Pioneer Woman Breakfast Potatoes: The Ultimate Comfort Food Casserole

Ree Drummond’s Pioneer Woman breakfast casserole recipe is a family favorite for a reason. It’s incredibly easy to make, feeds a crowd, and is packed with all the best breakfast flavors. If you’re searching for a hearty and satisfying breakfast dish that everyone will love, look no further. This recipe, often referred to as Pioneer Woman Breakfast Potatoes casserole due to its generous hash brown content, is your answer.

For more delicious casserole inspiration, don’t miss out on these other amazing recipes: goat cheese and prosciutto breakfast casserole, crockpot breakfast casserole, Bisquick breakfast casserole, and for a fun twist, tater tot breakfast casserole.

The Magic of Pioneer Woman Hashbrown Breakfast Casserole

This Pioneer Woman breakfast casserole recipe is truly a lifesaver, especially when you have a house full of guests or a family with staggered wake-up times. Dubbed the “Kids Are Home Casserole” by Ree Drummond herself, this dish is designed for those special moments when everyone gathers together. Its make-ahead convenience is a game-changer, allowing you to prepare it the night before and simply bake it in the morning.

Imagine waking up to the smell of savory sausage, cheesy goodness, and perfectly cooked hash browns. This Pioneer Woman breakfast potatoes casserole delivers all the comforting flavors of a classic home-cooked breakfast in a single, easy-to-serve dish. Whether enjoyed hot straight from the oven or at room temperature later in the morning, this casserole remains delicious and satisfying. It’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser and a recipe that will quickly become a staple in your breakfast rotation.

A slice of pioneer woman hashbrown breakfast casserole on a plate

Key Ingredients for Pioneer Woman Breakfast Potatoes Casserole

This Pioneer Woman breakfast casserole recipe uses simple, readily available ingredients to create a flavorful and satisfying breakfast. Here’s a breakdown of what you’ll need:

Breakfast Sausage: Jimmy Dean regular breakfast sausage is a great choice for its classic flavor. For those who prefer a bit of heat, the “Hot” variety works wonderfully.
Green Onions: Both the white and green parts are used, adding a mild oniony flavor that complements the other ingredients.
Bell Pepper: Red or orange bell peppers are recommended for their sweetness, but you can use any color you prefer.
Eggs: Large eggs are essential for binding the casserole together. Ensure they are at room temperature for optimal mixing.
Heavy Cream: This adds richness and creaminess to the egg mixture, creating a luscious texture.
Dijon Mustard: Smooth Dijon mustard enhances the savory flavors without being overpowering.
Tabasco Sauce: A dash of Tabasco (or your favorite hot sauce) provides a subtle kick and balances the overall flavor profile with its vinegar notes.
Salt and Pepper: Essential seasonings to bring out the best in all the ingredients.
Sharp Cheddar Cheese: Sharp cheddar is preferred over mild cheddar for its more pronounced cheese flavor that stands up well in the casserole.
Hash Browns: Frozen shredded hash browns are the star of this “Pioneer Woman breakfast potatoes” casserole. While shredded hash browns are recommended, you can experiment with other types, even those with pre-added peppers for extra flavor. Remember to thaw them before use to avoid excess moisture in your casserole. Refrigerated hash browns are also a suitable alternative.

Expert Tips for the Best Breakfast Casserole

While this Pioneer Woman breakfast casserole recipe is straightforward, these tips will help you achieve breakfast casserole perfection:

Sauté Your Veggies: Resist the urge to skip this step! Sautéing the bell peppers and onions while cooking the sausage is crucial. Sautéing brings out their natural sweetness and mellows any bitterness, resulting in a more balanced and flavorful casserole. This step enhances the overall depth of flavor in your Pioneer Woman breakfast potatoes casserole.

Make-Ahead & Storage Instructions

Overnight Casserole: Yes, you can assemble this Pioneer Woman breakfast casserole the night before! Simply prepare the casserole as instructed, cover it, and store it in the refrigerator overnight. In the morning, bake as directed, remembering not to place a cold dish directly into a hot oven to prevent cracking.
Freezing Instructions: Leftover Pioneer Woman breakfast potatoes casserole freezes beautifully. For individual portions, wrap slices tightly in plastic wrap and place them in a resealable freezer bag. Frozen casserole slices will keep for 2-3 months.
Refrigerator Storage: Store leftover casserole in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.

pioneer woman sausage breakfast casserole close up

Recipe Variations to Try

Want to customize your Pioneer Woman breakfast potatoes casserole? Here are a few delicious variations:

Bacon Lovers’ Dream: Substitute the breakfast sausage with cooked, chopped bacon, or use a combination of both for an extra-meaty casserole.
Spice It Up: Increase the amount of Tabasco sauce or add a minced jalapeño along with the bell pepper for a spicier kick. A pinch of cayenne pepper can also add extra heat.
Cheese Swap: While cheddar is classic, experiment with other cheeses like pepper jack or Monterey Jack for a different flavor profile.

Serving Suggestions

Pioneer Woman hashbrown breakfast casserole is a complete meal on its own, but it pairs wonderfully with:

Fresh Fruit Salad: A light and refreshing fruit salad provides a perfect contrast to the richness of the casserole.
Sweet Treats: Consider serving it alongside maple pecan scones, cinnamon roll casserole, blueberry coffee cake, sour cream coffee cake, or Bisquick coffee cake for a brunch spread.
Refreshing Salads: Balance the hearty casserole with a crisp salad like Portillo’s chopped salad, strawberry spinach salad, strawberry salad, Mediterranean salad, 7 layer salad, 1905 salad, KFC coleslaw, pineapple coleslaw, or carrot salad.

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Pioneer Woman Breakfast Casserole Recipe Card

Description: Pioneer Woman breakfast casserole is loaded with sausage, hash browns, and cheese—all the comfort of a home-cooked breakfast 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)
1 package frozen shredded hash browns, thawed (30 ounce)

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350°F. 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, beat eggs, heavy cream, mustard, hot sauce, salt, pepper, and about half of the green parts of scallions. Save remaining scallions for garnish.
Stir in 1 1/2 cups of cheese, hash browns, and cooled sausage mixture into the egg mixture. Pour into prepared baking dish and smooth into an even layer.
Cover with foil and bake for 50 minutes. Remove foil and sprinkle remaining 1 1/2 cups of cheese on top. Increase oven temperature to 400°F and bake for another 10-15 minutes, until the center is set and lightly browned.
Let casserole rest for 10 minutes before serving. Garnish with remaining green parts of scallions.

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