Sausage, Egg, and Cream Cheese Hashbrown Casserole: The Ultimate Comfort Breakfast Bake

Few breakfast dishes strike the perfect balance between comfort food, make-ahead convenience, and crowd-pleasing flavor quite like Sausage, Egg, and Cream Cheese Hashbrown Casserole. This hearty breakfast bake combines savory breakfast sausage, fluffy eggs, creamy pockets of cream cheese, and crispy golden hashbrowns into one satisfying dish that feels indulgent yet effortless.

Whether you’re planning a weekend family brunch, prepping meals for busy mornings, or feeding a hungry crowd during holidays, this casserole earns its place as a reliable favorite. It’s rich without being heavy, filling without being complicated, and endlessly customizable.

In this guide, you’ll learn why this casserole works so well, how to make it perfect every time, and creative ways to adapt it to your taste or occasion.

Why This Breakfast Casserole Is So Popular

Breakfast casseroles have long been a staple in American kitchens, especially for weekends and celebrations. This version stands out because it delivers:

• Balanced textures: crispy hashbrowns, creamy cheese, fluffy eggs
• Bold flavor from seasoned sausage
• Make-ahead flexibility for stress-free mornings
• One-dish simplicity with minimal cleanup

The addition of cream cheese is what truly elevates this casserole. Instead of melting completely, it creates soft, tangy pockets throughout the dish that contrast beautifully with the savory sausage and eggs.

Ingredients You’ll Need

• Breakfast sausage (pork or turkey)
• Frozen hashbrowns (shredded or diced)
• Large eggs
• Cream cheese, softened
• Shredded cheddar cheese
• Milk or half-and-half
• Onion (optional but recommended)
• Garlic powder
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Butter or cooking spray for greasing

Each ingredient plays a role: the hashbrowns provide structure, the eggs bind everything together, the sausage adds depth, and the cheeses bring richness and comfort.

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a baking dish generously.
2. Cook the breakfast sausage in a skillet over medium heat until fully browned. Drain excess grease.
3. If using onion, sauté briefly in the same pan until softened.
4. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
5. Fold in the cooked sausage, hashbrowns, and shredded cheddar cheese.
6. Cut softened cream cheese into small cubes.
7. Spread the mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish.
8. Nestle cream cheese cubes evenly throughout the casserole.
9. Bake uncovered for 45–55 minutes, or until eggs are fully set and the top is golden.
10. Let rest for 10 minutes before slicing and serving.

Pro Tips for the Best Results

• Thaw hashbrowns completely to prevent excess moisture.
• Cut cream cheese into cubes, not slices, for even distribution.
• Let the casserole rest after baking to firm up before slicing.
• For extra crispiness, broil for 2–3 minutes at the end.

Make-Ahead & Storage Tips

This casserole is ideal for meal prep:

• Make ahead: Assemble the night before, cover, and refrigerate.
• Bake later: Add 5–10 minutes to baking time if chilled.
• Freeze: Bake fully, cool completely, then freeze portions for up to 2 months.
• Reheat: Microwave individual slices or warm in the oven.

Delicious Variations to Try

• Spicy version: Use hot sausage and add red pepper flakes.
• Vegetable-loaded: Add bell peppers, spinach, or mushrooms.
• Low-carb: Replace hashbrowns with cauliflower hash.
• Cheese swap: Try pepper jack, mozzarella, or Colby-Jack.

Serving Suggestions

Pair this casserole with:

• Fresh fruit salad
• Toast or biscuits
• Simple green salad for brunch
• Coffee, tea, or fresh juice

It also works beautifully for breakfast-for-dinner nights.

Why This Recipe Is Perfect for Holidays

From Christmas morning to Easter brunch, this casserole shines because it:

• Feeds a crowd
• Frees up stovetop space
• Feels indulgent and celebratory
• Requires minimal last-minute prep

Final Thoughts

Sausage, Egg, and Cream Cheese Hashbrown Casserole is everything a great breakfast should be: comforting, satisfying, flexible, and deeply flavorful. Once you make it, it’s likely to become a staple in your kitchen—requested again and again by family and guests.

Sausage, Egg, and Cream Cheese Hashbrown Casserole

A hearty breakfast casserole made with savory sausage, fluffy eggs, crispy hashbrowns, and creamy pockets of cream cheese.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 50 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr 5 minutes mins

Servings: 8 servings

Course: Breakfast, Brunch

Cuisine: American

Calories: 420

Ingredients

  

Casserole Base

• 1 lb breakfast sausage
• 1 bag frozen hashbrowns thawed
• 8 eggs large
• 8 oz cream cheese softened and cubed
• 1.5 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 0.5 cup milk
• 1 tsp salt
• 0.5 tsp black pepper

Equipment

• Mixing bowls
• Skillet
• Baking dish
• Whisk

Method

 

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a baking dish.
2. Cook sausage in a skillet until browned; drain excess grease.
3. Whisk eggs, milk, salt, and pepper in a large bowl.
4. Stir in hashbrowns, sausage, and shredded cheese.
5. Spread mixture into prepared baking dish.
6. Distribute cream cheese cubes evenly throughout.
7. Bake uncovered for 45–55 minutes until set and golden.
8. Rest 10 minutes before slicing and serving.

Notes

Let casserole rest before slicing for best texture.