Name: Cheddar Pepper Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 1 h 20 min
Total time: 1 h 40 min
Cuisine: American
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; 8 large eggs; 2 cups half-and-half; 4 ounces diced green chilies; 1 teaspoon dried parsley; 1/2 teaspoon paprika; 1/2 teaspoon ground mustard; 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

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.

A rectangular white ceramic baking dish filled with a layered casserole, where the top layer is covered with golden-brown tater tots scattered evenly across the surface. Beneath the tots, melted white and orange cheese blend together, creating a creamy and slightly bubbly texture. Small bits of dark green herbs are sprinkled on top, adding a fresh contrast. The edges of the dish show slight browning from baking, and the dish rests on a white marbled surface with a beige cloth partially visible nearby. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

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.

A white rectangular baking dish with a casserole inside, showing a golden-brown top layer of melted cheese melted unevenly over round, crispy tater tots, sprinkled with small green herb flakes. The casserole is cut into square pieces with one corner piece taken out, revealing a bottom layer with a light brown texture mixed with bits of cooked ground meat. The baking dish rests on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

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.

Flat lay of a raw pound of fresh hot bulk pork sausage, a medium white onion diced, one chopped red bell pepper, one chopped green bell pepper, three whole garlic cloves peeled, two small white ceramic bowls each with freshly grated sharp cheddar cheese and pepper Jack cheese, eight whole uncracked brown eggs, a small white bowl with creamy half-and-half, a small white bowl with diced green chilies, a small white bowl with dried parsley, a small white bowl with paprika, a small white bowl with ground mustard, a small white bowl with dried oregano, a small white bowl with salt, a small white bowl with black pepper, a simple white ceramic bowl filled evenly with frozen golden Tater Tots, all ingredients arranged with perfect symmetry and realistic proportions, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

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.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

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

Cheddar Pepper Tater Tot Casserole - Serving Suggestion

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:

Can I use turkey sausage instead of pork sausage?

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.

Should I thaw the tater tots before using?

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.

Can I make this casserole the night before?

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.

What cheeses work best for this casserole?

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.