Sausage & Cream Cheese Hash Brown Breakfast Casserole is a hearty and comforting dish that combines savory cooked breakfast sausage with creamy softened cream cheese, crispy lightly browned shredded hash browns, shredded cheddar cheese, and a rich custardy mixture of eggs and milk seasoned with garlic and onion powders.
You’ll love this recipe because it brings together classic breakfast flavors in a convenient layered casserole that can be made ahead, refrigerated or frozen, and baked to golden perfection. The cream cheese melts into the sausage for a creamy texture, while the hash browns add crispiness and the eggs bind everything into a cohesive, fluffy bake.
Ingredients
- 2 pounds hot breakfast sausage
- 2 (8-oz) packages cream cheese, room temperature
- 1 (30-32 oz) bag frozen shredded hash browns
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 8 large eggs
- 2 cups milk
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
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In a large skillet, cook sausage over medium-high heat until no longer pink; drain excess fat.
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Stir cooked sausage and cream cheese together in a bowl until combined; set aside.
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Add hash browns to skillet and cook until lightly browned; transfer to bottom of a greased 9×13-inch baking dish.
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Spread sausage and cream cheese mixture evenly over hash browns, then sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese on top.
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In a separate bowl, whisk eggs, salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and milk until smooth.
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Pour egg mixture evenly over layers in baking dish.
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Cover and refrigerate if baking later. Otherwise, bake uncovered for 40-50 minutes until set and golden on top.
Tips for Success
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Use room temperature cream cheese for easy mixing with sausage.
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Slightly brown hash browns for added texture.
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Taste and adjust seasonings in egg mixture before pouring.
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Let casserole rest a few minutes after baking for easier slicing.
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Reheat leftovers gently to maintain creamy texture.
Delicious Variations
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Use turkey or mild breakfast sausage for varying flavor and spice.
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Add diced bell peppers or onions to sausage for extra veggies.
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Stir in chopped fresh herbs like parsley or chives before baking.
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Top with sliced green onions or additional cheese before serving.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can this casserole be prepared ahead?
Yes, assemble and refrigerate overnight or freeze portions; bake before serving.
How long will leftovers keep?
Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator up to 3 days.
Can I make it gluten-free?
Use gluten-free hash browns and verify sausage ingredients.
Is it freezer-friendly?
Yes, freeze in airtight containers, thaw fully before baking.
How to reheat best?
Warm gently in oven or microwave until heated through.
Sausage & Cream Cheese Hash Brown Breakfast Casserole
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
Description
Hearty layered breakfast casserole featuring savory ground breakfast sausage, creamy softened cream cheese, lightly browned shredded hash browns, shredded cheddar cheese, and a rich custardy mixture of eggs and milk flavored with garlic and onion powders.
Ingredients
2 pounds hot breakfast sausage
2 (8-oz) packages cream cheese, room temperature
1 (30-32 oz) bag frozen shredded hash browns
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
¼ teaspoon garlic powder
¼ teaspoon onion powder
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
8 large eggs
2 cups milk
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
Cook sausage in skillet over medium-high heat until no longer pink; drain excess fat.
Mix cooked sausage and cream cheese until combined; set aside.
Cook hash browns in skillet until lightly browned; spread evenly in greased 9×13-inch baking dish.
Spread sausage and cream cheese mixture over hash browns, then sprinkle with cheddar cheese.
Whisk eggs with salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and milk. Pour evenly over casserole.
Bake uncovered 40-50 minutes until set and golden on top.
Let rest before slicing.
Notes
Use room temperature cream cheese for smooth mixing.
Lightly brown hash browns for texture.
Taste and adjust seasonings before baking.
Reheat leftovers gently to maintain creaminess.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 440
- Sodium: 780
- Fat: 33
- Saturated Fat: 15
- Carbohydrates: 12
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 26
- Cholesterol: 210
Keywords: sausage cream cheese hash brown casserole, hearty breakfast bake, creamy breakfast casserole, make-ahead breakfast, cheesy hash brown bake
