Breakfast Tater Tot Casserole Recipe
Get ready to savor a hearty casserole that will delight the entire family—the Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole. This delicious dish brings together tater tots, savory meats, melty cheese, and fluffy eggs, creating a crowd-pleasing masterpiece that is both satisfying and convenient. Its familiar and comforting ingredients make it an instant hit with everyone, whether you’re serving it for a leisurely Sunday brunch or a weekday breakfast that brings joy to the table.
Why You’ll Like This Tater Tot Casserole Recipe
Grab your ingredients and get ready to savor every delicious bite of this Tater Tot Casserole—a dish that brings joy and satisfaction to every occasion.
Ingredients
- 4 slices bacon
- 1 pound breakfast sausage
- 2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese, divided
- 1 cup milk
- 8 large eggs
- 3 green onions, thinly sliced
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- 2 pounds frozen tater tots
- ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley (optional)
Directions
Cook bacon in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Place cooked bacon on a layer of paper towels to drain excess grease and set aside.
Drain fat from the skillet and return the skillet to the heat. Cook the sausage in the same skillet, breaking it into small pieces and stirring occasionally until fully cooked. Drain cooked sausage on paper towels and set aside.
Preheat the oven to 350°F/180° and lightly spray a 9 x 13-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
In a large mixing bowl, combine 1 ½ cups of shredded cheese, milk, eggs, and green onions. Season with salt and pepper. Set aside.
Place half of the tater tots in an even layer on the bottom of the dish. Spread the cooked sausage on top of the tater tots.
Pour the egg mixture over the sausage layer.
Top with a single layer of the remaining tater tots. Sprinkle over the cooked bacon and the remaining cheese.
Bake the casserole for 40 minutes, or until the eggs have set. Garnish with fresh parsley, if using.
Storage
Store this breakfast casserole in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. The casserole can be reheated in the microwave, but for crispier results reheat in the oven. Cover the casserole loosely with a sheet of foil if it browns too quickly while reheating. Cook at 350°F/180° for 10 to 15 minutes or until heated through.
This casserole is suitable for freezing. Freeze in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight, before reheating as directed above.
Recipe Notes
- There’s no need to thaw the tater tots before making the casserole.
- Check the casserole at the 30-minute mark. Cover it loosely with a sheet of aluminum foil if it browns too quickly while baking.
- This casserole is a great make-ahead dish. Make a batch of this casserole, keep in the fridge for up to 3 days, and reheat individual portions as required for breakfast (or snacking).
Substitutions and Variations
The great thing about tater tot casserole is that you can mix and match ingredients to suit your tastes. Here are some ideas for substitutions and variations:
- Use turkey bacon, turkey sausage or vegetarian sausage instead of pork products.
- Try different types of cheese such as Colby Jack or feta cheese for a more intense flavor.
- Add diced vegetables such as green bell peppers, mushrooms, or zucchini to the mix.
- Use prepared hash browns instead of tater tots for a change.
These variations allow you to customize your breakfast casserole to suit your taste preferences and dietary needs, ensuring that you never get bored with this versatile and comforting dish.
- Veggie Delight: Swap out the meat and incorporate an assortment of colorful vegetables like bell peppers, onions, spinach, and mushrooms. Sauté the vegetables before adding them to the casserole for added flavor and texture.
- Southwest Flair: Give your breakfast casserole a Tex-Mex twist by adding ingredients like diced green chilies, black beans, corn, and shredded Monterey Jack or cheddar cheese. Top it off with a dollop of salsa or a drizzle of hot sauce for an extra kick.
- Ham and Cheese Classic: For a timeless combination, omit the sausage and incorporate diced ham and your favorite cheese into the casserole. Consider using Swiss, Gruyère, or a classic cheddar. The saltiness of the ham pairs perfectly with the creamy cheese, resulting in a comforting and satisfying dish.
- Spinach and Feta Twist: Create a Mediterranean-inspired breakfast casserole by adding wilted spinach and crumbled feta cheese. The combination of the earthy spinach and tangy feta brings a delightful burst of flavor to the dish.
- Italian-Inspired: Incorporate Italian sausage, mozzarella cheese, and fresh basil into your breakfast casserole for an Italian twist. Serve with diced tomatoes to complete the theme. The combination of these ingredients will give your dish a hearty and satisfying taste reminiscent of a classic Italian meal.
- Mexican Fiesta: Give your breakfast casserole a burst of Mexican flavors by adding ingredients like chorizo, jalapeños, diced tomatoes, and a blend of Mexican cheeses. Serve with salsa, guacamole, or sour cream for a complete Mexican breakfast experience.
More Breakfast Recipes
Hungry for more delicious breakfast recipes? We have some! Be sure to check out the following recipes at SouthernKissed.com:
- Easy Sausage Gravy
- Cinnamon Roll Casserole with Blueberries
- Homemade Cereal
- Bakery-Style Blueberry Muffins
Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole
Ingredients
- 4 slices bacon
- 1 pound breakfast sausage
- 2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese divided
- 1 cup milk
- 8 eggs
- 3 green onions thinly sliced
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- 2 pounds frozen tater tots
- ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley optional
Instructions
- Cook bacon in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Place cooked bacon on a layer of paper towels to drain excess grease and set aside.
- Drain fat from the skillet and return the skillet to the heat. Cook the sausage in the same skillet, breaking it into small pieces and stirring occasionally until fully cooked. Drain cooked sausage on paper towels and set aside.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F/180° and lightly spray a 9 x 13-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine 1 ½ cups of shredded cheese, milk, eggs, and green onions. Season with salt and pepper. Set aside.
- Place half of the tater tots in an even layer on the bottom of the dish. Spread the cooked sausage on top of the tater tots.
- Pour the egg mixture over the sausage layer. Top with a single layer of the remaining tater tots. Sprinkle over the cooked bacon and the remaining cheese.
- Bake the casserole for 40 minutes, or until the eggs have set. Garnish with fresh parsley, if using.
Notes
Nutrition
Be sure to come back and leave a comment below after you make this recipe. We would love to hear how it turned out!
Sounds great and delicious, I’m wondering if this is able to be prepared day before?
Loved it! Can’t wait to share it at the next ladies brunch!
I hope they all love it. Please come back and let us know what they thought.
This sounds and looks delicious, but I am wondering if there is any possible way to make it without the eggs? My husband is deathly allergic to eggs but otherwise I think he would love the casserole. Any suggestions would be appreciated! Thank you!
I have not tried it, but perhaps using a vegan egg substitute might work.There is a liquid egg product called JUST Egg and it looks like it could possibly work. https://www.ju.st/cook According to the website, “JUST Egg works in a wide variety of baking applications, with a few exceptions, such as light, airy cakes and meringues. We encourage you to try it in your favorite recipes and let us know how it goes for you. We’re always working to improve JUST Egg and would love to hear your feedback. You can usually use it in a 1:1 substitution, assuming that a chicken egg is 3 to 4 tablespoons or 1.5 to 2 oz of liquid.”
If you do try it, please let us know how it turns out.