Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole: The Ultimate Crowd-Pleasing Morning Magic

Key Info:

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 55 minutes

Total Time: 70 minutes

Servings: 10-12

Difficulty: Easy

Dietary Tags: High-protein, Customizable

Equipment Needed:

• 9×13-inch baking dish
• Large mixing bowl
• Whisk
• Skillet
• Measuring cups/spoons

Ingredients:

Breakfast Base:

• 32 oz frozen tater tots
• 8 large eggs
• 1½ cups whole milk
• 1 lb breakfast sausage (ground)
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

Seasonings:

• 1 tsp salt
• ½ tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• Optional: ½ tsp red pepper flakes

Method:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F. Grease baking dish thoroughly.
2. Brown sausage in skillet until completely cooked, approximately 7-8 minutes. Drain excess fat.
3. Spread half the tater tots across bottom of baking dish in single layer.
4. Sprinkle cooked sausage over tater tots.
5. Whisk eggs, milk, and all seasonings until completely smooth.
6. Pour egg mixture evenly across dish, ensuring full coverage.
7. Top with shredded cheese, covering entire surface.
8. Arrange remaining tater tots on top in decorative pattern.
9. Bake uncovered for 50-55 minutes until center is set and edges are golden brown.
10. Let rest 10 minutes before serving.

Crucial Tips:

• Use room temperature eggs for smoother mixture
• Don’t overmix egg blend
• Drain meat completely to prevent sogginess

Storage:

• Refrigerate: 3-4 days in sealed container
• Freeze: Up to 2 months
• Reheat: 325°F for 15-20 minutes

Variations:

• Vegetarian: Replace sausage with mushrooms
• Spicy: Add jalapeños, use pepper jack cheese
• Low-carb: Substitute tots with cauliflower florets

Pro Chef Secrets:

• For extra crispy tots, pre-bake 10 minutes before assembling
• Customize with your favorite breakfast meats
• Perfect for meal prep and freezing

Common Mistakes to Avoid:

• Underseasoning
• Not draining meat
• Overbaking (leads to rubbery eggs)

Nutritional Bonus:

High-protein breakfast

Customizable macronutrients

Quick energy boost

Enjoy your breakfast adventure! 🍳🥔