Best Hash Brown Breakfast Casserole

Looking for the perfect make-ahead breakfast casserole to feed a hungry crowd? This Southern-style hash brown breakfast casserole is loaded with crispy bacon, smoky ham, shredded hash browns, and a blend of melty cheddar and pepper jack cheese for just the right amount of kick—everything you need for a comforting and satisfying brunch dish. Whether you’re hosting Easter brunch, feeding weekend guests, or prepping for a busy week, this easy casserole bakes up beautifully in a 9×13 pan and reheats like a dream.

This Easter Brunch Casserole is a dish I’ve made many times over the years, often for Christmas morning, but I’ve dressed it up a little this time with savory ham, crispy bacon, and cheese for a springtime spin that feels just right for Easter.

It’s comforting, satisfying, and so easy to make ahead—which means you can actually enjoy your morning, whether it’s hosting family or simply sipping coffee while the oven does the work. I made this version thinking of Easter, but truth be told, it’s perfect any time of the year—Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Christmas, or even a cozy weekend brunch with friends.

You can even swap out the frozen hash browns for fresh diced potatoes or red potatoes if you prefer. And you can substitute the bacon or sausage. It’s a flexible, family-friendly recipe that always earns a spot on my table.

Why You’ll Love This Casserole

• It’s everything you want in a Southern brunch. With smoky bacon, savory ham, golden hash browns, and cheesy eggs all baked into one comforting dish, this casserole hits all the right notes for a special breakfast or brunch.
• Make-ahead magic. You can prep it the night before and just pop it in the oven the next morning—perfect for Easter Sunday when you’ve got enough going on already.
• Feeds a crowd. Whether you’re serving family after church or bringing a dish to a spring gathering, this casserole makes plenty and satisfies everyone.
• Flexible and freezer-friendly. Leftovers reheat beautifully, and it freezes well if you want to portion it out for later. It’s also easy to swap in sausage, different cheeses, or whatever you have on hand.
• Feels like home. There’s something about a hot breakfast casserole that brings people together. It’s cozy, comforting, and just plain good.

What You’ll Need: (Be sure to see the full printable recipe below this post.)

Sliced bacon or sausage

Chopped onion

Chopped green bell pepper

Diced cooked ham

Eggs

Half-and-half

Frozen hash brown potatoes

Shredded Cheddar cheese

Shredded Pepper Jack Cheese (Optional)

Garlic powder

Salt, pepper, and a touch of fresh dill

How to make Hash Brown Breakfast Casserole

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease a 9 x 13 in casserole dish.
2. In a skillet, cook bacon until crisp. Remove and drain. Pour off excess drippings, leaving about 1 tablespoon in the skillet.
3. Sauté onion and green pepper in 2 tablespoons of the bacon drippings until soft. Stir in ham just to heat through.
4. In a large bowl, whisk together eggs and half-and-half. Add hash browns, cheeses, salt, pepper, dill, cooked bacon, and with a slotted spoon, remove the sautéed onions, bell peppers and ham and add to the egg mixture. Mix well.
5. Pour into the prepared dish and bake uncovered for 35 to 45 minutes or until the center is set and a knife inserted comes out clean.
6. Let rest 5–10 minutes before slicing. Garnish with fresh dill. parsley or green onions, if desired.

Tips for Making the Best Brunch Casserole

• Use half-and-half: Trust me on this—skip the milk. Half-and-half gives you the richness you want without being too heavy. It makes the eggs silky, tender, and just wow.
• Let it rest: After baking, let the casserole sit for about 5–10 minutes so it can set and slice easily.
• Use a well-greased pan: You want to avoid sticking, especially if you’re using fresh potatoes.
• Use freshly grated cheese for the best results and flavor. Makes all the difference.
• Add a little Pepper Jack cheese: ¼ cup cup. Pepper Jack Cheese will give the casserole a little extra flavor. Optional of course.

Make-Ahead, Storage & Freezing

• Make Ahead: Assemble the casserole up to 24 hours in advance, cover, and refrigerate. Bring to room temperature before baking, or add a few extra minutes to the bake time.
• Freezing: You can freeze this casserole baked or unbaked. To freeze unbaked, assemble, wrap tightly in foil and freeze. To bake from frozen, thaw overnight in the fridge, then bake as directed.
• Storing Leftovers: Keep leftovers covered in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave or a 300°F oven until warmed through.

Thank you for stopping by. I’ll be back soon with more Southern recipes!

More recipes that you will love!

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The Best Hash Brown Potato Casserole

Be sure to leave a comment below if you have any questions about the recipe. I would love to hear from you and if you make it, be sure to use #deliciouslysouthern and let me know how you like it. Lastly, please follow me on Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook.

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