This Sausage Cream Cheese Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole Recipe delivers the ultimate morning comfort food experience with its irresistible combination of flavors and textures. Crispy golden tater tots crown a deliciously savory mixture of breakfast sausage, cream cheese, and cheddar that will have everyone asking for seconds. Perfect for meal prep, this casserole can be prepared ahead and refrigerated or frozen until you’re ready to enjoy!
Why This Recipe Stands Out
- Cream Cheese Magic: The addition of cream cheese creates an unbelievably creamy texture that elevates this casserole above standard breakfast bakes.
- Meal Versatility: Though named a breakfast casserole, this dish transitions perfectly to lunch or dinner—breakfast food knows no time constraints!
- Make-Ahead Wonder: Fully assemble this casserole the night before, refrigerate, and bake in the morning for a stress-free meal solution.
- Customizable: Easily adapt with different sausage flavors, cheese varieties, or additional mix-ins to suit your family’s preferences.
- Crowd-Pleaser: Every time we serve this at gatherings, the recipe requests come flooding in—be prepared to share!
Simple Recipe Ingredients
This Sausage Cream Cheese Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole combines morning favorites into one satisfying dish:
- Sausage: 2 pounds of hot breakfast sausage brings savory flavor and hearty texture; Jimmy Dean works beautifully, but any variety (regular, maple, sage, or Italian) delivers delicious results.
- Cream Cheese: An 8-ounce package of softened cream cheese creates that signature creamy texture that makes this recipe unforgettable.
- Tater Tots: A 30-32 ounce bag of frozen tater tots forms the crispy crown of the casserole—no need to thaw beforehand!
- Cheese: 2 cups of shredded sharp cheddar cheese melts perfectly throughout the casserole, creating pockets of gooey goodness.
- Eggs: 8 eggs provide structure and richness to bind everything together.
- Milk: 2 cups of milk create the perfect custard-like base when combined with the eggs.
- Seasonings: Salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder enhance the flavor profile without overpowering the main ingredients.
Step-By-Step Recipe Instructions
1. Prepare the Sausage Mixture
In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the breakfast sausage until no longer pink, breaking it into crumbles as it cooks. Drain excess fat, then return the skillet to low heat and add the softened cream cheese. Stir continuously until the cream cheese melts and incorporates fully with the sausage. The mixture should form large, flavorful crumbles.
2. Create the Casserole Base
Preheat your oven to 350°F and lightly coat a deep 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray. In a large mixing bowl, combine the sausage-cream cheese mixture with the frozen tater tots and shredded cheddar cheese. Toss gently until everything is evenly distributed, then spread this mixture into your prepared baking dish.
3. Add the Egg Mixture
In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder until well combined. Pour this egg mixture evenly over the tater tot mixture in the baking dish, allowing it to seep between the layers.
4. Bake to Perfection
Place the uncovered casserole in your preheated oven and bake for 60-70 minutes, or until the eggs are completely set and the tater tots achieve a beautiful golden crispiness. The edges should be bubbling gently when done.
Let the casserole rest for about 10 minutes before serving to allow it to set properly. Garnish with dried parsley if desired for a pop of color.
What to Serve with This Casserole
This Sausage Cream Cheese Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole pairs beautifully with these complementary dishes:
Fresh Fruits
- Mixed berry medley
- Sliced seasonal fruits
- Citrus segments for brightness
Breads & Biscuits
- Homemade buttermilk biscuits
- Cheesy breakfast biscuits
- Toast points with fruit preserves
Southern Favorites
- Creamy, slow-cooked grits
- Country-style gravy
- Honey butter for biscuits
Toppings & Condiments
- Sour cream
- Fresh salsa
- Maple syrup drizzle
- Hot sauce for heat lovers
Commonly Asked Questions
Can I make substitutions to reduce calories? Yes! You can substitute egg whites or egg beaters (use 2 cups) for whole eggs, turkey sausage for pork sausage, and low-fat milk and cheese options.
How far in advance can I prepare this casserole? You can fully assemble the casserole up to 24 hours before baking. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until ready to bake. You may need to add 5-10 minutes to the baking time if cooking directly from the refrigerator.
Can I freeze this casserole? Absolutely! You can freeze this casserole either before or after baking:
- Unbaked: Assemble completely, cover tightly with plastic wrap and aluminum foil, and freeze for up to 3 months.
- Baked: Cool completely, wrap tightly, and freeze for up to 2 months.
For frozen unbaked casserole, thaw completely in the refrigerator (24-48 hours) before baking as directed. For frozen baked casserole, thaw partially, cover with foil, and reheat at 350°F for 30-45 minutes until warmed through.
What variations can I try? This recipe welcomes customization! Try adding:
- Diced bell peppers or onions
- Sautéed mushrooms
- Chopped broccoli florets
- Bacon crumbles
- Different cheese varieties like gouda or pepper jack
- A can of drained diced green chiles for heat
How should I store and reheat leftovers? Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. For best results, reheat individual portions in the microwave for 1-2 minutes or until heated through. For larger portions, reheat covered in a 325°F oven until warmed to your liking.
Did you make this? Please give us a rating and comment below. We love hearing from you!
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Sausage Cream Cheese Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole
Description
This Sausage Cream Cheese Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole combines savory sausage, creamy cheese, and crispy tater tots into one irresistible dish that’s perfect for feeding a crowd or meal prepping for busy mornings!
Ingredients
- 2 lbs hot breakfast sausage
- 1 (8-oz) package cream cheese, softened
- 1 (30-32oz) bag frozen tater tots
- 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 8 eggs
- 2 cups milk
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ¼ tsp garlic powder
- ¼ tsp onion powder
- Dried parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Lightly spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
- In a large skillet, cook sausage over medium-high heat until no longer pink, breaking it into crumbles. Drain excess fat.
- Add cream cheese to the skillet and stir with the cooked sausage until completely incorporated.
- In a large bowl, combine the sausage-cream cheese mixture, frozen tater tots, and shredded cheddar cheese. Toss gently and spread into the prepared baking dish.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder until well blended.
- Pour the egg mixture evenly over the tater tot mixture in the baking dish.
- Bake uncovered for 60-70 minutes, or until the eggs are set and tater tots are golden brown.
- Let stand for 10 minutes before serving. Garnish with dried parsley if desired.
Notes
- No need to thaw tater tots before using.
- Casserole can be assembled ahead and refrigerated overnight or frozen for future use.
- Try different sausage varieties like maple, sage, or Italian for flavor variations.
- Add vegetables like bell peppers, onions, or mushrooms for extra nutrition.
- Serve with sour cream, salsa, or maple syrup for additional flavor options.
Prep Time: 15 minutes Cook Time: 65 minutes Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes Servings: 8-10
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