Tater Tot Casserole

This is a very easy and delicious breakfast casserole. The recipe originates with the "Pioneer Woman". I have made it many times and it is a real "crowd pleaser". You can assemble it the night before and bake it in the morning but I have baked it immediately after assembling it and it worked out well. I have also baked it and froze it and then thawed and reheated it without a problem. I usually buy the spicy breakfast sausage to add a little spice. I have also made two smaller portions, one to eat and one in the freezer. Try this casserole, you won't be disappointed!

 

Ingredients:

One 16-ounce bag frozen Tater Tots

Butter, for the baking dish

1 tablespoon olive oil 

1 pound spicy bulk breakfast sausage(not in casings)

1 medium onion, very finely diced

1 cup milk 

1/2 cup half-and-half 

1/4 teaspoon seasoned salt 

1/4 teaspoon cayenne 

4 large eggs 

1 red bell pepper, very finely diced

1 green bell pepper, very finely diced

2 cups grated Cheddar cheese

2 cups grated monterey jack cheese

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

Directions:

1. Line up the tater tots in a buttered 9x13 inch baking dish. Set aside. 

2. Add the olive oil to a large skillet over medium heat. Add the sausage and onion and cook, breaking the sausage up with a wooden spoon, until browned and cooked through, 8 to 10 minutes. Set aside to cool slightly, then sprinkle it over the tater tots.

3. In a large bowl, mix the milk, half-and-half, seasoned salt, cayenne, eggs, bell peppers, half of both cheeses and some salt and pepper. Pour over the tots and sausage mixture, then top with the rest of the cheese. Cover with foil and refrigerate overnight or cook immediately and freeze for a make ahead meal. 

4. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

5. 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 15-30 minutes. Cut into squares and serve.

6. I have also cooked the casserole immediately after making it  and then  placed it into the freezer. When you want to eat it, thaw and heat until hot and cheese is melty. I have also made the casserole and cooked it immediately. All ways work well. 

Print :https://docs.google.com/document/d/1MxntZWCqbvdm9wvCKgZrQXg_2miZ6kx_Kpte7HvzTSs/edit

Ingredients

One 16-ounce bag frozen Tater Tots

Butter, for the baking dish

1 tablespoon olive oil 

1 pound spicy bulk breakfast sausage(not in casings)

1 medium onion, very finely diced

1 cup milk 

1/2 cup half-and-half 

1/4 teaspoon seasoned salt 

1/4 teaspoon cayenne 

4 large eggs 

1 red bell pepper, very finely diced

1 green bell pepper, very finely diced

2 cups grated Cheddar cheese

2 cups grated monterey jack cheese

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

Directions:

1. Line up the tater tots in a buttered 9x13 inch baking dish. Set aside. 

2. Add the olive oil to a large skillet over medium heat. Add the sausage and onion and cook, breaking the sausage up with a wooden spoon, until browned and cooked through, 8 to 10 minutes. Set aside to cool slightly, then sprinkle it over the tater tots.

3. In a large bowl, mix the milk, half-and-half, seasoned salt, cayenne, eggs, bell peppers, half of both cheeses and some salt and pepper. Pour over the tots and sausage mixture, then top with the rest of the cheese. Cover with foil and refrigerate overnight or cook immediately and freeze for a make ahead meal. 

4. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

5. 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 15-30 minutes. Cut into squares and serve.

6. I have also cooked the casserole immediately after making it  and then  placed it into the freezer. When you want to eat it, thaw and heat until hot and cheese is melty. I have also made the casserole and cooked it immediately. All ways work well. 

Butter casserole dish. Line the tater tots in the casserole dish.

In a fry pan cook the sausage and the onions over medium heat. Breaking up the sausage with a wooden spoon. Cool for a few minutes and then sprinkle over the tater tots. 

In a large bowl combine the eggs, milk and cream.

Add the spices, peppers, half of both cheeses and season with salt and pepper. 

Pour the egg mixture over the tater tots and sausage. Then top with the remaining cheese. At this point you can cover with foil and refrigerate overnight or you can bake immediately in a 350 degree oven covered for about 25 minutes and uncovered for about 15-20 minutes. 

Slice and serve.