The Ultimate Cowboy Breakfast Casserole: A Pioneer Woman Inspired Recipe

Ree Drummond, the Pioneer Woman, has a knack for creating hearty, crowd-pleasing recipes that are perfect for family gatherings and cozy mornings. Among her many beloved dishes, the breakfast casserole stands out as a true champion. Inspired by her classic recipe, we’ve crafted the ultimate cowboy breakfast casserole, designed to bring warmth and deliciousness to your table, whether you’re feeding a ranch full of hungry cowboys or simply your own family. This make-ahead marvel is packed with savory sausage, fluffy hash browns, and plenty of cheddar cheese, promising a breakfast experience that’s both comforting and incredibly satisfying.

Breakfast casseroles are a staple for good reason. They are incredibly versatile, feeding a crowd with ease, and can be prepared in advance, making them ideal for busy mornings or holiday brunches. This cowboy breakfast casserole takes all the best elements of a traditional breakfast and bakes them into one easy-to-serve dish. Think of it as a complete breakfast in every bite – sausage, eggs, potatoes, cheese, and a hint of spice, all working together in perfect harmony.

A slice of pioneer woman hashbrown breakfast casserole on a plate

Why This Cowboy Breakfast Casserole Recipe is a Winner

This isn’t just another breakfast casserole recipe; it’s a game-changer. Here’s why you’ll want to make this cowboy breakfast casserole a regular part of your breakfast rotation:

Inspired by the Pioneer Woman: Ree Drummond’s recipes are known for their simplicity and deliciousness, and this casserole is no exception. We’ve taken her original inspiration and enhanced it for an even better flavor profile.
Make-Ahead Magic: Prep it the night before and bake it in the morning. This casserole is a lifesaver for busy weekdays or when you have overnight guests. Wake up to the smell of a home-cooked breakfast without the morning rush.
Crowd-Pleasing Flavors: Sausage, hash browns, and cheddar cheese are a classic combination for a reason. This casserole delivers all those comforting flavors in every bite, making it a hit with both kids and adults.
Customizable to Your Taste: Want to spice things up? Love bacon more than sausage? We’ve included plenty of variation ideas to help you tailor this casserole to your family’s preferences.
Perfect for Any Occasion: From casual weekend breakfasts to holiday brunches or potlucks, this cowboy breakfast casserole is always a welcome dish. It’s hearty, satisfying, and travels well.

Cowboy Breakfast Casserole Ingredients: What You’ll Need

To create this hearty cowboy breakfast casserole, gather these simple, wholesome ingredients:

Breakfast Sausage: Start with 1 pound of breakfast sausage. For a classic cowboy flavor, regular Jimmy Dean breakfast sausage works beautifully. For those who like a bit of heat, feel free to use hot sausage.
Fresh Green Onions: You’ll need 6 green onions, using both the white and green parts, chopped. These add a mild oniony bite and fresh flavor.
Bell Pepper: One red bell pepper, chopped, brings sweetness and color. You can substitute with orange or yellow bell pepper for a milder taste if preferred.
Large Eggs: 10 large eggs form the base of the casserole, providing richness and structure. Ensure your eggs are at room temperature for best results when baking.
Heavy Cream: 1 1/4 cups of heavy cream adds a luxurious creaminess to the egg mixture, making the casserole extra decadent.
Dijon Mustard: 1 tablespoon of Dijon mustard provides a subtle tang and depth of flavor that balances the richness of the other ingredients. Use smooth Dijon for the best texture.
Tabasco Sauce: 1-2 teaspoons of Tabasco sauce (or your favorite hot sauce) adds a gentle kick. Tabasco’s vinegar base also brightens up the overall flavor profile.
Salt and Black Pepper: Essential seasonings to enhance all the flavors. You’ll need 1 1/2 teaspoons of salt and 1 teaspoon of black pepper.
Sharp Cheddar Cheese: 3 cups of shredded sharp cheddar cheese, divided, is the star of the cheesy element. Sharp cheddar provides a bold, cheesy flavor that stands up well to the other ingredients.
Frozen Shredded Hash Browns: A 30-ounce package of frozen shredded hash browns, thawed, forms the hearty potato base of the casserole. Shredded hash browns are recommended for even cooking, but you can experiment with other types.

Step-by-Step Guide to Making Cowboy Breakfast Casserole

Follow these simple steps to create your own delicious cowboy breakfast casserole:

Preheat Oven & Prep Dish: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Spray a 9×13 inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. This prevents sticking and makes serving easier.
Sauté Sausage and Veggies: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the breakfast sausage, chopped red bell pepper, and the white and light green parts of the green onions. Break the sausage into small pieces as it cooks. Sauté until the sausage is no longer pink and the vegetables are slightly softened, about 6-8 minutes. Drain off any excess grease and let the mixture cool slightly. Sautéing the vegetables enhances their sweetness and mellows their flavor, preventing any bitterness in the final casserole.

pioneer woman sausage breakfast casserole close up
Whisk Egg Mixture: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, heavy cream, Dijon mustard, hot sauce, salt, and black pepper. Whisk until well combined and slightly frothy.
Combine Ingredients: Stir in 1 1/2 cups of the shredded cheddar cheese, the thawed hash browns, and the cooled sausage and vegetable mixture into the egg mixture. Mix everything until well combined, ensuring the hash browns and sausage are evenly distributed.
Assemble Casserole: Pour the combined mixture into the prepared baking dish and spread it into an even layer.
Bake Covered: Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil. Bake in the preheated oven for 50 minutes. Covering the casserole initially helps it cook through without browning too quickly.
Add Cheese & Bake Uncovered: Remove the foil and sprinkle the remaining 1 1/2 cups of cheddar cheese evenly over the top of the casserole. Increase the oven temperature to 400°F (200°C) and continue to bake until the center of the casserole is set and the cheese is melted and lightly browned, about 10-15 minutes. Baking at a higher temperature for the final stage helps achieve a golden brown top and ensures the casserole is fully cooked.
Rest and Garnish: Let the casserole rest for 10 minutes before serving. This allows it to set up slightly and makes it easier to slice. Garnish the top with the remaining green parts of the scallions for a fresh finish and serve hot.

Tips for the Best Cowboy Breakfast Casserole

Don’t Skip Sautéing the Veggies: While it might be tempting to toss everything together, sautéing the vegetables with the sausage is a crucial step. It enhances their flavor and texture, resulting in a more balanced and delicious casserole.
Thaw Hash Browns Completely: Ensure your frozen hash browns are fully thawed before adding them to the casserole mixture. Excess moisture from frozen hash browns can make the casserole watery.
Room Temperature Eggs: Using room temperature eggs helps them incorporate more smoothly into the mixture and bake more evenly.
Make it Ahead: Assemble the casserole completely, cover it tightly, and store it in the refrigerator overnight. In the morning, bake as directed, adding about 15-20 minutes to the baking time since it’s starting cold.
Adjust Seasoning to Taste: Taste the egg mixture before baking and adjust salt, pepper, and hot sauce to your preference.
Use a Meat Thermometer: To ensure the casserole is fully cooked, insert a meat thermometer into the center. It should reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).

Cowboy Breakfast Casserole Variations to Try

Want to mix things up? Here are some delicious variations to customize your cowboy breakfast casserole:

Bacon Lover’s Casserole: Replace the sausage with cooked, crumbled bacon, or use a combination of both sausage and bacon for extra meaty goodness.
Spice It Up!: Increase the amount of Tabasco sauce, add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the egg mixture, or include a minced jalapeño pepper when sautéing the vegetables for a spicier kick.
Cheese Variations: Experiment with different cheeses! Pepper jack cheese adds a spicy creaminess, while Monterey Jack offers a milder, buttery flavor. A blend of cheddar and Gruyere is also fantastic for a richer taste.
Veggie-Packed Casserole: Add other sautéed vegetables like mushrooms, onions, or spinach to boost the nutritional value and flavor complexity.
Meatless Option: For a vegetarian version, skip the sausage and add sautéed vegetables like mushrooms, zucchini, and spinach. You can also add vegetarian sausage crumbles for a meaty texture.

Storing and Freezing Your Breakfast Casserole

Refrigerating: Store leftover cowboy breakfast casserole in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
Freezing: For longer storage, freeze individual slices. Wrap slices tightly in plastic wrap, then place them in a resealable freezer bag. Frozen casserole slices will last for 2-3 months. To reheat, thaw overnight in the refrigerator and bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) until heated through, or microwave until warm.

What to Serve with Cowboy Breakfast Casserole

This hearty casserole is a complete meal on its own, but here are some delicious side dishes to round out your brunch spread:

Fresh Fruit Salad: A light and refreshing fruit salad provides a perfect contrast to the richness of the casserole.
Maple Pecan Scones: For a touch of sweetness, serve with warm maple pecan scones.
Cinnamon Roll Casserole: If you’re feeling extra indulgent, a cinnamon roll casserole makes a delightful sweet complement.
Blueberry Coffee Cake or Sour Cream Coffee Cake: Coffee cakes are classic brunch companions and pair wonderfully with the savory casserole.
Salads: A light salad like a strawberry spinach salad, Mediterranean salad, or even a classic coleslaw can balance the richness of the casserole.

Enjoy this ultimate cowboy breakfast casserole inspired by the Pioneer Woman! It’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that will bring smiles to faces and warmth to your mornings.

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Cowboy Breakfast Casserole Recipe

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
Servings: 10-12 servings
Author: Kathleen

Ingredients

1 pound breakfast sausage
6 green onions, chopped, white and green parts divided
1 red bell pepper, chopped
10 large eggs
1 1/4 cups heavy cream
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1-2 teaspoons Tabasco sauce, optional
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
3 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded and divided
1 (30 ounce) package frozen shredded hash browns, thawed

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Spray a 9×13 inch baking dish with nonstick spray.
In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook sausage, red bell pepper, and white and light green parts of green onions until sausage is browned. Drain excess grease. Cool slightly.
In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, heavy cream, Dijon mustard, hot sauce, salt, and pepper.
Stir in 1 1/2 cups cheese, hash browns, and sausage mixture into egg mixture. Pour into prepared dish.
Cover with foil and bake for 50 minutes.
Remove foil, sprinkle with remaining 1 1/2 cups cheese. Increase oven to 400°F (200°C) and bake 10-15 minutes more, until set and browned.
Let rest 10 minutes before serving. Garnish with remaining green onions.

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