Pioneer Woman Breakfast Casserole: The Ultimate Family Brunch Recipe

Ree Drummond’s Pioneer Woman breakfast casserole recipe is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. This hearty and flavorful casserole has become a staple in many households, and for good reason. It’s the perfect dish to bring your family together, especially when everyone is home. I’ve personally made this Pioneer Woman breakfast casserole countless times for my family, and it consistently disappears quickly, satisfying everyone’s appetites. We absolutely love it, and we love Ree!

If you’re a fan of easy and delicious breakfast casseroles, you’re in the right place. Beyond this Pioneer Woman classic, explore some other fantastic options like a sophisticated goat cheese and prosciutto breakfast casserole, a convenient crockpot breakfast casserole, a simple Bisquick breakfast casserole, or an indulgent tater tot breakfast casserole. But today, let’s dive into the comforting goodness of the Pioneer Woman’s recipe.

The Magic of the “Kids Are Home” Casserole

This recipe is affectionately known as the “Kids Are Home Casserole” in my house. It’s my go-to dish whenever I’m fortunate enough to have my entire family gathered under one roof. Having made it for years, I can confidently say it’s foolproof. The Pioneer Woman breakfast casserole takes the stress out of feeding a large group, ensuring everyone gets a satisfying breakfast, even if they wake up at different times.

The beauty of this casserole lies in its make-ahead convenience. I often prepare it the night before, especially when kids are arriving from various places. This way, a hot and comforting breakfast is ready for whoever is up first. Packed with sausage, hash browns, and cheddar cheese, it delivers all the comforting flavors of a home-cooked breakfast in an easy-to-serve format.

A slice of pioneer woman hashbrown breakfast casserole on a plate

This Pioneer Woman breakfast casserole is equally delicious at room temperature or gently warmed, making it perfect for late risers or even for Mom to enjoy when she finally gets a moment to sit down and eat. It’s truly a family favorite, and I’m confident your family will adore it too.

Pioneer Woman Breakfast Casserole: Ingredients You’ll Need

Let’s gather the ingredients to create this delightful Pioneer Woman breakfast casserole:

Breakfast Sausage: I typically use Jimmy Dean regular breakfast sausage for its classic flavor. If you prefer a spicier kick, feel free to use the “Hot” variety.
Green Onions: Use both the white and green parts of the green onions for a balanced onion flavor.
Bell Pepper: Choose your favorite color bell pepper. I find red or orange bell peppers to be slightly sweeter and milder, complementing the other flavors beautifully.
Eggs: Use large eggs for this recipe. For optimal baking, bring them to room temperature before incorporating them into the mixture.
Heavy Cream: Heavy cream adds richness and creaminess to the casserole.
Dijon Mustard: Opt for regular Dijon mustard for its smooth texture, rather than stoneground.
Tabasco: You can use your preferred hot sauce. Tabasco provides a nice vinegar tang that balances the overall flavor profile of the casserole.
Salt and Pepper: Essential seasonings to enhance all the flavors. Don’t underestimate the importance of proper seasoning!
Sharp Cheddar Cheese: Sharp cheddar cheese is highly recommended over mild cheddar. It delivers a more pronounced cheddar flavor that shines through in the casserole.
Hash Browns: Frozen hash browns come in various forms. Shredded hash browns are my preference, but feel free to experiment with different types. You can even try hash browns with frozen peppers for an extra layer of flavor.
- Keep in mind that chunkier hash browns might require a slightly longer baking time to ensure they are fully cooked. Refrigerated hash browns are also a suitable alternative.

Essential Tips for the Best Breakfast Casserole

While it might be tempting to simply throw all the ingredients into the casserole dish, especially in the morning rush, taking a few extra steps will significantly elevate the flavor of your Pioneer Woman breakfast casserole. Sautéing your vegetables while cooking the sausage is a crucial tip. Sautéing the veggies unlocks their natural sweetness and mellows out any potential bitterness, resulting in a more balanced and flavorful casserole.

Make-Ahead Magic: Overnight Breakfast Casserole

Yes! You can absolutely assemble the Pioneer Woman breakfast casserole ahead of time. Prepare the entire casserole, cover it tightly, and store it in the refrigerator overnight. In the morning, simply bake it as directed. Remember to avoid placing a cold casserole dish directly into a hot oven to prevent cracking.

Thawing Hash Browns: A Must-Do

Yes, thawing your frozen hash browns before adding them to the casserole is necessary. Adding frozen hash browns introduces excess moisture, which can disrupt the recipe’s consistency and texture.

pioneer woman sausage breakfast casserole close up

Variations to Spice Things Up

Want to customize your Pioneer Woman breakfast casserole? Here are some delicious variations:

Bacon Lovers Unite! Swap out the sausage for cooked, chopped bacon, or go all out and use a combination of both sausage and bacon for an extra meaty casserole.
Turn Up the Heat! For those who like a spicy kick, increase the amount of Tabasco sauce or hot sauce to your liking. Alternatively, add a minced jalapeño along with the red bell pepper while sautéing. A pinch of cayenne pepper can also add a pleasant warmth.
Cheese Swap! While cheddar is classic, experiment with different cheese varieties. Pepper jack cheese or Monterey Jack cheese can add a delicious twist to the flavor profile.

Storing and Freezing Instructions

Refrigerator Storage: Store leftover Pioneer Woman breakfast casserole in an airtight container in the refrigerator. As it contains eggs, it will keep well for 3-4 days.
Freezing Instructions: Yes, you can freeze this casserole! For individual portions, wrap slices tightly in plastic wrap and then place them in a resealable freezer bag. Frozen casserole slices will last for 2-3 months.

Serving Suggestions for Your Breakfast Casserole

This Pioneer Woman hash brown breakfast casserole is a wonderful centerpiece for a brunch spread. Consider serving it alongside:

A refreshing simple fruit salad
Extra crispy hash brown potatoes
Sweet treats like maple pecan scones, cinnamon roll casserole, blueberry coffee cake, sour cream coffee cake, or Bisquick coffee cake.

To balance the richness of the casserole, add a fresh salad to your brunch menu. Delicious salad options include Portillo’s chopped salad, strawberry spinach salad, strawberry salad, Mediterranean salad, 7 layer salad, 1905 salad, KFC coleslaw, pineapple coleslaw, or even a classic carrot salad.

More Breakfast and Brunch Inspiration

[Link to More Breakfast and Brunch Recipes]

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This Pioneer Woman breakfast casserole is packed with sausage, hash browns, and cheese – the ultimate comfort breakfast in one easy dish.

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 (12-ounce package)
1 package frozen shredded hash browns, thawed (30 ounce)

US Customary – Metric

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. Break sausage into small pieces and cook until no longer pink, about 6-8 minutes. Cool slightly.
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together eggs, heavy cream, Dijon mustard, hot sauce, salt, pepper, and about half of the green parts of the scallions (reserve the rest for garnish).
Stir in 1 1/2 cups of cheese, thawed hash browns, and cooled sausage mixture into the egg mixture. Pour into prepared baking dish and spread evenly.
Cover with foil and bake for 50 minutes. Remove foil, sprinkle with remaining 1 1/2 cups cheese. Increase oven temperature to 400°F (200°C) and bake for another 10-15 minutes, until center is set and lightly browned.
Let casserole rest for 10 minutes before serving. Garnish with remaining green scallions.

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