Cheesy Sausage Hashbrown Bake Recipe
The Cheesy Sausage Hashbrown Bake is the ultimate comfort food dish that brings together crispy hashbrowns, savory sausage, and a rich, cheesy blend in a warm, satisfying casserole. This easy-to-make bake is perfect for breakfast, brunch, or even dinner. It’s packed with flavor, requires minimal prep time, and can be assembled in advance for a quick, delicious meal.
Why You’ll Love Cheesy Sausage Hashbrown Bake
If you’re a fan of hearty, cheesy dishes, this casserole is a must-try. Here’s why it’s a fan favorite:
- Comforting and Hearty: This casserole combines the flavors of breakfast favorites like sausage and hashbrowns into a single dish that’s perfect for any meal.
- Cheesy Goodness: With both cheddar and mozzarella cheese, this bake is rich, gooey, and guaranteed to satisfy any cheese lover.
- Versatile: Whether it’s for a weekend brunch, a family dinner, or even a holiday breakfast, this dish works for almost any occasion.
- Make Ahead Option: It can be prepped ahead of time, making it perfect for busy mornings or when you need a dish ready in a short time.
Ingredients for Cheesy Sausage Hashbrown Bake
The ingredients for this casserole are simple, but they come together to create a deliciously cheesy and savory dish. Here’s what you’ll need:
For the Casserole:
- 1 lb breakfast sausage (pork or turkey)
- 1 30 oz bag frozen hashbrowns (thawed)
- 1 small onion (diced)
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 10.5 oz can cream of mushroom or cream of chicken soup
- ½ cup milk
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley or chives (optional, for garnish)
How to Make Cheesy Sausage Hashbrown Bake
Making Cheesy Sausage Hashbrown Bake is a breeze with these easy steps. From browning the sausage to assembling the casserole, it’s a simple process that results in a mouthwatering dish.
Step 1: Preheat the Oven
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray or butter. This ensures that your casserole won’t stick to the pan and will come out easily after baking.
Step 2: Cook the Sausage
In a large skillet, cook the 1 lb breakfast sausage over medium heat for about 7-9 minutes, or until browned and fully cooked. Use a spatula to break the sausage into crumbles as it cooks. Once the sausage is cooked, drain any excess fat if needed and set it aside.
Step 3: Mix the Hashbrowns and Cheese
In a large mixing bowl, combine the following ingredients:
- 1 bag (30 oz) frozen hashbrowns, thawed
- Cooked sausage from Step 2
- 1 small diced onion
- 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Stir everything together until well mixed, making sure the cheese and sausage are evenly distributed among the hashbrowns.
Step 4: Prepare the Sauce
In a separate bowl, whisk together the following sauce ingredients:
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of mushroom or chicken soup
- ½ cup milk
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
Stir until the sauce is smooth and well combined.
Step 5: Combine and Assemble the Casserole
Pour the sauce mixture over the hashbrowns and sausage mixture. Stir everything together until all the ingredients are evenly coated with the creamy sauce.
Transfer the mixture to the prepared 9×13-inch baking dish, spreading it out evenly so that it fills the dish.
Step 6: Add More Cheese and Bake
Sprinkle the remaining ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese and ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese over the top of the casserole. This extra cheese will melt into a bubbly, golden layer during baking.
Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes in the preheated oven. After 30 minutes, remove the foil and bake for an additional 15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and golden brown on top.
Step 7: Garnish and Serve
Once your Cheesy Sausage Hashbrown Bake is done, remove it from the oven and let it cool for 5-10 minutes. This allows the casserole to set so it slices more easily. Garnish with fresh parsley or chives, if desired, for a pop of color and extra flavor.
Tips for the Best Cheesy Sausage Hashbrown Bake
To make sure your casserole is as delicious as possible, here are a few tips:
Use a Flavorful Sausage:
The sausage is the star of this dish, so choose one that’s flavorful. You can use pork sausage, turkey sausage, or even a spicy sausage for an extra kick.
Thaw the Hashbrowns:
Make sure your frozen hashbrowns are fully thawed before using them. This will help them cook evenly and absorb the sauce better.
Customize the Vegetables:
Add extra veggies to boost the flavor and nutrition of your casserole. Bell peppers, mushrooms, or spinach work well and can complement the flavors of the sausage and cheese.
Spice It Up:
For a bit of heat, mix in diced jalapeños or a pinch of red pepper flakes. This will add a spicy twist to the dish that’s sure to please those who love a little extra kick.
Make It Ahead:
This casserole can easily be made ahead of time. Simply assemble it, cover it, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. When you’re ready to bake it, you may need to add an extra 10 minutes to the cooking time if baking from chilled.
Variations of Cheesy Sausage Hashbrown Bake
While the classic version of this dish is delicious on its own, there are plenty of variations you can try to customize it to your taste.
Swap Out the Meat:
Instead of using breakfast sausage, you can substitute with chorizo, bacon, or ham for a different flavor profile. Each option adds its own unique twist to the casserole.
Try Different Cheeses:
While the combination of cheddar and mozzarella is classic, you can experiment with other cheeses such as Monterey Jack, pepper jack, or Colby Jack. These cheeses will add different flavors and textures to the dish.
Add More Veggies:
Incorporating vegetables like diced bell peppers, mushrooms, or spinach can make the casserole even more filling and nutritious. Just make sure to cook any veggies beforehand to prevent excess moisture.
Storing Leftovers
Leftover Cheesy Sausage Hashbrown Bake can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, simply pop it in the microwave or place it in the oven until warmed through. If you have a lot of leftovers, you can also freeze the casserole for up to 3 months. Just be sure to wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil before freezing.
Conclusion: Why You Need to Try This Recipe
Cheesy Sausage Hashbrown Bake is the ultimate comfort food, packed with all your favorite breakfast ingredients and baked into a cheesy, savory casserole. Whether you’re looking for an easy breakfast, a filling brunch dish, or a hearty dinner, this casserole has you covered. It’s delicious, easy to make, and can be prepped ahead of time for convenience. Try it today and see why this recipe is sure to become a family favorite!
Cheesy Sausage Hashbrown Bake
Equipment
- 9×13-inch baking dish
- Large skillet
- Mixing Bowls
- Whisk
- Spatula
Ingredients
- 1 lb breakfast sausage pork or turkey
- 1 30 oz bag frozen hashbrowns (thawed)
- 1 small onion diced
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 10.5 oz can cream of mushroom or cream of chicken soup
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley or chives for garnish optional
Instructions
- Preheat the oven:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray or butter.
- Cook the sausage:
- In a large skillet, cook the sausage over medium heat until browned and fully cooked, about 7-9 minutes. Use a spatula to break the sausage into crumbles as it cooks. Drain excess fat if necessary and set aside.
- Mix the hashbrowns and cheese:
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the thawed hashbrowns, cooked sausage, diced onion, 1 1/2 cups of the cheddar cheese, and 1 cup of the mozzarella cheese.
- Prepare the sauce:
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the sour cream, cream of mushroom or chicken soup, milk, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Stir until smooth.
- Combine and assemble:
- Pour the sauce over the hashbrown and sausage mixture. Stir everything together until evenly coated.
- Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish, spreading it out evenly.
- Sprinkle the remaining cheddar and mozzarella cheeses over the top.
- Bake the casserole:
- Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and golden brown on top.
- Garnish and serve:
- Remove from the oven and let the casserole cool for 5-10 minutes. Garnish with fresh parsley or chives if desired before serving.
Video
Notes
- For a lighter version, substitute turkey sausage, use reduced-fat sour cream, and opt for a lower-fat cheese blend.
- You can add vegetables like bell peppers, mushrooms, or spinach for extra flavor and nutrition.
- For added spice, mix in diced jalapeños or a pinch of red pepper flakes.
- This casserole can be made ahead of time. Simply assemble the dish, cover, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking. You may need to add an additional 10 minutes to the bake time if baking from chilled.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.