Cheesy Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole with Sausage and Eggs

This Ham and Cheese Breakfast Casserole with Tater Tots is an easy, crowd-pleasing breakfast or brunch. Fluffy eggs mixed with ham, cheddar, and diced pepper are baked beneath a crispy layer of tater tots so every bite has golden, crunchy potatoes. Prep takes about 10 minutes and the whole family will enjoy it.

Tater tots add great texture and flavor to casseroles. This simple dish layers a rich egg-and-cheese base with tater tots for a comforting brunch centerpiece that’s easy to assemble and bake.

If you like sweet breakfast bakes, French toast casseroles or homemade cinnamon rolls are delicious alternatives. For more savory, tot-forward recipes try a tater tot shepherd’s pie or explore other egg dishes like quiche and deviled eggs.

Why you will love this recipe:

• Quick and simple to prep. Whisk the egg mixture, stir in the fillings, pour into a baking pan, and top with frozen tots. The only chopping required is for the pepper.
• Crispy tots in every bite. The tots cover the casserole so every serving includes crunchy potato and cheesy, savory egg beneath.
• Prep ahead friendly. Mix and refrigerate the egg filling a day ahead. Add the frozen tots just before baking for best texture.
• Uses common pantry ingredients. Aside from ham, most ingredients are kitchen staples. Keep a bag of tater tots in the freezer for easy breakfasts.

Ingredients and Substitutions:

• Meat: Diced ham works well, but cooked sausage, bacon, or a plant-based substitute are fine, or omit meat for a vegetarian version.
• Milk: I use whole milk for a richer custard, but any milk (including almond or other dairy-free milks) will work.
• Vegetables: Green bell pepper is suggested, but any bell pepper color, chopped spinach, or other mild vegetables can be swapped in.
• Cheese: Cheddar is classic, but feel free to substitute your favorite shredded cheese to change the flavor.
• Tater tots: Use frozen, full-size tater tots (not mini) and add them just before baking if you prepped ahead.

How to make this:

• Preheat the oven to 350°F. In a large bowl whisk together 8 large eggs, 1 cup milk, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon salt and ½ teaspoon pepper until smooth. Stir in ⅓ cup sour cream until mostly combined.
• Fold in 16 oz diced ham, 1 cup shredded cheddar, and 1 small diced green bell pepper. Pour the mixture into a 9×13-inch pan sprayed with oil. If you want the tots extra crispy, mix all the cheese into the egg mixture instead of saving some for the top.
• Arrange frozen tater tots in a single layer to fully cover the egg mixture.
• Bake 40–50 minutes until the eggs are set and the tots are golden and crispy. In the last 5 minutes, sprinkle the remaining 1 cup shredded cheddar over the top and return to the oven to melt the cheese.

• Let cool briefly, then serve. Top with sour cream or fresh herbs if desired. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3–4 days.

Notes and tips:

• For extra-crispy tots: Add all the cheese to the egg mixture or wait to sprinkle cheese on top after baking so the tots stay crisp.
• Choose regular tots: Regular-sized tater tots hold up better during the 40–50 minute bake; mini tots may brown too quickly.

Check out these other breakfast recipes:

• Spinach Zucchini Egg Muffins
• Spiralized Sweet Potato Frittata
• Blueberry Muffin Baked Oatmeal
• Simple Honey Biscuits
• Cinnamon Roll Baked French Toast
• Puff Pastry Cinnamon Rolls with Maple Glaze

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