This hearty Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole combines crispy potato goodness with savory sausage, eggs, and cheese for a morning meal that’ll have everyone rushing to the table. Perfect for weekend brunches or holiday mornings when you need to feed a crowd, this casserole delivers big flavor with minimal effort. The golden-brown tater tots create an irresistible crunchy topping while the protein-packed filling ensures nobody leaves the table hungry!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Crowd-Pleaser: This casserole feeds up to ten people, making it perfect for family gatherings or when you have overnight guests.
Make-Ahead Friendly: Prepare components the night before and pop it in the oven in the morning for a stress-free breakfast option.
Customizable: Easily adapt to your taste preferences with different cheeses, protein options, or spice levels.
Complete Meal: With protein, vegetables, and potatoes all in one dish, you won’t need to prepare multiple sides.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Ground Breakfast Sausage: Provides a savory base flavor and hearty protein. The fat from the sausage adds incredible richness to the entire casserole.
Onion and Red Bell Pepper: Adds color, texture, and nutritional value. The sweetness of these vegetables balances the savory elements.
Garlic: Fresh minced garlic brings aromatic depth that dried simply can’t match.
Eggs: Works as the binding agent that holds everything together while providing protein and richness.
Milk: Creates a custardy texture when combined with the eggs for a fluffy casserole interior.
Seasonings (garlic powder, salt, pepper, dry mustard): These enhance the overall flavor profile. The dry mustard adds a subtle tang that brightens the other flavors.
Colby Jack Cheese: Offers the perfect balance of flavor and meltability. Adding it in two stages ensures the perfect cheesy experience throughout.
Frozen Tater Tots: The star of the show! These create an irresistibly crispy topping while adding comforting potato goodness to every bite.

Variations

Meat Lover’s Version

Swap the breakfast sausage for a combination of cooked bacon and diced ham for an even more indulgent breakfast experience.

Southwest Style

Add a can of drained green chiles, substitute pepper jack cheese, and sprinkle with chopped cilantro before serving. Serve with a side of salsa and avocado.

Veggie-Loaded Option

Double the bell peppers and add mushrooms, spinach, or other favorite vegetables to boost the nutritional value.

Meat-Free Alternative

Replace the sausage with a plant-based alternative or simply increase the vegetables with hearty options like mushrooms and broccoli.

How to Make Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole

Step 1: Prepare Your Base

Preheat your oven to 350°F and coat a 9×13 casserole dish with nonstick spray. In a skillet over medium-high heat, cook the sausage, onions, and bell peppers until the meat is browned and vegetables are softened. Add the garlic for the final 20 seconds just until fragrant. Drain any excess grease and spread this flavorful mixture evenly across the bottom of your prepared casserole dish.

Step 2: Create the Egg Mixture

In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and ground mustard (if using) until well combined. You want a smooth, consistent mixture that will cook evenly throughout the casserole. Pour this egg mixture directly over your sausage layer.

Step 3: Add Cheese and Tater Tots

Sprinkle half of your shredded cheese over the egg mixture, then arrange the frozen tater tots in an even layer across the top. Don’t worry about creating a perfect pattern – a slightly haphazard arrangement creates more texture once baked.

Step 4: Bake to Perfection

Bake the casserole for 55 minutes or until the eggs are almost set and the tater tots are golden brown. Add the remaining cheese on top and return to the oven for 5 more minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Let the casserole stand for 5 minutes before serving to set properly.

Pro Tips for Making the Recipe

Don’t Skip the Resting Time: Those 5 minutes of resting allow the casserole to set properly, making it easier to cut neat portions.
Season Your Layers: While the recipe includes seasonings in the egg mixture, don’t be afraid to add a pinch of salt and pepper to the sausage mixture as it cooks.
Test for Doneness: Insert a knife into the center of the casserole – it should come out clean when the eggs are fully cooked.
Use Fresh Ingredients: While convenient, pre-shredded cheese contains anti-caking agents that can affect how well it melts. Grating your own cheese results in a creamier texture.

How to Serve

Breakfast Feast

Serve alongside fresh fruit, warm biscuits, or toast for a complete breakfast spread that will satisfy everyone at the table.

Brunch Pairing

Pair with a light salad and mimosas for a perfect weekend brunch combination that balances the hearty casserole.

Leftover Transformation

Wrap a portion in a flour tortilla with additional cheese and salsa for a breakfast burrito that breathes new life into leftovers.

Make Ahead and Storage

Prep Ahead

Brown the sausage mixture and prepare the egg mixture the night before, storing them separately in the refrigerator. In the morning, assemble and bake for a quick breakfast solution.

Storing Leftovers

Cover cooled leftovers tightly with plastic wrap or transfer to airtight containers and refrigerate for up to 3 days. The flavors often meld and improve overnight!

Freezing

After baking and cooling completely, portion the casserole and freeze individual servings for up to 2 months. Wrap each portion in plastic wrap, then foil, and place in freezer bags.

Reheating

For best results, thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then reheat covered in a 325°F oven until warmed through (about 20 minutes). Alternatively, microwave individual portions for 1-2 minutes until heated throughout.

FAQs

Can I assemble this casserole the night before?
Absolutely! Prepare everything up to the point of adding the tater tots, then cover and refrigerate overnight. In the morning, add the tater tots and bake as directed, adding an extra 5-10 minutes to the baking time since you’re starting with cold ingredients.

Can I use different types of cheese?
Yes! While Colby jack offers a nice balance, cheddar, monterey jack, or pepper jack all work beautifully. For extra indulgence, try adding some crumbled feta or goat cheese on top during the last 5 minutes of baking.

My family doesn’t eat pork. Can I substitute the breakfast sausage?
Definitely! Turkey or chicken breakfast sausage works wonderfully as a substitute. You can even use ground beef seasoned with breakfast sausage spices (sage, thyme, fennel seeds, and a pinch of nutmeg) for a similar flavor profile.

Can I add more vegetables to make it healthier?
Yes! Spinach, kale, mushrooms, or zucchini all make excellent additions. For leafy greens, sauté them first to remove excess moisture. For firmer vegetables, dice them small and sauté with the onions and peppers.

Final Thoughts

This Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole brings together the best of comfort food – crispy potatoes, savory sausage, and melty cheese – in a dish that’s equally at home on a lazy weekend morning or a holiday breakfast table. With minimal active preparation time and the ability to customize to your family’s preferences, it’s bound to become a regular in your breakfast rotation. Give it a try this weekend and watch how quickly it disappears!

Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole Recipe