Description

This Sausage Cream Cheese Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole is a hearty and savory dish perfect for feeding a crowd. Featuring crispy tater tots layered with flavorful hot breakfast sausage, creamy softened cream cheese, shredded cheddar, and a well-seasoned egg custard, it bakes to a golden perfection with a creamy and cheesy interior. Ideal for a weekend brunch or holiday breakfast, this casserole is comforting, filling, and easy to prepare ahead of time.

Ingredients

Scale

Sausage Mixture

2 lb hot breakfast sausage
1 (8-oz) package cream cheese, softened

Main Casserole

1 (30-32 oz) bag frozen tater tots
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

Egg Mixture

8 eggs
2 cups milk
1 tsp salt
½ tsp black pepper
¼ tsp garlic powder
¼ tsp onion powder

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Instructions

Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350ºF (175ºC) and lightly spray a 9×13-inch baking pan with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
Cook Sausage and Mix with Cream Cheese: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the hot breakfast sausage until it is completely browned and no longer pink inside. Drain excess fat from the skillet. Add the softened cream cheese to the sausage in the skillet and stir until the cream cheese is fully melted and incorporated, creating a creamy sausage mixture.
Combine Casserole Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, toss together the frozen tater tots, the cooked sausage and cream cheese mixture, and the shredded cheddar cheese until evenly combined. Spread this mixture evenly into the prepared 9×13-inch pan.
Prepare Egg Mixture: In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder until smooth and well combined.
Pour Egg Mixture and Bake: Pour the egg mixture evenly over the tater tot and sausage layer in the baking dish. Place the casserole on the center rack of the preheated oven and bake uncovered for 60 to 70 minutes, or until the eggs are fully set and the top is lightly golden.
Cool and Serve: Once baked, remove the casserole from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before slicing and serving. This allows the casserole to set further and makes serving easier.

Notes

For a milder flavor, substitute hot breakfast sausage with mild or sweet sausage.
You can swap cheddar cheese with a blend of mozzarella and Monterey Jack for a different cheesy flavor.
Let the casserole sit for 5-10 minutes after baking to help it firm up for easier slicing.
Make-ahead: Assemble the casserole the night before, cover tightly with foil, and refrigerate. Bake in the morning, adding an extra 10-15 minutes to baking time if chilled.
Feel free to add chopped bell peppers, onions, or mushrooms to the sausage mixture for extra veggies.