Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole with Sausage

This Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole is a winner for busy mornings, entertaining or holidays, because it’s prep ahead friendly, feeds a crowd, easy to make AND is “absolutely delicious,” a “keeper” and “our favorite” (read the reviews)! It can be prepped in less than 20 minutes and baked immediately OR refrigerated until ready to serve (instructions included).  Best of all, this warm, creamy, cheesy, crispy recipe is elevated by using tater tots in both the filling AND the topping for textural bliss, adept seasonings, green chilies, and both cheddar and pepper Jack – no bland casserole here!

tater tot breakfast casserole video

tater tot breakfast casserole covered with cheese and crispy tater tots


 

REASONS TO LOVE THIS TATER TOT CASSEROLE BREAKFAST

  • DELICIOUS! This breakfast casserole is bursting with tender tater tots, juicy sausage, bell peppers and melty, gooey cheese all swaddled in luscious eggs topped with crispy, pillowy tater tots and more cheese for a rich and gooey bite. It’s warm, creamy, cheesy, crispy and the best way to start your day!
  • EASY!  Brown the sausage, throw all the ingredients together in a baking dish and let the oven do the rest. You don’t even have to thaw the tater tots first!
  • HEARTY AND FILLING. Unlike the sweet breakfast options, this Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole is a meal-in-one filled with protein AKA the staying power to get you – and everyone – through the festivities with smiles on their faces.  
  • WINNER, WINNER, BREAKFAST CASSEROLE FOR DINNER! Because it’s so satisfying, it also makes a great dinner.  You can even prep it in the morning and bake at dinner time. Leftovers are equally fantastic.
  • PREP AHEAD FRIENDLY.   When you’re ready to bake, just add the tater tots on top and you’re ready to pop it in the oven.
  • VERSATILE. I’m sharing my favorite version today but this casserole is infinitely adaptable.  It can also be made with ham, bacon, turkey as well as different cheeses, veggies, and seasonings.
  • FEEDS A CROWD. This Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole makes 12 satisfying servings and is even easy to double if needed!
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TATER TOT BREAKFAST CASSEROLE INGREDIENTS

This easy Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole recipe uses pantry friendly ingredients.  Just keep a package of tater tots and sausage in your freezer, and you should have everything else on hand.  Let’s take a closer look at what you’ll need (measurements in the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post):

  • Tater tots:  everyone’s favorite potato puff is the star of this breakfast casserole. You’ll want to use one 32-ounce package of tater tots found in the freezer section.  DON’T thaw them first or they won’t bake up as crispy.
  • Sausage:  use bulk sausage, which is simply sausage that that has not been put into a natural casing, so it’s easy to cook and crumble.  Jimmy Dean is an example of bulk sausage.  I recommend hot bulk sausage for the best flavor.  It will not make your Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole hot, but will add a little kick to wake things up a bit.  If you use plain sausage, you’ll want to add some red pepper flakes.
  • Aromatics: one yellow onion and a few garlic cloves build the flavor base. 
  • Bell peppers:  one red bell pepper for sweetness and one green bell pepper for earthiness. You may also substitute with other vegetables.  If they are a longer cooking vegetable, you will want to cook them longer with the sausage to soften.
  • Cheese:  always two cheeses please!  I use sharp cheddar and Pepper Jack but you may also use sharp and either Monterrey Jack or mozzarella.  Sharp cheese boasts enough flavor to cut through the richness of the casserole and pepper Jack melts beautifully to add delightful creaminess with a sassy kick.  
  • Eggs:   8 eggs!  We need a significant number of eggs to envelop all of the ingredients and bind them together.
  • Half and half: is crucial to create a luscious and creamy egg mixture that won’t dry out once baked.  You can combine 1 cup heavy cream and 1 cup milk to make half and half if that’s what you have on hand.
  • Green chiles:  you will need one 4 oz. can mild diced green chiles.  They are not spicy, just add tangy flavor, just take care you get the MILD vs HOT.  I have mistakenly purchased the hot diced green chiles before and they will knock your socks off!
  • Seasonings:  parsley, paprika, ground mustard, salt and pepper round out the flavor profile – no bland breakfast casserole here!
up close of a slice of tater tot breakfast casserole with sausage

How to make Breakfast Casserole with Tater Tots

You are going to love how easy this breakfast casserole is to make! Let’s take a closer look with step-by-step photos (full recipe in the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post):

  • Step 1:  Cook sausage and veggies.  It’s important to cook the sausage first to render the fat.  We also cook the onions and peppers with the sausage to save time and to infuse them with flavor.  If you decide to use other veggies, add them with the sausage as well. Transfer the sausage mixture to a lightly greased 9×13 baking dish and allow to cool slightly – otherwise if you stir in the cheese immediately, you’ll end up with a clumpy mess.
showing how to make breakfast casserole by cooking sausage, onions and bell peppers in a skillet
  • Step 2:  Whisk egg mixture.  Whisk together eggs, half and half, and seasonings.  I like to whisk them together in a large liquid measuring cup so it is easy to pour.
a collage showing how to make tater tot breakfast casserole by whisking half and half, eggs, and seasonings together in a liquid measuring cup
  • Step 3:  Assemble. Add half of the tater tots to the baking dish with the sausage and half of both cheeses – ¾ cup cheddar and ¾ pepper Jack.  You’ll use the rest of the cheese to top the casserole later.  Stir everything to evenly combine then spread into an even layer.  Pour Egg Mixture over the sausage mixture, then sprinkle remaining tater tots over top. 
a collage showing how to make tater tot breakfast casserole by adding tater tots, sausage and cheese to a 9x13 baking dish, covering with egg mixture then topping with tater tots
  • Step 4:  Bake.  Bake the Tater Tot Casserole uncovered at 350 degrees F until the eggs are set. Remove from the oven and sprinkle with remaining cheeses.  Return to the oven and bake an additional 5-10 minutes to melt the cheese.
a collage showing how to make tater tot breakfast casserole by baking until tater tots are golden then adding cheese and baking until melted
top view of tater tot casserole in a 9x13 baking dish

Make ahead Breakfast Tater Tot Casserole

You can prep this Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole in steps if you prefer.  This is helpful if you want to prep more than 24 hours in advance:

  • Sausage:  brown the sausage, bell peppers and onions, cool, then store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 48 hours.
  • Cheese:  shred and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to five days.
  • Egg mixture: whisk the egg mixture together, cover, and store in an airtight container for up to 48 hours. Give the mixture a whisk before using.

Now all that’s left to do is mix the sausage mixture with the tater tots/cheese and then stir in the egg mixture. Easy peasy!

Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole tips

  • Don’t thaw the tater tots. The tater tots will have the best texture if they aren’t thawed first.  If you are making ahead, keep the half of the tater tots for the topping in the freezer until ready to pop the casserole in the oven.
  • Freshly grated cheese please. Use only freshly grated cheeses as packaged cheeses contain anti-clumping chemicals which inhibits their melting ability.  
  • Keep proportions.  Although you can swap out the meat and vegetables in this breakfast casserole recipe, you will want to keep the proportions the same so there is enough egg mixture to envelop the filling.  
  • Bake uncovered.  This will allow the tater tots to brown and get crispy!
  • Don’t overcook.  Keep an eye on the Tater Tot Casserole and don’t overbake.  The casserole is forgiving but it won’t be as creamy if overbaked. 
  • Make ahead or freeze. You can make the breakfast casserole ahead of time and just pop in the oven in the morning or freeze before or after baking.  Instructions to follow.

Easy Tater Tot Casserole variations

This Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole is really a formula with a creamy egg base – you can customize the veggies, meat, cheeses and even the tater tots to make it differently every time!  Here are some ways to mix it up: 

  • Make it vegetarian: if you are vegetarian, then omit the sausage and replace it with an equal number of vegetables or your favorite non-meat substitute.  Season with some salt and pepper and a dash of red pepper flakes.
  • Choose meat:  I love hot bulk sausage but you can use breakfast sausage, Italian sausage, turkey sausage, bacon, turkey bacon or ham.  You will want to cook any raw protein first before adding it to the egg mixture.   I suggest adding a dash of red pepper flakes if not using hot sausage.  You can also use chorizo without any additional seasonings. 
  • Choose vegetables:  the possibilities are endless!  You may swap the red and green bell peppers for sautéed corn, mushrooms, broccoli, spinach, artichokes, roasted bell peppers, sweet potatoes, butternut squash, etc.  There are 2 important factors to keep in mind when customizing veggies:  1) sauté the vegetables first – don’t add raw vegetables to the casserole or they will remain raw when baked; 2) keep the ratios the same.  You don’t want to add additional vegetables without subtracting vegetables or tater tots or there won’t be enough creamy eggs to envelop the veggies.
  • Choose cheese:  use the suggested sharp cheddar and pepper Jack or swap the pepper Jack for another cheese that melts well such as Mozzarella, Gruyere, Swiss, Monterrey Jack, Colby Jack, Fontina, or Gouda.  You can also add some other non-melting cheeses in addition just for flavor such as Parmesan or feta. 
  • Choose add-ins:  in additional to different vegetables, you can also add jarred jalapenos, olives and additional fresh herbs such as fresh chives, basil, parsley, oregano, etc.

Toppings for Breakfast Casserole with Tater Tots

This breakfast casserole is fabulous as is, or serve it with ketchup, salsa, salsa verde, hot sauce, sour cream and/or avocado slices.

What to serve with this Tater Tot Casserole Breakfast

This Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole is a meal-in-one – all it needs is fruit!  Just add some orange slices or cantaloupe and call it a day or pair it with any of the following for a more elaborate feast:  

tater tot casserole in slices in a 9x13 baking dish with  a few pieces missing showing how creamy it is

Tater Tot Casserole Breakfast FAQs

Is this Breakfast Tater Tot Casserole gluten free?

This Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole can be gluten free if you double check the ingredient labels.  Some ingredients you think are gluten free may not be. 
The sausage doesn’t contain any gluten but not all manufacturers meet USDA standards for “gluten-free” because they are cross contaminated by either using shared equipment or by being made in the same facility as gluten grains.  Some sausages even contain rusk made from wheat.  Jimmy Dean Sausage is an example of sausage that is not gluten free.   You can check out this Gluten Free Sausage Brand list or double check the packaging to ensure your sausage is certified gluten free.
The tater tots are another ingredient to look out for.  You would think they would all be gluten free, but some actually contain gluten!  Look for certified gluten free tater tots which should be easy to find and clearly labeled.

Why is my tater tot casserole soggy?

A tater tot casserole may turn out soggy if milk is used instead of half and half. Milk will not thicken like half and half while baking, leading to excess moisture that never gets absorbed.  Additionally, sogginess can occur if the vegetables are not well sautéed before adding to the casserole to reduce moisture. Lastly, make sure the eggs are fully cooked through before removing the casserole from the oven.

Remember that the key is to reheat gradually and to monitor the process to avoid overcooking. The method you choose may depend on the type of casserole and your kitchen equipment.

How do you reheat a breakfast casserole without drying it out?

The key is to reheat the tater tot casserole gradually and to monitor closely to avoid overcooking. To reheat in the oven, cover the casserole dish with foil to trap moisture and heat it gradually until warmed through at 325 degrees F.  If reheating in the microwave, place a damp paper towel over the casserole to help prevent drying. This creates a steamy environment.

up close of a slice of tater tot breakfast casserole with  bite taken out, showing how creamy and cheesy it is

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top view of tater tot casserole in a 9x13 baking dish

Breakfast Tater Tot Casserole

This Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole is an easy, hearty, family favorite that will have kids AND adults coming back for seconds and thirds!  It can be prepped in less than 20 minutes and baked immediately OR refrigerated until ready to serve.  This breakfast casserole is made with crispy tater tots, eggs, juicy sausage, onions, bell peppers, sharp cheddar and pepper Jack cheese all baked together to create a mountain of creamy, cheesy, potato goodness.  It’s the epitome of comfort food, and the epitome of YUM.  You don’t want to miss this Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole!
Servings: 12 servings
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour 20 minutes

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Ingredients

  • 1 32-ounce bag frozen Tater Tots®, divided (DON'T THAW)
  • 1 pound hot bulk pork sausage (see notes for turkey)
  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • 1 red bell pepper, chopped
  • 1 green bell pepper, chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 ½ cups freshly grated sharp cheddar cheese
  • 1 ½ cup freshly grated pepper Jack cheese

EGG MIXTURE

  • 8 large eggs
  • 2 cups half-and-half
  • 4 ounces diced green chilies
  • 1 teaspoon dried parsley
  • 1/2 tsp EACH paprika, ground mustard, dried oregano, salt, pepper

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a 9"x13" baking dish with non-stick cooking spray; set aside.
  • Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add sausage, onions and bell peppers and cook while crumbling the sausage until the sausage is cooked through and onions are softened. Add garlic and sauté 30 seconds. Drain grease and add the mixture to the baking dish. Set aside to cool slightly.
  • In large bowl or liquid measuring cup, whisk together all of the Egg Mixture ingredients; set aside
  • Add half of the tater tots to the baking dish with the sausage and half of both cheeses (¾ cup each cheese). Stir everything to combine then spread into an even layer.
  • Pour Egg Mixture over the sausage mixture, then sprinkle remaining tater tots over top.
  • Bake uncovered at 350 degrees F for 70-80 minutes or until eggs are set. Remove from the oven and sprinkle with remaining cheeses. Return to the oven and bake an additional 5-10 minutes to melt the cheese. Remove from oven and sprinkle with chopped chives or green onions if desired.

Video

Notes

  • Turkey:  you can swap with turkey sausage and a 1/8-¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper.  I also like to add 1 teaspoon beef bouillon
  • Cheese:  use the suggested sharp cheddar and pepper Jack or swap the pepper Jack for another cheese that melts well such as Mozzarella, Gruyere, Swiss, Monterrey Jack, Colby Jack, Fontina, or Gouda.  Use only freshly grated cheeses as packaged cheeses contain anti-clumping chemicals which inhibits their melting ability.  
  • Variations:  you can swap out the meat and vegetables for your favorites but keep the proportions the same so there is enough egg mixture to envelop the filling.  
  • Storage: cover tightly or transfer to an airtight container in the refrigerator.  Store  for up to 5 days. 

HOW TO REHEAT

  • Microwave:  warm individual servings on a microwave safe plate in the microwave for about a minute or until warmed though.  I like to cut my slice in half before microwaving so it warms evenly.
  • Oven:  you can reheat the entire pan by covering with foil and baking at 325 degrees F for 20 minutes or until heated through (will depend on number of servings left).

OVERNIGHT BREAKFAST CASSEROLE

  • Assemble the breakfast casserole according to recipe instructions but DON’T add the tater tops on top.  Keep this half of the tater tots frozen until ready to use.
  • Tightly cover with plastic wrap.
  • Refrigerate unbaked casserole a few hours up to 24.
  • When ready to bake, remove plastic wrap and let sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before cooking. 
  • Add the remaining half of frozen tater tots and bake according to recipe directions, adding an additional 10-15 minutes as needed.

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30 Comments

  1. Stephanie says

    Made this for the family breakfast for my son’s 13th birthday, along with some waffles/strawberries & whipped cream in case they didn’t like it, haha. It was absolutely delicious! I’ve seen so many tater tot casserole recipes but have never made one before. The hot sausage was a great choice for this casserole, gave it great flavor with just the most subtle heat that even the kids love. Thanks for another yummy recipe Jen!

    • Jen says

      You’re so welcome Stephanie, thanks for making them! I’m so glad this recipe wasn’t a bust but your entire breakfast spread with the sweet and savory sounds wonderful! Please tell your son happy birthday from me!

  2. Barbara says

    Just sent this to work with my husband for a morning holiday party. It smells and looks amazing! I will definitely make this again!

    • Jen says

      Thanks Barbara, hopefully you get to enjoy it next time!

  3. DJC says

    I made this for Christmas morning, everyone loved it. I didnt have any green chilis , and had to make homemade half and half, but it still came out fine. Will make it again next Christmas eve !

    • Jen says

      Thanks DJC! I’m so pleased this casserole will be a new tradition! Merry Christmas!

  4. Jim Krasas says

    I was thinking this would be good with variations of the Green Giant Veggie Tots like Sweet Potato, cauliflower or broccoli

  5. Jeannie says

    This is a keeper! Made it for company and it was a big hit! Thank you for sharing!

    • Jen says

      You’re so welcome Jeannie, I’m so pleased everyone loved it!

  6. Lindsay N says

    You used like hot Italian sausage? Old you use breakfast sausage?

    • Jen says

      It is hot breakfast sausage, enjoy!

  7. Ann says

    What would be your suggestion for replacing the sausage to make it vegetarian? I don’t want to use “fake meat” because of the chemicals.
    Thanks,
    Ani

    • Jen says

      You can swap out the meat for your favorite vegetables but keep the proportions the same so there is enough egg mixture to envelop the filling. Enjoy!

      • Liz Guardino says

        I made this for a Christmas brunch. I used one big green pepper and 3 small red peppers. I doubled the recipe and it turned out beautifully! I haven’t used this combination of spices together before in the egg mixture before and it was so savory and delicious! The family (even younger kids) raved about it. Most went back for seconds! This is a keeper and it will be a go to breakfast casserole for us. Thank you!!

        • Jen says

          I’m so pleased to hear that it turned out so well!! Thanks for sharing your experience!

  8. Carrie says

    We made this for our Christmas morning breakfast. We have a breakfast casserole every Christmas. We unanimously decided this is our favorite.

    • Jen says

      LOVE that! Thanks so much Carrie, Merry Christmas!

  9. L says

    This turned out perfectly! I prepped the night before as per your instructions, which made the morning stress free. Delicious & easy! Thank you, Jen!

    • Jen says

      You’re so welcome, I’m so pleased it was a hit!

  10. Amanda says

    I made this for the teachers at my son’s school last week, and it looked so good I made it for my family for Mother’s Day! Even my picky kids liked it and asked for seconds. ❤️

    • Jen says

      Thank you so much, Amanda, I’m sure the teachers appreciate you! I am so happy your family enjoyed this recipe and I hope you had a wonderful Mother’s Day!

  11. Gail says

    Hi! Jsyk, the sub for 1/2 & 1/2 is actually 3/4 milk and 1/4 heavy cream. That’s because 1/2 & 1/2 is made with light cream which has less fat.
    Gonna make this soon.

    • Jen says

      Thanks for the tip, Gail! I hope you enjoy this recipe!

  12. Angela says

    Hi, I want to swap out the bell peppers for mushrooms, would I need to use 1 pound of mushrooms or 8oz? Using mushrooms would it be the same cooking time as it would be using bell peppers or need to cook mushrooms first?

    • Jen says

      Hi Angela, I would use 1 pound mushrooms. I would sauté the mushrooms first. Enjoy!

  13. Kara says

    This was amazing- the best breakfast casserole I’ve ever had!

    • Jen says

      Thank you Kara! I’m so pleased you enjoyed it!

  14. Brenda says

    Delicious! My husband and I made this per your instructions, and we won’t change a thing. We consider ourselves to be a bit snobbish about food, and your recipes never disappoint.

    • Jen says

      I’m so thrilled that you both loved it! Thank you so much for trying so many recipes, I appreciate you!