Nothing is easier for breakfast than this hash brown breakfast casserole with bacon! It's perfect for serving a crowd and you can even make it the night before for easier mornings! It's a delightful dish for holiday mornings but also suitable to serve for breakfast any day of the week.
This easy breakfast casserole made with hash browns and bacon is a satisfying, hearty breakfast dish that's sure to be a crowd pleaser!
It's got everything you want to delight your taste buds and fuel you up for the day including crispy bacon, fluffy eggs, and tender hash browns.
The next time you're in search of a breakfast dish that is guaranteed to impress, look no further than this bacon hash brown breakfast casserole.
This hash brown recipe was inspired by my tater tot breakfast bake and pairs well with this air fryer bacon wrapped onion rings.
Why You Will Love This Breakfast Casserole with Bacon and Hash Browns
- Easy to make. It goes together in just a few steps using common ingredients.
- Perfect to make ahead. Assemble it the night ahead to simplify busy mornings or holiday celebrations when you need to feed a crowd.
- Easy breakfast casserole recipe. All the essential breakfast elements in one irresistible package!
- Customizable. Add your favorite veggies, cheese, or meat to this versatile recipe and make it your own.
- All-in-one-meal. A warm and cheesy dish that's the perfect comfort filled breakfast.
Ingredients
Here's a look at the ingredients you need to gather to make this easy breakfast casserole with hash browns and bacon. Check the recipe card for the full list.
- Bacon: Everyone's favorite breakfast meat!
- White Onion: You can also Use yellow or red onion instead.
- Cream: For a rich flavor and makes the eggs ultra fluffy.
- Red Bell Pepper: Adds sweet pepper flavor and a splash of color. You can also use green, orange, yellow or a blend of your favorite bell peppers.
- Seasoning: Garlic powder and smoked paprika give the dish more depth of flavor.
- Cheddar Cheese: Cheddar cheese makes a simple choice for hash brown and bacon breakfast casserole but you can also use mozzarella, Swiss, havarti, Colby, Monterey Jack or any blend of cheese.
- Green Onions: Make sure to garnish the dish with some chopped green onions or chives just before serving for some color and flavor.
Substitutions and Variations
Don't have the correct ingredients on hand? Or want to change something up? Here are some helpful tips for you to change this bacon breakfast casserole with hash browns recipe.
- Add More Vegetables: Dice mushrooms and sauté them with the onions for a delicious twist.
- Swap the Bacon: For ham, steak, or sausage.
- Turkey Bacon: Makes a healthy swap for regular bacon if you want to make this a bit lower in fat.
- Add Heat: Add some finely chopped chilies like jalapeños or serranos to the egg mixture. Other options include homemade jalapeno powder, smoked jalapeno powder, or chipotle powder to the egg mixture.
How to Make Hash Brown Breakfast Casserole
Making bacon hash brown casserole goes together in a flash! Here are the main steps to show you how easy it is to prepare.
- Cook the bacon in a large skillet over medium high heat until crispy. Transfer it a paper towel to drain the grease.
- Add the onions and bell peppers to the hot skillet and sauté the veggies until they're soft.
- Spread the hash browns evenly over the bottom of your baking pan.
- Whisk together the eggs, seasonings and cream until well blended.
- Pour the egg mixture over the hash browns and then top with half of the sauteed vegetables and half of the bacon.
- Add a layer of the shredded cheese and repeat the layers again with the remaining vegetables, bacon and cheese.
- Cover the baking pan with foil and bake for 40-45 minutes. Remove the foil and bake uncovered for 5-10 minutes longer.
- Remove the casserole from the oven allow it to set for ten minutes before serving. Garnish with green onions, slice and enjoy.
Hint: Allow your casserole to rest for at least 10 minutes after removing it from the oven to make it set and easier to cut and serve.
If you love recipes like this, you may also enjoy breakfast crescent roll egg cups, Biscuit Breakfast Casserole or breakfast corned beef hash casserole.
Storage
When it comes to enjoying a delicious hash brown and bacon casserole, knowing how to store, make ahead and reheat it is essential.
Store the leftovers: Allow the casserole to cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days or in the freezer for up to three months. Thaw it in the fridge overnight before reheating.
Reheat: Cook in a preheated oven to 350°F (180°C), cover the dish with aluminum foil, and bake for 15-20 minutes until warmed through. You can uncover the casserole and continue to bake for an additional 5 minutes for a crispy top. You can also reheat individual servings in the microwave until heated through.
Can I make hash brown breakfast casserole ahead of time?
Yes, it's perfect to make in advance for a convenient breakfast. Prepare and assemble the casserole the night before. Layer everything up except the cheese. Cover the casserole dish with plastic wrap and store it in the refrigerator overnight.
The next morning, leave the casserole on counter for 30 minutes to come to room temperature. Sprinkle with cheese and then continue baking the dish following the instructions.
What to Serve with Hash Brown Casserole
Preparing a delicious hash brown casserole with bacon is a great way to start your day.
Since this dish is basically an entire meal on its own you don't need much! Consider serving a side of fresh fruit salad, a berry smoothie, or green salad, depending on the time of day you're serving.
For holidays, I love to serve up a delicious stack of fruity pebbles pancakes, stuffed french toast casserole, or pie crust cinnamon rolls.
If some of your guest enjoy spicy, serve up some homemade hot pepper sauce on the table as well.
It's also great with an onion ketchup or tomato salsa.
Tips for the Best Overnight Breakfast Casserole
Preparing a delicious breakfast casserole with hash browns is a breeze if you follow these helpful tips and tricks.
- Drain the bacon well after cooking to remove any excess fat.
- Pat the defrosted hash browns dry before adding them to your casserole to prevent excess moisture from making your dish soggy.
- Whisk your egg mixture thoroughly to create a light and fluffy casserole texture.
- Cook until completely done in the center. The easiest way to tell is to insert a toothpick or a knife in the center of the golden brown casserole before removing it from the oven. It should come out mostly clean when the eggs are cooked all the way through.
- Allow your casserole to rest for at least 10 minutes after removing it from the oven to make it set and easier to cut and serve.
FAQ
Do you have questions about this bacon hash brown breakfast casserole? Here are some of the most commonly asked questions about it.
To avoid a watery casserole, make sure your frozen hash browns are properly thawed and drained before using them. Squeeze out any excess moisture with a clean dish towel or paper towels.
Yes, it is important to thaw frozen hash browns before adding them to your casserole. This ensures they cook evenly and helps avoid excess moisture in the dish.
The casserole is ready when it's golden brown on top and the eggs are set. Insert a toothpick or a knife in the center of the casserole before removing it from the oven. It should come out mostly clean to ensure your eggs are cooked through.
More Breakfast Casserole Recipes
Do you like breakfast casseroles? Here some recipes you may also like to try.
Ready to get cooking? Remember that you can print this recipe if you would like.
Hash Brown Breakfast Casserole with Bacon
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 pkg (30 oz) hash browns thawed if frozen
- 8 large eggs room temperature
- ½ lb uncooked bacon
- 1 white onion diced
- ½ cup cream room temperature
- ½ red bell pepper diced
- ½ orange bell pepper diced
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon pepper
- 2 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
- ¼ cup diced green onions for garnish
- cooking spray
Instructions
- Get out and measure your ingredients.
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 9x13 baking pan with cooking spray.
- Add bacon to a large skillet over medium high heat and cook until crispy and cooked through. Set aside on a paper towel to drain grease.
- Add the onions and bell peppers to the hot skillet. Saute the veggies until soft and onions are translucent. Remove from heat and set aside.
- Spread the hashbrowns evenly into the bottom of your baking pan.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, seasonings and cream until well blended.
- Pour the egg mixture over the hashbrowns. Top with half of the sauteed vegetables, followed by half the bacon, and then a layer of half of the shredded cheese. Repeat the layers with the remaining vegetables, bacon and cheese.
- Cover the baking pan with foil and bake for 40-45 minutes.
- Uncover and bake for an additional 5-10 minutes, or until the casserole is fully cooked through.
- Garnish with green onions.
- Allow your casserole to rest for at least 10 minutes after removing it from the oven to make it set and easier to cut and serve.
Notes
Nutrition
This post was originally published March 2016. It has been updated with new images and content.
Jenna says
My go to, love this recipe!
Karin and Ken says
I’m so glad to hear it! You just made my day. Hopefully you find some other recipes on this site that you enjoy just as much. All the best. Karin
sandra says
This Bacon Hash Brown casserole is absolutely delicious and perfect for gatherings! It’s so convenient to prep ahead, making mornings a breeze. 🍳🥓
Karin and Ken says
I feel the exact same way. Thank you for taking the time to let me know. All the best. Karin