Name: Cheddar Pepper Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 1 h 20 min
Total time: 1 h 40 min
Cuisine: American
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; 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

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.

This image shows a white rectangular baking dish filled with a layered casserole on a white marbled surface. The dish has a blue handle labeled

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.

A white rectangular baking dish filled with a golden-brown tater tot casserole, cut into squares. The top layer is made of crispy, browned tater tots with melted yellow and white cheese sprinkled over them, and small flecks of green herbs scattered across. The inside layers show a mix of ground meat and creamy sauce peeking through the edges where one square is missing. The dish rests on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

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.

Flat lay of fresh whole pork sausage links, a medium yellow onion diced, one red bell pepper chopped, one green bell pepper chopped, three peeled garlic cloves minced, two small piles of freshly grated sharp cheddar cheese and pepper jack cheese, eight whole uncracked brown eggs, small white ceramic bowl of half-and-half, small white ceramic bowl with diced green chilies, small white ceramic bowl with mixed dried herbs and spices including parsley, paprika, ground mustard, oregano, salt, and pepper, and a pile of frozen golden tater tots, all arranged in perfect symmetry on a clean white ceramic plate and separate white ceramic bowls, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

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.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

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

Cheddar Pepper Tater Tot Casserole - Serving Suggestion

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:

Can I make this Cheddar Pepper Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole Recipe the night before?

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.

Can I use other cheeses besides cheddar and pepper Jack?

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.

What’s the best way to reheat leftovers?

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.

Can I substitute turkey sausage for pork sausage in this recipe?

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!