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Our family can't get enough of this tater tot and sausage morning bake. It's turned into our weekend must-have. The combo of crunchy tots, flavorful sausage, and melted cheese all baked together with eggs makes one tasty dish that everyone gobbles up—from fussy kids to starving teens.
I whipped this bake up the first time when family stayed over during a holiday, and it was such a success that my niece asks for it whenever she comes to visit. What I love most is that I can fix it all up while everyone's asleep and just slide it into the oven in the morning.
Ingredients
- Breakfast sausage: Forms the meaty foundation—go with spicy for extra flavor or mild if you've got little ones eating
- Frozen tater tots: Give you that wonderful crisp-soft mix—try to find the super crispy kind for the best outcome
- Cheddar cheese: Adds that bold taste that goes so well with the eggs and potatoes—grab an aged variety for stronger flavor
- Mozzarella cheese: Gives each bite that amazing stretch—grate it yourself instead of buying pre-shredded for better melting
- Eggs: Pull everything together in the dish—try to get them from a local farm for richer color and taste
- Milk: Makes everything creamy throughout—full-fat works best but 2% is fine too
- Seasonings (garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper): Bring out all the tastes without taking over—crush your own black pepper if you can
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Get The Sausage Ready:
- Throw your breakfast sausage in a big pan over medium heat and break it up while it cooks. It'll take roughly 5-7 minutes until there's no pink left. Don't forget to pour off the extra fat so your bake isn't greasy.
- Mix Your Main Stuff:
- Grab a big bowl and mix the frozen tots (no need to thaw), cooked sausage, and both kinds of cheese. Mix it all up so every scoop will have a bit of everything. Dump this mix into your greased dish and spread it out flat.
- Fix Up The Eggs:
- Beat your eggs in another bowl until they're smooth, then pour in milk, salt, pepper, garlic powder and onion powder. Keep whisking till it's all mixed and a bit foamy. This makes the egg mixture that'll hold everything together.
- Put It All Together:
- Pour your egg mix all over the tot mixture, making sure it goes down into all the spaces. Give the dish a little shake to help the eggs settle in everywhere.
- Cook It Up:
- Put your dish in the hot oven and let it cook for 60-70 minutes. You'll know it's done when the top looks golden, the edges are crispy, and the middle doesn't wiggle when you gently shake the pan.
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I truly can't get enough of using two kinds of cheese in this dish. After lots of testing, I found that mixing cheddar and mozzarella hits the sweet spot for taste and feel. The cheddar brings all the flavor while the mozzarella gives you those amazing stretchy cheese pulls that make everyone smile at the table.
Make Ahead Magic
This bake really shines when you make it ahead of time. You can put the whole thing together, wrap it up tight, and stick it in the fridge for up to a day before baking. It's just what you need for special morning meals when you'd rather hang out with your family than cook. Just add about 5-10 extra minutes to your cooking time since everything will be cold from the fridge.
Freezer Friendly Tips
You can keep this dish for much longer by freezing it. Store it either before or after cooking. For uncooked casseroles, just put it all together, wrap it tight with plastic then foil, and freeze for up to 3 months. When you want to eat it, let it thaw in the fridge overnight before cooking as normal. If you're freezing leftovers, let the bake cool down first, cut it into pieces, wrap each one, and freeze. They'll make quick breakfasts on busy mornings.
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Customization Options
Feel free to switch things up based on what your family likes. Try cooking some chopped peppers and onions with the sausage for extra veggies. Switch cheddar for pepper jack if you want more spice. Skip the meat and add extra veggies like spinach, mushrooms, and tomatoes if you don't eat meat. The basic mix of tots, eggs, and cheese works with just about any add-ins you can think of.
Serving Suggestions
This dish stands on its own but goes great with simple sides too. Pair it with fresh fruit to balance the richness, some yogurt cups for something lighter, or sliced avocado for healthy fats. For a fancy brunch, add mimosas for the grown-ups and fruit smoothies for the kids. When it's cold outside, warm applesauce with a sprinkle of cinnamon makes a cozy side dish.
Common Questions
- → Can I make this casserole ahead of time?
Definitely! You can put everything together early, stick it in the fridge, and bake it when you need it. Just remember it might need a few extra minutes in the oven if it's cold from the fridge.
- → Can I freeze the casserole?
You bet! Put it all together, stick it in the freezer, and let it thaw completely before you cook it as directed. You can also warm up leftovers after they've been frozen.
- → What kind of sausage should I use?
Spicy breakfast sausage gives the best flavor, but mild works fine too. Really, any ground sausage you like will do the job.
- → Can I use different types of cheese?
Sure thing! Try swapping in or adding other options like Monterey Jack or Gouda if you want to play with different flavors.
- → What sides pair well with this dish?
This bake tastes great alongside some fresh fruit, a light salad, or a few slices of toast to round out your meal.