The Pioneer Woman breakfast casserole, directly inspired by Ree Drummond’s own recipe, is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. This sausage breakfast casserole has become a beloved staple in many households, including my own, for its incredible ability to effortlessly feed a hungry family every single time. Its comforting flavors and easy preparation make it a go-to dish, and it’s no wonder why it’s a favorite from The Pioneer Woman herself.
If you’re a fan of breakfast casseroles as much as we are, you might also want to explore some other delicious variations. Consider trying 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 a fun twist, a tater tot breakfast casserole – because who can resist tater tots?
The Pioneer Woman “Kids Are Home” Breakfast Casserole
This recipe truly earns its nickname: “The Kids Are Home Casserole.” It’s my absolute favorite to prepare when I’m fortunate enough to have my whole family gathered together. Having made this Pioneer Woman Sausage Breakfast Casserole for years, I can confidently say it’s completely foolproof. It provides peace of mind knowing that everyone will be well-fed, no matter when they decide to roll out of bed for breakfast.
The beauty of this dish lies in its make-ahead convenience. I often assemble it the night before, especially when family members are arriving at different times. This way, a warm and hearty breakfast is ready whenever anyone is up and ready to eat. Packed with sausage, fluffy hash browns, and melty cheddar cheese, it delivers all the comforting elements of a home-cooked breakfast in a simple, serve-yourself casserole format.
A slice of pioneer woman hashbrown breakfast casserole on a plate
Even at room temperature, this Pioneer Woman breakfast casserole remains delicious, and it’s easily warmed up for those who are last to the breakfast table – or for when Mom finally gets a moment to sit down and enjoy a bite. It’s genuinely one of my personal favorites, and I’m confident your family will love this Pioneer Woman sausage breakfast casserole just as much.
Ingredients for Pioneer Woman Sausage Breakfast Casserole
Here’s what you’ll need to create this comforting Pioneer Woman breakfast casserole:
- Breakfast Sausage: For a classic flavor, Jimmy Dean regular breakfast sausage is an excellent choice. If you prefer a bit of heat, the “Hot” variety works wonderfully too.
- Green Onions: Use both the white and green parts of the green onions to add a mild oniony flavor throughout the casserole.
- Bell Pepper: Choose your favorite color! Red or orange bell peppers offer a sweeter and milder taste that complements the other ingredients beautifully.
- Eggs: Large eggs are standard for this recipe. Bringing them to room temperature before mixing can help them incorporate more smoothly into the casserole mixture.
- Heavy Cream: Heavy cream adds richness and a velvety texture to the egg mixture, creating a luscious casserole.
- Dijon Mustard: Regular Dijon mustard, not stoneground, is recommended for its smooth texture. It provides a subtle tang that enhances the overall flavor profile.
- Tabasco: Or your preferred hot sauce. Tabasco’s vinegar base not only adds a touch of heat but also balances the richness of the casserole.
- Salt and Pepper: Essential seasonings to bring out all the flavors. Don’t underestimate the importance of properly seasoned food!
- Sharp Cheddar Cheese: Sharp cheddar is highly recommended over mild cheddar for this Pioneer Woman breakfast casserole. Its robust flavor really shines through and adds that classic cheddar cheese taste. You’ll need a generous amount of shredded cheese, divided for layering inside and topping the casserole.
- Hash Browns: Frozen shredded hash browns are ideal for this recipe. While shredded is preferred, you can experiment with other shapes. Some frozen hash browns even come with peppers for an added flavor boost.
- Keep in mind that chunkier hash browns might require a slightly longer baking time to ensure they are fully cooked. Refrigerated hash browns can also be used as a convenient alternative.
Expert Tips for the Best Breakfast Casserole
- It might be tempting to simply toss all the ingredients into the casserole dish, especially when you’re making this early in the morning. However, taking a few extra minutes to sauté your vegetables while cooking the sausage is a worthwhile step. Sautéing the bell peppers and onions releases their natural sweetness and mellows any potential bitterness, resulting in a more balanced and flavorful Pioneer Woman breakfast casserole.
Make-Ahead Magic: Pioneer Woman Overnight Breakfast Casserole
Yes! One of the greatest advantages of this Pioneer Woman sausage breakfast casserole is its make-ahead capability. You can fully assemble the casserole, cover it tightly, and store it in the refrigerator overnight. In the morning, simply bake it according to the instructions. Just remember to never place a cold casserole dish directly into a hot oven to avoid thermal shock. Let it sit at room temperature for a few minutes while the oven preheats.
Should You Thaw Hash Browns for Casserole?
Yes, thawing your frozen hash browns is crucial for the best texture and consistency. Adding frozen hash browns directly to the casserole can introduce excess moisture, which can negatively affect the recipe’s outcome, potentially making it watery.
pioneer woman sausage breakfast casserole close up
Pioneer Woman Breakfast Casserole Variations
Looking to customize your Pioneer Woman sausage breakfast casserole? Here are a few delicious variations:
- Make it Bacon Breakfast Casserole! Swap out the sausage entirely for cooked and chopped bacon. Or, for an even richer flavor, use a combination of both sausage and bacon!
- Spice Lover’s Casserole: Increase the amount of Tabasco sauce or use a hotter variety of hot sauce. For fresh heat, finely mince a jalapeño pepper and sauté it along with the bell pepper. A pinch of cayenne pepper can also add a pleasant kick.
- Cheese Variations: While sharp cheddar is a classic choice, feel free to experiment with other cheeses. Pepper jack cheese adds a spicyMonterey Jack provides a milder, creamy alternative.
Storing and Freezing Your Breakfast Casserole
- Refrigerator Storage: To store leftover Pioneer Woman breakfast casserole, place it in an airtight container. Because it contains eggs, it’s best to consume it within 3-4 days for optimal quality and food safety.
- Freezing Instructions: Yes, you can freeze this breakfast casserole! For individual portions, wrap slices tightly in plastic wrap and then place them in a resealable freezer bag. Frozen casserole slices will keep for 2-3 months. To reheat, thaw overnight in the refrigerator or microwave directly from frozen.
What to Serve with Pioneer Woman Hashbrown Breakfast Casserole
This Pioneer Woman hashbrown breakfast casserole is fantastic as the centerpiece of a brunch spread. Consider serving it alongside:
- A simple and refreshing fruit salad to balance the richness of the casserole.
- Extra hash brown potatoes for those who really love them.
- Sweet treats like maple pecan scones, cinnamon roll casserole, blueberry coffee cake, sour cream coffee cake, or Bisquick coffee cake.
To add a lighter, savory element to your brunch, pair the casserole with a fresh salad such as Portillo’s chopped salad, strawberry spinach salad, strawberry salad, Mediterranean salad, 7 layer salad, 1905 salad, KFC coleslaw, pineapple coleslaw, or a classic carrot salad.
More Delightful Breakfast and Brunch Recipes to Explore
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Pioneer Woman Breakfast Casserole Recipe Card
This Pioneer Woman breakfast casserole is packed with savory sausage, hearty hash browns, and plenty of melted cheese—all the comforting flavors 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 (3 12-ounce packages)
- 1 package frozen shredded hash browns, thawed (30 ounce)
Instructions
- Preheat the 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 as it cooks with a wooden spoon, until browned and 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 remaining green parts of the scallions (reserve the rest for garnish).
- Stir in 1 ½ 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 remaining 1 ½ cups of 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 lightly browned, about 10-15 minutes more.
- Let the casserole rest for 10 minutes before slicing and serving. Garnish with the reserved green parts of the scallions before serving.
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Recipe Notes
Nutrition Information
Serving: 1 serving | Calories: 525 kcal | Carbohydrates: 19 g | Protein: 24 g | Fat: 40 g | Saturated Fat: 19 g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4 g | Monounsaturated Fat: 12 g | Trans Fat: 1 g | Cholesterol: 286 mg | Sodium: 985 mg | Potassium: 529 mg | Fiber: 2 g | Sugar: 2 g | Vitamin A: 1528 IU | Vitamin C: 24 mg | Calcium: 308 mg | Iron: 3 mg
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