend keeping it or using a similar soft cheese like Neufchâtel.

Final Thoughts

I discovered this Ultimate Breakfast Casserole with Sausage and Hashbrowns Recipe when I was searching for a crowd-pleaser that could handle a hungry family brunch — and it’s been a staple ever since. The way the flavors marry together with every bite gives me all the cozy, happy feelings of a lazy weekend morning. Trust me, you’ll want to keep this recipe close; it’s perfect for holidays, overnight guests, or anytime you want to impress without stress. So grab those ingredients, invite some company, and dig into this cozy morning masterpiece!