Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole
Nothing beats a cozy breakfast casserole that brings the whole family together around the table! This hearty tater tot breakfast casserole is perfect for busy parents, holiday hosts, and anyone who wants a delicious morning meal without all the fuss. The best part is you can make it ahead of time and just pop it in the oven when you’re ready.
Recipe Details
Timing & Servings: Active Time: 20 minutes, Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes, Serves: 10 people.
Nutrition Profile: Nut-Free, Soy-Free
Nutrition Facts (per serving): 347 Calories, 21g Fat, 25g Carbs, 11g Protein
Ingredients You’ll Need
Extra-virgin olive oil: You’ll need 3 teaspoons total, which we’ll use in two different steps. This gives our sausage and veggies that perfect golden color and keeps everything from sticking.
Turkey sausage: A 12-ounce package of bulk turkey sausage adds amazing flavor without being too heavy. You can find this in the meat section near the ground turkey.
Yellow onion: One and a half cups chopped up gives us that sweet, savory base. Don’t worry about perfect pieces – rough chops work just fine!
Red bell pepper: One cup chopped adds beautiful color and a slight sweetness. Red peppers are my favorite, but orange or yellow work great too.
Garlic: Two cloves finely chopped bring that wonderful aroma. Fresh garlic makes such a difference, but you can use 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder if needed.
Large eggs: Eight eggs create the creamy custard base that holds everything together. Room temperature eggs mix better, but cold ones work fine too.
Whole milk: One and a half cups makes the casserole rich and creamy. You can use 2% milk if that’s what you have on hand.
Chili powder: Two teaspoons add warmth without too much heat. This is what gives our casserole that cozy breakfast flavor.
Cayenne pepper: Just half a teaspoon brings a tiny kick. Feel free to skip this if you’re cooking for little ones.
Ground pepper: A quarter teaspoon of regular black pepper rounds out the seasoning perfectly.
Frozen potato tots: One 28-ounce package creates that crispy, golden top we all love. No need to thaw them first!
Sharp Cheddar cheese: Three-quarters cup shredded melts beautifully and adds that classic breakfast flavor. Sharp cheddar gives the best taste, but mild works too.
Fresh chives: One tablespoon chopped adds a fresh pop of color and mild onion flavor right at the end.
How to Make Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole
Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F and spray a 9-by-13-inch baking dish with cooking spray. Heat 2 teaspoons of oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the turkey sausage and cook for 5 to 6 minutes, breaking it up with a wooden spoon until it’s nicely browned. Transfer the cooked sausage to a paper towel-lined plate, but don’t clean that skillet yet!
Step 2: Add the remaining 1 teaspoon of oil to the same skillet and heat over medium-high. Toss in the chopped onion and red bell pepper, cooking for about 7 minutes until they’re tender and starting to caramelize. Add the garlic and cook for just 1 minute until it smells amazing. Mix these cooked vegetables with your reserved sausage.
Step 3: In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, chili powder, cayenne, and black pepper until well combined. Stir in your sausage and vegetable mixture until everything is evenly distributed. Pour this mixture into your prepared baking dish. Arrange the frozen potato tots in a single layer on top, then sprinkle with the shredded cheese.
Step 4: Bake for 40 to 45 minutes until the casserole is set in the center and the cheese is golden brown on top. Let it rest for 10 minutes before serving – this helps it hold together when you cut it. Sprinkle with fresh chives right before serving for that perfect finishing touch.
Easy and Quick Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole Version
Want to save even more time? You can use pre-cooked breakfast sausage crumbles from the freezer section! Just thaw 2 cups of sausage crumbles and skip the browning step entirely. You can also buy pre-chopped onions and peppers from the produce section. This cuts your prep time down to just 10 minutes!
Serving Ideas
This casserole is a complete meal all by itself, but it’s wonderful with some fresh fruit on the side. Try serving it with sliced oranges, fresh berries, or a simple fruit salad. A piece of buttered toast or some crispy bacon makes it extra special for weekend mornings.
Storage
Store leftover casserole covered in the fridge for up to 4 days. To reheat, just pop individual portions in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, or warm the whole dish in a 350°F oven for about 15 minutes. You can also freeze portions for up to 3 months – just thaw overnight and reheat as usual.
Substitutions
No turkey sausage? Regular pork breakfast sausage works perfectly! Want to make it vegetarian? Skip the sausage and add extra bell peppers or some mushrooms. You can swap the whole milk for 2% milk or even half-and-half if you want it richer. Don’t have sharp cheddar? Mild cheddar, Monterey Jack, or even pepper jack all taste great.
Pro Tips
- Make-ahead magic: Assemble the whole casserole the night before, cover it, and refrigerate. Just add 5-10 extra minutes to the baking time!
- Even cooking: Don’t overlap the potato tots – they need space to get crispy on top.
- Perfect texture: Let it rest for the full 10 minutes after baking. This prevents a watery casserole when you cut into it.
- Cheese placement: Put the cheese on top of the tots, not under them, so it gets beautifully golden.
FAQs
Can I make this casserole dairy-free?
You bet! Use your favorite non-dairy milk like oat milk or almond milk, and swap the cheese for a dairy-free alternative. The texture will be slightly different, but it’ll still taste delicious.
How do I know when the casserole is fully cooked?
The center should be set and not jiggly when you gently shake the pan. You can also insert a knife in the center – it should come out mostly clean. The cheese on top should be golden brown and bubbly.
Can I use fresh potatoes instead of frozen tots?
Sure! You can use about 4 cups of diced potatoes, but you’ll need to partially cook them first. Boil them for about 8-10 minutes until just tender, then drain well before adding to the casserole.
What if I don’t like spicy food?
No worries at all! Just skip the cayenne pepper and reduce the chili powder to 1 teaspoon. You’ll still get great flavor without any heat.
Final Thoughts
I hope your family loves this tater tot breakfast casserole as much as mine does! It’s become our go-to for lazy weekend mornings and holiday brunches. Let me know how yours turns out – I’d love to hear about any fun variations you try!
