Can I make this casserole vegetarian?

Absolutely! Substitute the sausage with a plant-based alternative or 2 cups of sautéed vegetables like mushrooms, spinach, and zucchini. Use dairy-free cheese and milk to make it fully vegetarian or vegan.

Can I prepare this casserole the night before?

Yes! Assemble the entire casserole, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate overnight. When ready to bake, remove from the refrigerator 30 minutes before baking and add an extra 5-10 minutes to the baking time.

How do I know when the casserole is fully cooked?

The casserole is done when the center is set (not jiggly), the tater tots are golden brown, and a knife inserted in the center comes out clean. The internal temperature should reach 160°F.

Can I use hash browns instead of tater tots?

Yes! Substitute the same amount of frozen hash browns for tater tots. This creates a slightly different texture but works perfectly with the recipe.

Is this recipe gluten-free?

Most tater tots are gluten-free, but always check the packaging. Ensure your sausage is also gluten-free (some contain fillers with gluten). All other ingredients are naturally gluten-free.

How can I make this recipe spicier?

Use hot breakfast sausage, add 1-2 diced jalapeños to the sausage mixture, include 1/2 teaspoon of cayenne pepper in the egg mixture, or use pepper jack cheese instead of cheddar.

Can I add more vegetables to this casserole?

Definitely! Sautéed mushrooms, spinach, broccoli, or zucchini work well. Just ensure vegetables are cooked and drained of excess moisture before adding to prevent a watery casserole.

Tater Tot Sausage Breakfast Casserole How To Perfect It

Description

This Tater Tot Sausage Breakfast Casserole is a crowd-pleasing dish perfect for weekend brunches and holiday gatherings. It combines crispy tater tots, savory sausage, and fluffy eggs in a convenient and customizable recipe.

Ingredients

Scale

1 pound breakfast sausage (ground)
1 medium onion, finely diced
1 red bell pepper, diced
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
32 oz frozen tater tots
8 large eggs
1 cup milk
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
Optional: 2 tablespoons fresh chives for garnis

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
Cook sausage in a skillet until browned, breaking into small pieces. Add onion and bell pepper; cook until softened.
Whisk eggs, milk, garlic powder, salt, and pepper in a bowl.
Layer sausage mixture, cheese, tater tots, and egg mixture in the baking dish.
Top with remaining cheese and bake for 45-50 minutes or until golden brown.
Rest for 5-10 minutes before serving.

Notes

Use turkey sausage for a lower-fat version.
Substitute cheddar with pepper jack for a spicier casserole.
Add sautéed mushrooms or spinach for extra flavor.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 45-50 minutes
Category: Breakfast
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 425 kcal
Sugar: 3g
Sodium: 890mg
Fat: 26g
Saturated Fat: 11g
Unsaturated Fat: 13g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 29g
Fiber: 2g
Protein: 21g
Cholesterol: 210mg

Keywords: Tater Tot Sausage Breakfast Casserole, breakfast casserole, brunch recipe, easy casserole, sausage and egg bake