Name: Crack Breakfast Casserole with Sausage and Hashbrowns Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 1 h
Total time: 1 h 20 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 pound pork sausage; 1 pound bacon, chopped; 4 ounces cream cheese, room temperature; ½ cup sour cream; 1 cup whole milk; 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided; 8 large eggs; 1 package dry ranch seasoning mix; ½ teaspoon onion powder; ½ teaspoon garlic powder; ½ teaspoon salt; ½ teaspoon black pepper; 1 (30-ounce) bag frozen hashbrowns, thawed and drained of excess water

If you’ve been hunting for an easy, crowd-pleasing breakfast that feels like a big warm hug, you’ve gotta try this Crack Breakfast Casserole with Sausage and Hashbrowns Recipe. It’s seriously one of those “make it once and watch everyone ask when’s the next time” dishes. Layers of sausage, bacon, creamy cheese, and those crispy hashbrowns all baked together into one irresistible casserole. I can’t wait to share all my tips and secrets to help you nail it perfectly every time!

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Flavor-packed layers: The combo of sausage, bacon, cream cheese, and ranch seasoning creates a savory, comforting flavor bomb every bite.
Perfect for feeding a crowd: This casserole fills up a 9×13 pan and easily serves 12 hungry people — ideal for brunch parties or holidays.
Make-ahead friendly: You can prep it the night before, then bake it fresh in the morning to save time.
Simple ingredients: No fancy or hard-to-find stuff, so it’s easy to whip up anytime.

Crack Breakfast Casserole with Sausage and Hashbrowns Recipe - Recipe Step

Ingredients You’ll Need

This Crack Breakfast Casserole with Sausage and Hashbrowns Recipe is built from familiar breakfast staples, which not only makes it super approachable but also helps each ingredient shine in perfect harmony. When I shop, I hunt for the freshest sausage and quality cheddar cheese because those really boost the flavor.

Crack Breakfast Casserole with Sausage and Hashbrowns Recipe - Ingredients

Pork sausage: Go for your favorite kind—spicy or mild works—just make sure it’s fresh for the best flavor.
Bacon: This adds a smoky crunch; chopping it before cooking helps it cook evenly and mix well into the casserole.
Cream cheese: Room temperature is key here so it blends smoothly with the sour cream and egg mixture.
Sour cream: Adds a tangy creaminess that keeps the casserole tender.
Whole milk: I use whole milk to keep the texture rich and velvety, but 2% would be fine too.
Large eggs: Eggs hold everything together while adding protein and richness.
Dry ranch seasoning mix: This is a game changer – brings that herby, savory “crack” flavor the casserole is famous for.
Onion powder & garlic powder: Small touches that deepen the flavor.
Salt & black pepper: Balance the flavors — don’t skip or overdo either!
Frozen hashbrowns: Thawed and drained so they bake up soft inside with a nice golden crust on top.
Shredded cheddar cheese: Divided — some inside the mix for gooey melty bites, and some on top for that irresistible bubbly brown crust.

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Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

I love how versatile this Crack Breakfast Casserole with Sausage and Hashbrowns Recipe is — it’s like a blank canvas for your favorite breakfast flavors. Over time, I’ve tinkered with the ingredients to fit what’s on hand or to satisfy dietary preferences, and you can too!

Make it veggie-friendly: Skip the sausage and bacon, swap in sautéed mushrooms, bell peppers, and spinach — still delicious and hearty!
Spice it up: Add diced jalapeños or sprinkle in some cayenne pepper if you like it with a little kick. I tried this once for a weekend brunch and got rave reviews.
Dairy-free version: Use dairy-free cream cheese and milk alternatives; the texture changes slightly but the flavors still pop.
Cheese swap: Try pepper jack or smoked gouda instead of cheddar for a different flavor profile.

How to Make Crack Breakfast Casserole with Sausage and Hashbrowns Recipe

Step 1: Cook the Sausage and Bacon Perfectly

Start by heating a skillet over medium-high heat and cook the sausage and chopped bacon together until nicely browned and no longer pink inside. I always drain the excess fat to keep the casserole from getting greasy. The combination of these two meats sets the foundation of rich, savory flavor for the whole dish.

Step 2: Mix the Creamy Egg Base Until Smooth

In a large bowl, use a hand mixer to blend the room-temperature cream cheese and sour cream until silky smooth. This step makes all the difference in how creamy the casserole turns out. Next, add in the milk, eggs, ranch seasoning, and your seasonings — onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper — then mix everything well.

Step 3: Combine Everything Together

Now, stir in the cooked sausage, bacon, thawed and well-drained hashbrowns, and half of the cheddar cheese. I like giving it a good fold to ensure even distribution so every scoop has meat, cheese, and those crispy potatoes.

Step 4: Bake to Golden Perfection

Pour the mixture into your prepared 9×13 baking dish (sprayed with cooking spray to prevent sticking), then sprinkle the remaining cheddar cheese on top. Cover it tightly with foil and bake at 350°F for 50-60 minutes. Removing the foil in the last 8-10 minutes helps the cheese bubble and brown beautifully. The wait is worth it — you’ll see the cheesy top go from melty to irresistibly golden.

Step 5: Let It Rest and Dive In

Once out of the oven, let the casserole rest for a few minutes so it sets up and slices nicely. This step prevents it from turning into a gooey mess when serving — trust me, I learned this the hard way during my first try!

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Pro Tips for Making Crack Breakfast Casserole with Sausage and Hashbrowns Recipe

Drain Hashbrowns Thoroughly: I discovered this trick after a soggy first attempt — pressing out excess water ensures the casserole isn’t watery.
Room Temperature Dairy: Letting cream cheese come to room temp helps it mix seamlessly with sour cream for a super creamy texture.
Cover, Then Uncover Towards End: Keep the foil on most of the bake to trap moisture, then uncover near the end for that ooey-gooey golden cheese crust.
Rest Before Serving: Letting the casserole cool a few minutes makes slicing a breeze and helps flavors meld beautifully.

How to Serve Crack Breakfast Casserole with Sausage and Hashbrowns Recipe

Crack Breakfast Casserole with Sausage and Hashbrowns Recipe - Serving

Garnishes

I usually sprinkle chopped fresh chives or green onions over the top for a pop of color and a mild oniony bite that balances the richness. A dollop of sour cream or a drizzle of hot sauce on your serving plate works wonders too — it brightens every forkful!

Side Dishes

I like to keep it simple with fresh fruit salad or a crisp green salad to cut through the richness. If you want to go classic, some buttery toast or warm biscuits go perfectly alongside.

Creative Ways to Present

For brunch parties, I’ve served this casserole in mini muffin tins to create adorable individual bites—perfect for mingling and easy portions. Another fun idea is layering it in a clear glass casserole dish to showcase all those colorful layers. Guests loved how homey and homemade it felt!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge and they keep well for up to 4 days. When reheating, I find slicing into individual portions helps everything warm through evenly without drying out or getting rubbery.

Freezing

This casserole freezes beautifully! Just portion it out or freeze the whole pan before baking. Thaw overnight in the fridge and then bake covered at 350°F until hot and bubbly. I always add extra baking time if it’s frozen solid to get it heated through perfectly.

Reheating

To keep that cheesy top nice and melty, I reheat portions in the oven at 325°F wrapped loosely in foil for 15-20 minutes. You can microwave in a pinch, but the oven just preserves the texture way better.

FAQs

Can I make this Crack Breakfast Casserole with Sausage and Hashbrowns Recipe vegetarian?

Absolutely! Simply omit the sausage and bacon and replace with sautéed vegetables like mushrooms, bell peppers, and spinach to keep the casserole hearty and flavorful.
Do I have to use ranch seasoning mix?

The ranch seasoning is a key flavor boost here, but if you don’t have it, you can substitute with a mix of dried parsley, dill, garlic powder, onion powder, and a pinch of salt to mimic the flavor.
How do I prevent the casserole from being watery?

Thaw your hashbrowns fully and press out as much moisture as possible before mixing. Also, draining excess fat from cooked sausage and bacon helps stop sogginess.
Can I prepare this casserole the night before?

Yes! Prepare the casserole, cover tightly with foil or plastic wrap, refrigerate overnight, then bake the next morning (you may need to add a few extra minutes to the baking time).

Final Thoughts

This Crack Breakfast Casserole with Sausage and Hashbrowns Recipe truly became a staple in my kitchen because it’s just that reliably delicious and easy to customize. Whether it’s a holiday brunch, a lazy weekend breakfast, or feeding a hungry crowd, it delivers comfort and flavor in every bite. I hope when you try it, you find yourself coming back to it as much as my family does — it really is a keeper!