Easy Cheesy Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole
A quick and easy breakfast casserole featuring crispy tater tots, savory breakfast sausage, and a blend of sharp cheddar and mozzarella cheeses, perfect for family breakfasts or brunch gatherings.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Breakfast
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 (32 oz / 900 g) bag frozen tater tots
- 1 lb (450 g) breakfast sausage (spicy or mild)
- 2 cups (200 g) shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 cup (100 g) shredded mozzarella cheese
- 8 large eggs, room temperature
- 1 cup (240 ml) whole milk (or 2%)
- 1/2 cup (50 g) diced onion
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 tsp smoked paprika (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Brown the sausage in a large skillet over medium heat, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon, until no longer pink and nicely browned, about 7-8 minutes. Drain excess fat if needed.
- Add diced onion and minced garlic to the skillet and sauté for 3-4 minutes until softened and fragrant.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the 8 eggs, 1 cup milk, salt, pepper, and smoked paprika until combined and slightly frothy.
- Spray a 9×13 inch baking dish with non-stick spray. Spread half the frozen tater tots evenly on the bottom.
- Layer the cooked sausage and onion mixture over the tots.
- Sprinkle 1 cup sharp cheddar and 1/2 cup mozzarella evenly on top.
- Gently pour the egg and milk mixture over the layered ingredients, ensuring it seeps between the tots and sausage.
- Top with the remaining tater tots, then sprinkle the remaining cheddar and mozzarella on top.
- Bake uncovered for 45-50 minutes, or until the eggs are set and the top is golden brown and bubbly. If the cheese browns too quickly, loosely cover with foil halfway through baking.
- Let the casserole rest for 5-10 minutes before serving.
Notes
Do not thaw the tater tots to keep them crispy. Use room temperature eggs for a smooth custard. Brown sausage well to add flavor and reduce greasiness. Cover with foil if cheese browns too fast. Let casserole rest before cutting for easier serving. Can be made ahead and refrigerated overnight, adding 10-15 minutes to baking time.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/8th of casserole
- Calories: 380
- Fat: 25
- Carbohydrates: 20
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 18
Keywords: tater tot casserole, breakfast casserole, cheesy breakfast, sausage casserole, easy breakfast, brunch recipe, comfort food