In preparation for a weekend excursion with friends, during the planning phase where everyone is deciding what food items to contribute to the refrigerator, I am consistently the first to offer to bring breakfast. But why? Firstly, breakfast is a straightforward meal to prepare and is generally budget-friendly. My fail-safe strategy involves purchasing some Sister Schubert’s rolls (let’s be real, not everything can be made from scratch), putting together a lovely fruit salad, and preparing a homemade egg casserole of some variety.
Secondly, breakfast is universally appreciated and always comes in handy. Let’s face it, breakfast is deemed the most important meal of the day, particularly after a late night. Breakfast casseroles are optimal for advance preparation, making them ideal for feeding a group. As the designated breakfast coordinator, rather than having to wake up early to flip pancakes or scramble eggs, I can effortlessly take out a pre-prepared breakfast casserole and pop it into the oven before the entire household is even awake. Needless to say, I was delighted to stumble upon numerous new breakfast casserole recipes in the latest issue of Southern Living.
Photographer: Jennifer Causey; Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Stylist: Missie Neville Crawford
The Excellence of this Hash Brown Casserole
Upon encountering the recipe for the Deep-Dish Loaded Hash Brown Casserole, I was immediately intrigued. The opening line of the recipe reads: “If smothered and covered came in breakfast casserole form,” which instantly piqued my interest.
Frozen hash browns are baked with a blend of onions, cheese, sour cream, and eggs, then garnished with Cheddar cheese and crispy bacon. A garnish of tomatoes and green onions adds a touch of freshness to this fully-loaded, hunger-satisfying breakfast dish.
Recipe for Loaded Hash Brown Casserole
Potential Variations for the Hash Brown Casserole
As is customary with any recipe, I initially followed the instructions precisely on my initial attempt, only adding a touch more bacon because, well, who can resist? The dish was so well-received by our group at the lake that when my alma mater scheduled an 11 a.m. kickoff for the following weekend, I eagerly anticipated the chance to make it once more so soon after.
Before our early morning game day brunch, as the casserole made its second appearance on our table, my husband and I opted to make a few alterations to better suit our palates. We incorporated chopped red bell peppers (mixed in with the onions) and substituted a blend of sharp Cheddar and pepper Jack cheeses instead of solely sharp Cheddar. These modifications augmented the casserole’s flavor profile, and I was particularly fond of the splash of color the red bell peppers brought to the dish. And yes, it’s true, we indulged in a bit more bacon—after all, this is a guilt-free zone.
Accompaniments to Pair with
