Sausage Hash Brown Breakfast Casserole (Pioneer Woman Copycat Recipe)

This copycat Pioneer Woman breakfast casserole has it all. Cheesy eggs, hash browns, and breakfast sausage, it's the perfect breakfast casserole recipe. It's easy to make too, so I love serving it when I'm hosting people for breakfast or brunch!

The Best Pioneer Woman Breakfast Casserole Copycat Recipe

If you've never heard of the Pioneer Woman - Ree Drummond - she is best known for her delicious, home cooking on her Food Network show the "Pioneer Woman." I have always loved Ree and all of her recipes, especially her breakfast casseroles.

I love her French Toast Casserole, but I think the sausage breakfast casserole is the best one she's ever created. Since I love it so much, I had to recreate it on the blog and put my own spin on it. I don't know if anything can ever top the original, but this copycat recipe comes close!

It has crispy hash browns and savory sausage baked in a creamy egg mixture with tons of melted cheese on top. I've made this for a bunch of gatherings, and my friends and family always devour it! It's seriously delicious, and I also love how quick and simple it is to make.

Ingredients

The ingredients for this recipe are pretty basic, and I usually have a bunch of them on hand. Check them out to see if you do too!

• 0.75lb. breakfast sausage
• ½ red bell pepper
• 3 scallions
• 6 eggs
• ½ cup heavy cream
• ½ tablespoon mustard
• Salt and pepper
• 1 cup cheddar cheese
• 15oz. frozen hash browns

How to make Pioneer Woman Breakfast casserole

Step 1: Cook the sausage

First, preheat the oven to 350F and grease a 9-inch baking dish with some cooking spray.

Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat, and ad a splash of olive oil and the sausage to it. Cook the sausage, crumbling it during the cooking process, until browned.

Step 2: Add the pepper

Now add the bell pepper and scallions and cook for 2-3 minutes. The bell pepper should begin to soften up and the scallions will be fragrant. Set the mixture aside.

Step 3: Prepare the egg Mixture

Whisk the eggs, heavy cream, salt, and pepper in a large bowl. The heavy cream should incorporate into the egg mixture nicely. You want to see frothy bubbles begin to form.

Step 4: Combine the ingredients

To the eggs, fold in the sausage mixture until just combined. Add the frozen hash browns and half of the cheddar cheese.

Stir to combine and transfer into the prepared baking dish. Add the remaining cheddar on top in a nice and even layer.

Step 5: Cook and serve

Cover the casserole with aluminum foil and bake for 50 minutes. Remove the aluminum foil and bake the casserole for another 5-10 minutes. The cheese should begin to bubble.

Cool the casserole for 10 minutes before slicing and serving. Enjoy!

Expert Tips

• Brown the sausage thoroughly: To avoid a greasy casserole, make sure to cook the sausage until it’s well-browned and crumbly. This not only enhances the flavor but also ensures that excess fat is cooked off, preventing the casserole from becoming too greasy. Oh, and use any sausage you want depending on your taste preference!
• Add fresh herbs: Fresh herbs, such as thyme or parsley, can elevate the flavor of the casserole. Add them to the sausage as you're cooking it in the pan
• Let the casserole rest: After baking the casserole, allow it to rest for about 10 minutes before serving. I know it's hard not to dig in, but this will help the egg firm up so the casserole holds it's shape and can be served in squares.
• Make the casserole ahead and freeze: This casserole is great for meal prep! You can assemble it a day in advance and store it in the refrigerator overnight or freeze it for up to a month. Just be sure to let it thaw in the refrigerator before baking until the cheese is melted and filling is warmed throughout.

How to store & reheat Breakfast Sausage Casserole

In the fridge: The fridge is the best way to store this breakfast casserole so you can enjoy it all week long. Simply transfer any leftovers to an airtight container, or cover your casserole dish in plastic wrap and place it in the fridge. It'll stay good for up to 4 days this way!

In the freezer. You can also keep any leftovers in the freezer. I like to cut individual pieces, wrap them tightly with plastic wrap and store them in a freezer bag. If you'd like to freeze the whole casserole, you can cover it tightly with plastic wrap before placing it in the freezer. It'll stay fresh for up to 3 months.

Reheating: If time allows, let any frozen casserole defrost in the fridge overnight. When you're ready to cook, you can pop individual slices in the microwave for a few minutes. Or heat a larger pan in a 400F oven for about 15 minutes.

FAQS About This Breakfast Sausage Casserole Recipe

What's the difference between a breakfast casserole and a frittata?

Generally, frittatas are cooked in an oven safe skillet on the stove top before being finished in the oven. The textures also vary. A frittata is closer in texture to an omelette, and a breakfast casserole is a bit creamier thanks to the heavy cream.

What else can I add to this breakfast casserole?

I'm a huge fan of experimenting with casseroles; You really can't go wrong. Add sliced mushrooms, onions, fresh herbs, or spinach for a fun take of this delicious dish.

Why is my breakfast casserole soggy?

The main culprit in a soggy egg-based dish is excess moisture from other ingredients. This is why cooking the peppers with the sausage is so important. Any extra water will be cooked away and you'll be left with the perfect peppers.