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Whether making breakfast for a lazy Saturday morning, feeding a house full of guests, or prepping for a potluck brunch, breakfast casseroles will always be a crowd favorite. There’s nothing better than a delicious homemade breakfast casserole, especially when it's made with all the breakfast favorites: bacon, eggs, potatoes, and cheese.
If you’re thinking it's hash brown casserole, you’re close, but it's a different form of frozen potatoes. The reviews speak for themselves when it comes to justifying how this dish earned the top spot. The most searched breakfast casserole in the South is Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole.
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Photographer: Jen Causey, Prop Stylist: Christine Keely, Food Stylist: Ana Kelly
What Readers Love About Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole
It’s hard not to love a breakfast bake that only takes 15 minutes of prep and is ready in less than an hour. Not to mention, this Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole only calls for six ingredients, so it’s a cinch to throw together and easy to make ahead of time. “I made this to freeze for after our baby is born!” says one reviewer. While it might not be winning a beauty contest, it’ll surely impress when it comes to flavor. “It's so simple and really delicious and your guests will think you spent all this time making it!” says reviewer bamatami.
And of course, if you’re looking to jazz it up—we have plenty of suggestions too. “Add onions, peppers, maybe some adobo seasoning...throw some hot sauce on it. This has a lot of potential,” says another reader.
How To Customize This Casserole
We love the simplicity of this recipe as is, but the beauty of the casserole is the endless ways you can make it your own—load up on the toppings or toss in a few additional ingredients.
Swap the cheese. While you can use any combination of cheeses you may already have on hand, be wary of ones like Gruyere that have stronger flavors. “I used pepper jack instead of Monterey jack for a little something extra,” says one reviewer. For a more subtle change, reach for extra sharp Cheddar.
Add more meat. No one has ever questioned or said no to more bacon. Turn this casserole into a loaded version by adding extra bacon (cooked and crumbled) into your tater tot mixture. For something a little heartier, try cooked ground Italian sausage.
Toss in veggies and herbs. Sautéed peppers and onions make for a flavorful addition, whether folded into the mixture before baking or served on top.
Load up on toppings. Scallions, chives, tomatoes, bacon, and more cheese, please!
Can You Freeze This Casserole?
If you’re making this recipe, you’ll want to go ahead and double (or triple) it to have an extra stashed away in the freezer. Simply assemble and bake according to the instructions before freezing. Then when the occasion comes for a breakfast casserole, just defrost in the fridge overnight, and then reheat in the oven at 350°F until warmed through.