Cheesy Breakfast Hash Brown Bake
This delightful Cheesy Breakfast Hash Brown Bake is a hearty morning meal that will get your family energized for the day. Inspired by my kids' visit to their aunt and uncle in Wisconsin, this casserole combines layers of crispy hash browns with a generous blend of cheeses and savory cubed ham. It’s incredibly versatile, allowing you to incorporate whatever veggies or proteins you have on hand, such as sautéed onions, mushrooms, spinach, or spicy sausage. Perfect for brunches, holidays, or busy weekday mornings, this dish can be prepared the night before and simply baked fresh in the morning for a fuss-free start. Everyone will be raving about this comforting breakfast classic!
8
Servings
550
Calories
9
Ingredients
Ingredients
Frozen hash brown patties
8 (N/A)
Shredded cheddar cheese
4 cups (Mix with other cheeses as desired.)
Fully cooked cubed ham
1 lb (2 cups) (N/A)
Eggs
10 (Beaten)
Half-and-half cream or 2% milk
1 cup (N/A)
Salt
1/2 teaspoon (N/A)
Ground mustard
1/2 teaspoon (N/A)
Pepper
To taste (N/A)
Crisp diced bacon (optional)
1 cup (Cooked and crumbled)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 350°F (or 400°F if you prefer a quicker bake).
2
Grease a 13x9 inch baking dish and arrange the frozen hash brown patties in a single layer, covering the bottom of the dish.
3
Evenly sprinkle the shredded cheese and cubed ham over the hash brown layer.
4
In a mixing bowl, whisk together the beaten eggs, half-and-half cream (or milk), salt, and ground mustard until well combined.
5
Carefully pour the egg mixture over the cheese and ham layers in the casserole dish.
6
Season with pepper to taste and add cooked bacon on top if using.
7
Cover the dish with aluminum foil. At this point, you can refrigerate the casserole for up to 24 hours if you prefer to bake it in the morning.
8
Bake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes covered (or 30 minutes at 400°F).
9
Remove the foil and bake for an additional 15 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and a knife inserted in the center comes out clean.
10
Let the casserole cool for a few minutes before cutting around the hash brown patties to serve.
Nutrition Information
32.5g
Fat
37.5g
Carbs
36g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Cheesy Breakfast Hash Brown Bake?
It is a hearty morning meal made with layers of crispy hash brown patties, a blend of cheeses, and savory cubed ham, inspired by comfort food traditions.
How many servings does this recipe provide?
This recipe makes 8 servings.
Can I prepare this casserole in advance?
Yes, you can prepare the dish and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours before baking.
What size baking dish is required?
You will need a 13x9 inch baking dish.
Do I need to thaw the hash brown patties before baking?
No, the instructions specify using frozen hash brown patties arranged in a single layer.
How many eggs are needed for this recipe?
The recipe calls for 10 beaten eggs.
Can I use milk instead of half-and-half cream?
Yes, you can substitute the half-and-half cream with 2% milk.
What is the recommended oven temperature?
The oven should be preheated to 350°F, or 400°F if you prefer a quicker bake.
How long does the casserole take to bake at 350°F?
It takes 45 minutes covered with foil, followed by an additional 15 minutes uncovered.
How long does it take to bake at 400°F?
At 400°F, bake for 30 minutes covered and 15 minutes uncovered.
Can I add vegetables to this breakfast bake?
Yes, you can incorporate sautéed onions, mushrooms, or spinach.
What meat can be used besides ham?
You can use spicy sausage or cooked bacon as protein alternatives.
What kind of cheese should I use?
The recipe calls for 4 cups of shredded cheddar cheese, but you can mix in other cheeses as desired.
How do I know when the bake is done?
The edges should be golden brown and a knife inserted in the center should come out clean.
Is ground mustard necessary?
The recipe uses 1/2 teaspoon of ground mustard to add savory flavor to the egg mixture.
Should the baking dish be greased?
Yes, you should grease the dish before arranging the hash brown patties.
How many hash brown patties are used?
The recipe requires 8 frozen hash brown patties.
What is the calorie count per serving?
Each serving contains approximately 550 calories.
How much protein is in one serving?
There are 36 grams of protein per serving.
Can I add bacon to this recipe?
Yes, you can add 1 cup of crisp diced bacon on top before baking.
How much ham is required?
You will need 1 lb (approximately 2 cups) of fully cooked cubed ham.
Is this recipe suitable for holidays?
Yes, it is perfect for brunches, holidays, or busy weekday mornings.
What is the fat content per serving?
Each serving contains 32.5g of fat.
How many carbohydrates are in a serving?
There are 37.5g of carbohydrates per serving.
Should I let the casserole cool before serving?
Yes, let it cool for a few minutes before cutting to help it set.
Can I make this recipe spicy?
Yes, adding spicy sausage or jalapeños is a great way to increase the heat.
What are the total ingredients needed?
There are 9 ingredients including hash brown patties, cheddar cheese, ham, eggs, cream/milk, salt, ground mustard, pepper, and optional bacon.
How many cups of cheese are used?
The recipe uses 4 cups of shredded cheddar cheese.
Can I use shredded hash browns?
While the recipe calls for patties, shredded hash browns could be substituted as long as they form an even base layer.
Is this a one-dish meal?
Yes, it is classified as a one-dish meal and a breakfast casserole.