Hash Brown Casserole Breakfast Without Canned Soup

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (28 g)
• 1 pound breakfast sausage (454 g)
• 1 red bell pepper, diced (150 g)
• 1 package frozen shredded hash browns, thawed (907 g)
• 1 cup whole milk (240 g)
• 4 ounces cream cheese, cubed (113 g)
• 1 1/2 teaspoons garlic powder (4 g)
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt (6 g)
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper (1 g)
• 8 large eggs (400 g)
• 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar, divided (226 g)
• 1/2 cup sliced green onions (50 g)

Instructions

1. Prepare dish. Heat oven to 375°F. Butter a 9-by-13-inch baking dish and spread the thawed hash browns evenly across the bottom. Press lightly to make a level potato layer.
2. Cook filling. Brown sausage in a large skillet over medium heat, breaking it into crumbles, until no pink remains. Transfer sausage to a plate. Cook red pepper in 1 tablespoon drippings until softened, about 4 minutes, then scatter both over potatoes.
3. Make sauce. Lower heat. Whisk milk and cream cheese in the skillet until smooth. Stir in garlic powder, salt, pepper, and 1 1/2 cups cheddar. Remove from heat and cool 3 minutes.
4. Combine custard. Whisk eggs in a bowl until blended. Gradually whisk in warm cheese sauce, then stir in green onions. Pour over potatoes and sausage, moving crumbles so they are distributed evenly. Top with remaining cheddar.
5. Bake casserole. Bake uncovered for 40 to 45 minutes, until the center reaches 160°F and the dish no longer jiggles when moved. If the top darkens early, cover loosely with foil for the remaining time.
6. Rest and cut. Rest 10 minutes before running a thin spatula around the edges. Cut into six squares and serve warm, or cool slightly before transferring portions to containers.

Notes

• Thawed hash browns vary in moisture. If the bag looks watery, squeeze the potatoes gently in a clean towel before spreading them in the dish; this avoids a loose layer at the bottom.
• To bake from an overnight chill, keep the dish covered in the refrigerator, then add about five minutes as needed. The center temperature and lack of jiggle are better indicators than a fixed extra time.

Nutrition Facts