When it comes to breakfast, there’s nothing quite as satisfying as a dish that combines all your favorite morning flavors into one warm, cheesy bite. Enter the Cheesy Potato Breakfast Casserole—a recipe that’s not only easy to prepare but also a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.

Whether you’re hosting a holiday brunch or simply want to treat your family to something special, this casserole is the perfect way to kick off the day. Plus, it reheats beautifully, making it an excellent option for leftovers.
Why You’ll Love This Cheesy Potato Breakfast Casserole
This dish is the epitome of comfort food. It’s loaded with hearty ingredients like Italian sausage, fluffy eggs, tender potatoes, and a generous amount of melted cheddar cheese. The combination of savory flavors and creamy textures makes it irresistible. Even better? It’s highly customizable! Not a fan of sausage? Swap it out for ham or hamburger. Want to add some veggies? Toss in bell peppers or spinach. The possibilities are endless, and the results are always delicious.
Simple Ingredients for Big Flavor
One of the best things about this Cheesy Potato Breakfast Casserole is how simple the ingredients are. You probably already have most of them in your kitchen! Here’s what you’ll need:
- 1 pound Italian Sausage (cooked)
- 1 yellow onion (chopped and sautéed in sausage grease for extra flavor)
- 7 eggs
- 1/2 cup milk
- 20-ounce bag frozen diced hash browns
- 8-ounce brick of mild cheddar cheese (grated)
- Salt and pepper (to taste)
That’s it! With just a handful of ingredients, you can create a dish that feels gourmet but takes minimal effort.
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Preheat Your Oven
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Spray a medium-sized casserole dish (a 9 x 13-inch dish works perfectly) with non-stick spray and set it aside.
2. Cook the Sausage and Onion
In a skillet, cook the Italian sausage until browned and fully cooked. Remove the sausage from the pan but leave the grease behind—it’s perfect for sautéing the chopped onion! Cook the onion until it’s soft and fragrant.
3. Mix Everything Together
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked sausage, sautéed onion, eggs, milk, frozen hash browns, and most of the grated cheddar cheese (reserve about one cup of cheese for topping). Add salt and pepper to taste. Mix everything thoroughly to ensure even distribution of ingredients.
4. Assemble and Bake
Pour the mixture into your prepared casserole dish and spread it out evenly. Bake in the preheated oven for 35 minutes.
5. Add the Final Touch
After 35 minutes, remove the casserole from the oven and sprinkle the reserved cheddar cheese on top. Return it to the oven and bake for an additional 8 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
6. Let It Rest
Once out of the oven, allow the casserole to rest for 15–20 minutes before serving. This step is crucial as it helps the flavors meld together and makes slicing easier.

Customization Tips
One of the wonderful things about this recipe is how adaptable it is to your personal preferences. Here are some ideas to make it your own:
- Swap the Meat: Not a fan of Italian sausage? No problem! Try using cooked hamburger, diced ham, or even crispy bacon bits instead.
- Add Veggies: Boost the nutritional value by adding chopped bell peppers, spinach, mushrooms, or even zucchini.
- Spice It Up: If you like a little heat, toss in some diced jalapeños or a dash of hot sauce into the egg mixture.
- Cheese Variations: While mild cheddar is a classic choice, feel free to experiment with other cheeses like Monterey Jack, pepper jack, or gouda for a different flavor profile.
Perfect for Any Occasion
This Cheesy Potato Breakfast Casserole isn’t just for holidays—it’s versatile enough for any day of the week. It’s ideal for busy mornings when you need something quick but satisfying, or for meal prepping ahead of time. Simply make it on Sunday night, store it in the fridge, and reheat individual portions throughout the week for an effortless breakfast solution.
Reheating Leftovers
Speaking of leftovers, this casserole reheats wonderfully! To reheat, simply pop a slice in the microwave for about 1–2 minutes or warm it up in the oven at 350°F until heated through. The flavors only get better as they sit, so don’t be surprised if you find yourself reaching for seconds (or thirds).
A Breakfast Classic That Never Disappoints
Whether you’re feeding a crowd or just treating yourself, this Cheesy Potato Breakfast Casserole is sure to become a staple in your recipe rotation. Its comforting flavors, easy preparation, and endless customization options make it a dish you’ll come back to time and time again. So why not give it a try this weekend? Your taste buds—and your loved ones—will thank you!
Happy cooking!
PrintCheesy Potato Breakfast Casserole
Perfectly cheesy, full of flavorful meats and potatoes, this breakfast casserole is a true crowd pleaser and our go-to holiday (or any day) breakfast recipe. Reheats wonderfully for any leftovers!
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Ingredients
- 1 pound Italian Sausage, cooked
- 1 yellow onion, chopped, sautéed in sausage grease
- 7 eggs
- ½ cup milk
- 20 ounce bag frozen Diced Hash Browns
- 8 ounce brick of Mild Cheddar Cheese, grated
- Salt & Pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray a medium casserole dish (we used 9 x 13) with non-stick spray. Set aside.
- Prepare sausage and onions.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine all ingredients, including sausage and onions. Pour into the prepared casserole dish. Reserve roughly one cup of the cheese for topping.
- Bake for 35 minutes. Remove from oven and top with reserved cheese. Return to oven for 8 minutes.
- Allow casserole to rest for 15-20 minutes. Serve and enjoy!
Notes
- So, maybe you don’t love sausage. That’s okay! Neither do I if we are being honest. Feel free to use hamburger instead, or even chunks of ham. If it’s a meat you love with eggs and cheese, it will fit in beautifully!
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 300 (approx.)
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 15 g
- Cholesterol: 200 mg
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