Breakfast is often called the most important meal of the day—and for good reason. Starting your morning with a delicious, satisfying, and protein-packed dish sets the tone for the hours ahead. But on busy mornings, who has the time or energy to whip up something elaborate?
Enter the Sausage Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole—the perfect combination of convenience, heartiness, and crowd-pleasing flavor. This recipe has everything you need in a breakfast dish: crispy tater tots, savory sausage, fluffy eggs, and melty cheese—all baked together into one golden, comforting casserole. Whether you’re feeding a hungry family, meal-prepping for the week, or preparing a brunch gathering, this casserole has your back.
In this comprehensive post, you’ll find:
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A detailed ingredient list with US cup and weight measurements
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Clear, step-by-step directions
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Tips to make it ahead or customize it to fit your taste
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Nutritional information
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Storage and reheating guidance
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Ideas for delicious add-ons and flavor twists
Why You’ll Love This Breakfast Casserole
What sets this dish apart is its incredible flavor-to-effort ratio. It’s hearty, cheesy, filling, and just indulgent enough without going overboard. More importantly, it’s:
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Easy to make – Just layer, whisk, and bake
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Make-ahead friendly – Prep it the night before
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Kid-approved – Tater tots make it fun and irresistible
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Flexible – Add veggies, change proteins, use different cheeses
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Great for gatherings – Potlucks, brunches, holidays, or lazy weekends
Ingredients (US Cups and Measures)
Let’s break down everything you need to make this breakfast casserole. Each item can be found at your local grocery store, and many are probably already in your kitchen.
Base Ingredients:
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1 lb ground breakfast sausage – Use your favorite brand (mild or spicy).
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8 large eggs – These bind the casserole and make it fluffy.
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1 cup 2% milk – Helps create a custardy egg base.
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1 tsp garlic powder – For subtle depth and flavor.
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1 tsp salt – Enhances the dish without over-seasoning.
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1 tsp black pepper – Balances richness and adds a bit of heat.
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1 cup shredded cheddar cheese – Or a blend like Colby-Jack or Mexican mix.
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1 lb frozen tater tots – Straight from the freezer—no need to thaw.
Optional Add-Ins:
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½ cup diced bell peppers
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½ cup chopped green onions
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½ cup cooked and chopped bacon
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½ cup diced mushrooms
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¼ cup chopped jalapeños (for spice)
These extras can elevate the dish, add color, or tailor it to your personal tastes.
Step-by-Step Directions
This casserole is incredibly simple to assemble, and once it’s in the oven, all you have to do is wait and enjoy the aroma. Here’s how to do it:
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray or a light coat of butter. This ensures easy cleanup and helps prevent sticking.
Step 2: Cook the Sausage
In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground breakfast sausage. Use a wooden spoon or spatula to break it into small crumbles. Cook until no longer pink—this typically takes 6–8 minutes.
Once cooked, remove the sausage from the skillet and drain excess grease on paper towels or in a colander. Even a lean sausage will release some fat, and you don’t want a greasy casserole.
Step 3: Layer the Ingredients
Spread the cooked sausage evenly across the bottom of the greased baking dish. Sprinkle the shredded cheese on top of the sausage layer.
Optional Tip: Add chopped vegetables (like bell peppers or mushrooms) at this stage to build more flavor.
Step 4: Prepare the Egg Mixture
In a large mixing bowl, crack and whisk the 8 eggs until the yolks and whites are combined. Then add the milk, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Whisk again until fully incorporated.
Step 5: Pour and Top
Carefully pour the egg mixture over the sausage and cheese layer. Use a spoon or spatula to gently press any sausage pieces that float back down.
Now arrange the frozen tater tots on top. You can line them up in neat rows for a beautiful golden crust or just spread them out evenly. The tater tots will stay on the surface, forming a crispy topping as the casserole bakes.
Step 6: Bake
Place the casserole in the oven and bake for 50–55 minutes, or until:
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The center is firm and no longer jiggles
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The top is golden brown
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A toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean
If the tater tots start to over-brown, you can loosely tent the dish with foil during the last 10–15 minutes of baking.
Step 7: Rest and Serve
Once the casserole is fully baked, remove it from the oven and allow it to rest for 5–10 minutes before slicing. This helps the egg set and makes it easier to serve.
Nutritional Information
While exact numbers may vary depending on the specific sausage or cheese you use, here is an approximate breakdown per serving (based on 10 servings):
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Calories: ~327 kcal
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Protein: 17g
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Carbohydrates: 15g
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Fat: 22g
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Fiber: 1g
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Sugar: 1g
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Sodium: 580mg
This breakfast casserole is high in protein and satisfying enough to keep you full for hours. You can lighten it by using turkey sausage, low-fat cheese, and almond milk instead of 2% milk.
Make-Ahead and Storage Tips
This casserole is perfect for prepping in advance, which makes it a go-to for busy families and holiday hosts.
Make-Ahead:
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Prepare the night before: Assemble everything, cover tightly with foil, and refrigerate overnight. In the morning, let it sit on the counter for 20 minutes before baking.
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Bake ahead and reheat: You can bake the casserole, cool completely, cover, and refrigerate for up to 4 days.
Freezing Instructions:
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Unbaked Version: Assemble, wrap tightly in plastic and foil, and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before baking.
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Baked Version: Cool, slice into portions, wrap individually, and freeze. Reheat in the oven at 350°F for 15–20 minutes or microwave until hot.
Pro Tips and Tricks
Here are some professional tricks and suggestions to help you get the best result:
1. Use Quality Sausage
The sausage is the backbone of the dish’s flavor. Choose a high-quality breakfast sausage, or mix half pork sausage with chorizo or Italian sausage for more punch.
2. Layer Wisely
Placing the cheese under the tots ensures it melts into the egg and sausage base. Tater tots on top create that signature crispy texture.
3. Get Creative with Cheese
Cheddar is classic, but you can mix in mozzarella, pepper jack, Monterey Jack, or Swiss to create your own flavor profile.
4. Want More Veggies?
Add sautéed spinach, kale, mushrooms, or zucchini to the layers. You can even stir chopped broccoli into the egg mixture for extra nutrition.
Flavor Variations
This breakfast casserole is endlessly versatile. Here are some ideas to inspire your next batch:
• Spicy Southwest Casserole
Add diced jalapeños, swap cheddar for pepper jack, and serve with salsa or hot sauce.
• Country-Style Bacon Casserole
Use crumbled bacon instead of sausage and add sautéed onions and country gravy on the side.
• Veggie Lover’s Delight
Skip the meat and load it with bell peppers, mushrooms, spinach, and zucchini. Use vegetarian sausage or tofu if desired.
• Southern-Style Biscuits & Gravy Bake
Use biscuit pieces instead of tater tots and top with sausage gravy before baking.
Serving Suggestions
Make your breakfast casserole the star of the table with a few simple sides:
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Fresh fruit salad with berries and citrus
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Buttermilk biscuits or toast
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Yogurt parfaits with granola
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Avocado slices or guacamole on the side
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Fresh-squeezed orange juice or a breakfast smoothie
For special occasions, you can even pair this with mimosas or a brunch cocktail bar.
Final Thoughts
The Sausage Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole is everything a breakfast lover dreams of: warm, cheesy, filling, and customizable. It brings comfort, ease, and flavor all in one pan—no extra dishes, no morning stress.
This casserole checks every box: it’s simple, hearty, freezer-friendly, and a total crowd-pleaser. Whether you’re prepping for a busy school week or hosting weekend brunch, this is a dish that makes mornings better.