Sausage and Creamy Hashbrown Casserole

This sausage and creamy hashbrown casserole is the ultimate hearty breakfast bake—crispy-edged hash browns, savory sausage, and a rich, creamy layer thanks to melted cream cheese. The egg-and-milk mixture bakes everything together into a sliceable casserole that’s perfect for brunch, holidays, or meal prep. You can use mild sausage for a family-friendly version or spicy sausage for a little kick. It’s simple to assemble and feeds a crowd without much fuss. Serve it hot with fruit or a simple salad to balance the richness.

Ingredients

• 2 cups milk
• 8 eggs, beaten
• 2 lb sausage (mild or hot and spicy)
• 16 oz cream cheese, softened (room temperature)
• 32 oz shredded frozen hash browns
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp pepper
• 1/4 tsp garlic powder
• 1/4 tsp onion powder
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
2. Cook sausage thoroughly, then drain off the fat.
3. Stir cream cheese into the cooked sausage until combined, then set aside.
4. Add hash browns into the skillet and cook until lightly browned.
5. Grease the bottom only of a 9×13-inch baking pan.
6. Spread hash browns evenly across the bottom of the pan.
7. Spoon the cream cheese and sausage mixture over the hash browns.
8. Sprinkle some of the cheddar cheese over the top.
9. Mix milk, beaten eggs, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder, then pour evenly over the casserole.
10. Bake uncovered 40–50 minutes, until the center reaches 160°F.

Prep Time: 20 minutes | Cooking Time: 50 minutes | Total Time: 70 minutes
Kcal: 560 kcal | Servings: 10

Tips

Lightly browning the hash browns first makes a huge difference—it keeps the bottom from turning soggy and adds great texture.

Let the casserole rest 10 minutes before slicing, and store leftovers covered in the fridge up to 4 days; reheat slices in the oven or air fryer for best crispness.

FAQ

Do the hash browns need to be thawed first?
Not required, but thawing helps them brown faster and more evenly in the skillet.

Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes—assemble the night before, cover, refrigerate, then bake in the morning (add a few extra minutes if cold).

Can I use turkey sausage?
Yes—any ground breakfast sausage works; just cook it fully before mixing with cream cheese.

How do I know it’s done without a thermometer?
The center should be set (not jiggly) and a knife inserted should come out mostly clean, but 160°F is the safest check.