Breakfast Casserole: What you need to start the day!

This easy-to-make breakfast casserole is on heavy rotation on our breakfast table. Whether I bake up a whole dish to serve for guests or we eat it for leftovers throughout a busy week, it is the perfect meal to start the day.

I use only a handful of easy ingredients to make this flavorful and healthy breakfast dish. Sweet potatoes add a lovely richness, and the kale adds some extra nutrition to the most important meal of the day.

Ingredients

• 1 lb. frozen sweet potato hash browns or home fries
• 1 yellow onion, diced
• 2 tablespoons chili powder
• 8 large eggs
• 1 ¼ cup whole milk
• 1 lb. breakfast sausage
• 5 oz. extra sharp white cheddar cheese, shredded
• ½ bunch kale, about 2 cups firmly packed when chopped
• Greek yogurt for serving

How To Know When a Breakfast Casserole is Done

Since this healthy breakfast dish is made with eggs, it’s important to be sure that it’s cooked before serving. There are a couple of ways you can test for doneness.

Once the eggs are cooked through, the edges of the casserole will pull away from the pan slightly. The center will also not jiggle too much when you shake the pan. You can also slide a toothpick in the center–if it comes out clean, the eggs are fully cooked.

Lastly, and most accurate, you can use a digital food thermometer. The center should read 160°F (71°C) if the casserole is cooked thoroughly.

Instructions

Follow these steps for this delicious and easy to make breakfast casserole that is perfect for guests or for your hungry family on a busy weekday morning.

Step 1 – Cook Sausage and Veggies 

In a large skillet, cook the breakfast sausage and diced onion until the sausage is brown and cooked through and the onion is translucent and soft, about 7-8 minutes.

Add in the kale and cook until the kale has softened, about 3 minutes. 

While the sausage is cooking, preheat the oven to 350°F (177°C).

Set mixture aside. 

Step 2 – Whisk Eggs, Milk, and Spices

In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, chili powder, and shredded cheese. Set aside. 

Step 3 – Layer the Casserole

Spread the cooked sausage, kale, and onions on the bottom of a 9×13 baking dish. Add the sweet potatoes on top of the meat. 

Pour the egg and milk mixture over everything and use a large spoon or spatula to make sure everything is evenly dispersed. 

Step 4 – Bake the Casserole

Place the casserole dish in a 350°F (177°C) oven and bake for 30 minutes. The eggs should be set, and the top should just start to brown.

If the top begins to brown before the eggs are set, cover loosely with foil and cook until set.

Step 5 – Serve with Greek Yogurt

The secret ingredient in this recipe is a healthy dollop of Greek yogurt on top of the perfect slice of breakfast casserole. The Greek yogurt gives a cool and tangy bite to the hot and rich breakfast casserole.

Cookware Used

Casserole Dish: I use a 9×13 glass baking dish for this recipe and it turns out perfectly. You could also use an enameled baking dish or even bake this in an oven-safe bowl. 

Make Ahead Breakfast Casserole Instructions

I almost always make this healthy breakfast dish a day ahead of time. Follow all of the steps above but instead of baking it immediately, just cover it tightly in foil and place it in the refrigerator.

I like to pull the breakfast casserole out in the morning and let it sit on the counter while I preheat the oven. Then bake according to the directions above. It may take a few extra minutes to fully cook through if it’s been in the fridge, sometimes up to 45 minutes.

The internal temperature should read 160°F (71°C) when the breakfast casserole is cooked fully.

What Do You Need for Breakfast

By following the basic casserole instructions above, you can make this casserole in many different ways. You just need a few staple ingredients to make a delicious breakfast casserole.

• Eggs. Most breakfast casseroles are egg-based. I use large eggs in my casseroles.
• Potatoes. I love using frozen potatoes in an easy to make breakfast casserole because there is no prep needed. You don’t even need to thaw them. Try using regular hash browns or even tater tots!
• Breakfast meat. I love using sausage or bacon, but another delicious meat that often gets overlooked for breakfast is ham. See a recipe idea below.
• Milk. I use whole milk because I love the richness it brings to the eggs. But you can use other kinds of milk or dairy-free milk substitutes. Just be sure they are unsweetened and unflavored. 
• Cheese. I love a little bit of cheese in the mornings. It adds the right amount of savory to a breakfast dish. I usually go with sharp flavored cheeses because you can use less of them and still have great flavor.

Easy to Make Breakfast Casserole Variations

If you’d like to make this breakfast casserole your own, there are a lot of different flavor combinations you could try. Just follow the above recipe and try using the following ingredients until you find your favorite.

Broccoli and Cheese Breakfast Casserole

You can make a delicious broccoli and cheese casserole by making a few swaps in the recipe. Instead of kale, use 2 cups of broccoli florets. Cook 10 slices of bacon and chop them into small pieces to use in place of the sausage. Swap to regular hash browns and sharp cheddar cheese to complete this recipe. 

Ham and Asparagus Breakfast Casserole

For this version, omit the sweet potatoes, kale, and cheddar cheese. Substitute instead for equal measurements of cubed ham, blanched asparagus, and shredded gruyère cheese. 

Vegetarian Breakfast Casserole

To make a delicious vegetarian breakfast casserole, skip the meat entirely. You can also choose to keep or omit the kale, but add some sliced bell peppers along with some spinach. Instead of sweet potatoes, try using tater tots.

Now, it’s Your Turn!

Turn on the oven and start whisking the eggs! It’s time to make this healthy breakfast dish your own. Keep it healthy by throwing in some greens or veggies, and never be afraid to add a little more cheese.

Whether you follow my exact recipe or try one of the variations, I hope it helps you get through your busy week knowing you have breakfast prepared in the fridge.

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