Start your morning with this simple yet flavorful Amish Breakfast Casserole. Packed with savory bacon, sausage, cheeses, and hearty potatoes, it’s an easy-to-make dish for a satisfying breakfast.
Why We Love This Amish Casserole
- Rich Flavor: The combination of bacon, sausage, cheeses, and smoked paprika creates a flavorful and indulgent dish. We think it’s one of the best breakfast casseroles you’ll ever try!
- Versatility: It’s a versatile recipe that can be served for breakfast, brunch, or even dinner, appealing to various meal preferences.
- Hearty and Filling: With potatoes, meats, and cheeses, this casserole offers a satisfying and filling meal.
- Convenience: It can be prepared in advance, making it perfect for busy mornings or when hosting guests.
- Family-Friendly: The comforting flavors and combination of familiar ingredients make it a hit for kids and adults.
Ingredients
- Bacon: Provides a savory, smoky flavor and adds richness to the casserole.
- Sweet Onion: Adds a sweet and mild flavor to the dish.
- Red Bell Pepper: Adds color, sweetness, and a slightly tangy flavor to the casserole.
- Hash Brown Potatoes: Forms the base of the delicious casserole and provides a hearty potato component.
- Eggs: Add richness and provide structure to the hearty casserole.
- Shredded Cheddar Cheese: (Regular or sharp shredded cheese.) Adds a sharp and tangy flavor while contributing to the creamy texture of the casserole.
- Shredded Swiss Cheese: Adds a nutty flavor and melts well, contributing to the cheesy goodness of the casserole.
- 4% Cottage Cheese: This small curd cottage cheese adds creaminess and richness to the casserole. It practically disappears into the dish, so you won’t even notice it after baking.
- Salt and Black Pepper: Seasonings that enhance the dish’s overall flavor.
- Sausage: Adds a meaty element and additional flavor to the casserole.
- Smoked Paprika: Adds a smoky and slightly sweet flavor to the delicious breakfast casserole, complementing the other ingredients like bacon, sausage, and cheeses.
- Chives: Used as a garnish to add a fresh, mild onion-like flavor and a pop of color to the finished dish.
How To Make Amish Breakfast Casserole
In a large skillet, cook bacon until very crisp; let drain on paper towels. Chop crispy bacon and set aside. Drain off all but a few tablespoons of the drippings. Cook the chopped onions and red peppers in the drippings until soft and tender. Set aside.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the remaining ingredients.
Stir about 3/4 of the bacon and all the onions and red peppers into the egg mixture.
Pour bacon mixture into a greased 13-in x 9-in baking dish. It’s such an easy breakfast casserole recipe!
Bake 35-40 minutes. Sprinkle reserved bacon over top and extra cheese, if desired, for an extra cheesy Amish breakfast casserole recipe. Return to oven until cheese melts. Sprinkle chopped chives over the top before serving.
Substitutions and Variations
- Vegetarian Option: Omit the bacon and sausage for a vegetarian version. Add diced vegetables like mushrooms, spinach, or bell peppers for added flavor and texture.
- Cheese Variations: Experiment with different types of cheese according to your preference. For a unique flavor twist, you could try Monterey Jack, mozzarella, Gruyère, or pepper jack.
- Potato Alternatives: Instead of using shredded hash browns, consider using diced or sliced potatoes. Cooked sweet potatoes or diced, cooked regular potatoes can also be used as alternatives.
- Spice it Up: Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or diced jalapeños for a spicy kick. You can also incorporate different herbs or spices like thyme, rosemary, or garlic powder for extra flavor.
- Healthy Swaps: Use turkey bacon or sausage to reduce fat content. Substitute cottage cheese with Greek yogurt for a healthier twist.
- Customize with Toppings: Consider topping the casserole with sliced tomatoes, avocado, or a dollop of sour cream after baking for added freshness.
- Personalized Additions: Enhance this easy recipe by adding ingredients like cooked diced ham, chopped cooked broccoli, or caramelized onions to cater to your taste preferences.
Recipe FAQ
Technically, yes, but you’ll miss out on the flavor of the onions and red peppers being cooked in the flavorful bacon drippings.
The casserole should be golden brown on top, and a knife inserted into the center should come out clean when it’s fully cooked.
Yes, you can easily adjust the quantities to make a smaller or larger batch by scaling the ingredients accordingly.
Make-Ahead Directions
Assemble the hash brown breakfast casserole and place it in a 13-in x 9-in baking dish coated with cooking spray; cover tightly with plastic wrap and store in the fridge to be baked the next morning. (Bake time may need to be a little longer because all of the ingredients will be chilled.) It’s a great way to greet Christmas morning and the perfect Easter breakfast or a special weekend family breakfast!
Storage and Reheating
- Storage: Cover tightly and keep in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or freezer for 1-2 months.
- Reheating: This cheesy Amish breakfast casserole recipe reheats beautifully in the microwave.
More Easy Breakfast Casserole Recipes
Amish Breakfast Casserole
Ingredients
- 1 lb bacon divided
- ½ medium sweet onion, chopped
- 1 red bell pepper, chopped
- 6 eggs, lightly beaten
- 4 cups frozen shredded hash brown potatoes, thawed
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese extra for melting on top, if desired
- 1¼ cups shredded Swiss cheese extra for melting on top, if desired
- 1½ cups 4% cottage cheese
- 1 cup pre-cooked breakfast sausage crumbles
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- chives, chopped
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- Fry bacon until very crisp; crumble and set aside. Drain off all but a few tablespoons of the drippings. Cook the chopped onions and red peppers in the drippings until soft and tender. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, combine remaining ingredients. (egg, hash browns, cottage cheese, shredded cheese, sausage, salt, pepper, smoked paprika)
- Stir in about ¾ of the chopped bacon and all of the onions and red peppers.
- Pour mixture into a greased 13×9-inch baking dish.
- Bake 35-40 minutes. Sprinkle reserved bacon over top and extra cheese, if desired. Return to oven for 2-3 minutes or until cheese melts. Sprinkle chopped chives over the top before serving.
