Breakfast lovers rejoice as this sausage, egg & cream cheese hash brown breakfast casserole recipe promises a morning feast that’ll make your taste buds dance.
Hearty sausage and crispy hash browns create a golden base for this irresistible morning delight.
Creamy cheese and fluffy eggs blend seamlessly, turning an ordinary breakfast into a spectacular morning celebration.
Every forkful delivers a perfect balance of savory and rich flavors that wake up your senses.
Each ingredient plays a delicious role in crafting this comforting morning masterpiece.
The aroma alone will pull sleepy family members straight to the kitchen, eager to dive into this warm, satisfying dish.
Start your day with a meal that fills bellies and warms hearts, leaving everyone asking for seconds.
Quick Recipe Overview
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 50 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
Calories: 430 kcal
Servings: 13
Ingredients for Sausage, Egg & Cream Cheese Hash Brown Casserole
For Protein and Richness:
Hot Breakfast Sausage: Adds bold, spicy flavor and hearty protein to create a satisfying breakfast base.
Eggs: Provides structure, richness, and essential breakfast protein that binds the casserole together.
Cream Cheese: Delivers luxurious creaminess and tangy depth that elevates the entire dish's texture.
For Base and Texture:
Frozen Shredded Hash Browns: Offers crispy foundation and convenient potato goodness that creates perfect breakfast comfort.
Milk: Helps create smooth, cohesive custard-like consistency throughout the casserole.
For Seasoning and Enhancement:
Salt, Black Pepper: Fundamental seasonings that balance and highlight other ingredients' natural flavors.
Garlic Powder, Onion Powder: Introduces subtle aromatic depth without overwhelming the primary ingredients.
Large skillet: Perfect for browning sausage evenly and draining excess fat.
Large mixing bowl: Essential for whisking eggs and creating a smooth mixture.
9×13-inch baking dish: Key for assembling and baking the entire casserole.
Whisk: Great for blending eggs and seasonings thoroughly.
Cooking spray or butter: Helps prevent sticking and ensures easy serving.
Measuring spoons: Useful for adding precise amounts of salt, pepper, and spices.
Cheese grater: Handy if you're shredding your own cheddar cheese.
How to Make a Creamy Breakfast Casserole with Sausage & Eggs
Oven Preparation Kitchen setup with a warm, inviting 350°F environment and a lightly greased 9×13-inch baking dish ready for deliciousness.
Sausage Magic Breaking down savory meat into golden, crumbly goodness in a skillet, releasing those rich flavors while removing excess fat.
Creamy Fusion Blending warm sausage with silky cream cheese, creating a luxurious base that promises comfort in every bite.
Egg Symphony Whisking together eggs with milk and gentle seasonings, building a smooth liquid foundation that will transform the entire dish.
Layered Harmony Spreading crispy frozen hash browns as the base, then generously covering with sausage-cream cheese mixture, followed by the egg blend and a blanket of melty cheddar cheese.
Baking Transformation Sliding the casserole into the warm oven, allowing 45-50 minutes for ingredients to meld and transform into a golden, puffy masterpiece. Optional quick broil for those irresistible crispy edges.
Serving Celebration Letting the casserole rest briefly, then cutting into hearty portions ready to comfort and satisfy hungry morning guests.
Breakfast Casserole Tips for Texture and Taste
Creative Twists for Your Casserole
Replace traditional pork sausage with turkey, chicken, or vegetarian sausage crumbles for lighter protein options that still pack incredible flavor.
Experiment with different cheese varieties like pepper jack for extra zest, swiss for nutty undertones, or a Mexican blend for southwestern flair.
Sneak in diced bell peppers, spinach, or mushrooms between layers to increase nutritional value and add delightful texture and color to your morning masterpiece.
Assemble the entire casserole the night before, cover with foil, and refrigerate. Simply pop it in the oven in the morning for a stress-free breakfast that feels freshly prepared.
Sprinkle red pepper flakes, add chopped jalapeños, or drizzle hot sauce for those who love a morning kick that wakes up taste buds instantly.
Best Ways to Serve This Sausage & Egg Bake
Brunch Party Pleaser: Invite friends over and serve this hearty casserole as the star of a weekend gathering, pairing it with fresh mimosas and a light fruit salad.
Meal Prep Magic: Prepare the entire casserole ahead of time, refrigerate overnight, and bake fresh in the morning for an easy, stress-free breakfast that feeds a crowd.
Customizable Comfort: Swap out sausage for bacon, add diced bell peppers or green onions, or sprinkle some hot sauce on top to make this recipe uniquely yours and keep taste buds excited.
Weekend Family Feast: Create a cozy morning tradition by serving this warm, cheesy casserole alongside fresh orange juice and crispy toast, making everyone feel loved and well-fed.
Storing Your Hash Brown Breakfast Casserole
Quick Refrigeration Strategy: Store any leftover casserole in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Keeps fresh for 3-4 days when sealed properly in the refrigerator.
Make-Ahead Magic: Assemble the entire casserole up to 24 hours before baking. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate, then bake directly from the cold state when ready. Add 10-15 minutes to cooking time if going from refrigerator to oven.
Freezer-Friendly Option: Wrap the fully cooked casserole in aluminum foil and freeze for up to 1 month. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating at 350°F for 20-25 minutes until heated completely through.
Portion-Wise Reheating: Cut individual servings and microwave for 45-60 seconds, or warm in the oven at 350°F for 10-15 minutes. Add a sprinkle of extra cheese on top for renewed deliciousness and moisture retention.
Hearty sausage, egg & cream cheese hash brown breakfast casserole combines savory morning flavors in one satisfying dish. Midwestern comfort meets culinary creativity, offering you a delicious start to any day.
Ingredients
Scale
2 lbs (907 g) hot breakfast sausage
8 eggs
16 oz (454 g) cream cheese (at room temperature)
2 cups (226 g) shredded cheddar cheese
1 bag frozen shredded hash browns (30–32 oz / 850–907 g)
2 cups (473 ml) milk
1 tsp salt
¼ tsp garlic powder
¼ tsp onion powder
½ tsp black pepper
Instructions
Preparation: Warm the oven to 350°F and coat a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray, ensuring a non-stick surface.
Sausage Processing: Sizzle sausage in a skillet over medium heat, crumbling until fully cooked and no raw spots remain. Drain excess grease and blend with cream cheese until smooth and integrated.
Egg Mixture Creation: Whisk eggs with milk, seasoning with salt, pepper, garlic, and onion powders until thoroughly combined and silky.
Layer Construction: Spread frozen hash browns as the foundational layer in the prepared dish, then evenly distribute the sausage-cream cheese blend across the potatoes.
Liquid Integration: Gently cascade the seasoned egg mixture over existing layers, guaranteeing complete coverage and penetration.
Cheese Topping: Lavishly sprinkle shredded cheddar across the casserole surface for a golden, melty finish.
Baking Process: Slide the dish into the preheated oven and bake 45-50 minutes until eggs set and cheese transforms into a bubbling, bronzed crust.
Finishing Touch: Optional quick broil for 2-3 minutes creates additional color, monitoring closely to prevent scorching.
Serving Preparation: Allow casserole to rest 5-7 minutes, enabling flavors to settle and making slicing easier, then serve piping hot.
Notes
Drain Sausage Thoroughly: Remove excess grease completely to prevent a greasy, soggy casserole and ensure crispy texture.
Soften Cream Cheese Properly: Let cream cheese sit at room temperature for smooth, lump-free blending with sausage.
Layer Strategically: Create even, compact layers to guarantee consistent flavor and texture in every bite.
Check Doneness Carefully: Use a knife or toothpick inserted in the center to confirm eggs are fully set without overcooking.
Founder, Head Recipe Developer & Cuisine Specialist
Expertise
Recipe Development and Testing, Modern American and European Cuisines, Food Styling and Photography, Culinary Education and Workshops
Education
Johnson & Wales University
Degree: Bachelor of Science in Culinary Arts
Focus: Comprehensive training in classical and modern cooking techniques, kitchen management, and global cuisines.
Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts
Program: Diploma in Pastry Arts
Focus: Specialized education in baking and pastry, emphasizing artisanal bread, confections, and plated desserts.
Michael Reynolds is the founder and head recipe creator at wd-50.com. With over 15 years of experience in the kitchen, he’s spent time working in top restaurants and now focuses on making great food easy for everyone at home.
Michael studied culinary arts at Johnson & Wales University and later trained in pastry at the Auguste Escoffier School. He knows his way around both savory meals and sweet treats.
At wd-50.com, his goal is to help you feel confident in the kitchen, whether you’re trying something new or cooking a favorite dish. He loves using fresh ingredients and simple steps that still bring out big flavors.
Michael Reynolds
Founder, Head Recipe Developer & Cuisine Specialist
Expertise
Recipe Development and Testing, Modern American and European Cuisines, Food Styling and Photography, Culinary Education and Workshops
Education
Johnson & Wales University
Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts
Michael Reynolds is the founder and head recipe creator at wd-50.com. With over 15 years of experience in the kitchen, he’s spent time working in top restaurants and now focuses on making great food easy for everyone at home.
Michael studied culinary arts at Johnson & Wales University and later trained in pastry at the Auguste Escoffier School. He knows his way around both savory meals and sweet treats.
At wd-50.com, his goal is to help you feel confident in the kitchen, whether you’re trying something new or cooking a favorite dish. He loves using fresh ingredients and simple steps that still bring out big flavors.