Pioneer Woman Breakfast Casserole: The Ultimate Family Brunch Recipe

Ree Drummond’s Pioneer Woman Breakfast Casserole recipe is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. This hearty casserole is exactly as delicious and satisfying as Ree herself makes it. My family requests this dish time and time again, and it effortlessly feeds everyone, making it a breakfast favorite in our home. We absolutely love it, and we love Ree!

If you’re a casserole enthusiast like us, you’re in for a treat! Explore more of my best breakfast casserole recipes, including the sophisticated Goat Cheese and Prosciutto Breakfast Casserole, the convenient Crockpot Breakfast Casserole, the classic Bisquick Breakfast Casserole, or the fun and indulgent Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole – because who can resist tater tots?

The “Kids Are Home” Casserole – Pioneer Woman Style

This Pioneer Woman breakfast casserole is my go-to recipe when I’m lucky enough to have all my kids gathered under one roof. It’s a recipe I’ve relied on for years because it’s completely foolproof. Knowing I can make this ensures everyone will be well-fed, even with staggered wake-up times on those leisurely family mornings.

The real genius of this recipe is that it can be made ahead of time. I often prepare it the night before when the kids start arriving. 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 one simple, easy-to-serve casserole.

A slice of pioneer woman hashbrown breakfast casserole on a plate

It’s just as delicious at room temperature – or easily warmed – for those who sleep in. It’s even perfect for when Mom finally gets a moment to sit down and eat! This Pioneer Woman breakfast casserole recipe is truly one of my favorites, and I’m confident your family will love it just as much.

Pioneer Woman Breakfast Casserole: Ingredient Breakdown

Let’s dive into the key ingredients that make this Pioneer Woman breakfast casserole so special:

Breakfast Sausage: I typically opt for Jimmy Dean regular breakfast sausage. For those who enjoy a bit of heat, the “Hot” variety works wonderfully. Using a quality breakfast sausage is key to the flavor profile of this casserole.
Green Onions: Both the white and green parts of green onions are used. They add a mild oniony flavor and a touch of freshness to the casserole.
Bell Pepper: Feel free to choose your favorite color! I lean towards red or orange bell peppers for their sweeter and milder taste, which complements the other ingredients beautifully.
Eggs: Large eggs are the standard for this recipe. For optimal baking, bringing them to room temperature before use is recommended. This helps them incorporate smoothly into the mixture.
Heavy Cream: Heavy cream contributes richness and creaminess to the egg mixture, creating a luxurious texture in the final casserole.
Dijon Mustard: Regular Dijon mustard, rather than stoneground, is preferred for its smooth texture. It adds a subtle tang and depth of flavor that enhances the overall taste without being overpowering.
Tabasco: Choose your favorite hot sauce! Tabasco adds a pleasant vinegary kick that balances the richness of the casserole. Feel free to adjust the amount to your spice preference.
Salt and Pepper: These quintessential seasonings are crucial. Proper seasoning with salt and pepper is essential to bring out the best flavors of all the ingredients in the casserole.
Sharp Cheddar Cheese: Sharp cheddar is highly recommended over mild cheddar because it delivers a more pronounced cheese flavor that stands up well to the other ingredients. The sharpness adds a delicious zing to every bite.
Hash Browns: Hash browns come in various shapes and sizes. Shredded hash browns are my go-to for this recipe, but feel free to experiment. 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 cooking time to ensure they are heated through. Refrigerated hash browns are also a convenient alternative.

Essential Tips for Pioneer Woman Breakfast Casserole Success

While it might be tempting to just toss everything into the casserole dish – especially when you’re making this early in the morning – don’t skip sautéing your veggies! Sautéing the 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 casserole. This simple step elevates the entire dish.

Make-Ahead Magic: Pioneer Woman Overnight Breakfast Casserole

Yes! You can absolutely assemble this Pioneer Woman breakfast casserole ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator overnight. This makes it an incredibly convenient option for brunch or holiday mornings. Just remember to let the cold casserole dish come to room temperature for a bit before placing it in a hot oven to prevent thermal shock.

Thawing Hash Browns: A Must for Casserole Perfection?

Yes, it’s essential to thaw frozen hash browns before adding them to the casserole. If you use them frozen, the excess moisture can throw off the recipe’s consistency and potentially make the casserole watery. Thawing ensures the correct texture and prevents excess liquid in your finished dish.

pioneer woman sausage breakfast casserole close up

Pioneer Woman Breakfast Casserole: Delicious Variations

Make it Bacon! For a twist, substitute cooked, chopped bacon for the sausage, or go decadent and use a combination of both! Bacon adds a smoky and salty dimension that’s incredibly delicious.
Spice it Up! Crank up the heat by increasing the amount of Tabasco or your preferred hot sauce. For fresh heat, add a minced jalapeño when you sauté the bell pepper. A pinch of cayenne pepper can also add a pleasant warmth throughout the casserole.
Cheese Swap! While cheddar is classic, don’t hesitate to experiment with different cheeses. Pepper jack cheese brings a spicy kick, while Monterey Jack offers a milder, creamy alternative. 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. Since 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 place them in a resealable freezer bag. Frozen casserole will maintain its quality for 2-3 months. This is perfect for meal prepping or enjoying leftovers at a later date.

Serving Suggestions: Complete Your Brunch Spread

This Pioneer Woman hash brown breakfast casserole is fantastic on its own, but it’s even better as part of a brunch feast! I love serving it with a simple fruit salad for a refreshing contrast. Hash brown potatoes can be a fun side for potato lovers! For sweet pairings, consider Maple Pecan Scones (utterly delicious!), Cinnamon Roll Casserole, Blueberry Coffee Cake, Sour Cream Coffee Cake, or our easy Bisquick Coffee Cake.

To balance the richness of the casserole, a fresh salad is always a welcome addition. We enjoy this casserole with our Portillo’s Chopped Salad, Strawberry Spinach Salad or Strawberry Salad (both with unique homemade dressings), Mediterranean Salad, classic 7 Layer Salad, the iconic 1905 Salad, KFC Coleslaw or Pineapple Coleslaw, or even a simple and refreshing Carrot Salad just like Grandma used to make!

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Pioneer Woman Breakfast Casserole Recipe

This Pioneer Woman breakfast casserole is packed with savory sausage, golden hash browns, and melty cheese – all the comforting goodness of a home-cooked breakfast combined in one easy-to-serve 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 (12-ounce package)
30 ounces frozen shredded hash browns, thawed (1 package)

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, chopped 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. Let 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 green parts of the chopped green onions (reserve the rest for garnish).
Stir in 1 1/2 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 tightly with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 50 minutes. Remove the foil and sprinkle the remaining 1 1/2 cups of shredded cheese evenly over the top. Increase the oven temperature to 400°F (200°C) and continue to bake until the center of the casserole is set and the top is lightly browned, about 10-15 minutes more.
Let the casserole rest for 10 minutes before serving. Garnish the top with the reserved green parts of the green onions before serving.

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