Start your day with classic comfort food! A Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole with sausage and cheddar cheese is an easy, make ahead brunch dish that’s so easy to make. Layers of tender tater tots baked with sausage, peppers and onions in a cheesy egg base. A hit with the overnight guests or for a casual Sunday brunch.

Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole on a white plate with grapefruit slices and blueberries.

With the holidays winding down, the overnight guests may be on their way home. Or not….sometimes you have those hanger outers who stick around for a couple extra days….or weeks. We have a smaller house so we don’t generally have friends or family staying for the night but, occasionally, we have someone passing out on the sofa because of one too many mimosas. That’s when a great, hearty breakfast casserole comes in handy.

If you’re anything like us, you LOVE tater tots. They’re somewhat addicting with their crispy exterior and tender interior. I think they may be even better than french fries….at least the one’s you make at home. So, it’s only natural that I’d find a way to start the day with a plate filled with tater tots and this Tater Tot Breakfast casserole is sure to please!

Overhead shot of tater tot breakfast casserole.

Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole

It you’ve ever had Tater Tot Casserole then this is very similar except it’s made with eggs, cheese, sausage, peppers and onions. It’s much more breakfast-y than a typical Tater Tot Hotdish.

If you’re wondering what a Tater Tot Casserole is, it’s just a casserole made with a base of tater tots that’s baked in a sauce with some sort of meat and vegetables. It’s also known as a hotdish in the midwest and, believe it or not, it’s not very common in the Northeastern US. So, I’m blazing trails over here on the east coast with this recipe.

Tater tots in a casserole dish with sausage being sprinkled over it.

How To Make It

Sunday morning breakfast is a big deal around here so I like to make something extra comforting like bacon and pancakes BUT I usually lean towards something easier like a breakfast casserole

This Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole recipe is super easy to make and you can even make it the day before so all you have to do is pop it in the oven when you wake up in the morning making this a go-to on the regular.

peppers and onions being sprinkled over tater tot casserole in a white baking dish.

Here’s how to make it:

Arrange the tater tots in the bottom of a 13×9 inch baking dish.

Sprinkle the tater tots with cooked, crumbled sausage and sauteed peppers and onions.

Sprinkle the casserole with half the cheese and then pour the egg mixture over the cheese.

Sprinkle with the remaining cheese and allow to rest for 30 minutes or overnight.

Bake the tater tot casserole in the oven for 1 hour or until cooked all the way through.

Allow the casserole to rest for 15 minutes before cutting.

Serve with chopped fresh parsley, hot sauce and sour cream, if desired.

Egg being poured over tater tot casserole.

To Freeze or Not To Freeze

The best thing about this breakfast casserole is that you can make it in advance but I wouldn’t recommend freezing it. I found that when I freeze the casserole both before baking and after baking it tends to separate when reheated. The raw eggs, when frozen, get weird, too.  I know…that’s a highly scientific way to describe it but that’s all I got for you. 

My recommendation is to just assemble the day before and bake right before serving. It’s simple enough and doesn’t take much time at all.

Tater tot breakfast casserole being served.

What To Serve With It

Because this breakfast casserole is a one pot deal, for the most part, I like to keep things simple with a fresh green salad (for something more brunch-y) or this easy Fruit Salad is light and quick.

If you need to round out your breakfast even more, you can serve with these easy Smoked Salmon Canapes and a sparkling mimosa. When I’m serving it for a brunch spread, I also like to include these easy Overnight Oats or a simple smoothie recipe to keep everyone happy and satisfied.

Tater tot breakfast casserole on a white plate with fruit.

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More Easy Breakfast Casseroles

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Get the Recipe: Cheesy Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole with Sausage

A classic brunch recipe, Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole is made with sausage, peppers, onions and cheese for a make ahead breakfast that's sure to please.
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Ingredients

  • One 16-ounce bag frozen Tater Tots
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 pound spicy bulk breakfast sausage
  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • 1 red bell pepper, diced
  • 1 green bell pepper, diced
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 cup half and half
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne
  • 5 large eggs
  • 2 cups grated Cheddar cheese

Equipment

  • baking dish

Instructions 

  • Arrange the tater tots in a 9x13 inch baking dish coated with cooking spray.
  • Add the sausage to a large skillet and crumble with a fork. Cook over medium-high heat until browned and no longer pink. Transfer to a bowl with a slotted spoon and pour off all but two tablespoons fat.
  • Add the onion to the skillet and cook until softened, approximately 4-5 minutes. Stir in the peppers and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes.
  • Add the garlic to the onion mixture and cook for an additional 1 minute. Set aside.
  • In a large bowl, mix the milk, half-and-half, salt, pepper, cayenne, eggs, and half the cheese.
  • Sprinkle the sausage and onion mixture evenly over the tater tots.
  • Pour the egg mixture over the tots and sausage mixture, then top with the rest of the cheese.
  • Cover with foil and refrigerate for 30 minutes or overnight.
  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
  • Bake, covered, for about 25 minutes. Remove the foil and continue to bake until the cheese is brown and bubbly and the casserole is cooked through, another 20 to 35 minutes.
  • Allow the casserole to rest for 15 minutes.
  • Cut into squares and serve.

Notes

Casserole can be assembled up to 24 hours in advance and baked right before serving.
Calories: 270kcal, Carbohydrates: 4g, Protein: 14g, Fat: 22g, Saturated Fat: 10g, Cholesterol: 124mg, Sodium: 494mg, Potassium: 232mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 2g, Vitamin A: 768IU, Vitamin C: 22mg, Calcium: 187mg, Iron: 1mg