Get the App

Recipes

Find a Recipe Blue Ribbon Recipes Pinch It!™ Feed Browse All Recipes

Editorial

Food Bites & Articles Videos What is a Blue Ribbon? Meet the Test Kitchen

Community

Member Recipes Groups Sweepstakes Contests Shopping

rise and shine breakfast casserole

(3 ratings)
Chiavenna avatar
Blue Ribbon Recipe by
Holly Watson
@Chiavenna
Tampa, FL

There is nothing like the smell of a home-cooked breakfast wafting through the house on a brisk morning that will bring everyone bounding out of bed and to the table! This easy casserole combines your breakfast favorites in a whole new way. You make it the night before so all you have to do is throw it in the oven and approximately forty-five minutes later you will be well on your way by starting your day out right!

Blue Ribbon Recipe

This recipe is a cross between a traditional breakfast casserole and a tater tot casserole. So good! It's savory and makes for a hearty breakfast. All of the work is done the night before. The best part is just having to pop it in the oven in the morning. This feeds a nice sized family and would be great on a holiday morning when you don't want to be in the kitchen.

— The Test Kitchen @kitchencrew
(3 ratings)
yield serving(s)
prep time 20 Min
cook time 45 Min
method Bake

Ingredients For rise and shine breakfast casserole

  • 6 - 12 slice
    bread (use your favorite)
  • 1/2 - 1 lb
    bacon (or sausage if you prefer)
  • 1 pkg
    shredded cheese (8 oz)
  • 1 pkg
    tater tots (32 oz)
  • 8
    eggs
  • 2 1/2 c
    milk
  • 1/2 c
    heavy cream or half and half (can use 1/2 cup more milk if you dont have any)
  • salt & pepper, to taste

How To Make rise and shine breakfast casserole

Test Kitchen Tips
Each oven is different. We had to bake ours for an hour so we suggest checking the center to make sure the egg is cooked.
  • Casserole dish with non-stick spray.
    1
    Spray a large casserole dish with non-stick spray.
  • Bread torn and placed in a casserole dish.
    2
    Tear the 6-12 slices of bread into pieces about the size of a half-dollar. Line the bottom of the pan with the bread. Make sure the bottom of the pan is completely covered. Set aside.
  • Cooked bacon on a paper towel.
    3
    Fully cook the bacon (or sausage) in a skillet. Remove and pat dry with a paper towel to get rid of the extra grease. **Note: You can use as much or as little meat as you want. If you have a meat lover in the family you might want to try both bacon and sausage together in this recipe.**
  • Meat, cheese, and bacon layered over the bread.
    4
    Spread the meat generously over the bread, making sure the meat is evenly distributed. Sprinkle 1/2 the bag of cheese on top of the bacon/bread layer. Set aside.
  • Baked tater tots added to the casserole dish.
    5
    Bake tater tots as directed on package. Once they are crispy & golden brown, place them on top of the cheese layer. Using a fork, run over tater tots to break some open so there will be potatoes in every bite. Set aside.
  • Eggs, milk, and heavy cream whisked together.
    6
    In a medium/large bowl, crack 8 eggs (if making a smaller casserole you may have to use 6; or if a larger about 10+) Scramble the eggs with a fork. Add 2 1/2 cups milk and 1/2 cup heavy cream to the egg mixture and whisk well. Season to taste with salt and pepper. **Note: Again if you do not have these on hand or want to trim the calories just substitute for an additional 1/2 cup milk.***
  • Pouring eggs into the casserole dish.
    7
    Pour egg/milk over the casserole, paying special attention to the corners and sides as they tend to dry out if they don't have enough liquid.
  • Cheese sprinkled over the tater tots.
    8
    Sprinkle the other 1/2 bag of shredded cheese on the top of the casserole.
  • Breakfast casserole covered in foil.
    9
    Cover with foil and let refrigerate overnight. (You don't necessarily have to do this step but it makes the casserole a hundred times better! Really easy to make it the night beforehand and just pop it in the oven in the morning!)
  • Breakfast casserole baking in the oven.
    10
    Remove from refrigerator. Remove tin foil. Bake at 350 degrees for 45-60 minutes depending on your oven. **Note: You can always put the foil back over the dish to prevent premature browning/burning.**
  • A piece of Rise and Shine Breakfast Casserole on a plate.
    11
    Let cool for about 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy! :)
  • Last Step: Don't forget to share! Make all your friends drool by posting a picture of your finished recipe on your favorite social network. And don't forget to tag Just A Pinch and include #justapinchrecipes so we can see it too!
ADVERTISEMENT