Comfort food for breakfast? Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole delivers! With crispy tater tots, eggs, cheddar, and savory sausage, this Midwest casserole is going to be a go-to for potluck brunches and holiday breakfasts.
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Potatoes in their most fun form.
Mashed Potatoes are great, but if we’re ranking potatoes on a FUN scale, tater tots trump all. They bring a bit of whimsy to this breakfast casserole, along with some crispy goodness.
But it’s not all about fun! Tater tot breakfast casserole is also well-rounded breakfast, with eggs, sausage, cheese and potatoes to keep you full and satisfied. Plus, this easy recipe comes together in just 10 minutes! Like Overnight French Toast, it’s also great for making ahead if you absolutely cannot with cooking in the morning.
Whether you’re hosting friends and family for a weekend brunch or need something to bring to a potluck, this breakfast casserole has you covered. Not feeding a crowd? You can still make the recipe and then freeze it in individual portions for heat-and-eat breakfasts.
Key Ingredients
You’ll find the full list of ingredients in the recipe card below, but here are some notes to keep in mind.
- Breakfast Sausage. I usually use turkey sausage breakfast links, but pork sausage and vegetarian sausage also work.
- Eggs. You’ll need a whole carton!
- Shredded Cheddar Cheese. Cheddar is the go-to for breakfast casseroles (it’s also in my Healthy Breakfast Casserole and Everything Bagel Breakfast Casserole), but you can use another cheese that’s assertive without being overpowering.
- Milk. I used 1%, but whatever you have on hand will work.
- Green Onions. They’ll add some onion flavor in the casserole, then as a garnish, they’ll also bring a pop of color and texture. For a milder flavor, you can use chives instead of green onions.
- Frozen Tater Tots. While I love homemade Tater Tots, keep it easy and use store-bought here.
How to Make Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole
Cook the Sausage. Chop them up once they’re nicely browned.
Make the Egg Mixture. Then, fold in the cooked sausage. Pour the egg mixture into the baking dish.
Add the Tots. Arrange them in a single layer and press them in gently. (To prepare this breakfast casserole in advance, assemble it to the point of baking, refrigerate overnight, and then bake as directed.)
Top With Cheese. More is more. Shredding your own cheese nudges this recipe from great breakfast to best-ever. When you shred your own cheese, it melts smoother.
Bake. Cover and bake your tater tot breakfast casserole at 375 degrees F for 35-40 minutes. Allow the casserole to sit for 10 minutes before serving. This will help it set and make it easier to cut into perfect squares. ENJOY!
Recipe Variations
- Vegetarian Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole. In addition to replacing the sausage with a plant-based option, you can skip the sausage altogether and add sautéed mushrooms, onions, and bell peppers instead.
- Bacon Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole. Replace the sausage with cooked, chopped bacon. (Air Fryer Bacon makes it easy.)
- Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole With Ham. Swap out the sausage for diced ham. This is an excellent way to use leftover Baked Ham.
What to Serve with Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole
- Fruit. Serve fresh fruit alongside your breakfast casserole or, if you’re feeling ambitious, make a Fruit Salad.
- Muffins. I love pairing a savory breakfast option with something sweet. (It’s all about balance, right?!) Try Buttermilk Blueberry Muffins.
- Brunch Cocktails. If you’re making this casserole as part of a brunch spread, don’t forget the Peach Bellinis.
Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole
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Ingredients
- 1 (10-ounce) package turkey breakfast sausage links (10 links) or pork sausage or vegetarian sausage
- 12 large eggs
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese divided (about 8 ounces), or cheese of choice
- ⅓ cup milk (I used 1%)
- 5 green onions finely chopped, divided (about 3/4 cup)
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 (32-ounce) bag frozen tater tots
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F. Spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick spray.
- Cook the sausages according to package instructions in the microwave or on the stove. Chop the sausages into 1/2-inch chunks.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, 1 1/2 cups of the cheese, the milk, green onions (reserve about 2 tablespoons for garnish), salt, and pepper. Stir in the sausages.
- Pour the egg mixture into the prepared baking dish. Top with the tater tots in a single layer, gently pressing the tots into the egg mixture. Sprinkle with the remaining ½ cup cheese.
- Cover and bake the tater tot breakfast casserole for 35-40 minutes, until the eggs are fully set. Remove the cover during the last 10 minutes of baking to brown the top. Remove from the oven and sprinkle with reserved green onions. Let cool in the pan for 10 minutes prior to serving.
Video
Notes
- Instead of sausage links, you can use sausage patties and dice them up (or use vegetarian sausage)
- MAKE AHEAD: Assemble to the point of baking, refrigerate overnight, then bake as directed.
- TO STORE: Place leftover casserole in an airtight storage container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- TO REHEAT: Reheat leftover tater tot breakfast casserole covered in a 350 degree F oven or in the microwave.
- TO FREEZE: Wrap the casserole in individual portions and freeze for up to 6 months. When ready to bake, let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating according to the instructions above.
Nutrition
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Put this together last night. Cooked it this morning. AWESOME!! Like all breakfast casseroles, you can add whatever additional ingredients you have on hand. After serving, we topped our tater tot with sour cream.
Made this for a faculty breakfast for a christmas party and EVERYONE loved it! I made 2 pans (1 spicy sausage 1 mild sausage) I used a lot more tots that it calls for. My friend took the leftovers home and she said it was better the next day.
Great make-ahead casserole for Christmas morning! I subbed 1 lb bulk pork sausage and sauteed 1 small diced onion in with the sausage instead of the links and green onions. Everyone enjoyed it. Thanks.
So pleased to hear it was a hit, thanks so much for sharing!
Big hit in our house. We will definitely make again – thank you!
So happy to hear that, Michelle! Thank you!
I made it for an office potluck and everyone asks me for the recipe! As it is also a family favorite, particularly when out-of-town family visits, I make it quite frequently. To say the least, this is an easy, delicious, and versatile dish to make and transport.
Katy, I’m so glad to hear it, thank you!
Hi there! I got sausage links that are “precooked” and just need to be warmed. Do you think I would still need to “cook” them in a pan or microwave before adding to the casserole, or would it work to just cut them up straight out of the fridge?
Hi Natalie, it sounds like you could use them straight out of the fridge. Enjoy!
This is absolutely delicious! I did add bacon too. Thank you, Erin…your recipes never disappoint!! Happy Thanksgiving!
This means so much, thank you Cyndee!
This casserole was absolutely delicious and so simple to make! I was looking for something hearty to feed my picky eaters, and this was the answer. Everyone, from my toddler to my husband, asked for seconds! I just added some red and green bell peppers for some extra flavor, but honestly, it’s perfect just the way it is. Thank you!
SO glad to hear it Reese!! Thank you for taking time to share your feedback, it means a lot!
I made it exactly as written, but I’m already thinking about all the different ways I can switch it up—maybe add bacon or jalapeños next time. It’s one of those dishes that’s great for meal prepping too because it reheats so well. Thanks for such a crowd-pleasing recipe!
So glad to hear you enjoyed the recipe, Michele!
I can’t say enough good things about this recipe! I made it for Christmas morning, and it was perfect because I could assemble it the night before and just pop it in the oven in the morning. It’s so filling and flavorful, and I loved how the tater tots added the perfect crunch on top. Highly recommended!
That makes me so happy to hear, Dorothy! Thank you!
Hi Erin! Always love all of your recipes! This may be a silly question but I’m about to make this for a friend who just had a baby. I assume I can bake it, freeze the whole darn thing and give it to her frozen with reheating instructions and it should be just fine?! Thank you!!
Hi Lauren! Yes, should be fine to do! Enjoy!