There’s just something irresistible about the crispy, cheesy, and slightly spicy layers in this Cheddar Pepper Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole Recipe. When you take that first bite, you get the perfect breakfast comfort food that’s hearty enough to power your whole day.
Jump to:
- Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Ingredients & Why They Work
- Make It Your Way
- Step-by-Step: How I Make Cheddar Pepper Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole Recipe
- Top Tip
- How to Serve Cheddar Pepper Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole Recipe
- Make Ahead and Storage
- Frequently Asked Questions:
- Final Thoughts
- Cheddar Pepper Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole Recipe
Why You'll Love This Recipe
This Cheddar Pepper Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole Recipe quickly became a favorite at my house because it’s a delicious way to turn simple breakfast staples into something truly special. It’s not fussy, but still feels like a treat—perfect for weekends or feeding a crowd.
- Comfort-food classic: Crispy tater tots combined with savory sausage and melty cheeses give you a breakfast that’s both nostalgic and satisfying.
- Easy to prep: Most of it can be made ahead of time, so mornings can be stress-free, especially if you have company.
- Customizable flavors: The blend of cheddar and pepper Jack cheeses with the right spices means you can tweak the heat and cheese to your liking.
- Feeds a crowd: With 12 servings, it’s ideal for brunch get-togethers, holidays, or just a big family breakfast.
Ingredients & Why They Work
Each ingredient here brings something special—a balance of textures, flavors, and richness. The sausage adds a hearty depth, while the mix of sharp cheddar and pepper Jack cheeses offers a creamy, slightly spicy tang that blends beautifully with the crispy tater tots.
- Frozen Tater Tots: I always keep a big bag on hand for this recipe—they stay crispy and golden when baked inside the casserole.
- Hot Bulk Pork Sausage: Adds that classic savory flavor with a nice peppery kick; turkey sausage works too if you want a lighter option.
- Onion and Bell Peppers: These soften while cooking with the sausage, adding sweetness and texture contrast.
- Garlic: Just a quick sauté to wake up those flavors.
- Sharp Cheddar Cheese: Freshly grated sharp cheddar gives a rich, tangy punch that's essential here.
- Pepper Jack Cheese: Adds a creamy heat that plays well with the sausage’s spices.
- Eggs and Half-and-Half: This combo creates a fluffy, creamy custard that holds everything together.
- Diced Green Chilies: They bring subtle heat and a fresh pop of flavor.
- Dried Parsley, Paprika, Ground Mustard, Dried Oregano, Salt, and Pepper: These spices round out the taste with herbal, smoky, and slightly pungent notes.
Make It Your Way
I love mixing things up depending on the season or what’s in my fridge. You can easily swap veggies or cheeses, and you’ll still get that dreamy cheesy, crispy, and savory combo everyone adores.
- Variation: I’ve tried swapping the pepper Jack for Gruyere and loved the nuttier flavor it added—it melts wonderfully too!
- For a lighter option: Turkey sausage with a pinch of cayenne plus a teaspoon of beef bouillon really keeps the richness without being too heavy.
- Vegetable swaps: Add mushrooms or spinach for extra nutrients and flavor—just make sure any watery veggies are pre-cooked to avoid sogginess.
- Make it spicy: If you like a kick, throw in jalapeños or increase the green chilies.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Cheddar Pepper Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole Recipe
Step 1: Sauté the Sausage and Veggies
Fire up your skillet over medium-high and toss in the bulk pork sausage, diced onions, and chopped red and green bell peppers. Crumble the sausage while it cooks — this helps it cook evenly and absorb the flavors of the veggies. After about 6-8 minutes, when the sausage is thoroughly cooked and the onions have softened, stir in the minced garlic and sauté for another 30 seconds to let that garlic aroma bloom. Drain excess grease before moving on—this keeps the casserole from getting oily.
Step 2: Prep the Egg Mixture
Whisk together the eggs, half-and-half, diced green chilies, and the seasonings—parsley, paprika, ground mustard, oregano, salt, and freshly cracked pepper. This is the custard that will soak into the sausage, peppers, cheese, and of course, those amazing tater tots. Set this aside for a minute while you build the casserole.
Step 3: Layer the Casserole
In a sprayed 9"x13" baking dish, combine the sausage-veggie mix with half of the tater tots and half of each cheese—about three-quarters cup each. Stir to combine, then press everything into an even layer. This way, every bite has a great balance of ingredients.
Step 4: Add Egg Mixture and Tater Tots on Top
Pour the egg custard evenly over your layered mixture—it should gently seep in around the tater tots and sausage. Then scatter the remaining frozen tater tots on top. Don’t thaw the tots first; baking them frozen ensures a crispy, golden crunch.
Step 5: Bake to Perfection
Bake uncovered at 350°F for 70 to 80 minutes. Look for the eggs to be fully set and the tater tots on top crispy and golden brown. When that happens, pull the casserole out and sprinkle with the remaining cheeses. Pop it back in the oven for another 5 to 10 minutes until that cheese is melted and bubbly.
Step 6: Garnish and Serve
Once out of the oven, sprinkle with chopped chives or green onions for a fresh, colorful touch. Serve warm and get ready to enjoy the ultimate breakfast delight.
Top Tip
I’ve learned a few tricks through making this casserole over and over, and I’m happy to share them so you get the best results from your Cheddar Pepper Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole Recipe.
- Use freshly grated cheese: It melts way better and gives you that creamy cheesy texture. Packaged shredded cheese can get clumpy and won’t melt the same.
- Don’t thaw the tater tots: Baking them straight from frozen keeps them nice and crispy on top—thawing leads to sogginess.
- Drain excess grease: After cooking the sausage and veggies, draining the fat prevents the casserole from being greasy but keeps it flavorful.
- Let the casserole rest: After baking, give it a few minutes to set before slicing so the layers hold nicely.
How to Serve Cheddar Pepper Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole Recipe
Garnishes
I usually top mine with freshly chopped chives or green onions—they add just the right amount of color, crunch, and a mild oniony brightness. Sometimes I sprinkle on a little extra smoked paprika for warmth and a pop of color, too.
Side Dishes
A simple mixed green salad with a light vinaigrette complements the richness perfectly. Fresh fruit salad is also a favorite for a sweet contrast, or a side of crispy bacon if you want to go all out.
Creative Ways to Present
For brunch parties, I sometimes serve the casserole in individual muffin tins—just like mini portions that are perfect for passing around. Another fun idea is layering in a clear glass baking dish so guests see those beautiful fluffy egg layers and golden tots through the sides.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I cover the casserole tightly with foil and pop it in the fridge right after it cools. It holds beautifully for up to five days—just reheat portions as needed. This is perfect for busy weekday mornings when you want a quick but satisfying meal.
Freezing
Freeze leftovers in airtight containers, and they thaw wonderfully in the fridge overnight. I usually freeze individual slices for quick breakfasts later on and find the texture holds up nicely once reheated.
Reheating
For single servings, microwaving on a plate for about a minute works great—cut your slice in half before microwaving to warm it evenly. If reheating the whole dish, cover with foil and bake at 325°F for about 20 minutes until heated through.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Absolutely! Assemble everything according to the recipe but don’t add the top layer of tater tots until right before baking. Cover the dish tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight. When you’re ready to bake, let it sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes, add the frozen tater tots on top, then bake according to the instructions—just add a few extra minutes to baking time to account for the cold tots.
Definitely. I recommend using cheeses that melt well like mozzarella, Gruyere, Swiss, Monterey Jack, Colby Jack, Fontina, or Gouda. Just make sure to grate them fresh rather than using pre-shredded cheese, which often contains anti-clumping additives that prevent proper melting.
Individual portions reheat quickly in the microwave—just cut the slice in half for even warming, heating for about a minute or until hot. For leftovers in a whole casserole dish, cover with foil and reheat in a 325°F oven for about 20 minutes, or until warmed through.
Yes! Turkey sausage is a leaner option and works well. To mimic that spicy kick from pork sausage, add ⅛ to ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper and about a teaspoon of beef bouillon for depth. Adjust seasoning to taste, and you’ll still get that delicious savory flavor.
Final Thoughts
This Cheddar Pepper Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole Recipe has become one of those cozy dishes I turn to when I want fuss-free but impressive-tasting food. It’s a warm hug of breakfast goodness that’s easy to make, easy to share, and always a hit. I can’t recommend it enough—give yourself the gift of this comforting, cheesy casserole soon. You won't regret the crispy-tater-tot magic it brings to your morning table!
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Cheddar Pepper Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 40 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Lactose
Description
A hearty and delicious Breakfast Tater Tot Casserole featuring layers of crispy tater tots, savory sausage, fresh vegetables, melted cheeses, and a creamy egg mixture, perfect for a comforting morning meal or brunch with family and friends.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 32-ounce bag frozen Tater Tots®, divided (DON'T THAW)
- 1 pound hot bulk pork sausage
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 1 red bell pepper, chopped
- 1 green bell pepper, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 ½ cups freshly grated sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 ½ cups freshly grated pepper Jack cheese
Egg Mixture
- 8 large eggs
- 2 cups half-and-half
- 4 ounces diced green chilies
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon ground mustard
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a 9"x13" baking dish with non-stick cooking spray and set aside.
- Cook Sausage and Vegetables: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add sausage, diced onions, and chopped red and green bell peppers. Cook while crumbling the sausage until fully cooked and onions are softened. Add minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds. Drain grease and transfer mixture to the prepared baking dish. Allow to cool slightly.
- Make Egg Mixture: In a large bowl or liquid measuring cup, whisk together the eggs, half-and-half, diced green chilies, dried parsley, paprika, ground mustard, dried oregano, salt, and pepper. Set aside.
- Assemble Layers: Add half of the frozen tater tots to the baking dish with the sausage mixture. Sprinkle half of each freshly grated cheese (¾ cup sharp cheddar and ¾ cup pepper Jack) over the tater tots. Stir gently to combine and spread into an even layer.
- Add Egg Mixture and Top: Pour the egg mixture evenly over the sausage and tater tot layer. Then, sprinkle the remaining tater tots over the top.
- Bake: Bake uncovered at 350 degrees F for 70-80 minutes or until the eggs are set and the top is golden.
- Add Cheese and Final Bake: Remove casserole from oven and sprinkle with the remaining cheese (¾ cup sharp cheddar and ¾ cup pepper Jack). Return to the oven and bake an additional 5-10 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Serve: Remove casserole from oven. Optionally, garnish with chopped chives or green onions. Let cool slightly before serving.
Notes
- Turkey Substitute: Swap pork sausage with turkey sausage and add ⅛ to ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper for extra flavor. Adding 1 teaspoon beef bouillon enhances the taste.
- Cheese Variations: Use sharp cheddar and pepper Jack cheeses or replace pepper Jack with Mozzarella, Gruyere, Swiss, Monterrey Jack, Colby Jack, Fontina, or Gouda. Always use freshly grated cheeses for better melting.
- Ingredient Variations: Feel free to swap meat and vegetables but maintain the proportions to ensure the egg mixture adequately covers the filling.
- Storage: Store the casserole covered tightly or in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- Reheating: Microwave individual servings on a microwave-safe plate for about 1 minute until warmed through; cut slices in half for even heating. Reheat the entire pan covered with foil in a 325 degrees F oven for about 20 minutes until warmed.
- Overnight Option: Assemble casserole without topping with the final half of tater tots. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate up to 24 hours. Before baking, let sit at room temperature for 30 minutes, add remaining frozen tater tots, and bake adding an extra 10-15 minutes as needed.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 15 g
- Cholesterol: 210 mg
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