If you love a hearty, cheesy, and utterly comforting breakfast, then this Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole with Sausage and Cheese Recipe is about to become your new weekend favorite. It’s packed with crispy tater tots, savory sausage, and melty cheese, all wrapped up in fluffy, flavorful eggs. Seriously, it’s a cozy dish that brings your morning to life with just the right balance of textures and flavors.
Why You Should Make This Recipe
Comfort food at its best: This casserole combines classic breakfast favorites into one warm, satisfying dish that feels like a hug on a plate.
Super easy to prepare: With simple ingredients and straightforward steps, you can have a delicious breakfast casserole ready in under an hour.
Feeds a crowd effortlessly: Whether you’re hosting a brunch or feeding a family, this casserole stretches to serve plenty without breaking a sweat.
Perfect for make-ahead meals: You can assemble it the night before, making busy mornings stress-free and still delicious.
Ingredients & Substitutions
This recipe uses simple kitchen staples, each playing a key role in delivering incredible flavor and texture—from the crispy tater tots to the rich, melty cheese and perfectly seasoned eggs. You’ll gather ingredients that are easy to swap based on your preferences or what you have on hand, making this casserole a truly versatile delight.
- Breakfast sausage: Adds a hearty, savory punch; you can use regular or spicy to vary the heat.
- Frozen tater tots: They crisp up beautifully in the oven and create a delightful crunchy base.
- Shredded cheese blend: Mexican blend or cheddar both melt beautifully and lend a rich, creamy taste.
- Eggs and milk: These form the creamy custard that ties all ingredients together perfectly.
- Seasonings (salt, pepper, garlic, onion powder): Simple but essential, they elevate the flavor without overpowering.
How to Make Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole with Sausage and Cheese Recipe
Step 1: Cook the sausage
Start by heating a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add your sausage and break it apart as it cooks. You want it nicely browned and crumbled—this delivers that irresistible savory flavor that’s the backbone of the dish.
Step 2: Layer the base
Grease your baking dish with a bit of butter to keep things from sticking. Layer in your frozen tater tots, then sprinkle the cooked sausage evenly over the top. Scatter 1½ cups of shredded cheese on top and give it all a gentle stir to marry these delicious components.
Step 3: Whisk and pour the egg mixture
In a medium bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, kosher salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder until fully blended. Pour this creamy mix evenly over the tater tots, sausage, and cheese in your baking dish. Finish with the remaining ½ cup of cheese sprinkled on top for an extra cheesy crust.
Step 4: Bake to perfection
Pop your dish into a 350ºF preheated oven and bake for about 55-60 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when the eggs are set and the edges turn a gorgeous golden brown. Let the casserole cool slightly before serving to allow everything to settle beautifully.
How to Serve Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole with Sausage and Cheese Recipe
Garnishes
A sprinkle of fresh chopped green onions or parsley brings a lively pop of color and fresh flavor that brightens up the rich casserole. For a little heat, add a dash of hot sauce or some sliced jalapeños; they pair perfectly with the savory sausage and melty cheese.
Side Dishes
This casserole is hearty on its own but pairs wonderfully with crisp fruit salad or a simple green salad to add freshness. You could also serve it alongside warm biscuits or toast for a full, satisfying spread that everyone will love.
Creative Ways to Present
Try making this casserole in individual ramekins for a cute, personalized touch at brunch. Or for gatherings, slice it like a lasagna and serve on a pretty platter with garnishes arranged around the edges—it’s a surefire crowd-pleaser both in taste and appearance.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. This casserole reheats beautifully, making it a fantastic option for speedy breakfasts or even dinner on busy days.
Freezing
You can freeze portions individually for grab-and-go meals. Wrap or store them in freezer-safe bags or containers and keep frozen for up to two months. Just thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating to enjoy that fresh-baked taste all over again.
Reheating
Reheat leftovers in the microwave or oven until warmed through. For the oven, cover with foil and heat at 350ºF for about 15-20 minutes; if microwaving, try short bursts on medium power to prevent overcooking the eggs.
FAQs
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Can I make the Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole with Sausage and Cheese Recipe vegetarian?
Absolutely! You can swap the sausage for plant-based breakfast sausage or sautéed mushrooms and bell peppers for a hearty vegetarian version that still delivers plenty of flavor.
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Can I use fresh potatoes instead of tater tots?
You can, though tater tots bring a unique crispy texture that’s hard to replicate. If using fresh potatoes, parboil and then roast or pan-fry them to get some crispiness before layering them in the casserole.
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How spicy is this casserole?
The spice level depends on the sausage you choose. Using hot breakfast sausage will add a nice kick, while regular sausage keeps it mild and family-friendly. You can always add hot sauce at serving to suit your taste.
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Can this casserole be made gluten-free?
Yes! Just be sure to select gluten-free sausage and seasonings. Tater tots are often gluten-free but always check the package to be safe.
Final Thoughts
There’s something truly comforting about a warm, cheesy breakfast casserole packed with all your favorite flavors. This Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole with Sausage and Cheese Recipe is exactly that—a crowd-pleaser that’s simple, savory, and endlessly satisfying. I can’t wait for you to try it and make it a new staple in your breakfast rotation!
Print
Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole with Sausage and Cheese Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This hearty Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole combines crispy tater tots, savory breakfast sausage, and melted cheese baked together with a seasoned egg mixture for a satisfying and delicious breakfast or brunch dish. Perfect for feeding a crowd or prepping ahead for easy weekday mornings.
Ingredients
Meat
- 1 pound regular or hot breakfast sausage, cooked and crumbled
Vegetables & Starches
- 30 ounces frozen tater tots
Dairy
- 2 cups shredded Mexican blend cheese or cheddar cheese, divided
- 8 eggs
- 1 cup milk
Seasonings
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- ½ teaspoon granulated garlic or garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Dish: Preheat your oven to 350ºF. Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish thoroughly with butter to prevent sticking and set it aside for later use.
- Cook Sausage: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the breakfast sausage until it is fully browned and crumbly. Drain any excess grease once cooked.
- Combine Tater Tots, Sausage, and Cheese: Place the frozen tater tots into the prepared baking dish, then add the cooked sausage on top. Sprinkle 1½ cups of shredded cheese over the mixture and gently stir to combine the layers evenly.
- Mix Egg Mixture: In a medium bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, kosher salt, black pepper, granulated garlic, and onion powder until well blended. Pour this egg mixture evenly over the tater tots, sausage, and cheese in the baking dish.
- Add Remaining Cheese: Top the casserole with the remaining ½ cup of shredded cheese for a cheesy crust.
- Bake: Bake uncovered in the preheated oven for 55-60 minutes, or until the eggs are fully set and the top is golden brown around the edges. The casserole should be hot and bubbly.
- Serve: Remove from the oven and let cool slightly before serving warm. Enjoy your delicious tater tot breakfast casserole!
Notes
- Bacon, diced ham, or pork or turkey sausage are excellent alternatives to the regular breakfast sausage. Use about 1 pound (approximately 2 cups cooked) of whichever meat you prefer.
- This casserole is perfect for make-ahead meals. Assemble it, cover tightly with foil, and refrigerate overnight. When ready to cook, bring the casserole to room temperature while preheating the oven. Bake covered with foil for 50 minutes, then uncover and bake an additional 20-25 minutes until eggs are set and top is golden.
- For freezing, portion the cooked casserole into individual servings and store in zip-close bags inside a larger freezer bag or container. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating in the microwave, or reheat frozen portions at half power for 2 minutes, then at full power until hot.
