Pioneer Woman Breakfast Casserole Recipe

A hearty breakfast casserole featuring layers of eggs, sausage, cheese, and bread, baked to golden perfection for a satisfying morning meal. Perfect for feed-a-crowd occasions.

Ingredients

• 1 pound breakfast sausage
• 6 green onions, chopped
• 1 red bell pepper, chopped
• 10 large eggs
• 1 1/4 cups heavy cream
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 2 teaspoons Tabasco (optional)
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 3 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
• 1 (30 ounce) package frozen shredded hash browns, thawed

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat the Oven and Prepare Your Baking Dish
   Let’s get started by setting your oven to 350°F. This will give it enough time to heat up while you prepare everything else. Meanwhile, take a 9-by-13-inch baking dish and give it a good spray with some nonstick spray so nothing sticks and cleanup is a breeze later.

2. Step 2: Cook the Sausage Mixture
   Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Toss in the breakfast sausage, chopped red bell pepper, and the white and light green parts of the green onions. Use a wooden spoon to break the sausage into small pieces as it cooks. You’ll want to stir it occasionally, cooking until the sausage is no longer pink and the vegetables are softened, which should take about 6 to 8 minutes. Once done, let it cool slightly.

3. Step 3: Whisk the Egg Mixture
   Grab a large mixing bowl and crack in those 10 eggs. Add in the heavy cream, Dijon mustard, a few dashes of hot sauce if you like a kick, salt, black pepper, and about half of the remaining green onion tops. Whisk everything together until it's well combined. This will be the base of your casserole, bringing all the flavors together.

4. Step 4: Combine and Layer the Ingredients
   Now it's time to bring everything together. Stir 1 ½ cups of sharp cheddar cheese and the thawed hash browns into your egg mixture. Then, add in the slightly cooled sausage mixture. Mix until everything is evenly distributed. Pour this combined mixture into your prepared baking dish, smoothing it out so it cooks evenly.

5. Step 5: Bake Covered for the First Round
   Cover the dish with foil and pop it into your preheated oven. Let it bake for about 50 minutes. This step helps the casserole set without getting too brown on top while still getting all the flavors to meld together wonderfully.

6. Step 6: Add Cheese and Finish Baking
   Carefully remove the foil from your baking dish and sprinkle the remaining 1 ½ cups of cheddar cheese over the top. Increase your oven's temperature to 400°F, and continue baking for another 10 to 15 minutes. You’re looking for a lightly browned top and a set center, which ensures it's cooked through.

7. Step 7: Let It Rest and Garnish
   Once your casserole is out of the oven, let it rest for about 10 minutes. This makes slicing easier and allows the flavors to settle. Just before serving, sprinkle the rest of the green onion tops over the casserole. It adds a fresh pop of color and a bit of crunch. Enjoy your delicious creation!

Notes

Whipping up this breakfast casserole is a delightful adventure, but a few common slip-ups can lead to a less-than-perfect dish. One frequent misstep is not letting the sausage mixture cool down before mixing it with the eggs—this can cause the eggs to scramble prematurely. Give it a little chill time before joining forces.

Another hiccup? Overcooking the casserole. Keep a close eye during the last 10-15 minutes after removing the foil. You're aiming for a lightly browned top, not a crispy critter! If you're unsure, a gentle nudge of the center should tell you if it's set.

Lastly, don't skip the step of thawing the hash browns. Frozen hash browns can make the casserole watery, leading to a soggy breakfast. A little patience pays off with a perfectly fluffy result!

Enjoy every cheesy bite!