Description

Crack Breakfast Casserole is a hearty and indulgent dish perfect for weekend mornings. Packed with savory sausage, crispy bacon, creamy cheeses, and tender vegetables, this casserole combines classic breakfast flavors in a satisfying baked delight. It’s easy to prepare and can be customized with your favorite cheese or sausage alternatives to suit dietary preferences.

Ingredients

Scale

Meat

1 pound Pork Sausage (Substitute with turkey sausage for a lighter version.)
6 strips Bacon (Omit for a lighter dish or replace with a vegetarian sausage.)

Dairy

8 ounces Cream Cheese (Ensure it’s softened for easier mixing.)
1 cup Sour Cream (Can be substituted with Greek yogurt.)
1 cup Whole Milk (Use non-dairy milk for lactose-free.)
8 large Eggs
2 cups Shredded Cheddar Cheese (Swap with pepper jack for a spicy kick.)

Produce

1 cup Bell Peppers (Choose your favorite varieties.)
1 cup Spinach (Use fresh or thawed frozen spinach, well-drained.)
1 cup Mushrooms (Sauté them beforehand.)

Other

30 ounces Frozen Shredded Hash Browns (Ensure they are thawed and drained.)
1 packet Ranch Seasoning Mix (Opt for gluten-free blends.)
1 teaspoon Onion Powder (Adjust to taste.)
1 teaspoon Garlic Powder (Adjust to taste.)
1 teaspoon Salt (Adjust to taste.)
1 teaspoon Black Pepper (Adjust to taste.)

Instructions

Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking and ensure easy cleanup.
Cook Meats: In a large skillet, cook the pork sausage and chopped bacon over medium heat until browned and crispy, about 8-10 minutes. Drain any excess fat thoroughly to avoid greasiness in the casserole.
Mix Dairy Base: Blend the softened cream cheese and sour cream until smooth and creamy. Stir in the whole milk, eggs, ranch seasoning mix, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper until fully combined, creating a rich custard base.
Combine Ingredients: Add the cooked sausage and bacon to the dairy mixture. Then fold in the thawed and drained hash browns along with one cup of shredded cheddar cheese. Mix gently until everything is evenly distributed without overmixing.
Assemble Casserole: Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish. Top the casserole evenly with the remaining shredded cheddar cheese. Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil to retain moisture.
Bake Covered: Bake the casserole in the preheated oven for 50 to 60 minutes, allowing it to set and cook through.
Bake Uncovered: Remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 8 to 10 minutes, or until the cheese topping is bubbly and golden brown for a perfect finish.
Cool and Serve: Let the casserole cool for a few minutes before cutting into squares. Serve warm to enjoy the creamy, cheesy goodness.

Notes

For a lighter version, substitute pork sausage with turkey sausage and omit bacon or use vegetarian sausage.
Use non-dairy milk alternatives such as almond or oat milk to make this casserole lactose-free.
Fresh or frozen vegetables may be used, but ensure frozen are well-drained to prevent excess moisture.
To add a spicy kick, swap cheddar cheese for pepper jack cheese.
Gluten-free ranch seasoning can be used to accommodate gluten-free diets.
For best texture, avoid overmixing the egg and hash brown mixture.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
Category: Breakfast Casserole
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Keywords: breakfast casserole, crack breakfast casserole, sausage casserole, baked breakfast, hash brown casserole, weekend brunch, cheesy breakfast bake