Potato, Sausage & Broccoli Breakfast Casserole
There’s just something about a potato, sausage and broccoli breakfast casserole that appeals. Whether it is for cool fall mornings, a boost for an early start in winter or just for comfort food options that can be breakfast or lunch, they work. They particularly shine when you want a hearty breakfast.
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With this easy recipe, you get the big hitters in there like potato and eggs but also plenty of flavour from the sausage. In fact, this breakfast casserole is the ideal all-rounder to start the day.
Why you’ll love this recipe
- Versatile Meal: This casserole is perfect for any meal—be it breakfast, lunch, or even a comforting dinner, and it’s equally satisfying as leftovers.
- Packed with Protein: Combining sausage and eggs, this casserole dish is a protein powerhouse that gives you the energy to start your day strong.
- Full of Flavor: The blend of sausage, potatoes, and broccoli delivers a rich, satisfying taste that will have you looking forward to mealtime.
- Easy to Prepare: Despite its complex flavors, the recipe is straightforward and easy to follow, making it an excellent choice for cooks of all experience levels.
What’s the difference between breakfast casserole and frittata?
If you are new to the world of the breakfast casserole, let’s take a moment to get to know it a little better and compare it to one of its close relative recipes – the frittata.
Frittatas are an egg based dish that are like an omelette or a crustless quiche. Actually, a lot of these dishes are very similar but getting the hang of the differences help to make the perfect recipe.
Frittatas have more milk or cream than an omelette. This makes for a more custard-like dish that can have anything from ham and sharp cheese to herbs, cooked meat or vegetables in it. The idea is to cook it in a skillet or oven-safe pan then transfer it to the oven in the pan to create the crust on the top.
The breakfast casserole is a lot like a traditional dish called a Strata. This uses eggs, milk, cheese and bread and the result puffs up when cooking. With breakfast casseroles, there’s milk but not so much of the bread – some people do use hash browns in them in place of normal potatoes. Finally, it is usually cooked in a skillet at first then transferred to a baking tray to finish.
Ingredients
- Non-stick cooking spray: This is essential for preventing your casserole from sticking to the dish, ensuring an easy and clean removal after baking.
- Italian sausage (no casings): The Italian sausage adds a robust and spicy flavor to the casserole. Ensure to buy sausage with no casings for easy cooking and a smoother texture in the dish.
- Small red onion, diced: Red onions bring a slightly sweet and mild flavor to the dish, enhancing the overall taste without overpowering it.
- Large russet or Idaho potato, diced: These types of potatoes are starchy and perfect for a casserole as they maintain their structure during baking, providing a satisfying bite.
- Large eggs: Eggs bind the ingredients together and provide a soft, creamy texture. They also contribute high-quality protein to the dish.
- Whole milk: Whole milk adds rich and creamy flavors to your casserole. It works together with the eggs to create the custard-like consistency of the dish.
- Fresh broccoli, diced: Fresh broccoli adds a delightful crunch and a nutritious punch to the casserole. Its vibrant green color also adds visual appeal to the dish.
- Sharp cheddar cheese, shredded, divided: Sharp cheddar cheese has a strong and slightly tangy flavor that complements the other ingredients beautifully. Shredded cheese melts evenly, ensuring every bite has a gooey, cheesy goodness.
- Fresh chives, finely chopped: Fresh chives impart a mild, onion-like flavor, adding an extra layer of depth to the dish’s taste profile.
- Sea salt and black pepper, to taste: These classical seasonings enhance all the other flavors in the casserole. Adjust the quantities to suit your personal preference.
Grab the full ingredients details and instructions in the recipe card below!
Substitutions and Additions
- Turkey or Vegetarian Sausage: If you’re looking to cut down on red meat, turkey sausage can be a leaner alternative. Vegetarian sausages are a great option for those following a plant-based diet.
- Sweet Onion: For a milder flavor, you could substitute red onion with sweet onion.
- Sweet Potato: For a healthier take on this recipe, you could swap out russet or Idaho potatoes for sweet potatoes, which are rich in vitamins and fiber.
- Dairy-free Milk: If you’re lactose intolerant or vegan, you could use almond milk or coconut milk in place of whole milk.
- Vegan Cheese: Vegans can substitute the cheddar cheese with a vegan cheese of their choice.
- Spinach or Kale: In addition to broccoli, you could also add some spinach or kale to the casserole for an extra serving of greens.
- Bell Peppers: For a pop of color and added crunch, consider adding diced bell peppers to your casserole.
- Mushrooms: Mushrooms can add a wonderful earthy flavor to your breakfast casserole. Saute them before adding for an intense flavor.
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350F / 175C. Prepare an 8-inch baking dish with non-stick spray.
In a large skillet over medium heat, cook sausage until slightly browned. Break meat apart with a spoon. Cook for 3-4 minutes.
Add onion and potato to skillet. Season with salt and pepper. Cook until onion is soft and potatoes are golden brown, stirring regularly. This should take about 6-7 minutes.
In a separate large bowl, whisk together eggs and milk. Season as desired.
Stir in 1/2 cup of cheddar cheese.
Transfer the sausage-potato mixture to the prepared baking dish. Mix in diced broccoli. Spread mixture evenly in dish.
Pour egg mixture over the top. Sprinkle remaining cheddar cheese on top.
Bake in preheated oven until eggs are set and potatoes are fully cooked, approximately 30-35 minutes.
Remove from oven and allow to cool for a few minutes. Garnish with chopped chives before serving.
Recipe tips
- Pre cooked sausage: You can easily use a pre-cooked sausage in place of the type that needs cooking. Go with something spicy like chorizo or salami or simply use a favourite sliced cold meat.
- Hash browns: You can also use hash browns instead of potatoes. It can be best to pre-cook them then adjust your cooking time to take into account that they are cooked.
- Experiment with cheeses: Don’t feel confined to cheddar cheese only. Other cheeses like feta, mozzarella, or gouda can also add a delightful twist to the flavor profile.
- Go for pre-chopped vegetables: To save preparation time, consider using pre-chopped fresh or frozen veggies. Just make sure to thaw and drain any excess water if you’re using frozen ones.
- Add some heat: Spice lovers can add a dash of hot sauce, crushed red pepper flakes, or diced jalapenos to the mix.
- Use a mix of egg whites and whole eggs: For a lower cholesterol version, consider using a combination of whole eggs and egg whites in the recipe.
- Consider a cast iron skillet: If you have a cast iron skillet, you can use it to cook the initial ingredients and then bake the whole casserole in it. It’s a great way to retain heat and add a slight crispiness to the bottom layer.
- Meal Prep Option: If you want to meal prep, you can bake the casserole, let it cool, slice it into single servings, and store them in the refrigerator. You’ll have a ready-to-go breakfast for the next few mornings. Just reheat in the microwave for a quick and nutritious start to your day.
Storage & reheating
Before cooking: you can transform this into an easy make-ahead meal. Follow the steps through to the point of adding to the baking sheet. Then rather than baking it, let it cool and pop it in the fridge. Then when you are ready to cook it, bake for the normal time – just check it is hot and cooked before serving. This makes it a great brunch recipe as it will already be ready to bak when you are hungry.
After cooking: you can store leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days. Store in an airtight container and use the microwave to reheat or pop them back in the oven on a lower temperature.
Freezing the recipe: you can freeze the unbaked recipe for up to 2 months. Cover with plastic wrap or use a casserole dish with a lid. To reheat, defrost overnight then continue with step 5 of the instructions.
Recipe FAQ
Can I add other vegetables to this recipe?
Absolutely! This versatile breakfast casserole recipe can be customized to include your favorite vegetables. Consider adding diced bell peppers, spinach, tomatoes, or zucchini. Just remember to adjust the cooking time accordingly if your veggies require more or less time to cook.
What kind of potatoes are best for this recipe?
We recommend using russet or Idaho potatoes for this recipe given their texture and ability to hold up well during baking. However, you can experiment with other types like Yukon Gold or red potatoes.
Can I use non-dairy milk in this recipe?
Yes, you can use non-dairy milk such as almond, soy, or coconut milk as a substitute for whole milk. Keep in mind that this might slightly alter the taste and texture of the dish.
Can I make this casserole spicy?
Yes, you can add some heat to the casserole. Add a pinch of hot sauce, chili flakes, or diced jalapenos to the egg mixture before pouring it over the sausage and veggies.
Can this recipe be made gluten-free?
Yes, you can make this recipe gluten-free by ensuring all your ingredients, especially the sausage, are gluten-free. Always check the packaging if you’re buying store-bought sausage or choose a certified gluten-free option.
Potato, Sausage & Broccoli Breakfast Casserole
Try this simple and filling breakfast casserole with potato, sausage and broccoli for a great start to the day
Ingredients
- Non-stick cooking spray
- ½ lb. bulk Italian sausage (no casings)
- 1 small red onion, diced
- 1 large russet or Idaho potato, diced
- 2 large eggs
- 3 T. whole milk
- 2 c. fresh broccoli, diced
- ¾ c. sharp cheddar cheese, shredded, divided
- 2 T. fresh chives, finely chopped
- Sea salt and black pepper, to taste
Instructions
STEP 1: Preheat the oven to 350F / 175C and spray the baking sheet with the non-stick spray.
STEP 2: Set the large skillet over medium heat and add the sausage. Cook until slightly brown, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, usually 3-4 minutes cook time.
STEP 3: Add the onion, potato and season. Cook until the onion softens, and the potatoes are golden brown, stirring regularly, usually 6-7 minutes.
STEP 4: Whisk the eggs and whole milk in a small bowl and season. Add ½ cup sharp cheddar cheese and mix together.
STEP 5: Transfer the sausage mixt to the baking dish and stir in diced broccoli. Spread in an even layer and pour the egg mixture evenly over the top. Sprinkle the remaining cheese over it.
STEP 6: Place in the oven and bake until the eggs are set, and the potatoes cooked, usually 30-35 minutes.
STEP 7: Remove from the oven and cool for a few minutes before adding some chopped chives and serving.
Notes
You can easily use a pre-cooked sausage in place of the type that needs cooking. Go with something spicy like chorizo or salami or simply use a favourite sliced cold meat.
You can also use hash browns instead of potatoes. It can be best to pre-cook them then adjust your cooking time to take into account that they are cooked
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
4Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 428Total Fat: 26gSaturated Fat: 11gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 16gCholesterol: 147mgSodium: 714mgCarbohydrates: 27gFiber: 5gSugar: 5gProtein: 23g
