Sunday, January 10, 2010

Breakfast Hashbrown Casserole

hashbrownCasserole
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 9x13 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 9x13 pan with nonstick cooking spray. Combine potatoes and 1 egg, mix well. Spread mixture into 9x13 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.

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:

Maria on January 10, 2010 11:34 AM said...

This is Josh's kind of breakfast:)

Rachelle @ "Mommy? I'm Hungry!" on January 10, 2010 1:27 PM said...

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

Memória on January 10, 2010 1:35 PM said...

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

Jessica @ How Sweet on January 10, 2010 1:41 PM said...

Oh so delicious . . . total comfort food.

Tami on January 10, 2010 1:59 PM said...

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

Megan on January 10, 2010 2:20 PM said...

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

Trish on January 10, 2010 3:22 PM said...

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.

Amanda on January 10, 2010 3:49 PM said...

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

Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella on January 10, 2010 4:03 PM said...

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

Vrinda on January 10, 2010 4:47 PM said...

Casserole looks colorful,naver tasted this...

Cathy on January 10, 2010 5:19 PM said...

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.

Mags on January 10, 2010 5:26 PM said...

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

Katy ~ on January 10, 2010 5:53 PM said...

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

Love breakfast.

Would love THIS at breakfast!

Asha @ FSK on January 10, 2010 6:04 PM said...

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

Joyce on January 10, 2010 6:25 PM said...

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

preventionrd on January 10, 2010 8:26 PM said...

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

Mimi on January 10, 2010 8:30 PM said...

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

Lynda on January 10, 2010 9:42 PM said...

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

Kathleen on January 11, 2010 1:19 AM said...

This sounds super yummy!!!

bake in paris on January 11, 2010 2:54 AM said...

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

Sawadee from Bangkok,
Kris

Sarah, Maison Cupcake on January 11, 2010 3:43 AM said...

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?

Heavenly Housewife on January 11, 2010 6:45 AM said...

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.

Barbara Bakes on January 11, 2010 7:01 AM said...

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.

Faith on January 11, 2010 9:27 AM said...

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

teresa on January 11, 2010 11:33 AM said...

what a hearty and delicious breakfast! i love this!

Kasha on January 11, 2010 12:32 PM said...

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

Kim on January 11, 2010 1:00 PM said...

It looks so cheesy and delicious!

Juliana on January 11, 2010 1:28 PM said...

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

comfycook on January 11, 2010 3:50 PM said...

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.

tspegar on January 11, 2010 3:52 PM said...

my husband would love this breakfast!

A cupcake or two on January 11, 2010 6:29 PM said...

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

Cristie on January 11, 2010 8:56 PM said...

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!

s on January 11, 2010 10:43 PM said...

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

Sophie on January 12, 2010 5:16 AM said...

MMMMMMMMMMMM,...what a teriific & tasty breakfast!!

That will keep you going for several hours! yummie!

Sarah, Maison Cupcake on January 12, 2010 6:02 AM said...

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

Natashya KitchenPuppies on January 12, 2010 6:19 AM said...

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

bethany on January 12, 2010 9:05 AM said...

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 :(

Michelle on January 12, 2010 9:56 AM said...

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!

Chetana on January 13, 2010 8:21 AM said...

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
www.indulgence9.blogspot.com
www.dairiesofmumnson.wordpress.com

Saveurs et Gourmandises on January 13, 2010 11:58 AM said...

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

Talita on January 13, 2010 2:37 PM said...

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

pigpigscorner on January 13, 2010 2:54 PM said...

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

Lauren on January 14, 2010 7:38 AM said...

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

Jamie on January 14, 2010 2:53 PM said...

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.

Sook on January 14, 2010 3:35 PM said...

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

bruce on January 18, 2010 10:00 PM said...

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

www.dhaleb.com on January 19, 2010 10:21 AM said...

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 :)

Winnie on January 21, 2010 1:19 PM said...

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

Post a Comment

Thanks for visiting. I'd love to hear your comments and questions. I read and appreciate each comment!

 

Followers

Contact

I love hearing from my readers! If you have a question or comment, feel free to email me at barbarabakes@gmail.com
Unauthorized use or duplication of this material without express written permission from Barbara Bakes is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Barbara Bakes with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

About Barbara Bakes

About Barbara Bakes
Welcome to Barbara Bakes.
I love to bake, especially cookies, cakes, and pies. I'll post my adventures in the kitchen, my favorite new recipes, as well as our family favorites. More About Barbara Bakes
Barbara Bakes Copyright © 2009 Blogger Template Adapted from a Designed by Bie Blogger Template
Related Posts with Thumbnails