There’s something so comforting about waking up to a warm, cheesy, and crispy breakfast that hits all the right notes — and that’s exactly what this Cheddar Pepper Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole Recipe delivers. The combination of spicy sausage, melty cheddar, and crispy tater tots baked into a fluffy egg mixture makes it feel like a weekend treat, even if you’re just making it for a simple weekday breakfast.
Jump to:
- Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Ingredients & Why They Work
- Make It Your Way
- Step-by-Step: How I Make Cheddar Pepper Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole Recipe
- Top Tip
- How to Serve Cheddar Pepper Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole Recipe
- Make Ahead and Storage
- Frequently Asked Questions:
- Final Thoughts
- Cheddar Pepper Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole Recipe
Why You'll Love This Recipe
I’ve made this Cheddar Pepper Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole Recipe several times for brunch with friends and family, and it’s always a crowd-pleaser. What I appreciate most is how it balances those crispy, cheesy layers with a savory, slightly spicy sausage and just the right amount of veggies. Plus, it’s pretty hands-off once you get it in the oven.
- Balanced Flavor and Texture: Crispy tater tots blend perfectly with the creamy, cheesy egg mixture and savory sausage for a satisfying bite every time.
- Easy to Prep Ahead: You can assemble it the night before, making busy mornings so much easier.
- Versatile Ingredients: There’s room to swap out veggies or cheese, so you can make it your own without losing any flavor.
- Feeds a Crowd: The recipe makes about 12 servings, perfect for family gatherings or meal prep.
Ingredients & Why They Work
This **Cheddar Pepper Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole Recipe** works so well because each ingredient plays its part to build flavor, texture, and that irresistible melty, crispy finish. The sausage and peppers bring a hearty, savory punch, while the mix of sharp cheddar and pepper Jack cheeses add depth and a gentle kick.
- Frozen Tater Tots: I love using frozen tater tots straight from the bag without thawing; they keep their crispiness and add a fantastic texture contrast.
- Hot Bulk Pork Sausage: This adds just the right amount of spice and savory richness to the casserole.
- Onion and Bell Peppers (red & green): They soften into sweetness and provide freshness and color.
- Garlic: Just a touch adds a warm, aromatic background that lifts the entire dish.
- Sharp Cheddar Cheese: Provides sharpness and melts beautifully for that gooey texture.
- Pepper Jack Cheese: Adds a mild heat and creaminess that complements the sausage perfectly.
- Egg Mixture (eggs + half-and-half): Creates a custardy base that holds everything together without overpowering the other flavors.
- Diced Green Chilies: Bring an extra layer of mild heat and zestiness.
- Herbs & Spices (parsley, paprika, ground mustard, oregano, salt, pepper): These seasonings round out the casserole with subtle earthiness and warmth.
Make It Your Way
I like to mix things up depending on the season or what’s in my fridge. This Cheddar Pepper Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole Recipe is perfect for playing around with flavors. You can swap out the sausage for turkey sausage if you want a leaner option, or change the veggies to mushrooms or spinach for a twist.
- Vegetarian Variation: Replace sausage with sautéed mushrooms and extra bell peppers — just remember to adjust spices to keep the flavor punch.
- Cheese Swap: I’ve tried using Gruyere or Gouda instead of pepper Jack, and it adds a sophisticated, nutty flavor that’s delightful.
- Spicy Kick: If you want more heat, toss in a few chopped jalapeños or add cayenne to the egg mixture like I do sometimes.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Cheddar Pepper Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole Recipe
Step 1: Cook the Sausage and Veggie Base
Start by heating a large skillet over medium-high heat. I add the pork sausage first and break it up with my spatula as it cooks. Once it’s about halfway done, I toss in the diced onions and bell peppers to soften and get that sweetness going. After about 8 minutes, I stir in the minced garlic for just 30 seconds to avoid burning. Drain any excess grease before transferring everything to your prepared baking dish.
Step 2: Whisk Your Egg Mixture
In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, half-and-half, diced green chilies, and all the dried herbs and spices. I love how the paprika and ground mustard sneak in a little warmth. Set that aside while you assemble the casserole.
Step 3: Layer Tater Tots, Cheese, and Sausage Mix
Add half of the frozen tater tots to the sausage and veggies in the dish, then sprinkle half of the cheddar and half of the pepper jack cheese on top. Stir gently to combine everything and spread into an even layer — this little mix ensures cheese and tot balance in every bite.
Step 4: Pour Egg Mixture and Top with Remaining Tots
Pour the egg mixture evenly over your tater tot and sausage base — you’ll want it to soak into all those little spaces. Then scatter the remaining frozen tater tots over the top to create that classic crispy blanket.
Step 5: Bake and Finish with Cheese
Bake uncovered at 350°F for 70 to 80 minutes until the eggs are set and the tots are golden. Keep an eye on it toward the end so the top doesn’t burn. Once baked, sprinkle the rest of the cheeses over the top and pop it back in the oven for another 5 to 10 minutes to get that melty, irresistible cheese finish. Let it cool slightly, then sprinkle with freshly chopped chives or green onions for a pop of color and fresh flavor.
Top Tip
After a few times making this casserole, I realized these tips really help make the difference between “good” and “wow.” Whether it’s prepping ahead or managing textures, these little tweaks go a long way.
- Don’t Thaw Tater Tots: Keeping them frozen until they go in the casserole keeps them crispy instead of soggy during baking.
- Use Freshly Grated Cheese: Packaged shredded cheeses contain anti-clumping agents that interfere with melting, so I always grate my cheese fresh for the best gooey texture.
- Drain Grease Thoroughly: After cooking sausage and veggies, draining excess fat prevents the casserole from getting greasy while still keeping it flavorful.
- Let It Rest Before Serving: Waiting 10 minutes after baking helps everything set and makes cutting cleaner slices without everything falling apart.
How to Serve Cheddar Pepper Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole Recipe
Garnishes
I always top my slices with fresh chives or green onions — they add a nice brightness and a little crunch. Sliced avocado, a dollop of sour cream, or some mild salsa on the side also pairs wonderfully if you want a fresh component.
Side Dishes
This casserole is pretty hearty on its own, but I like to balance it with fresh fruit salad or a green side like arugula tossed with lemon vinaigrette. Hot coffee or freshly squeezed orange juice round out the meal beautifully.
Creative Ways to Present
For holiday brunches or special occasions, I bake this casserole in individual ramekins for easy, elegant servings. Another fun idea I've tried is layering it in a clear glass dish, so you can see the colorful layers—it’s as pretty as it is tasty!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once cooled, I cover leftovers tightly with foil or transfer them to an airtight container and store in the fridge. The casserole stays fresh up to 5 days, which means you have easy grab-and-go breakfasts ready to heat.
Freezing
I’ve frozen portions wrapped well in foil with an extra layer of plastic wrap — they freeze beautifully. Just thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating to keep the best texture and flavor.
Reheating
To reheat, I like to microwave single slices for about a minute, cutting them in half to heat evenly. For larger portions, covering with foil and warming in the oven at 325°F for about 20 minutes works great to bring back that baked-in flavor and crispy top.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Absolutely! I often swap in turkey sausage for a leaner alternative. Just add a pinch of cayenne pepper or a small teaspoon of beef bouillon to keep the savory depth similar to pork sausage.
No need to thaw them! Using frozen tater tots helps them bake up crispy in the casserole instead of soggy, which is key to the texture I love in this recipe.
Yes! You can assemble the casserole up to 24 hours in advance. Just don’t add the top layer of tater tots until you’re ready to bake. Keep the casserole tightly covered in the fridge and bring it to room temperature for 30 minutes before baking as usual.
Sharp cheddar and pepper Jack are fantastic because they melt well and complement the savory sausage with a little kick. If you want to change it up, try Gruyere, Mozzarella, Swiss, or Gouda — just make sure to use freshly grated cheese for the best melting.
Final Thoughts
This Cheddar Pepper Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole Recipe holds a special place in my kitchen because it’s the perfect balance of cozy and fun. It's simple enough for a regular weekend breakfast but impressive enough to bring to brunches and celebrations. When I recommend this to friends, I tell them it’s basically the easiest way to make breakfast feel like a real treat with minimal fuss. I hope you enjoy making it as much as I do — once you’ve had a slice hot from the oven with those crispy tops and melty cheese, it just might become a breakfast classic for you, too.
Print
Cheddar Pepper Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 40 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Breakfast Tater Tot Casserole is a hearty and comforting dish featuring layers of savory sausage, sautéed vegetables, crispy tater tots, and a rich egg mixture topped with melted cheddar and pepper Jack cheeses. Perfect for a weekend brunch or make-ahead breakfast, it bakes to golden perfection with a creamy, cheesy center and crispy topping.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 32-ounce bag frozen Tater Tots®, divided (DON'T THAW)
- 1 pound hot bulk pork sausage
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 1 red bell pepper, chopped
- 1 green bell pepper, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 ½ cups freshly grated sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 ½ cups freshly grated pepper Jack cheese
Egg Mixture
- 8 large eggs
- 2 cups half-and-half
- 4 ounces diced green chilies
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon ground mustard
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a 9"x13" baking dish with non-stick cooking spray, then set it aside for later.
- Cook Sausage and Vegetables: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the sausage, diced onion, and chopped red and green bell peppers. Cook while crumbling the sausage until it is fully cooked and the onions are softened. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds more. Drain the grease from the skillet, then transfer this mixture into the prepared baking dish. Allow it to cool slightly.
- Prepare Egg Mixture: In a large bowl or liquid measuring cup, whisk together the eggs, half-and-half, diced green chilies, dried parsley, paprika, ground mustard, dried oregano, salt, and pepper. Set this egg mixture aside.
- Assemble Casserole Base: Add half of the frozen tater tots to the baking dish with the sausage mixture. Then sprinkle half of the shredded sharp cheddar cheese and half of the shredded pepper Jack cheese evenly over the tater tots. Stir everything gently to combine, then spread the mixture out evenly in the dish.
- Add Egg Mixture and Topping: Pour the prepared egg mixture evenly over the sausage and tater tot mixture in the dish. Next, sprinkle the remaining frozen tater tots over the top in a single layer.
- Bake the Casserole: Bake the casserole uncovered at 350 degrees F for 70 to 80 minutes, or until the eggs are fully set and the casserole is bubbling. Remove from the oven and sprinkle the remaining cheddar and pepper Jack cheeses on top.
- Melt Cheese and Serve: Return the casserole to the oven and bake an additional 5 to 10 minutes to melt the cheese. Remove from the oven and optionally sprinkle with chopped chives or green onions before serving.
Notes
- Turkey Sausage Option: Substitute with turkey sausage and add ⅛ to ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper for heat. Adding 1 teaspoon beef bouillon can enhance the flavor.
- Cheese Variations: Use freshly grated cheese for best melting results. Swap pepper Jack cheese with other meltable cheeses like Mozzarella, Gruyere, Swiss, Monterey Jack, Colby Jack, Fontina, or Gouda.
- Ingredient Substitutions: You can replace the meat and vegetables with your favorites but keep the proportions similar so the egg mixture sufficiently covers the filling.
- Storage: Store leftovers tightly covered or in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- Reheating: Microwave individual servings on a microwave-safe plate for about 1 minute or until warmed through. For even heating, cut slices in half before microwaving. Oven reheat by covering with foil and baking at 325 degrees F for 20 minutes or until heated through.
- Overnight Preparation: Assemble casserole without topping the last half of tater tots. Keep them frozen, cover tightly, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. Before baking, let sit at room temperature for 30 minutes, add remaining tater tots, and bake adding 10-15 minutes to the cooking time as needed.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 210 mg
Leave a Reply