Say good morning to the cheesy hashbrown casserole recipe that is so easy you could accidentally make it!
Cheesy hashbrown casserole
5 ingredients, 5 minutes of prep time, and a 5 star rating for this breakfast recipe!
Imagine this.... shredded crispy hashbrowns, sausage crumbles, baked egg, and melted cheese all mixed together into casserole form. YUM, right?!
Perfect for the weekend, a busy morning, or meal prep -- this cheesy hashbrown casserole recipe will be a staple in your breakfast rotation!
Cheesy hashbrown casserole recipe
This cheesy hashbrown casserole recipe is a healthier upgrade from your typical breakfast casserole. This dish is more nutritious and focuses on protein by using egg whites and turkey sausage.
The best part about this recipe is how easy it is to make! It only requires 5 ingredients and 5 minutes of prep time.
The ingredients are simple, affordable, and easily found in the grocery store.
What is hashbrown casserole?
Hashbrown casserole is a breakfast staple. It's essentially several breakfast ingredients mixed together and baked in the oven to perfection.
Hashbrown casserole includes hashbrowns (obvious from the title of this recipe), sausage, egg, and cheese. The ratios of the those ingredients, extras, and method of cooking will change based on each recipe.
I'm bias, by this cheesy hashbrown casserole recipe is my favorite!
What ingredients do I need?
The ingredients for this recipe are simple!
- Shredded hash browns - This is the star of the recipe! You can shred your own potatoes to make hashbrowns OR you can buy a bag of frozen shredded hashbrowns. I have made this with frozen hashbrowns (like these Simply Potato Hashbrowns) every time to keep it quick and easy, and it works PERFECTLY.
- Egg whites - The egg whites will serve as the liquid for this recipe along with a source of protein!
- Turkey Sausage Crumbles - It's important to use pre-cooked turkey sausage for this recipe! I buy a bag of sausage crumbles (like these Jimmy Dean crumbles) and mix them in (again, keeping it quick and easy), but you could also cook the sausage yourself. You just need to make sure the meat is cooked before adding it to the casserole and putting it into the oven.
- Cheddar cheese - Shredded cheddar cheese will make this hashbrown casserole cheesy! I like the flavor that cheddar cheese provides with these ingredients, but any cheese will work great.
- Salt & pepper - A little bit of salt and pepper will provide extra flavor for this recipe, but are not required. If you want, add any of your favorite spices!
- Hot sauce - This is optional, but adding hot sauce onto the casserole after cooking will take it to the next level.
What substitutions can i make?
- This recipe is gluten-free.
- To make this recipe without dairy, use a dairy-free cheese.
- You can use any kind of sausage as well.
How do you make hash brown casserole?
Hashbrown casserole is SO easy to make. It's as easy as mixing all of the ingredients together in a bowl, dumping into a greased casserole dish, then baking to perfection.
Cheesy hashbrown casserole instructions
How to make hashbrown casserole? I got you covered. Follow the instructions below!
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
- Grease a 9 x 13 casserole dish with cooking spray and set aside.
- Add hashbrowns, egg whites, and turkey sausage crumbles to a large bowl. Mix and add desired seasonings.
- Pour mixture into the greased casserole dish.
- Sprinkle with shredded cheese.
- Bake for 30 minutes or until the top is golden and a fork comes out clean.
- To portion, divide into 6ths; for a more exact portion measurement, divide total food weight (not including dish) by 6.
- Top with hot sauce (if you want) and enjoy!
Should I thaw frozen hash brown before cooking?
You do not need to thaw frozen hashbrowns before cooking! You can mix frozen hashbrowns with the other casserole ingredients, pour into a casserole dish, and then bake in the oven. It'll work great!
What goes with hash browns for dinner?
Here are some ideas to pair with hashbrowns for dinner:
- English Muffin (with toppings!)
- Toast
- Berries
- Apples
- Bacon
How do you store this casserole?
If you are making the hashbrown casserole for meal prep, store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
Reheating instructions
Place a piece of casserole on a microwave-safe dish and heat up for 2-3 minutes or until warm.
How do you keep hashbrowns from getting mushy?
The ratio of ingredients, along with the cook time will prevent hashbrowns from getting mushy. With 3 cups of hashbowns and 2 cups of egg whites, the hashbrowns will not get mushy. Further, make sure you cook the casserole for 30 minutes so it's cooked through.
Looking for something similar?
Here’s a few more breakfast recipes that are perfect for meal prep!
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Cheesy Hashbrown Casserole
Equipment
- casserole dish
- oven
- Large mixing bowl
Ingredients
- 3 cups shredded hash browns (16 oz) I use a bag of frozen shredded hash browns (Simply Potatoes brand).
- 2 cups egg whites (16 oz)
- 2 cups pre-cooked turkey sausage crumbles (8 oz) I use a bag of pre-cooked turkey sausage crumbles (Jimmy Dean brand).
- ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese (4 oz)
- salt & pepper and whatever spices you want!
- optional: hot sauce
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
- Grease a 9 x 13 casserole dish with cooking spray and set aside.
- Add hashbrowns, egg whites, and turkey sausage crumbles to a large bowl. Mix and add desired seasonings.
- Pour mixture into the greased casserole dish.
- Sprinkle with shredded cheese.
- Bake for 30 minutes or until the top is golden and a fork comes out clean.
- To portion, divide into 6ths; for a more exact portion measurement, divide total food weight (not including dish) by 6.
- Top with hot sauce (if you want) and enjoy!
Lisa
Monday 27th of March 2023
Super easy and quick and you’re set for the week! What more could you want?!?
Lori
Sunday 26th of March 2023
Can you use whole eggs versus just egg whites? Very anxious to try!
Jordan Smith
Monday 27th of March 2023
Hi Lori, yes you can use whole eggs instead of egg whites. You could even do a combination of both if you'd like. The typical conversion two egg whites—or 1/4 cup egg substitute—can replace 1 whole egg. Hope this conversion helps!
Tammie
Saturday 25th of March 2023
Made this for meal prep last week. Topped is with some salsa and it was delicious! Thanks for sharing your recipes.
Jordan Smith
Monday 27th of March 2023
Hi Tammie, I love this recipe for meal prep! I reheat and love it with a little bit of toast or some hot sauce. So glad you enjoy!
Paige
Wednesday 22nd of March 2023
Does anyone have any recommendations on what to use if you can't find the Jimmy Dean turkey sausage crumbles? My store frequently is out of stock for whatever reason and it throws me off because I LOVE mealprepping this breakfast casserole!
Jordan Smith
Wednesday 22nd of March 2023
Hi Paige, you could totally use any sort turkey sausage! Sometimes I purchase a 1 lb roll of a generic store brand and cook it in a frying pan before adding to this recipe. Alternatively, you could do the same thing with pork sausage. Hope that helps!
Chris
Thursday 9th of February 2023
This has been my breakfast for about 7 weeks in a row. I love it! Such a good balance of carbs and protein. Some tweaks I make in case anyone is interested: - I have to use vegan cheese, which doesn't melt well on top, so I stir it in. - I add veggies: onion, bell pepper and mushroom. I sauté them with some oil spray and salt and pepper and then stir in. - I usually add extra egg whites for some more protein. So good!
Jordan Smith
Saturday 11th of February 2023
7 weeks in a row?! That's amazing. I love that it's become a staple! Thank you for sharing your modifications too — I'll have to try some!