Breakfast Casserole
User Reviews
5
Breakfast Casserole
Description
The recipe starts by cooking refrigerated shredded hash browns in butter until golden and slightly crisp on the bottom, creating a textured base for the casserole. Eggs are beaten and combined with half and half, shredded cheddar and Swiss cheeses, diced ham, chopped green onion, and parsley to form a flavorful custard. Seasoning with salt and black pepper enhances the savory profile.
The custard is poured evenly over the cooked hash browns in a baking dish and baked at 350 degrees Fahrenheit until the center is just set, which takes approximately 40 to 50 minutes. Cooling briefly before serving helps the casserole set and slice cleanly. The flavors meld into a comforting, cheesy dish with savory meat and a fresh herb note from parsley.
Variations include substituting frozen thawed hash browns (skipping sautéing), swapping cheeses like Monterey Jack or Gruyere, replacing ham with bacon or sausage, adding sautéed vegetables, or topping with avocado and tomatoes. The casserole can be made in advance and refrigerated before baking to reduce morning prep time.
Ingredients
- 1 (20 oz)pkg. hash browns shredded, refrigerated
- 1/4 cup butter
- salt to taste
- black pepper to taste
- 12 large egg
- 1 1/2 cups half and half
- 1 cup cheddar cheese medium or sharp, shredded
- 1 cup swiss cheese shredded
- 8 oz. ham break up any clumps, diced
- 1/3 cup green onion chopped
- 2 1/2 Tbsp parsley chopped, fresh
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 13 by 9-inch baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.
- Melt butter in a large 12-inch non-stick skillet over medium high heat. Spread hash browns into an even layer in pan, season with salt and pepper. Let cook until golden brown on bottom about 6 - 8 minutes, then turn potatoes and continue to cook 3 minutes longer.
- Pour hash browns into prepared baking dish, set aside.
- Add eggs to a large mixing bowl. Break yolks and stir together with a fork until blended.
- Stir in half and half, cheddar, Swiss, ham, green onions, parsley and season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Pour mixture evenly over hash brown layer then spread out with a spatula to even out top as needed.
- Bake in preheated oven until center is just set, about 40 - 50 minutes. Let cool about 5 minutes before slicing and serving.
Notes
- Frozen thawed hash browns can be used; omit sautéing and butter if doing so.
- The casserole can be prepared up to step 6, refrigerated overnight, then baked with an extra 10 to 15 minutes baking time.
- Cheese options like Monterey Jack, Muenster, Provolone, or Gruyere work well as substitutes.
- Ham can be substituted with cooked bacon, Canadian bacon, or breakfast or Italian sausage.
- Add vegetables such as sautéed mushrooms or bell peppers for extra flavor.
- Serving suggestions include topping with sliced avocado, diced tomatoes, or warm hollandaise sauce.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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