Breakfast Casserole

This is one of my mom's recipes that has been a family favorite for decades because of its simplicity and yet delicious flavor that makes our hearts happy on holiday mornings! The only small changes I have made are switching up the meat choice and cooking it extra crispy to my husband's liking... thanks mom! :)

What Ingredients You Will Need:

• 1 Package of Fresh Hash Browns

• 1 Tbsp Butter - Melted

• 3 Eggs

• 3/4 Cup of Milk

• 1/2 Bag of Shredded Cheese (I usually use a cheddar jack blend because it melts the best)

• Thinly-Sliced Honey Ham, Breakfast-Seasoned Sausage or Bacon - whichever meat you would prefer! (My favorites in this casserole are breakfast sausage and honey baked ham)

• 1/4 tsp Seasoning Salt

• 1/4 tsp Black Pepper

• Paprika - To Taste

• Parsley - To Taste

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Directions to Deliciousness:

1. I use my 9 x 9 in glass pan for this casserole and it yields approximately 9 servings, or 4.5 servings if you are really hungry :)

2. Preheat your oven to 425 degrees

3. Grease the pan with cooking spray

4. Press the hash browns into the pan forming a firm crust

5. Brush your melted butter onto the top of the crust so that it can become golden-brown and crisp while baking

6. Place your buttered crust into the oven and bake for 25 - 35 minutes or until your desired level of crispiness ( I usually cook it between 30 - 35 mins)

7. While the crust is baking - begin cooking your bacon or sausage if you chose one of these meat options - be sure to press all of the excess grease from the meat after cooking to prevent your casserole from becoming greasy and separated

8. Once the crust is done, remove it from the oven and decrease the temperature setting to 350 degrees

9. While the oven is reducing temperature - crack eggs into a medium sized bowl

10. Whisk together eggs, milk, seasoning salt and black pepper

11. Begin to layer your meat of choice onto the crust first, sprinkle 1/4 of the bag of cheese on top of the meat, lastly pour the egg and milk combination evenly over the whole casserole

12. Use the remaining cheese to evenly top of the entire casserole, followed by sprinkling paprika and parsley as the finishing touches

13. Bake the casserole for 25 - 35 minutes until golden brown and a toothpick poked into the middle comes out clean (meaning the eggs have cooked through)

14. Let the finished product rest for five minutes before serving

15. Best enjoyed with your family or friends for brunch or holiday celebrations! And maybe with your favorite hot sauce on top ;)

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