Tater tot breakfast casserole is a full-flavored combination of all your favorite breakfast foods layered into a delicious one-dish meal perfect for a weekend breakfast, family brunch, or church potluck.
How many recipes do you actually make that are kid-requested and mom-approved? I have to tell those recipes are like gold to me. I mean, anytime I can score a double win like that, you better believe I take it.
Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole
This recipe is not only that, it’s easy to put together and produces a full-fledged over the top breakfast casserole. It’s also been a HUGE reader favorite recipe for years so don’t miss out on this one!
If you’re looking for a simple hashbrown casserole, this is your recipe! Pioneer Woman breakfast casserole, and Bisquick breakfast casserole are also both reader favorites you’re sure to love. My Crockpot breakfast casserole is a deliciously perfect way to fix it, forget about it, then feast!
Let’s make breakfast!
What I Love About This Breakfast Casserole
- It’s quick and easy to make.
- Meaty, cheesy, and tater Tots….I mean!
- Can be made ahead of time.
- The crispy brown edges of the casserole!
Tips
- Bacon: Instead of bacon, try ham, chicken sausage, or turkey bacon.
- Tater tots: You can add them straight from the freezer to the baking dish.
- Cooking: Be sure to preheat your oven and keep an eye on the baking time. You don’t want to over-bake this one. Also, don’t skip the resting time before serving. It’s vital to the proper texture and flavor of this yummy dish.
- Add veggies: Diced bell peppers, tomatoes, fresh spinach, and even broccoli are just a few examples of fresh veggies that complement the taters.
Storing + Freezing + Make-Ahead
- How Long Can You Keep This In The Fridge? Once cooked, this casserole will stay fresh and yummy in the fridge for 3-4 days. Just let it cool completely and cover it tightly with a wrap before sliding it into the fridge.
- Can You Freeze This? Yes! Casseroles make notoriously scrumptious freezer meals and this tater tot breakfast casserole is no exception. Once completely cooled, hotel wrap first then aluminum foil to protect against freezer burn. Just slow thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
- Here’s an article on how to hotel wrap.
- Sometimes I like to freeze individual pieces that we can grab one at a time as desired. The smaller pieces can be reheated in the oven or microwave. Leftover casserole with eggs can last up to 2 months in the freezer.
- Make Ahead Tips You can whip it up the day before you need it and slide it into the fridge, unbaked overnight, then bake it the next day. Just be sure to keep it covered and separate from other foods because of the raw egg content. It can be stored this way for up to 48 hours, but I find it best to bake it within 24 hours of assembly.
- Food Safety: If you’d like more info on food safety check out this link.
Serving Recommendations
This is a one dish complete meal and makes the perfect “Brinner” with a light green salad. If you’re serving it for breakfast for the family, just a glass of orange juice and you have a perfect Sunday morning family breakfast. For brunch with extended family of friends, it pairs really well with a sweet bread item for a dynamic duo that’ll have them eating long after they’re full.
I love serving this dish with a moist blueberry coffee cake (seriously off the charts, delish!!) or sweet tangy lemon poppy seed muffins, or my own personal favorites, maple pecan scones with molasses glaze.
Recipe Variations
- Just The Whites: Use egg whites instead of whole eggs.
- How About Jack: Switch the Monterey jack to pepper jack to spice things up
- Cook in a crockpot. Follow the recipe instructions as listed below, but combine them in your slow cooker instead of a casserole dish. Cook on high for 2-3 hours, or on low for 4-5.
How To Make Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole
- Arrange the tater tots in a single layer in the prepared baking dish.
- Pour the egg mixture over the tater tots.
- Bake. Sprinkle with bacon and green onions.
- Serve.
See full instructions below.
More Breakfast Favorites
Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole
Ingredients
- 2 (9-ounce) packages breakfast sausage links
- 1 pound bacon
- 1 (32-ounce) package tater tots
- 12 large eggs
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/4 cup green onions thinly sliced
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup Monterey jack cheese, shredded
- 2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded~divided
- 2 tablespoons green onions, thinly sliced
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 9X13 inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
- Cook the sausage in a skillet until cooked through. Remove to a paper towel-lined plate and drain skillet of all fat. Slice into 1/2 inch pieces.
- Cook bacon in the same, defatted skillet until brown and crispy. Drain on a paper towel-lined plate. Crumble.
- Arrange tater tots in a single layer in the prepared baking dish.
- Whisk together eggs, milk, 1/4 cup green onions, salt, and pepper. Stir in cooked sausage and half the cooked bacon.
- Fold in 1 cup Monterey jack cheese and 1 cup of cheddar cheese into the egg mixture and pour egg mixture over tater tots
- Bake in the preheated oven until the egg mixture is set. Approximately 40-45 minutes.
- Sprinkle top evenly with remaining 1 cheddar cup cheese, pop back in the oven, about 5-7 minutes until the cheese is melted.
- Allow to stand 10 minutes before cutting. Sprinkle with remaining half crumbled bacon and green onions and serve.
Fans Also Made:
Notes
- You can add the tater tots straight from the freezer to the baking dish.
- Be sure to preheat the oven and keep an eye on the baking time. Avoid over baking.
- Don't skip the resting time before serving.
Nutrition
Can I make this 24 hours in advance, or does it need to be put together the night before? I would like to make it Thursday morning and bake Friday morning, but not sure if it would be too long sitting in the fridge.
Hi, Rachel! You can whip it up the day before you need it and slide it into the fridge, unbaked overnight, then bake it the next day. Just be sure to keep it covered and separate from other foods because of the raw egg content. It can be stored this way for up to 48 hours, but I find it best to bake it within 24 hours of assembly.
Looks sooo good and easy
Thanks Laura!
This is the best tasting breakfast casserole, so much flavor!!! We substituted smoked sausage in place of sausage. Definately a keeper. A Christmas morning must.
That sounds so goooood! Thanks for sharing your tweak, Brenda! 🙂
I had a budget because I left my wallet at home and thought breakfast for dinner. I used roll sausage but this was delicious. I had two teenagers too and they devoured it, even with onion in it. It deserves the 5 stars. Thank you!
Wow, that’s amazing Michelle! I’m so happy it was a hit 🙂
I made this for the first time as part of our Christmas morning brunch. It was delicious!
It is now the newest addition to our family tradition. Next time I will add sliced jalapenos to this recipe. Thanks! – Susie B. Dec. 2022
Super easy to make and was very delicious and quite filling! My family and boyfriend loved it! 🙂
I’m so happy to hear that, Ciara.
I love this easy breakfast casserole.
I cut the recipe in half for my husband and myself.
Great idea Beth! I happy you enjoyed it!
Very good breakfast casserole and I am not a fan of casseroles. I chop bacon raw first though then fry pieces and drain. Much easier. Also throw some diced jalapeños and onion in the mix. We love our jalapeños in Texas!
Sounds delicious Joe!
How long would you cook this in a slow cooker?
Hi, Gina. Follow the recipe instructions, but combine them in your slow cooker instead of a casserole dish. Cook on high for 2-3 hours, or on low for 4-5.
When you make this casserole to use at a later date, do you cook completely, cool and then freeze or should you freeze uncooked? Please advise. Thank you 😊
Hi, Janell! You can do both. 🙂
1. Unbaked: You can whip it up the day before you need it and slide it into the fridge, unbaked overnight, then bake it the next day. You can store it for 2 days.
2. Baked: Once completely cooled, hotel wrap first then aluminum foil to protect against freezer burn. Just slow thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating. I like to freeze individual pieces that we can grab one at a time as desired.
This is my favorite go-to breakfast recipe. I always make ahead and bring to the lake for the best camping breakfast. Everyone always asks for the recipe. Thank you so much!
Hi, Nettie! Thank you so much, I love that for a breakfast scenery! 🙂
Looks and sounds amazing! I am wondering if I should partially bake the tater tots. Will they be mushy if I don’t?
Hi, Linda! No need. You can add them straight from the freezer to the baking dish.
Okay, I’ll just say it. I was skeptical. I have made many breakfast casseroles, each one just about as boring as the last. This one is definitely an exception. I made this for a family gathering. As soon as people started eating, the compliments started. My Hubble said, “This is a keeper!” Just so you know, that is high praise. Needless to say, this will be my go-to breakfast casserole from now on.
Wow, Elaine! That is so fantastic! I’m so happy this casserole was a hit. Thank you for sharing your positive review 🙂