Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole
This make-ahead Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole features a savory blend of crispy tater tots, seasoned sausage, and colorful bell peppers, all bound together with a rich, cheesy egg custard. Prepared the night before and baked until golden and bubbly, it offers a comforting, hearty dish perfect for a crowd at breakfast or brunch with minimal morning effort.
Equipment
- 1 9x13 inch Baking Dish Butter for greasing
- 1 Large Skillet For browning sausage and onions
- 1 Large Mixing Bowl For egg and cheese mixture
- 1 Wooden Spoon For breaking up sausage
- 1 Aluminum Foil For covering during initial bake
Ingredients
Main
- One 16-ounce bag frozen Tater Tots®
- Butter for the baking dish
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound spicy bulk breakfast sausage
- 1 medium onion very finely diced
- 1 cup milk
- 1/2 cup half-and-half
- 1/4 teaspoon seasoned salt
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne
- 4 large eggs
- 1 red bell pepper very finely diced
- 1 green bell pepper very finely diced
- 2 cups grated Cheddar cheese
- 1 cup grated pepper jack cheese
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Line up the tater tots in a buttered 9-by-13-inch baking dish.
- Add the olive oil to a large skillet over medium heat. Add the sausage and onion and cook, breaking the sausage up with a wooden spoon, until browned and cooked through, 8 to 10 minutes. Set aside to cool slightly, then sprinkle it over the tater tots.
- In a large bowl, mix the milk, half-and-half, seasoned salt, cayenne, eggs, bell peppers, half of both cheeses and some salt and pepper. Pour over the tots and sausage mixture, then top with the rest of the cheese. Cover with foil and refrigerate overnight.
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
- Bake, covered, for about 25 minutes. Remove the foil and continue to bake until the cheese is brown and bubbly and the casserole is cooked through, another 20 to 35 minutes. Cut into squares and serve.
Notes
For optimal flavor integration and a firmer set, ensure the casserole is refrigerated overnight; this allows the egg mixture to fully absorb into the tater tots. When browning the sausage and onions, aim for good caramelization on the onions to build a robust flavor foundation. For a crispier bottom layer, you can slightly pre-bake the tater tots for 10-15 minutes before adding other ingredients, or ensure they are well-drained of any excess moisture. Don't be shy with seasoning; adjust salt and pepper to taste in the egg mixture, and a touch more cayenne or a pinch of smoked paprika could elevate the overall profile.