Breakfast Hashbrown Casserole

by Barbara on January 10, 2010

Breakfast Hash Brown Casserole

If you are trying to eat better this year, this is a great breakfast recipe for you. You can use egg substitute to cut the calories and toss in lots of fresh veggies.

I host Christmas morning brunch at my house every year for my extended family. Traditionally we have sweet rolls, fresh squeezed orange juice and this cheesy baked breakfast hashbrown casserole.

The original recipe, Kelsie’s Hashbrown Breakfast Pizza by Kelsie Swindells, was printed in the Salt Lake Tribune in May, 2002. I’ve made it as a breakfast pizza a few times, but for a crowd it works better in a 9×13 pan. My family loves this hearty hashbrown casserole and I love how quick and easy it is to prepare.

Recently, I made it in my new cast iron skillet. I put the skillet in the oven while it preheated, spread a little oil in the bottom of the skillet before adding the hashbrown/egg mixture. The hashbrowns crisped up so much better cooking it in the skillet, but either way this casserole is a real crowd pleaser.

hashbrownCasserole2

Breakfast Hashbrown Casserole

Crust:
1 (24-ounce) package shredded hash browns, fresh or thawed
1/4 cup egg substitute or 1 egg, beaten

Topping:
1 3/4 cup egg substitute or 7 eggs, beaten
1/2 cup milk
1/4 t. salt
1/4 t. pepper
1 1/2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded
1 cup ham, chopped (optional)
1/2 cup red pepper, chopped (optional)
1/2 cup green pepper, chopped (optional)
Green onions (optional)
Mushrooms (optional)

Heat oven to 450º. Spray 9×13 pan with nonstick cooking spray. Combine potatoes and 1 egg, mix well. Spread mixture into 9×13 pan and pat down firmly to create a crust. Bake for 10 minutes until edges start to crisp.

Whisk together eggs, milk, salt and pepper. Scramble eggs in a non-stick fry pan on medium high heat until set. Mix in ham and chopped veggies. Spread egg/veggie mixture over potato crust. Top with shredded cheese. Return to oven and bake 10 minutes or until cheese is melted and starting to crisp.

Print Recipe

FYI: In the US we have liquid egg substitutes, such as Egg Beaters, that comes in a carton that is basically just egg whites. 1/4 cup of Egg Beaters equals one egg. You could use just egg whites to reduce the fat and calories in this recipe too.

This recipe is part of the A Breakfast Recipe Blog Carnival to Help Haiti roundup.

{ 48 comments… read them below or add one }

Maria January 10, 2010 at 6:34 pm

This is Josh's kind of breakfast:)

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Rachelle @ "Mommy? I'm Hungry!" January 10, 2010 at 8:27 pm

Looks great! I make something similar that you can do overnight. It's my Christmas breakfast too.

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Memória January 10, 2010 at 8:35 pm

This looks so great!!! YUM! I could make these with tortillas, too. Thanks, Barbara!

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Jessica @ How Sweet January 10, 2010 at 8:41 pm

Oh so delicious . . . total comfort food.

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Tami January 10, 2010 at 8:59 pm

I love hashbrowns with eggs in dishes like this. This looks very good.

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Megan January 10, 2010 at 9:20 pm

I love breakfast casseroles. I've taken these same ingredients and put them in a crockpot. Always a crowd pleaser!

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Trish January 10, 2010 at 10:22 pm

Hubby would have loved this for breakfast. He was up and away too early for this I am afraid but I'll keep this 'on the back burner' for another weekend breakfast for two….even maybe leftovers for the office the next day. Thanks for sharing.

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Amanda January 10, 2010 at 10:49 pm

Looks delish Barbara! I'm an egg nut, I have them every morning for breakfast. I bet this is yummy!

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Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella January 10, 2010 at 11:03 pm

I'm so not a morning person but I would zip out of bed for this dish if I smelt THIS cooking! The only thing I'm thinking about now is "Do I have to wait until the weekend to make this?" :P Thanks mum! :D xxx

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Vrinda January 10, 2010 at 11:47 pm

Casserole looks colorful,naver tasted this…

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Cathy January 11, 2010 at 12:19 am

Yummmm, love the hashbrown crust. Next time I make our favorite brunch egg casserole I'm going to do it your way. This looks delicious.

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Mags January 11, 2010 at 12:26 am

I'd eat this for breakfast, lunch or dinner. I love casseroles like this!

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Katy ~ January 11, 2010 at 12:53 am

This does look very good! Would be adorable in muffin pans, too, I think.

Love breakfast.

Would love THIS at breakfast!

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Asha @ FSK January 11, 2010 at 1:04 am

Ooohh!! I could have that breakfast and then take a nice long happy nap!! Sooo YUMM!

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Joyce January 11, 2010 at 1:25 am

Funny but I can eat the egg beaters if I do not know they are in the recipe but once I know they are in the recipe I can't eat them. Most likely I need a food shrink for my head:)
Joyce

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preventionrd January 11, 2010 at 3:26 am

Sounds easy and looks delicious! Saving that one! I love breakfast casseroles, so ideal for a brunch!

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Mimi January 11, 2010 at 3:30 am

Delicious! I love Katy's idea of doing this in muffin cups.
Mimi

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Lynda January 11, 2010 at 4:42 am

This looks delicious….I love the idea of doing it in the cast iron skillet so the potatoes get crusty; Yum!

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Kathleen January 11, 2010 at 8:19 am

This sounds super yummy!!!

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bake in paris January 11, 2010 at 9:54 am

Wonderful breakfast to start the day with…. seems delicious and creamy!

Sawadee from Bangkok,
Kris

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Sarah, Maison Cupcake January 11, 2010 at 10:43 am

This looks great, I have some egg substitute in my cupboard but have not tried using it yet. I didn't know you could do scrambled "eggs" with it?

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Heavenly Housewife January 11, 2010 at 1:45 pm

I just adore egg dishes, this looks lovely. I wish hubby would make me breakfast! … but i don't think that would ever happen LOL.

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Barbara Bakes January 11, 2010 at 2:01 pm

Sarah – In the US we have a liquid refrigerated egg substitute called Egg Beaters which is basically egg whites in a carton. It is ready to use, convenient and low fat. A dry egg substitute would not work. Thanks for the question. Sorry about the confusion.

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Faith January 11, 2010 at 4:27 pm

This is one breakfast I could eat any time of day! I really love how customizable this recipe is!

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teresa January 11, 2010 at 6:33 pm

what a hearty and delicious breakfast! i love this!

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Kasha January 11, 2010 at 7:32 pm

Hi Barbara! Looks delicious! THis reminds me of a breakfast casserole I need to post. It is for sure not as delcious looking as this. The peppers are a great touch! Thanks for sharing. I also wanted to tell you to please check out my giveaway!
Kasha

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Kim January 11, 2010 at 8:00 pm

It looks so cheesy and delicious!

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Juliana January 11, 2010 at 8:28 pm

Barbara, what a nice treat for a weekend breakfast? Looks absolutely delicious…nice pictures!

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comfycook January 11, 2010 at 10:50 pm

Don't you love your cast iron pan? They are wonderful to have.

Your casserole looks even better and this is one I plan to make. Love breakfast.

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tspegar January 11, 2010 at 10:52 pm

my husband would love this breakfast!

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A cupcake or two January 12, 2010 at 1:29 am

Oh this is a breakfast for the kings. Looks delicious Babara. Happy New Year

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Cristie January 12, 2010 at 3:56 am

Wonderful looking breakfast, and I love that you made it in cast iron. I would have never thought to make it in that- I'm sure it gave it an extra crunch and quicker bake time. Love it- great tip!

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s January 12, 2010 at 5:43 am

great looking breakfast..though i sure could have em all day long…

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Sophie January 12, 2010 at 12:16 pm

MMMMMMMMMMMM,…what a teriific & tasty breakfast!!

That will keep you going for several hours! yummie!

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Sarah, Maison Cupcake January 12, 2010 at 1:02 pm

Hello again Barbara, I have nominated you for an award, come see at
http://blog.maisoncupcake.com/2010/01/leek-and-goats-cheese-tart-and-two.html

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Natashya KitchenPuppies January 12, 2010 at 1:19 pm

Yum! (Although I have no idea what an egg substitute is..)
Love the idea of the crispy hashbrowns in there.

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bethany January 12, 2010 at 4:05 pm

Now this is what I call comfort food! I woke up this morning craving something really hearty and high in energy… I wish I saw this earlier…had to settle for a boiled egg…meh :(

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Michelle January 12, 2010 at 4:56 pm

Hey Barbara! Don't you just love cast iron! I am using my cast iron more and more these days. Soups made in cast iron just taste better!

Your casserole looks so good. My Mom used to make something similar for Christmas morning and we all loved it!

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Chetana January 13, 2010 at 3:21 pm

Hi Barbara,
U hv a yummilicious page here.
New to ur site..will be regular…cause we share the same hobby..FOOD.
Loved ur hashbrown recipe…wat a crowd pleaser.
Cheers,
Chetana
http://www.indulgence9.blogspot.com
http://www.dairiesofmumnson.wordpress.com

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Saveurs et Gourmandises January 13, 2010 at 6:58 pm

Une recette qui semble très goûteuse.
Je note.
See soon

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Talita January 13, 2010 at 9:37 pm

Oh, Barbara! This casserole looks so yummy!! I'd love to start the day with that.

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pigpigscorner January 13, 2010 at 9:54 pm

Oh my! I wish I have breakfast like this everyday but instead I only have cereal and milk for breakfast.

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Lauren January 14, 2010 at 2:38 pm

This sounds wonderful! A great way to start the day no doubt =D.

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Jamie January 14, 2010 at 9:53 pm

Barbara,
This would be perfect for my Sunday morning breakfasts I make. I'm saving this recipe. I love my cast iron skillet. It is one of my favorite kitchen tools and you'll find so many great uses for it. Can't wait to make this casserole in it.

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Sook January 14, 2010 at 10:35 pm

That would be a perfect breakfast on holidays and birthdays! :)

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bruce January 19, 2010 at 5:00 am

It is very delicious and tempted me to make it . I am fond of cooking very much. This dish looks very tasty and yummy . It is also good for health and I just love Hashbrown . Really wonderful recipe.

r4 dsi

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www.dhaleb.com January 19, 2010 at 5:21 pm

I just took a Knife Skills course and I've been practicing an awful lot on potatoes. Been wondering what to do with all the diced and matchsticks?!?! Thanks for the lovely idea :)

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Winnie January 21, 2010 at 8:19 pm

Sounds very hearty and yummy- thanks for linking to my blog carnival to help Haiti!

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