The Recipe Bench

Prep Time: 15 minutes | Cook Time: 45 minutes | Total Time: 1 hour | Servings: 4

This Sausage Hash Brown Breakfast Casserole is the ultimate make-ahead Christmas morning lifesaver! Savory sausage, crispy hash browns, eggs, and melted Cheddar cheese bake into a hearty, satisfying breakfast that feeds your family with zero morning stress. Prep it the night before and just pop it in the oven while you open presents!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Make-ahead magic. Prep everything the night before and bake fresh in the morning.

Hearty and filling. Packed with protein from sausage and eggs—keeps everyone full all morning.

Perfect for Christmas morning. No standing over the stove while everyone’s opening gifts!

Budget-friendly. Uses simple, affordable ingredients you probably already have.

Easily doubled. Use a 9×13 pan to feed a bigger crowd (that’s what we always do!)

Directions

Step 1
Gather all ingredients. Preheat your oven to 350°F and grease a 9×9 baking dish or pie plate. If doubling (shown here) use a 9×13 pan.

Step 2
Brown sausage in a skillet and crumble. Meanwhile, mix milks, eggs, and salt in a bowl.

Step 3
Transfer your cooked sausage to a larger bowl and add hash browns, cheddar cheese, black pepper, and remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt. Stir well until just combined.

Step 4
Spread the mixture in your prepared baking dish and gently pour the egg mixture over top, being careful to distribute the mixture evenly throughout the dish. Bake for 45 minutes or until bubbly and deeply golden brown on top.

Tips for Success

Drain the sausage well. Excess grease makes the casserole soggy. Press the cooked sausage with paper towels if needed.

Use hot sausage for flavor. Hot sausage adds great flavor! If you prefer mild, use regular breakfast sausage.

Make it ahead the RIGHT way. Keep the sausage/hash brown mixture separate from the egg mixture. Refrigerate both overnight, then assemble in the morning before baking. Add 10-15 minutes to bake time if starting cold.

Don’t skip the resting time. Letting it rest for 5 minutes helps the casserole set so it’s easier to cut clean portions.

Check for doneness. The center should be firm and not jiggly. If the top browns too fast, tent with foil.

Double it for a crowd. Use a 9×13 pan and double all ingredients to serve 8-10 people.

Add veggies for nutrition. Diced bell peppers, onions, or spinach make this even heartier.

Storage & Reheating

Refrigerate: Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Reheat: Reheat individual portions in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, or reheat the whole casserole covered with foil in a 350°F oven for 15-20 minutes.

Freeze (unbaked): Assemble the casserole (keep egg mixture separate), wrap tightly, and freeze for up to 1 month. Thaw overnight in the fridge before assembling and baking.

Freeze (cooked): Freeze cooked portions in airtight containers for up to 1 month. Reheat from frozen in the microwave.

Sausage Hash Brown Breakfast Casserole (Make-Ahead Christmas Morning!)

Savory sausage, crispy hash browns, eggs, and melted Cheddar cheese bake into a hearty, satisfying breakfast that feeds your family with zero morning stress.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 45 minutes mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients Method

Ingredients

  

• 1 pound hot pork sausage
• 1 cup milk
• 3 large eggs beaten
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt divided
• 1/2 30 oz package frozen hash brown potatoes, thawed
• 1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
• 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper

Method

 

1. Preheat and prep. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9-inch square baking dish or a 9-inch deep-dish pie plate with butter or cooking spray.
2. Cook the sausage. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the pork sausage until browned and crumbly, 5 to 7 minutes. Break it up with a wooden spoon as it cooks. Drain and discard the grease.
3. Make the egg mixture. In a medium bowl, whisk together the milk, beaten eggs, and 1 teaspoon of salt until well combined.
4. Combine the casserole base. Transfer the cooked sausage to a large bowl. Add the thawed hash browns, shredded Cheddar cheese, black pepper, and the remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt. Stir everything together until evenly combined.
5. Assemble the casserole. Spread the sausage and hash brown mixture in an even layer in the prepared baking dish. Pour the egg mixture evenly over the top, making sure it seeps down into all the layers.
6. Bake until golden. Bake in the preheated oven until the casserole is bubbling around the edges and golden brown on top, about 45 minutes. The center should be set and not jiggly.
7. Rest and serve. Let the casserole rest for 5 minutes before cutting into portions. Serve warm and enjoy!

Made this recipe? We’d love to hear how it turned out! Leave a comment below or tag us on social media.