Cheesy Breakfast Tater Tot Bake
Kickstart your day with this indulgent Cheesy Breakfast Tater Tot Bake! This delightful casserole layers crispy tater tots with hearty spicy breakfast sausage, creamy eggs, and a luscious blend of cheddar and mozzarella cheese. Perfect for brunch gatherings or a cozy family breakfast, this dish combines the convenience of frozen tater tots with fresh ingredients for a satisfying meal that everyone will love. Serve it warm straight from the oven, and enjoy the gooey textures and robust flavors!
4-6
Servings
367
Calories
13
Ingredients
Ingredients
butter
2 tablespoons (softened for greasing the baking dish)
frozen tater tots
2 lbs (frozen, no need to thaw)
eggs
4 large (beaten)
milk
1 cup (whole or low-fat)
shredded cheddar cheese
3 cups (divided into 2 cups and 1 cup for topping)
shredded mozzarella cheese
2 cups (divided into 1 cup for mixing and 1 cup for topping)
sour cream
1 cup (regular or low-fat)
chives
5 (chopped)
spicy breakfast sausage
1/2 lb (cooked and drained)
seasoning salt
2 teaspoons (to taste)
hot sauce
1 tablespoon (optional, adjust to taste)
breadcrumbs or seasoned stuffing mix
1/4 cup (for topping)
salt and pepper
to taste (added to egg mixture)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Prepare a glass baking dish (at least 8x10 inches) by greasing it with butter, ensuring the bottom and sides are fully coated.
2
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, sour cream, chopped chives, seasoned salt, hot sauce, and a dash of salt and pepper until everything is completely blended.
3
Fold in 2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese, 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese, and the frozen tater tots until they are well-coated with the mixture.
4
In a small skillet over medium heat, cook the spicy breakfast sausage until it’s just browned but not fully cooked; it will finish cooking in the oven. Drain any excess grease and mix the sausage into the tater tot mixture.
5
Transfer the mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading it out evenly. Top with the remaining 1 cup of cheddar cheese and 1 cup of mozzarella cheese, followed by a sprinkle of breadcrumbs or seasoned stuffing mix for a crispy topping.
6
Bake in the preheated oven for about 45 minutes, or until the casserole is bubbly and the topping is golden brown. Allow to cool for a few minutes before serving.
Nutrition Information
22g
Fat
25g
Carbs
17g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Cheesy Breakfast Tater Tot Bake?
It is a hearty breakfast casserole featuring crispy tater tots, spicy breakfast sausage, eggs, and a blend of cheddar and mozzarella cheeses.
How many people does this recipe serve?
This recipe is designed to yield approximately 4 to 6 servings.
At what temperature should I preheat my oven?
The oven should be preheated to 350 degrees Fahrenheit or 175 degrees Celsius.
How long does the casserole take to bake?
The bake time is approximately 45 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and bubbly.
Do I need to thaw the tater tots before cooking?
No, you should use 2 pounds of frozen tater tots without thawing.
What type of sausage is best for this recipe?
The recipe recommends using 1/2 pound of spicy breakfast sausage for robust flavor.
How much cheese is required in total?
You will need 3 cups of shredded cheddar cheese and 2 cups of shredded mozzarella cheese.
What size baking dish should be used?
A glass baking dish that is at least 8x10 inches is recommended for this recipe.
How many eggs are used in the mixture?
The recipe calls for 4 large eggs, which should be beaten before mixing.
Can I use low-fat dairy products?
Yes, the recipe specifies that low-fat milk and low-fat sour cream can be used as substitutes.
What is the purpose of the breadcrumbs?
A 1/4 cup of breadcrumbs or seasoned stuffing mix is used to create a crispy topping.
How many calories are in a single serving?
Each serving contains approximately 367 calories.
What are the nutritional values for fat and protein?
One serving contains 22 grams of fat and 17 grams of protein.
How many carbohydrates are in each serving?
There are 25 grams of carbohydrates per serving.
Is the hot sauce mandatory?
No, the 1 tablespoon of hot sauce is optional and can be adjusted to your spice preference.
What seasonings are added to the egg mixture?
The mixture includes 2 teaspoons of seasoning salt, plus salt and pepper to taste.
How should the sausage be prepared before adding it to the bake?
The sausage should be cooked in a skillet until just browned and then drained of excess grease.
Does the recipe include fresh herbs?
Yes, 5 chopped chives are mixed into the egg and tater tot base.
Should the baking dish be greased?
Yes, you should grease the dish with 2 tablespoons of softened butter to prevent sticking.
How do I know when the casserole is finished cooking?
It is done when the casserole is bubbly and the cheese topping has turned golden brown.
Can I serve this dish immediately?
It is best to allow the casserole to cool for a few minutes before serving to let it set.
How much sour cream is in the recipe?
The recipe uses 1 cup of sour cream.
What kind of milk is used?
You can use 1 cup of either whole or low-fat milk.
How is the cheese distributed in the recipe?
The cheddar is divided (2 cups for mixing, 1 cup for topping) and the mozzarella is divided (1 cup for mixing, 1 cup for topping).
What is the total number of ingredients?
There are 13 total ingredients used in this dish.
Is this recipe suitable for brunch?
Yes, it is specifically described as perfect for brunch gatherings or family breakfasts.
Can I substitute the breadcrumbs?
Yes, you can use a seasoned stuffing mix as an alternative for the crispy topping.
What texture can I expect from this dish?
The dish features gooey melted cheese combined with the crispy texture of tater tots.
How do I mix the ingredients?
Whisk the liquid ingredients first, then fold in the cheese and tater tots before adding the sausage.
Is this a one-dish meal?
Yes, it is tagged as a one-dish meal and a type of comfort food.