Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole with Sausage, Cheddar, and Chives Recipe
This Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole combines savory ground pork sausage, melted cheddar cheese, fluffy eggs, and crispy tater tots for a hearty and delicious morning meal perfect for family brunches or make-ahead breakfasts.
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 35 mins
- Total Time: 45 mins
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Breakfast Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Sausage Mixture
- 12 ounces ground pork breakfast sausage
Egg Mixture
- 8 large eggs
- 1/2 cup whole milk
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
Casserole
- 6 ounces (1 1/2 cups) shredded cheddar cheese, plus extra to sprinkle over top
- 1 (32-ounce) bag frozen Tater Tots
- Thinly sliced chives, for serving
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 350˚F (175˚C) to prepare for baking the casserole.
- Cook the Sausage: Heat a 12-inch oven-safe skillet over medium heat. Add the ground pork breakfast sausage and cook it, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon until browned and cooked through, about 5 to 7 minutes. Then remove the pan from heat.
- Prepare the Egg Mixture: In a medium bowl, whisk together the 8 large eggs, 1/2 cup whole milk, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, and 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper until well combined.
- Assemble the Casserole: Spread the cooked sausage evenly over the bottom of the skillet. Sprinkle 6 ounces (1 1/2 cups) shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the sausage. Pour the egg mixture over the cheese and sausage layer.
- Add Tater Tots: Arrange the frozen Tater Tots in concentric circles over the egg mixture—either start with a row around the rim and work inward or vice versa. You will not use the entire 32-ounce bag; reserve leftover tater tots for another use.
- Bake the Casserole: Place the skillet in the preheated oven and bake for 35 to 40 minutes until the eggs are fully set and the cheese has melted. Optionally, sprinkle additional cheese on top and bake for an extra 1 to 2 minutes until the cheese melts.
- Serve: Allow the casserole to cool slightly before slicing into wedges. Garnish with thinly sliced chives and serve warm. Leftovers can be stored for about 5 days.
Notes
- You don’t need to thaw the tater tots before baking; arranging them frozen works best.
- Using an oven-safe skillet allows you to cook the sausage and bake the casserole in one pan, minimizing cleanup.
- Reserve leftover tater tots for another meal or snack.
- Make sure the eggs are fully set before removing from the oven to ensure proper texture.
- This casserole can be kept refrigerated for up to 5 days and reheated for a quick breakfast option.
