Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole
This Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole is a hearty, make-ahead dish perfect for feeding a crowd. Combining crispy tater tots, savory sausage, bell peppers, and a rich cheesy egg mixture, it's baked until golden and bubbly. Ideal for brunches or holiday mornings, its overnight preparation makes serving effortless.
Equipment
- 1 9x13 inch Baking Dish For assembling and baking the casserole.
- 1 Large Skillet For browning sausage and onion.
- 1 Wooden Spoon For breaking up sausage during cooking.
- 1 Large Mixing Bowl For preparing the egg and cheese mixture.
- 1 Aluminum Foil For covering the casserole during overnight chilling and initial baking.
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
To elevate this casserole, ensure the sausage is well-browned for deep flavor. Dice your vegetables very finely for even distribution and quicker cooking. For crispier tater tots, you could par-bake them slightly before assembling. The overnight chill is crucial; it allows the flavors to meld and the tots to absorb the eggy mixture, ensuring a cohesive texture. When baking uncovered, monitor closely to achieve a golden, bubbly cheese topping without over-browning. A light sprinkle of fresh chives or chopped cilantro before serving adds freshness and color. Consider using a mix of mild and sharp cheeses for a more complex flavor profile.