Ingredients:
- 1 tbsp (15g) Unsalted Butter, melted
- 1 bag (900g / 32 oz) Frozen Shredded Hashbrown Potatoes (thawed and squeezed dry)
- ½ tsp (2.5g) Fine Sea Salt
- ¼ tsp (1g) Black Pepper
- 1 tbsp (15ml) Olive Oil
- 225g (8 oz) Breakfast Sausage or Bacon, diced
- 1 medium Yellow Onion, diced (about 150g)
- 1 medium Red Bell Pepper, diced (about 175g)
- 1 cup (120g) Sharp Cheddar Cheese, grated (for layering)
- 1 cup (120g) Monterey Jack or Mozzarella, grated
- 12 Large Eggs
- 1 cup (240ml) Whole Milk or Half-and-Half
- 1 tsp (5g) Dried Mustard Powder
- ½ tsp (2.5g) Fine Sea Salt
- ¼ tsp (1g) Black Pepper
- Pinch of Cayenne Pepper
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9x13-inch casserole dish.
- In a large bowl, combine the thawed and drained hashbrowns with 1 tbsp melted butter, ½ tsp salt, and ¼ tsp pepper. Press the seasoned hashbrown mixture firmly and evenly into the bottom and slightly up the sides of the prepared dish.
- Bake the hashbrown crust for 15 minutes until the edges are just starting to look golden and set. Remove from the oven.
- While the crust bakes, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the sausage/bacon and cook until fully browned. Drain off most of the excess fat, leaving about 1 teaspoon for flavour.
- Add the diced onion and bell pepper to the skillet. Sauté for 5-7 minutes until softened. Remove from heat and set aside.
- In the large mixing bowl, whisk together the 12 eggs, milk/half-and-half, mustard powder, salt, pepper, and cayenne until fully combined and slightly frothy.
- Sprinkle half (1 cup) of the grated sharp cheddar cheese directly over the par-baked hashbrown crust.
- Spread the sautéed meat and vegetable mixture evenly over the cheese layer.
- Carefully pour the whisked egg mixture over the filling, ensuring it distributes evenly throughout the casserole.
- Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of Cheddar and the Monterey Jack cheese over the top.
- Return the casserole to the oven and bake for 35–40 minutes, or until the centre is set (jiggles only slightly) and a knife inserted near the centre comes out clean.
- Allow the casserole to rest on a wire rack for 10 minutes before slicing and serving. This resting period ensures the eggs set properly for a clean slice.