The Pioneer Woman's Breakfast Casserole: Your Family's New Favorite Morning Meal

Ree Drummond, the Pioneer Woman, is beloved for her approachable and delicious recipes, especially when it comes to hearty family breakfasts. Her breakfast casserole recipe is a true standout, and for good reason. This Pioneer Woman Breakfast casserole, crafted exactly as Ree herself makes it, has become a staple in many homes, including mine. Time and time again, it effortlessly feeds a crowd, making breakfast gatherings a breeze. It’s a recipe we consistently turn to, and for good reason – it’s simply delicious and embodies the comforting, generous spirit of Pioneer Woman cooking.

If you’re a casserole enthusiast like us, you’re in for a treat! Beyond this Pioneer Woman masterpiece, we have a collection of breakfast casseroles that are sure to become your new brunch heroes. Explore our recipes for a sophisticated Goat Cheese and Prosciutto Breakfast Casserole, the convenience of a Crockpot Breakfast Casserole, the classic ease of a Bisquick Breakfast Casserole, or for pure indulgence, the fun and flavorful Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole. But trust us, the Pioneer Woman’s version holds a special place in our hearts, and after you try it, it will in yours too.

A close-up shot of a slice of Pioneer Woman hashbrown breakfast casserole on a white plate, showcasing the layers of hash browns, sausage, and melted cheese.

The Pioneer Woman Breakfast Casserole: Perfect for Any Occasion

Dubbed “The Kids Are Home Casserole” by Ree Drummond, this Pioneer Woman breakfast casserole truly shines when you’re fortunate enough to gather your family together. It’s a recipe I’ve relied on for years, a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that eliminates any breakfast stress. Foolproof and consistently satisfying, it ensures everyone gets a hearty and warm meal, no matter what time they wander into the kitchen.

The beauty of this Pioneer Woman breakfast casserole lies in its make-ahead convenience. Preparing it the night before is a game-changer, especially when family members are arriving from different places. Imagine waking up to the aroma of sausage, hash browns, and cheddar cheese, ready to be served hot to the early risers. It’s the epitome of a comforting, home-cooked breakfast, all conveniently combined in one easy-to-serve dish.

Even for those who prefer a later start to their day, this Pioneer Woman breakfast casserole remains delicious at room temperature or can be gently warmed. It’s perfect for leisurely brunches or even when Mom finally gets a moment to sit down and enjoy breakfast herself. Truly, this Pioneer Woman breakfast casserole is a family favorite, and I’m confident it will quickly become a beloved tradition in your home too.

Ingredients for Pioneer Woman’s Breakfast Casserole

Let’s gather the ingredients to create this comforting Pioneer Woman breakfast casserole. Here’s what you’ll need to bring this Ree Drummond recipe to life:

Breakfast Sausage: For that classic breakfast flavor, Jimmy Dean regular breakfast sausage is a great choice, just like Ree often uses. If you prefer a bit of heat, the “Hot” variety will add a spicy kick.
Green Onions: We’ll use both the white and green parts of the green onions to add a mild oniony flavor that complements the other ingredients without being overpowering.
Bell Pepper: Choose your favorite color bell pepper. Red or orange bell peppers are sweeter and milder, adding a touch of color and subtle sweetness to the casserole.
Eggs: Large eggs are the standard for this recipe. For optimal baking, it’s best to bring your eggs to room temperature before incorporating them into the mixture.
Heavy Cream: Heavy cream is essential for richness and creating a creamy texture in the casserole.
Dijon Mustard: Regular Dijon mustard, with its smooth texture, adds a subtle tang and depth of flavor. Avoid stoneground for this recipe to maintain the casserole’s overall texture.
Tabasco: A dash of Tabasco hot sauce (or your preferred hot sauce) provides a gentle warmth and a hint of vinegar that beautifully balances the richness of the casserole.
Salt and Pepper: The fundamental seasonings! Properly seasoning with salt and pepper is key to enhancing all the flavors in the Pioneer Woman breakfast casserole.
Sharp Cheddar Cheese: Sharp cheddar cheese is highly recommended over mild cheddar. Its robust flavor really shines through and provides that extra cheesy goodness we all crave in a breakfast casserole. We will use it in two additions – some inside the casserole and the rest on top for a golden brown cheesy crust.
Hash Browns: Frozen shredded hash browns are ideal for this recipe. While shredded is preferred, you can experiment with other shapes. Some hash browns even come with frozen peppers for an added flavor boost! If you opt for chunkier hash browns, you might need to slightly extend the baking time to ensure they are cooked through. Refrigerated hash browns also work well as a convenient alternative.

Essential Tips for the Best Breakfast Casserole

While this Pioneer Woman breakfast casserole is wonderfully easy, a few key tips will elevate it from good to absolutely amazing:

Sauté Your Vegetables: It might be tempting to just toss everything together, especially when you’re making this in the morning. However, taking the extra few minutes to sauté your bell peppers and onions while cooking the sausage is a crucial step. Sautéing vegetables unlocks their natural sweetness and mellows out any potential bitterness, resulting in a more balanced and flavorful breakfast casserole. This step is a signature of Pioneer Woman recipes – building layers of flavor.

A skillet with breakfast sausage, diced bell peppers, and green onions being sautéed, highlighting the importance of this step in the Pioneer Woman breakfast casserole recipe.

Make-Ahead Magic: Pioneer Woman Overnight Breakfast Casserole

Yes! One of the greatest advantages of this Pioneer Woman breakfast casserole is that it can be assembled ahead of time. You can prepare the entire casserole, cover it tightly, and store it in the refrigerator overnight. This makes it incredibly convenient for busy mornings or when you’re hosting brunch. Just remember to allow for a few extra minutes of baking time if baking directly from the refrigerator. Also, never place a cold casserole dish directly into a hot oven, as this could cause it to crack. Let it sit at room temperature for about 15-20 minutes before baking.

Do You Need to Thaw Hash Browns for Casserole?

Yes, thawing your frozen hash browns before adding them to the casserole is important. If you add them frozen, the excess moisture they release as they thaw during baking can throw off the consistency of the recipe, potentially making the casserole watery. Thawed hash browns incorporate seamlessly into the egg mixture, ensuring the perfect texture for your Pioneer Woman breakfast casserole.

Pioneer Woman Breakfast Casserole Variations

Love to customize your recipes? Here are a few delicious variations to personalize your Pioneer Woman breakfast casserole:

Make it Bacon! For bacon lovers, swap out the breakfast sausage for cooked, chopped bacon. Or, for an even more indulgent breakfast, use a combination of both sausage and bacon!
Spice It Up! If you like a little heat, increase the amount of Tabasco sauce or hot sauce. For a fresh spicy kick, add a minced jalapeño pepper along with the bell pepper. A pinch of cayenne pepper can also add a pleasant warmth.
Cheese Swap! While cheddar is classic and delicious, feel free to experiment with different cheeses. Pepper jack cheese adds a spicy creaminess, while Monterey Jack offers a milder, buttery flavor. A blend of cheeses can also create a unique flavor profile.

Storing and Freezing Your Breakfast Casserole

Refrigerator Storage: Store leftover Pioneer Woman breakfast casserole in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Because it contains eggs, it’s best consumed within 3-4 days for optimal quality and food safety.
Freezing Instructions: This casserole freezes beautifully! To freeze, cut the casserole into individual slices. Wrap each slice tightly in saran wrap, then place the wrapped slices in a resealable freezer bag. Frozen breakfast casserole slices will last for 2-3 months. To reheat, thaw overnight in the refrigerator or microwave from frozen until heated through.

What to Serve with Pioneer Woman Hashbrown Breakfast Casserole

This hearty Pioneer Woman hashbrown breakfast casserole is a complete meal in itself, but it pairs wonderfully with a variety of sides, especially for brunch. Consider serving it with:

Fresh Fruit Salad: A light and refreshing fruit salad provides a perfect counterpoint to the richness of the casserole.
Maple Pecan Scones: For a touch of sweetness, Maple Pecan Scones are a delightful addition.
Cinnamon Roll Casserole: If you’re embracing indulgence, a Cinnamon Roll Casserole makes a decadent brunch spread.
Coffee Cakes: Choose from Blueberry Coffee Cake, Sour Cream Coffee Cake, or Bisquick Coffee Cake for a classic brunch pairing.
Salads: Add a refreshing salad to balance the meal. Options like Portillo’s Chopped Salad, Strawberry Spinach Salad, Strawberry Salad, Mediterranean Salad, 7 Layer Salad, 1905 Salad, KFC Coleslaw, Pineapple Coleslaw, or Carrot Salad all offer delicious and contrasting flavors and textures.

More Breakfast and Brunch Inspiration

Looking for more breakfast and brunch ideas? Explore our extensive collection of recipes to create the perfect morning feast!

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This Pioneer Woman breakfast casserole is packed with savory sausage, hearty hash browns, and plenty of melted cheese – delivering all the comforting flavors of a home-cooked breakfast in one simple and satisfying casserole.

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, optional
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
3 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded and divided (1.5 cups for inside, 1.5 cups for topping)
30 ounces frozen shredded hash browns, thawed

US Customary – Metric

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Spray a 9×13 inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the breakfast sausage, diced red bell pepper, and the white and light green parts of the green onions. Break the sausage into small pieces with a wooden spoon as it cooks. Cook until the sausage is no longer pink, about 6-8 minutes. Drain off any excess grease and cool slightly.
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, heavy cream, Dijon mustard, hot sauce (if using), salt, and black pepper. Stir in about half of the remaining green parts of the scallions (reserve the rest for garnish).
Stir in 1.5 cups of the shredded cheddar cheese, the thawed hash browns, and the cooked sausage mixture into the egg mixture. Pour the combined mixture into the prepared baking dish and spread into an even layer.
Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 50 minutes. Remove the foil and sprinkle the top of the casserole with the remaining 1.5 cups of shredded cheddar cheese. 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 more.
Let the Pioneer Woman breakfast casserole rest for 10 minutes before slicing and serving. Garnish with the reserved green parts of the scallions before serving.

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The Pioneer Woman’s Breakfast Casserole: Your Family’s New Favorite Morning Meal