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Healthy Hashbrown Breakfast Casserole

Laura
Healthy hashbrown breakfast casserole packed with flavor, protein, and wholesome ingredients. An easy recipe perfect for mornings or brunch.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings 8 servings

Ingredients
  

  • Frozen shredded hashbrowns (about 20–24 ounces), thawed and well-drained
  • Olive oil or avocado oil (2 tablespoons)
  • Lean turkey sausage or chicken sausage (8 ounces), cooked and crumbled; or use plant-based sausage
  • Eggs (6 large)
  • Liquid egg whites (1 cup) or about 6 egg whites
  • Plain Greek yogurt (3/4 cup), 2% or nonfat
  • Unsweetened milk (3/4 cup), dairy or unsweetened almond milk
  • Shredded cheese (1 cup), such as reduced-fat cheddar or part-skim mozzarella
  • Red bell pepper (1), diced
  • Yellow onion (1/2 medium), diced
  • Baby spinach (2 packed cups), roughly chopped
  • Garlic (2 cloves), minced
  • Smoked paprika (1 teaspoon)
  • Salt (1 to 1 1/4 teaspoons), to taste
  • Black pepper (1/2 teaspoon)
  • Optional toppings: chopped green onions, hot sauce, salsa, or avocado slices

Instructions
 

  • Prep the oven and pan: Heat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with olive oil or cooking spray.
  • Pre-crisp the hashbrowns: Toss thawed hashbrowns with 1 tablespoon oil, a pinch of salt, and pepper. Spread in the dish and bake for 15 minutes to dry and lightly crisp. This keeps the final casserole from getting soggy.
  • Cook the sausage: While the hashbrowns bake, warm a skillet over medium heat. Add sausage and cook until browned. Remove and set aside.
  • Sauté the veggies: In the same skillet, add the remaining 1 tablespoon oil. Sauté onion and bell pepper with a pinch of salt for 4–5 minutes until softened. Add garlic and cook 30 seconds. Stir in spinach until just wilted. Remove from heat.
  • Whisk the egg mixture: In a large bowl, whisk eggs, egg whites, Greek yogurt, and milk until smooth. Add smoked paprika, 1 teaspoon salt, and black pepper. Stir in half the cheese.
  • Assemble: Scatter the cooked sausage and sautéed vegetables evenly over the par-baked hashbrowns. Pour the egg mixture over the top. Sprinkle with the remaining cheese.
  • Bake: Return the dish to the oven and bake for 28–35 minutes, until the center is set and a knife inserted in the middle comes out mostly clean. If the top browns too quickly, tent loosely with foil.
  • Rest and serve: Let the casserole rest for 10 minutes to set. Slice and serve with green onions, hot sauce, salsa, or avocado if you like.
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