Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This casserole is the ultimate comfort breakfast—it’s rich, creamy, and deeply satisfying without being overly heavy. The cream cheese gives it a luscious texture, the sausage adds a hearty, savory element, and the hashbrowns bring that classic crispy potato goodness. It’s easy to assemble, requires just a handful of ingredients, and bakes up beautifully golden every time. Whether you’re serving it to guests or saving leftovers for grab-and-go breakfasts, it’s guaranteed to please everyone at the table.
Sausage, Egg, and Cream Cheese Hashbrown Casserole: A Hearty Breakfast Favorite
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 8 servings
- Diet: Halal
Description
This Sausage, Egg, and Cream Cheese Hashbrown Casserole is a hearty, creamy, and cheesy breakfast bake packed with savory sausage, fluffy eggs, and crispy hashbrowns — perfect for brunch, holidays, or meal prep mornings.
Ingredients
- 1 lb breakfast sausage
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 8 large eggs
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1 (30 oz) package frozen shredded hashbrowns, thawed
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
- 2 tbsp butter, melted
- Chopped green onions or parsley, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the sausage until browned and cooked through. Drain any excess grease.
- Add cream cheese to the cooked sausage and stir until melted and fully combined. Remove from heat.
- In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder until smooth.
- Add hashbrowns, sausage-cream cheese mixture, and 1 1/2 cups of cheddar cheese to the egg mixture. Stir until evenly combined.
- Pour mixture into the prepared baking dish and spread evenly. Drizzle melted butter on top.
- Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of cheddar cheese over the top.
- Bake for 40–45 minutes, or until the center is set and the top is golden brown.
- Let cool for 5–10 minutes before serving. Garnish with green onions or parsley if desired.
Notes
- Use spicy sausage for extra flavor or turkey sausage for a lighter option.
- Can be assembled ahead of time and refrigerated overnight before baking.
- Freezes well — cool completely, then wrap tightly and freeze for up to 2 months.
- Great for breakfast, brunch, or even dinner!
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
(Tip: You can find the complete list of ingredients and their measurements in the recipe card below.)
Breakfast Sausage: Ground pork sausage works best. Choose mild or spicy depending on your preference. It adds rich, savory flavor and hearty texture.
Cream Cheese: The key to creaminess—melted into the sausage mixture, it gives every bite a velvety smooth finish.
Frozen Hashbrowns: The base of the casserole. They crisp up beautifully and add that comforting potato flavor.
Eggs: Bind the ingredients together and give the casserole its fluffy, satisfying structure.
Shredded Cheddar Cheese: Melts into gooey perfection throughout the casserole. You can mix in mozzarella or Colby Jack for variety.
Milk or Heavy Cream: Adds richness and ensures the eggs bake up light and tender.
Onion Powder and Garlic Powder: Add subtle depth and enhance the savory flavor of the dish.
Salt and Black Pepper: Essential seasonings to balance the richness of the other ingredients.
Green Onions (optional): Add a pop of color and mild freshness for garnish.
Directions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter or cooking spray.
- Cook the sausage. In a skillet over medium heat, cook the sausage until browned and crumbly. Drain excess grease.
- Add the cream cheese. Stir the cream cheese into the hot sausage until melted and well combined. Remove from heat.
- Prepare the hashbrowns. Spread the hashbrowns evenly over the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
- Mix the egg mixture. In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, salt, pepper, onion powder, and garlic powder.
- Assemble the casserole. Spoon the sausage and cream cheese mixture evenly over the hashbrowns. Pour the egg mixture on top and sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese over everything.
- Bake. Place in the oven and bake for 35–40 minutes, or until the eggs are set and the top is golden brown.
- Cool slightly and serve. Let the casserole rest for 5 minutes before slicing. Garnish with green onions if desired.
Essential Equipment
Must-Have Tools to Get Rolling
Here’s what you’ll want to have on hand:
- Large pot – You’ll need this to boil the whole cabbage head and soften the leaves.
- large bowl –Spacious, durable large bowl ideal for mixing, serving, or food preparation. Made from sturdy material and easy to clean.
- Sharp knife – For coring the cabbage and slicing out the thick stem in each leaf. A paring knife works best.
- Mixing bowl – A big bowl makes it easier to combine your meat and rice filling evenly.
- Cutting board – For prepping cabbage leaves and rolling them like a pro.
- 9×13-inch baking dish – Ideal size to fit your rolled cabbage leaves snugly and prevent them from unraveling.
- knife – A sharp, durable kitchen knife perfect for slicing, chopping, and dicing with ease.
- Silicone Spatula – Durable, heat-resistant silicone spatula perfect for mixing, scraping, and spreading. Gentle on non-stick cookware and easy to clean.
Servings and timing
This recipe serves 8 people. Preparation takes 15 minutes, baking time is 40 minutes, and total time is about 55 minutes.
Storage/reheating
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To reheat, bake at 350°F (175°C) for 10–12 minutes or microwave individual portions for 1–2 minutes. For long-term storage, freeze the fully baked casserole for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Variations and Customizations
Spicy Southwest Version
Add diced jalapeños, pepper jack cheese, and a sprinkle of chili powder for a bold kick.
Vegetable-Loaded Casserole
Mix in sautéed bell peppers, onions, or spinach for extra flavor and nutrition.
Bacon and Sausage Combo
Use half sausage and half crumbled bacon for smoky richness.
Ham and Cheese Twist
Replace the sausage with diced ham and use Swiss or Monterey Jack cheese for a milder flavor.
Make-Ahead Breakfast Bake
Assemble the casserole the night before, refrigerate overnight, and bake fresh in the morning.
Keto-Friendly Option
Skip the hashbrowns and use steamed cauliflower rice instead for fewer carbs.
Creamy Mushroom Style
Add sautéed mushrooms with the sausage for earthy depth.
Cheesy Overload
Mix cheddar and mozzarella or top with extra cheese before baking for ultimate gooeyness.
Mini Casserole Cups
Bake in muffin tins for easy, portioned breakfasts perfect for meal prep.
Herb-Infused Flavor
Add a sprinkle of dried thyme, rosemary, or Italian seasoning for a savory touch.
FAQs
1. Can I use fresh potatoes instead of frozen hashbrowns?
Yes, just shred and squeeze out the excess moisture before using.
2. Can I make this casserole ahead of time?
Absolutely! Assemble it the night before, cover, refrigerate, and bake in the morning.
3. Can I use turkey sausage?
Yes, turkey sausage works well for a lighter version.
4. Can I add vegetables?
Definitely—onions, bell peppers, and spinach make great additions.
5. What cheese works best?
Cheddar is classic, but you can use mozzarella, Colby Jack, or even pepper jack for spice.
6. How do I prevent a soggy casserole?
Make sure to drain the sausage well and bake uncovered until the eggs are fully set.
7. Can I use reduced-fat cream cheese?
Yes, but the texture will be slightly less creamy.
8. Can I double this recipe?
Yes, just use two baking dishes or a larger roasting pan.
9. Can I freeze it before baking?
Yes, assemble and freeze before baking. Thaw in the fridge overnight, then bake as directed.
10. What can I serve with this casserole?
It pairs wonderfully with fruit salad, biscuits, or a light green salad for brunch.
Conclusion
This Sausage, Egg, and Cream Cheese Hashbrown Casserole is the ultimate breakfast comfort food—creamy, cheesy, and packed with flavor. It’s a hearty dish that’s simple enough for everyday mornings yet special enough for holidays and gatherings. The combination of savory sausage, fluffy eggs, and golden hashbrowns creates a perfect balance of textures and tastes. Once you try it, this casserole will become your go-to breakfast bake for feeding a hungry crowd or prepping easy meals for the week.
Looking for more tasty recipes? Visit our website for full details and follow us on Pinterest for daily food ideas to save and share