Description
Wake up to a pan of this Homemade Southwest Breakfast Casserole and breakfast instantly feels special. Fluffy baked eggs, savory sausage, tender hash browns, and plenty of melty cheddar are layered with peppers, green chiles, and black olives for bold Southwest flavor in every bite. It’s the perfect make-ahead dish for busy mornings, weekend brunch, or breakfast-for-dinner nights when you need something comforting and satisfying. This easy recipe fits right into your favorite quick breakfast and breakfast ideas list, but it also works as a cozy easy dinner, hearty meal prep option, and reliable go-to when you’re craving simple, family-friendly food ideas that always deliver.
Ingredients
12 large eggs
1 cup whole milk
1 pound pork breakfast sausage
4 cups frozen shredded hash browns
1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese divided
1 red bell pepper diced
1 green bell pepper diced
1 small yellow onion finely diced
1 can 4 ounces diced green chiles drained
1/2 cup sliced black olives
1 teaspoon chili powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
2 tablespoons sliced green onions for garnish
Cooking spray or butter for greasing the pan
Instructions
1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray or butter.
2. Spread the frozen shredded hash browns evenly over the bottom of the prepared baking dish, breaking up any clumps.
3. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the breakfast sausage, breaking it into crumbles, until browned and cooked through. Drain off excess grease if needed.
4. Add the diced onion, red bell pepper, and green bell pepper to the skillet with the sausage. Sauté for 5–7 minutes, until the vegetables are softened and lightly golden.
5. Spoon the sausage and vegetable mixture evenly over the layer of hash browns in the baking dish.
6. Sprinkle the drained diced green chiles and sliced black olives evenly over the sausage layer.
7. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, whole milk, chili powder, ground cumin, kosher salt, and black pepper until smooth and slightly frothy.
8. Stir half of the shredded cheddar cheese into the egg mixture.
9. Slowly pour the egg and cheese mixture over the layers in the baking dish, tilting the pan gently so it spreads evenly and reaches the corners.
10. Sprinkle the remaining cheddar cheese evenly over the top of the casserole.
11. If making ahead, cover the dish tightly and refrigerate for up to 12 hours. When ready to bake, uncover and let it sit at room temperature while the oven preheats.
12. Bake the casserole uncovered for 40–45 minutes, or until the center is set, the edges are puffed, and the top is golden and bubbly.
13. Remove from the oven and let the casserole rest for 10 minutes to firm up for easier slicing.
14. Sprinkle sliced green onions over the top just before serving, then cut into squares and serve warm.
Notes
Use pre-shredded hash browns straight from the freezer so they hold their texture and don’t turn mushy in the casserole.
For extra heat, swap part of the breakfast sausage for spicy sausage or add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the egg mixture.
- Prep Time: 20
- Cook Time: 45
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: Southwest
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (about 1/8 of casserole)
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 3
- Sodium: 900
- Fat: 32
- Saturated Fat: 14
- Unsaturated Fat: 17
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 14
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 25
- Cholesterol: 260
Keywords: southwest breakfast casserole, make ahead breakfast, brunch casserole, egg casserole, quick breakfast, breakfast ideas, easy dinner, easy recipe, food ideas