Description
This Bacon Egg and Cheese Casserole is a hearty and savory breakfast dish perfect for feeding a crowd. It features crispy bacon, fluffy eggs, tender potatoes, creamy cheese, and a touch of green chilies for mild heat. Baked to golden perfection, this casserole is ideal for brunch, holiday mornings, or easy meal prep.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat
- 1 lb. Bacon, cooked until crispy
Vegetables & Dairy
- 2 cups Frozen Potatoes or Hash browns
- 4 ounces Diced Green Chilies (canned)
- 4 ounces Cream Cheese, softened and cut into small pieces
- 2 cups Sharp Cheddar Cheese, shredded
Egg Mixture
- 12 large Eggs
- 1 cup Milk or Cream
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 1 teaspoon Pepper
Instructions
- Cook Bacon: Cook the bacon until it is nice and crispy. You can do this in a skillet over medium heat or by baking in the oven at 400°F (204°C) for about 20-24 minutes. Once cooked, place bacon on a towel-lined plate to blot the excess fat, then crumble into pieces.
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C). Spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with non-stick cooking spray to prevent sticking. Spread the frozen potatoes or hash browns evenly on the bottom of the pan.
- Mix Egg Mixture: In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk (or cream), salt, and pepper until fully blended. Stir in the diced green chilies to incorporate mild heat and flavor. Pour this egg mixture evenly over the potatoes in the baking dish.
- Add Cream Cheese: Cut the softened cream cheese into small pieces and evenly distribute them over the egg mixture. This ensures the cream cheese holds its shape and provides creamy pockets in the casserole instead of melting completely.
- Add Cheddar Cheese and Bake: Sprinkle the shredded sharp cheddar cheese evenly over the top. Bake the casserole in the preheated oven for 25-33 minutes or until the center is thoroughly set and cooked through.
- Add Bacon and Finish Baking: With about 5 minutes of baking time left, take the casserole out of the oven and sprinkle the crispy crumbled bacon evenly over the top. Return it to the oven to finish baking.
- Rest and Serve: Once fully baked, remove the casserole from the oven and let it rest for 10 minutes to set up before slicing and serving. This resting time helps the casserole hold its shape nicely.
Notes
- You can use fresh potatoes grated and lightly thawed if you prefer over frozen hash browns.
- For a creamier casserole, substitute half-and-half for the milk or use all cream.
- Feel free to add chopped onions or bell peppers for added flavor and texture.
- To make it spicier, use diced jalapeños instead of mild green chilies.
- Leftovers reheat well in the microwave or oven for a quick breakfast.
