Rustic Breakfast Skillet with Eggs and Home Fries
Indulge in a hearty, comforting breakfast with this delightful Rustic Breakfast Skillet. This one-pan dish pairs perfectly crispy home fries made from fresh russet potatoes with flavorful bacon or sausage, all topped with perfectly cooked eggs and ooey-gooey sharp cheddar cheese. It's both versatile and customizable to suit any palate, making it the perfect choice to kickstart your day or to serve at brunch gatherings. You can easily adapt it to include your favorite seasonal vegetables or adjust the proteins based on what you have on hand. Enjoy the rich, savory flavors all in one skillet without the hassle of multiple dishes!
N/A
Servings
207
Calories
7
Ingredients
Ingredients
russet potatoes
3-4 (medium-sized, washed and cubed)
large eggs
4 (whole)
bacon or sausage
1/2 lb (cooked and crumbled)
onion
1/2-1 (small, peeled and sliced thinly)
sharp cheddar cheese
1/2 cup (shredded (or cheese of your choice))
salt
to taste (for seasoning)
black pepper
to taste (for seasoning)
Instructions
1
Start by microwaving the russet potatoes until tender, similar to preparing baked potatoes. If you have leftover baked potatoes, feel free to use those to save time.
2
Once the potatoes are cool enough to handle, cut them into large cubes. If you prefer your home fries without the skin, peel them first and then cut the potatoes.
3
In a large non-stick skillet (about 12 inches), fry the bacon or sausage over medium heat until crispy. Remove from the pan, drain on a paper towel, and crumble into bite-sized pieces when cool enough to handle.
4
Discard excess grease from the pan, but leave about a tablespoon of bacon fat for flavor. If using sausage, discard all the grease and add a small amount of butter or cooking spray for flavor.
5
Add the cubed potatoes to the skillet, season generously with salt and pepper, and cook over medium heat for several minutes. Allow the undersides to brown nicely. Flip the potatoes and stir in the sliced onions, then gently press the mixture down with a potato masher or the back of a spoon to ensure even cooking.
6
Create four evenly spaced wells in the potato mixture, each about 2.5 inches in diameter. If the potatoes seem dry or are sticking to the pan, add a small pat of butter or a light spray of cooking spray to each well.
7
Carefully crack an egg into each well, cover the skillet, and reduce the heat to low as necessary. Cook until the egg whites are mostly set, ensuring the yolks remain slightly runny for a luscious breakfast.
8
Once the whites are set, uncover the skillet and sprinkle the eggs with the crumbled bacon or sausage and follow with the shredded cheese.
9
Cover the skillet again and cook on low heat until the cheese is melted and the eggs are cooked to your desired doneness. For added steam, you can splash a little water around the sides of the pan just before covering it again.
10
If the bottom of the casserole is browning too quickly, remove it from heat and leave the lid on for a few minutes to allow the top to finish cooking while preventing burning.
Nutrition Information
13.5g
Fat
14.5g
Carbs
8.5g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Rustic Breakfast Skillet?
It is a hearty one-pan breakfast dish featuring crispy russet home fries, choice of bacon or sausage, eggs, and melted sharp cheddar cheese.
Which potatoes are best for this recipe?
Russet potatoes are recommended for the best texture when making these home fries.
Can I use leftover potatoes for this dish?
Yes, you can save time by using leftover baked potatoes instead of microwaving fresh ones.
How should I prepare the russet potatoes?
Microwave them until tender, let them cool, and then cut them into large cubes.
What proteins can I include in the skillet?
You can use either 1/2 lb of bacon or sausage for this recipe.
How much bacon or sausage is needed?
The recipe calls for 1/2 lb of cooked and crumbled bacon or sausage.
Do I have to peel the potatoes?
Peeling is optional; you can leave the skin on or peel them depending on your preference.
What size skillet is best to use?
A large 12-inch non-stick skillet is ideal for preparing this meal.
Should I keep the bacon grease?
You should discard the excess grease but leave about one tablespoon of bacon fat for flavor.
How do I get the home fries crispy?
Cook the cubed potatoes over medium heat for several minutes allowing the undersides to brown nicely before flipping.
At what point do I add the onions?
Stir in the sliced onions after you have flipped the browned potatoes.
How are the eggs cooked in this skillet?
The eggs are cracked into wells created in the potato mixture and cooked until the whites are set.
How many eggs does this recipe call for?
This recipe uses 4 large eggs.
How do I create wells for the eggs?
Use a potato masher or the back of a spoon to create four 2.5-inch diameter wells in the potato mixture.
What should I do if the potatoes stick?
Add a small pat of butter or a light spray of cooking oil to each well if the potatoes are sticking.
What is the ideal egg consistency for this dish?
The recipe suggests cooking until the whites are set but the yolks remain slightly runny.
How can I ensure the egg whites set?
Cover the skillet and reduce the heat to low to help the whites set evenly.
What kind of cheese should I use?
Sharp cheddar cheese is recommended, but you can use any cheese of your choice.
Can I substitute the sharp cheddar?
Yes, the recipe is versatile and allows for any shredded cheese you prefer.
How do I prevent the bottom from browning too fast?
If the bottom is browning too quickly, remove the skillet from heat and keep the lid on to finish cooking with residual steam.
Can I add other vegetables to the skillet?
Yes, you can easily adapt the recipe to include your favorite seasonal vegetables.
Is the recipe easy to customize?
Absolutely, it is designed to be versatile and customizable to suit any palate.
What is the calorie count for this dish?
Each serving contains approximately 207 calories.
How much protein is in each serving?
There are 8.5g of protein per serving.
What is the carbohydrate content?
This recipe contains 14.5g of carbohydrates per serving.
How much fat does this recipe contain?
There are 13.5g of fat per serving.
Can I make this a vegetarian meal?
Yes, you can omit the bacon or sausage and adjust the seasonings or add more vegetables.
Does this recipe require multiple pans?
No, it is a convenient one-pan skillet dish that minimizes cleanup.
Why would I add water to the skillet?
Splashing a little water around the sides creates steam to help melt the cheese and finish the eggs.
How do I finish the dish if the cheese isn't melting?
Cover the skillet with a lid to trap heat and steam until the cheese is ooey-gooey and melted.