This Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole isn't just easy to make; it's a delicious combo that satisfies your hunger and wakes up your taste buds. It's filling and flavorful, loaded with crispy tater tots, fluffy eggs, milk, and colorful veggies. This cheesy tater tot egg casserole gives you a mix of protein, carbs, and vitamins, making it the perfect way to start your day with a happy tummy.
Perfect for holiday brunches or a delightful breakfast, the Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole is guaranteed to be a hit at your table. In this post, I will guide you through creating a casserole featuring tater tots, sausage, bacon, and other common breakfast ingredients.
If you want more tasty casserole recipes, make sure to check out our Summer Squash Casserole-cheesy and healthy, our Green Bean Casserole, and the delicious Cheesy Hash Brown Casserole. They've got a mix of flavors and textures that'll please your taste buds!
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Ingredients
Below is the list of ingredients I used to make tater tot for breakfast casserole. All together, these ingredients work to create a tasty and satisfying Tater Tots Casserole for breakfast.
1. Tater Tots: These are the crunchy potato bites that form the base of the casserole, giving it a hearty feel.
2. Sausage: Adds a tasty, meaty flavor to the casserole and provides protein for a filling meal.
3. Egg: Helps hold everything together, making the casserole fluffy and cohesive.
4. Cheddar Cheese: Melts into the casserole, making it creamy and adding a delicious cheesy taste.
5. Green and Red Bell Peppers: Bring color and a mild, sweet flavor to the dish, making it visually appealing and tasty.
6. Whole Milk: Makes the casserole creamy and moist, enhancing its overall texture.
7. Onion: Adds a bit of sweetness and depth to the flavor of the casserole.
8. Fresh Garlic: Gives a strong, nice smell and flavor, making the dish more aromatic.
9. Bacon: Introduces a smoky, savory element, providing an extra layer of flavor and a crispy texture.
10. Smoked Paprika, Cayenne Pepper, Salt and Black Pepper: These seasonings bring out the flavors of the ingredients, making sure the casserole tastes just right.
How to Make Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole
Making sausage and tater tot breakfast casserole is simple and tasty. Here's a step-by-step guide:
1. Crisp Bacon:
- In a skillet, heat a bit of oil over low-medium heat.
- Cook bacon until it's crispy.
- Transfer the crispy bacon to a plate.
2. Brown Sausage and Onion:
- Add sausage and onion to the skillet.
- Brown them over medium-high heat for about 6 minutes.
3. Sauté the Vegetables:
- Add garlic, green bell pepper, and red bell pepper to the pan.
- Stir for 1-2 minutes until the veggies are slightly softened.
4. Combine Milk and Egg:
- In a mixing bowl, combine milk, egg, cayenne pepper, smoked paprika, black pepper, salt, and black pepper. Stir well.
5. Assemble the Casserole:
- Place the browned meat and onion in a baking dish.
- Sprinkle cheese and half of bacon all over the meat.
- Pour the egg and milk mixture over the meat and cheese.
- Top everything with Tater Tots.
6. Bake the Casserole:
- Preheat the oven to 375°F.
- Bake the casserole, uncovered, for about 35 minutes.
- Sprinkle more cheese and half of the bacon crumbs over the top.
- Continue baking for an additional 10 minutes or until the cheese is melted.
Variations and Substitutions
Cheese: This recipe can be adapted to include other cheeses such as mozzarella, Monterey jack, smoked gouda, and/or Gruyère for a variety of delicious options.
Milk: For a creamier casserole, you may use half-and-half or a combination of half-and-half and milk. For a tangier result, you may add a small amount of sour cream.
Veggies: Feel free to use any veggies of your choice. Green peas, broccoli, zucchini, and green onions will also work great in this casserole recipe.
Add Fresh Herbs for Garnish: Consider topping the finished casserole with fresh herbs like chopped parsley or chives for a burst of freshness.
Bacon. Choose thick-cut bacon for a meatier texture and more robust flavor. Quality bacon can significantly enhance the overall taste of the dish. If you don't eat bacon, you may skip it or use imitation bacon bits instead.
Garlic: Whenever possible, use fresh garlic instead of pre-packaged options. However, if you are running out of time, feel free to use garlic powder.
Sausage: Pick a high-quality sausage of your choice. Whether it's pork, chicken, turkey, or a plant-based alternative, selecting premium sausage adds depth and richness to the casserole.
Tips
Here are some tips to turn this simple tater tot sausage breakfast casserole into a gourmet delight that's sure to impress.
1. Select High-Quality Tater Tots: Opt for good-quality frozen tater tots. Look for brands that use real potatoes and minimal additives for the best flavor and texture.
2. Go for Fresh Vegetables: Choose fresh, vibrant vegetables. Crisp bell peppers, onions, and garlic bring a burst of color and flavor to the dish. Fresh ingredients can make a noticeable difference.
3. Avoid Pre-Shredded Cheese: Choose high-quality cheddar cheese for the best flavor and texture. Shred it yourself to ensure it can melt better and have a creamier consistency.
4. Season Thoughtfully: Bacon and sausage contain plenty of sodium. For that reason, go easy on the salt.
5. Drain the Sausage: Don't skip this important step. It's necessary to drain the sausage to prevent a watery casserole.
Storage
Store the remaining tater tot breakfast casserole in an airtight container. It can be refrigerated for up to 4 days or frozen for up to 4 months.
For additional food safety guidance, please visit this website.
How to Reheat
If the tater tot breakfast casserole is frozen, thaw it overnight before reheating in the oven at 350°F for 20-25 minutes or until it is heated through.
I hope you'll enjoy this recipe and share it with friends! If you try it and don't mind, please leave me a comment and/or give this recipe a rating. Be sure to subscribe to receive weekly recipes and follow me on Pinterest.
📖 Recipe
Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole
Ingredients
- 1 pound frozen tater tots
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 4 uncooked smoked thick-cut bacon slices (chopped)
- 1 pound ground mild Italian sausage
- 1½ cups yellow onion
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 6 oz diced red bell pepper
- 6 oz diced green bell pepper
- 3 jumbo eggs
- 1¼ cups whole milk
- ½ teaspoon regular or smoked paprika
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- ¼ teaspoon salt (or more to taste)
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 6 oz freshly shredded cheddar cheese (about 2½ cups, fully packed)
Method
- Preheat the oven to 375°F.
- In a skillet, heat the oil over low-medium heat. Cook bacon for 8 minutes or until it's crispy. Transfer to a plate.
- Add sausage and onion to the skillet. Cook over medium-high heat for 6 minutes. Add garlic and bell peppers, cook for 1-2 minutes. Set aside and drain well.
- In a mixing bowl, combine milk, egg, black pepper, paprika, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper. Stir well.
- Place the meat mixture in a 2-qt baking dish, sprinkle with 5 oz of cheese (about 2 cups, fully packed) and half of the bacon, then pour the egg and milk mixture over the meat and cheese. Top everything with Tater Tots.
- Bake the casserole, uncovered, for about 35 minutes. Sprinkle the remaining cheese and half of the bacon crumbs over the top, then bake for an additional 5-10 minutes or until the tater tots are lightly browned and cheese is melted.
- Let the casserole rest for 10 minutes before serving.
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