We like to have breakfast for dinner about once a week. I made this family favorite last night as our main dish. I have used the basic recipe for years and have come up with lots of variations to serve for brunches and luncheons. I tried to include most of the variations as options when I typed up the recipe. I have yet to make a combination that I didn’t like using this recipe.
Breakfast Casserole
½ to ¾ lb. raw or cooked sausage, hamburger, sliced kielbasa, cubed ham, or even shredded chicken or turkey (great for using up leftovers)
½ cup chopped onions
½ cup chopped peppers, broccoli, spinach, or any other vegetable that would compliment your meat choice (optional)
8 oz. cream cheese, cut into small cubes (optional)
9 large eggs, beaten
½ cup milk or cream and ½ cup sour cream or ¾ cup milk or cream if you leave out the sour cream)
Salt and pepper
Other seasonings that would work well with your meat and vegetable choices (optional)
24 oz. of hash browns, O’Brien style potatoes, or other small diced potatoes or any combination of potatoes(I have even used up leftover augratin or scalloped potatoes here)
8 - 16 oz. of your favorite cheese or combination of cheeses, shredded
Bread Crumbs drizzeled with a little butter (optional)
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees
Break up your sausage or ground beef if you are using raw and sprinkle it on the bottom of a large casserole dish. (I use a large oval 2 ½ qt casserole dish). If you are using a meat that is already cooked, just spread it out in an even layer on the bottom of the dish.
Sprinkle the chopped onions on top of the meat, and then any vegetables you choose to add to the casserole.
If I am using the cream cheese option I sprinkle the cubes on top of the vegetable. If I am not using cream cheese, I sprinkle one layer of the shredded cheese here.
Mix the eggs and milk (and sour cream of you are using it) together with your spices and pour it over everything in the casserole dish.
Add the hash browns or other potatoes to the casserole and top with the remaining shredded cheese. If you decide to put breadcrumbs on top, then do so now.
Bake covered in a 350 degree oven for about 45 minutes. Remove the lid and cook for another 15 minutes or until the top is nicely browned.
Serves 6-10 people depending on the portion sizes.
That recipe sounds delicious and, just yesterday, I was trying to think of something new to prepare for our church breakfast that will follow sunrise services Easter Sunday. Thanks for posting!