Bacon Hash Brown Casserole

By Amy Dong
Published Apr. 5, 2024

This Bacon Hash Brown Casserole combines your breakfast favorites in one easy dish. Assemble it the night before and bake it in the morning – people love this one!

A freshly baked bacon hash brown casserole with golden-brown cheese topping, sprinkled with herbs and bits of bacon. — This Bacon Hash Brown Casserole is cheesy, savory, and the perfect comfort food for busy mornings!

Why This Recipe Stands Out

Here’s why this Bacon Hash Brown Casserole recipe works:

So Easy: It uses easy-to-find ingredients, most of which you may already have in your pantry.
Flavor-Packed: With a combination of bacon, sausage, and cheddar cheese, this casserole is packed with savory, hearty flavors. It reminds us of this Bacon and Egg Breakfast Casserole.
Budget-Friendly: With affordable ingredients, this recipe is a cheaper alternative to eating out for brunch or breakfast.
Make-Ahead: It’s a great make-ahead casserole recipe. This also means it’s a great recipe for a brunch where you want to spend time with your guests and not in the kitchen.
Great for Potlucks: This casserole is a crowd-pleaser. It’s the perfect recipe for a family breakfast, a holiday brunch, or a potluck with friends, much like our Cheesy Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole.

Key Recipe Ingredients

Sausage and Bacon: The cooked/crumbled breakfast sausage and thick-cut bacon are what give our casserole its deliciously smoky, savory flavor.
Hash Browns: Frozen or refrigerated hash browns provide a hearty, satisfying base for our casserole. The shredded potatoes are perfect for soaking up the flavors.
Ranch Seasoning: Ranch seasoning, whether homemade or store-bought, adds a zesty, herby flavor that sets this casserole apart from the rest.
Sharp Cheddar Cheese: It adds a sharp, delicious flavor that goes beautifully with our other savory ingredients. If you shred your own, it’s even better.

Substitutions And Variations

Here are some substitutions and variation ideas:

Meat: If you’re not a fan of sausage, you can easily substitute it with ground turkey, chicken, or even vegetarian sausage crumbles. For a pork-free version, turkey bacon or even smoked salmon could be a delicious substitute.
Cheese: Sharp cheddar cheese is our go-to for this casserole, but feel free to experiment with other cheeses, as in our Cheesy Potato Breakfast Casserole. Gouda, mozzarella, or a Mexican cheese blend could all add a delicious twist.
Veggies: Feel free to add green bell peppers or chopped broccoli to the mix.

Step-By-Step Recipe Instructions

Preheat oven to 400F and set aside 1/4 cup bacon for topping.
Combine all the ingredients in a large bowl. Transfer the mixture to a 9×13 baking pan and sprinkle reserved bacon on top. Bake for 45-60 minutes.
If baking right away, bake for 45-60 minutes uncovered, until the top is golden. Otherwise, cover tightly and chill overnight. Garnish and serve hot.

For full list of ingredients and instructions, see recipe card below.

How To Prep Ahead

This Bacon Hash Brown Casserole is a convenient recipe that can be prepped ahead of time. Take a look at our favorite prep-ahead strategies for this dish:

Prep Ingredients: Cook and crumble the breakfast sausage and bacon ahead of time. You can also chop the red bell pepper and prepare the hash brown potatoes. Store these ingredients separately in the fridge until you’re ready to assemble the casserole.
Make Ahead: You can also assemble the entire casserole ahead of time. Simply mix all the ingredients, transfer to a baking pan, and sprinkle the reserved bacon on top. Cover tightly and chill overnight. Bake the next day.
Freeze: This unbaked casserole can be assembled and frozen airtight for up to 2 months. When you’re ready to enjoy it, let it thaw in the fridge overnight and then bake; may need to be baked longer to account for cold casserole.

A freshly baked bacon hash brown casserole with melted cheese and bacon pieces on top. — Bacon Hash Brown Casserole is ridiculously rich and hearty. It’s also known as Crack Breakfast Potato Casserole!

What To Serve With Bacon Hash Brown Casserole

Fruits

A hearty breakfast casserole is always delicious when paired with fresh fruit.
Try berries or mixed cut-up fruits such as honey or cantaloupe.

Quick Breads

Homemade Bagels aren’t a quick bread, but they’re great for serving alongside of a potato breakfast casserole!
Banana Bread, or even some Moist Zucchini Bread are the perfect way to pair a savory breakfast casserole with some sweet treats.

Eggs

This casserole doesn’t contain eggs, so a side of scrambled eggs or Perfectly Boiled Eggs are great. We also adore Easy Poached Eggs!

Commonly Asked Questions

What type of hash browns should I use for this casserole?

You can use either frozen or refrigerated hash brown potatoes for this recipe. Both work well, so choose the option that is most convenient for you.

Can I use pre-cooked bacon in this recipe?

Yes, you can use pre-cooked bacon if you prefer. Simply crumble it and add it to the casserole as directed. However, cooking and crumbing fresh bacon will give the casserole a fresher flavor.

What do I do if I want to prepare this casserole the night before?

If you want to prepare this casserole the night before, simply cover it tightly and chill overnight. You’ll need to add more baking time since the casserole will be cold.

Can I freeze this casserole?

Yes, you can freeze this casserole. Simply wrap the unbaked casserole well with plastic wrap and aluminum foil. When you’re ready to enjoy it, let it thaw in the fridge overnight and then bake. Add more bake time, as casserole will be starting off colder.

How long does Bacon Hash Brown Casserole keep?

This casserole is best enjoyed fresh, but if you have leftovers, it can be kept in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Make sure to store it in an airtight container to maintain its freshness.

Did you make this?

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