Crack Breakfast Casserole

Why Make This Recipe

Crack Breakfast Casserole is a delicious and hearty dish that brings excitement to breakfast. It combines savory meats, creamy cheeses, and flavorful seasonings, making it perfect for any gathering or a special weekend brunch. This casserole is not only easy to prepare, but it also serves a crowd, ensuring that everyone gets to enjoy a warm and filling meal. With its rich flavors and satisfying ingredients, it’s sure to become a favorite in your home.

How to Make Crack Breakfast Casserole

Ingredients:

• 1 pound (450g) pork sausage
• 1 pound (450g) bacon, chopped
• 4 ounces (113g) cream cheese, softened
• ½ cup (120g) sour cream
• 1 cup (240ml) whole milk
• 8 large eggs
• 2 cups (200g) shredded cheddar cheese, divided
• 1 (30-ounce/850g) bag frozen shredded hash browns, thawed and drained
• 1 (1-ounce/28g) packet dry ranch seasoning mix
• ½ teaspoon onion powder
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Directions:

1. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the sausage and chopped bacon together until browned and fully cooked. Drain excess fat and set aside.
2. In a large bowl, blend the softened cream cheese and sour cream until smooth. Add the milk, eggs, ranch seasoning, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Mix until well combined.
3. Stir the cooked meats, thawed hash browns, and 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese into the egg mixture until evenly incorporated.
4. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch (23x33cm) baking dish. Pour the mixture into the dish and spread evenly. Top with the remaining 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese.
5. Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 50–60 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 8–10 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden.
6. Let the casserole rest for a few minutes before slicing. Serve warm.

How to Serve Crack Breakfast Casserole

Serve Crack Breakfast Casserole warm, directly from the oven. It pairs well with fresh fruit, a side salad, or toast. You can also offer additional toppings such as salsa, hot sauce, or sliced avocado for those who like a bit more flavor. This dish is ideal for brunch gatherings or a comforting family breakfast.

How to Store Crack Breakfast Casserole

Once cooled, store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. The casserole will stay fresh for up to 3-4 days. To reheat, simply place it in the oven at 350°F (175°C) until warmed through. You can also microwave individual servings for a quick meal.

Tips to Make Crack Breakfast Casserole

• For more flavor, you can add diced bell peppers or onions to your meat mixture.
• Make it a day ahead! You can prepare everything the night before and bake it in the morning for a quick breakfast.
• If you want a lighter version, consider using turkey sausage and reduced-fat cheese.

Variation

You can easily customize this casserole by switching out the meats or using a different type of cheese. For a vegetarian option, omit the sausage and bacon and add more vegetables like spinach, mushrooms, or zucchini.

FAQs

1. Can I freeze Crack Breakfast Casserole?
Yes, you can freeze the casserole before baking it. Just wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil. When ready to bake, thaw it in the refrigerator overnight before cooking.

2. How long does it take to cook from frozen?
If baking from frozen, increase the baking time to about 70-80 minutes. Always check that the center is cooked through before serving.

3. Can I make this dish dairy-free?
Yes! Use dairy-free cream cheese, sour cream, and cheese alternatives to make a delicious dairy-free version. Be sure to check the seasoning as some alternatives may have added salt.

Enjoy making and sharing this delightful Crack Breakfast Casserole!

Crack Breakfast Casserole

A hearty and delicious breakfast casserole combining savory meats, creamy cheeses, and flavorful seasonings, perfect for gatherings or weekend brunch.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 1 hour hr

Total Time 1 hour hr 20 minutes mins

Servings: 8 servings

Course: Breakfast, Brunch

Cuisine: American

Calories: 380

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

Meats

• 1 pound pork sausage Sliced or crumbled
• 1 pound bacon, chopped Chopped

Dairy and Eggs

• 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
• ½ cup sour cream
• 1 cup whole milk
• 8 large eggs
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided 1 cup for mixing and 1 cup for topping

Vegetables and Starch

• 1 30-ounce bag frozen shredded hash browns, thawed and drained

Seasonings

• 1 packet dry ranch seasoning mix 1 ounce
• ½ teaspoon onion powder
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Method

 

Preparation

1. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the sausage and chopped bacon together until browned and fully cooked. Drain excess fat and set aside.
2. In a large bowl, blend the softened cream cheese and sour cream until smooth. Add the milk, eggs, ranch seasoning, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Mix until well combined.
3. Stir the cooked meats, thawed hash browns, and 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese into the egg mixture until evenly incorporated.

Baking

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch (23x33cm) baking dish.
2. Pour the mixture into the dish and spread evenly. Top with the remaining 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese.
3. Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 50-60 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 8-10 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden.

Serving

1. Let the casserole rest for a few minutes before slicing. Serve warm.

Notes

This dish is ideal for brunch gatherings or a comforting family breakfast. For more flavor, add diced bell peppers or onions to the meat mixture. You can prepare it the night before and bake in the morning for a quick breakfast. For a lighter version, consider using turkey sausage and reduced-fat cheese.