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Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole Recipe

By Matt Price

5 from 6 votes

Aug 22, 2024, Updated Sep 13, 2026

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This tater tot breakfast casserole combines seasoned breakfast sausage, peppers, onions, eggs, cheddar, and crispy frozen tots in one hearty brunch bake. Bacon and chives finish it off, and the covered-then-uncovered method gives the egg mixture time to set before the top crisps.

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It feeds six, reheats well, and works for a weekend breakfast, holiday brunch, or breakfast-for-dinner. Allow about 20 minutes to prep and brown the filling, followed by 50–55 minutes in a 375°F oven.

Why You'll Love This Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole

• Hearty and complete: sausage, eggs, vegetables, cheese, and potatoes are all in one pan.
• Plenty of texture: some tots are mixed into the filling while more bake on top until crisp.
• Big flavor: AP seasoning, chicken bouillon, red pepper flakes, peppers, and onion season every layer.
• Great for a crowd: one casserole makes six generous servings.

Ingredients You'll Need

Breakfast sausage: One pound forms the savory base. Brown it well before adding the vegetables.

Sharp cheddar: Use one pound (16 ounces), shredded, for a rich and cheesy casserole.

Frozen tater tots: One 20-ounce bag is divided between the filling and the top. Keep them frozen until assembly.

Eggs and dairy: Whisk 4–5 large eggs with 1½ cups whole milk or half-and-half.

Vegetables: Diced onion plus one red and one green bell pepper add flavor, color, and texture.

Seasonings: AP seasoning, chicken bouillon powder, and red pepper flakes build the flavor. Adjust the red pepper flakes to your preferred heat level.

Garnish: Six slices of cooked, crumbled bacon and diced chives finish the casserole.

How to Make Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole

1. Prep the Vegetables and Brown the Sausage

Preheat the oven to 375°F. Dice the onion and bell peppers. Brown the breakfast sausage in a skillet with a tablespoon of oil, breaking it into crumbles and allowing it to develop a good crust.

2. Cook and Season the Filling

Add the diced peppers and onion to the browned sausage. If there is excessive pork fat, carefully drain it; otherwise, let the vegetables absorb the flavor as they cook. Season with AP seasoning, chicken bouillon powder, and red pepper flakes. Cook until the vegetables and sausage are fully cooked.

3. Mix the Casserole

Transfer the cooked sausage and vegetables to a mixing bowl. Add a portion of the frozen tater tots and the shredded cheddar, then mix to combine. In a separate bowl, whisk the eggs with the whole milk or half-and-half.

4. Assemble and Cover

Spread the sausage, vegetable, cheese, and tot mixture evenly in a greased casserole dish. Pour the egg mixture over it, then arrange the remaining frozen tater tots evenly across the top. Cover the dish with foil.

5. Bake Covered, Then Uncovered

Bake covered at 375°F for 30 minutes. Remove the foil and return the casserole to the oven for another 20–25 minutes, or until the eggs are fully cooked and the tots are crisp and golden. Garnish with crumbled bacon and diced chives before serving.

Tips for the Best Breakfast Casserole

• Brown the sausage well. The crust adds flavor that carries through the whole casserole.
• Keep the tots frozen. Thawing them first can make the casserole softer and harder to assemble.
• Use the two-stage bake. The covered portion helps the eggs cook; the uncovered finish crisps the tots.
• Check the center. The egg mixture should be fully set before the casserole comes out of the oven.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does tater tot breakfast casserole bake?

Bake it for 30 minutes covered, then 20–25 minutes uncovered at 375°F.

Do I need to thaw the tater tots first?

No. Add the tater tots while they are still frozen. Some are mixed with the sausage, vegetables, and cheese, and the rest form the crispy top layer.

How do I know when the casserole is done?

The eggs should be fully set in the center and the exposed tater tots should be crisp and golden brown.

Serve this alongside homemade biscuits and gravy for a full brunch spread, or follow it with cinnamon roll bread pudding for a sweet holiday breakfast.

Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole

Matt Price

Being a new father, it’s important to have winning breakfast meal prep options. This recipe right here is the absolute star of the show in that category in my household. It reheated really well and it’s super filling. Start your day with a comforting and satisfying breakfast casserole packed with flavors and textures. Perfect for family breakfasts or brunches!

5 from 6 votes

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Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 55 minutes mins

Browning 20 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr 35 minutes mins

Course Breakfast, Comfort Food, Favorites, Main Course

Cuisine American

Servings 6 servings

Calories 777 kcal

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• ▢ 1 pound breakfast sausage
• ▢ 16 oz 1 pound sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
• ▢ 1 bag about 20 oz tater tots, frozen
• ▢ 6 slices bacon I like to dice and use for garnish
• ▢ 1 onion diced
• ▢ 1 red bell pepper diced
• ▢ 1 green bell pepper diced
• ▢ 1 teaspoon AP Seasoning All-Purpose Seasoning
• ▢ 1 teaspoon chicken bouillon powder
• ▢ ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes adjust to taste
• ▢ 4-5 large eggs
• ▢ 1.5 cups whole milk or half and half
• ▢ Diced chives for garnish

Instructions

 

• Once you have your ingredients lined up, it’s time to start prep.
• Simply breakout a sharp knife and dice your peppers and onions.
• Next, brown your sausage in the skillet of your choice. Add a tablespoon of oil to help get a good crust.
• Once the sausage is browned nicely, add the peppers and onions.
• If there is excess pork fat in the skillet, you can strain it, but most should be absorbed by the veggies. Begin to season to taste.
• I like a little smokey flavor from the paprika, a touch of heat from my Hot AP (you can use cayenne or red pepper flakes) and then I cover the flavor bases with my original AP (you can use salt, pepper, garlic, and onion powder). I also add a touch of chicken bouillon powder as a flavor enhancer.
• Once the peppers, onions, and sausage are fully cooked and seasoned - add to a mixing bowl.
• Next, add in the frozen tater tots and shredded cheese.
• Mix to combine.
• Next, whisk your eggs and cream or milk together.
• Pour in your tots, sausage, veggies, and cheese into the casserole dish.
• Next, pour in the eggs and cream.
• Finally, top evenly with additional tater tots.
• Cover and place in the 375 degree oven for 30 minutes.
• After 30 minutes, remove the cover/foil and place back into the oven for 20-25 minutes or until the tots are crispy and eggs are fully cooked.
• Garnish with crumbled bacon and chives and enjoy!

Notes

Preheat oven to 375 degrees

Nutrition

Calories: 777kcalCarbohydrates: 19gProtein: 40gFat: 60gSaturated Fat: 26gPolyunsaturated Fat: 6gMonounsaturated Fat: 20gTrans Fat: 0.2gCholesterol: 261mgSodium: 1364mgPotassium: 557mgFiber: 2gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 1838IUVitamin C: 43mgCalcium: 659mgIron: 2mg

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