Hearty Breakfast Casserole
Start your day with this Hearty Breakfast Casserole, a perfect blend of savory bacon, creamy cheese, and crispy hash browns, all topped with crunchy cornflakes. This simple yet satisfying dish can be prepared the night before, making busy mornings a breeze. With a rich, comforting filling and a delightful contrast of textures—from the creamy interior to the crunchy topping—this casserole is sure to become a family favorite. Whether you serve it for breakfast or brunch, it's packed with flavor and can easily be scaled to feed a crowd or adjusted for a smaller gathering.
N/A
Servings
280
Calories
10
Ingredients
Ingredients
Bacon
8 strips (diced)
Cornflakes
1/4 cup (crushed)
Eggs
5 (lightly beaten)
Milk
1/2 cup (none)
Cottage Cheese
1/2 cup (4%)
Shredded Cheddar Cheese
1 1/2 cups (none)
Green Onion
1 (sliced)
Salt
1/2 teaspoon (none)
Pepper
1/8 teaspoon (none)
Frozen Cubed Hash Brown Potatoes
2 1/2 cups (none)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 325°F (165°C) and grease a 9-inch pie plate.
2
In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the diced bacon until it becomes crispy. Once cooked, remove the bacon from the pan and place it on a plate lined with paper towels to drain excess grease. Reserve about 2 teaspoons of the bacon drippings.
3
In a small bowl, mix the reserved bacon drippings into the crushed cornflakes until they are evenly coated; set this mixture aside.
4
In a large mixing bowl, combine the lightly beaten eggs, milk, cottage cheese, shredded cheddar cheese, sliced green onion, salt, and pepper. Whisk together until the ingredients are thoroughly blended.
5
Gently fold in the frozen cubed hash brown potatoes until evenly incorporated into the mixture.
6
Pour the egg and hash brown mixture into the prepared pie plate, spreading it out evenly. Sprinkle the cooked bacon on top, followed by the cornflake topping to add a delicious crunch.
7
Cover the casserole with plastic wrap or aluminum foil and refrigerate overnight for the best results, allowing the flavors to meld.
8
Before baking, remove the casserole from the refrigerator and let it sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes.
9
Uncover the casserole and bake in the preheated oven for 45 to 50 minutes, or until a knife inserted near the center comes out clean.
10
Allow the casserole to cool for 5-10 minutes before slicing and serving.
Nutrition Information
15.3g
Fat
16.5g
Carbs
15.3g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Hearty Breakfast Casserole?
It is a savory breakfast dish made with bacon, eggs, cheese, and hash browns, featuring a crunchy cornflake topping.
How many strips of bacon are needed for this recipe?
You will need 8 strips of bacon, diced and cooked until crispy.
What type of hash browns should I use?
The recipe calls for 2 1/2 cups of frozen cubed hash brown potatoes.
Do I need to grease the baking dish?
Yes, you should grease a 9-inch pie plate before adding the ingredients.
What is the recommended oven temperature?
Preheat your oven to 325°F (165°C).
How do I prepare the cornflake topping?
Mix 2 teaspoons of reserved bacon drippings with 1/4 cup of crushed cornflakes.
What kind of cheese is used in the filling?
The recipe uses a combination of 1/2 cup of 4% cottage cheese and 1 1/2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese.
How many eggs are required?
The recipe requires 5 lightly beaten eggs.
Can I make this casserole ahead of time?
Yes, for best results, cover and refrigerate the casserole overnight before baking.
How long should the casserole sit at room temperature before baking?
Let the casserole sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes before putting it in the oven.
How long does the Hearty Breakfast Casserole take to bake?
It should bake for 45 to 50 minutes.
How do I know when the casserole is finished cooking?
The casserole is done when a knife inserted near the center comes out clean.
How many calories are in a serving?
There are 280 calories per serving.
What is the protein content per serving?
Each serving contains 15.3g of protein.
How much fat is in this dish?
Each serving contains 15.3g of fat.
How many carbohydrates are in this casserole?
There are 16.5g of carbohydrates per serving.
What size pie plate is used?
A 9-inch pie plate is recommended.
When should the bacon be added?
Sprinkle the cooked bacon on top of the egg and hash brown mixture before adding the cornflakes.
How many green onions should I use?
Use one sliced green onion for the mixture.
What should I do after removing the casserole from the oven?
Allow the casserole to cool for 5-10 minutes before slicing and serving.
Is milk included in this recipe?
Yes, the recipe uses 1/2 cup of milk.
How much salt and pepper is needed?
Use 1/2 teaspoon of salt and 1/8 teaspoon of pepper.
Can this recipe be served for brunch?
Yes, it is perfect for both breakfast and brunch settings.
What texture does the cornflake topping provide?
It provides a delightful crunchy contrast to the creamy interior.
What if I do not have bacon drippings?
While the recipe suggests bacon drippings, you could likely substitute with melted butter for the cornflake coating.
Is this recipe considered easy to make?
Yes, it is tagged as an easy, make-ahead comfort food recipe.
Can I scale this recipe for more people?
Yes, the recipe can easily be scaled to feed a crowd.
Does the recipe use shredded or cubed potatoes?
The recipe specifically calls for cubed hash brown potatoes.
Is the cottage cheese small curd or large curd?
The recipe specifies 4% cottage cheese but does not strictly limit the curd size.
Can I use a different type of cheese than cheddar?
While cheddar is recommended for flavor, you can adjust the cheese type based on preference.