Description
This Cheesy Hash Brown Egg Bake is a delicious and hearty breakfast casserole combining crispy hash browns, sautéed mushrooms and spinach, fresh tomatoes, savory bacon, and melted Gruyere cheese, all bound together with a creamy egg custard and baked to perfection for a satisfying morning meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables & Herbs
- 4 ounces sliced mushrooms
- 1½ ounces fresh spinach
- 3 Roma tomatoes, seeded and diced
Proteins & Dairy
- 4 ounces bacon, cooked and crumbled
- 3 ounces grated Gruyere cheese
- 5 eggs
- 1 cup half and half
Pantry Items
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 frozen hash brown patties
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
Instructions
- Cook Mushrooms: Heat the olive oil in a medium frying pan over medium heat. Add the sliced mushrooms and cook until they are browned and any released liquid has evaporated, about 5-7 minutes.
- Wilt Spinach: Add the fresh spinach to the pan with the mushrooms and cook until the spinach wilts, about 2-3 minutes. Remove from heat.
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease an 8×8 inch, 9×9 inch, or 7×11 inch baking pan to prevent sticking.
- Layer Hash Browns: Arrange the frozen hash brown patties in a single layer at the bottom of the prepared baking pan, covering the base evenly.
- Add Toppings: Scatter the cooked and crumbled bacon, mushroom and spinach mixture, diced tomatoes, and grated Gruyere cheese evenly over the hash brown layer.
- Mix Egg Custard: In a medium bowl, crack the eggs and add the half and half, salt, and pepper. Whisk until the mixture is smooth and fully combined.
- Combine and Bake: Pour the egg custard evenly over the layered ingredients in the baking pan, allowing it to soak through. Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes or until the center is set and a knife inserted comes out clean.
- Rest and Serve: Remove the casserole from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes before slicing. Serve warm as a savory breakfast or brunch dish.
Notes
- You can substitute bacon with sausage or skip it for a vegetarian version (omit bacon and consider additional cheese or vegetables).
- Gruyere cheese provides a rich, nutty flavor, but Swiss or Cheddar cheese can be used as alternatives.
- Ensure hash brown patties are fully thawed for even cooking.
- Allowing the casserole to rest after baking helps the eggs set and makes slicing neater.
