Texas Breakfast Hash Brown Casserole: Your New Favorite Tex-Mex Morning Treat

Discover the ultimate breakfast experience with our **Texas Breakfast Hash Brown Casserole**, a dish that masterfully blends the comforting goodness of a classic casserole with a vibrant Tex-Mex twist. This recipe is not just easy to prepare but also bursting with layers of delightful flavors, making it a perfect choice for a hearty breakfast, a leisurely brunch, or even a unique side dish for your Tex-Mex themed dinners. Get ready to impress your family and friends with this simple yet incredibly satisfying dish that promises to become a staple in your culinary repertoire.

A Flavorful Tex-Mex Breakfast Casserole: Why You’ll Love It

The moment you take your first bite of this breakfast casserole, you’ll understand why it’s quickly becoming a family favorite. What sets it apart is its incredibly rich and diverse flavor profile, drawing inspiration from the bold and exciting tastes of Tex-Mex cuisine. Imagine fluffy, tender hash browns mixed with savory sausage, vibrant bell peppers, and a generous amount of melted Mexican cheese, all brought together with a hint of earthy cumin and the creamy richness of heavy cream. This isn’t just another breakfast dish; it’s a culinary journey that promises to tantalize your taste buds and leave everyone asking for seconds.

One of the best features of this Texas-inspired hash brown casserole is its remarkable versatility. While it shines as a comforting centerpiece for breakfast or brunch gatherings, don’t limit its potential! It makes an excellent, comforting dinner entree when paired with a fresh green salad, or a fantastic side dish to complement your fajitas, tacos, or enchiladas. The robust flavors make it suitable for any mealtime. You have complete control over the spice level, too. Craving a gentle warmth? Opt for a mild breakfast sausage. Want to ignite your palate? Introduce a spicy sausage, a pinch of cayenne pepper, or even some finely diced jalapeños for an extra Tex-Mex kick. Serve it alongside your favorite salsa, a dollop of cool sour cream, or a sprinkle of fresh cilantro, and prepare for rave reviews.

Expert Tips for Your Perfect Texas Hash Brown Casserole

Achieving a consistently delicious and perfectly cooked casserole is easy with a few simple tricks. Whether you’re planning ahead, managing ingredients, or looking to customize, these expert tips will ensure your Texas Breakfast Hash Brown Casserole turns out fantastic every single time:

• Freezing for Future Feasts: This hash brown casserole is an ideal candidate for meal prep due to its freezer-friendly nature. Once baked and cooled completely to room temperature, cover the casserole tightly with plastic wrap, then add an additional, snug layer of aluminum foil. This double-layer protection is crucial for preventing freezer burn and preserving its delicious fresh taste. When you’re ready to enjoy it, simply thaw the casserole overnight in the refrigerator and reheat it in a preheated oven until it’s warmed through and bubbling.
• Prepare Ahead and Freeze Unbaked: For ultimate convenience, especially during busy mornings or when hosting, you can assemble the entire casserole, cover it securely, and freeze it before baking. When it’s time to cook, place the frozen casserole directly into a preheated oven (no need to thaw first!). However, be prepared to significantly extend the baking time, often by an additional 30-60 minutes or more, until it’s cooked through, bubbly, and golden on top. Always ensure the internal temperature reaches a safe level.
• Overnight Preparation for Stress-Free Mornings: If you prefer to bake your casserole fresh in the morning but want to cut down on day-of prep time, this casserole can be assembled the day before. Simply mix all the ingredients, transfer them to your casserole dish, cover tightly with plastic wrap or foil, and refrigerate overnight. When you’re ready to bake, remember to add an extra 10-15 minutes to your baking time since you’re starting with a cold dish straight from the fridge. This ensures a hot, bubbly, and perfectly cooked casserole without the morning rush.
• Handling Frozen Hash Browns: While our recipe often calls for refrigerated hash browns for their convenience and slightly different texture, you can absolutely use frozen hash browns. The crucial step here is to thaw them completely first. Once thawed, use several layers of paper towels to thoroughly pat them dry. Excess moisture from frozen hash browns can make your casserole runny, prevent it from crisping up nicely, and dilute the flavors, so don’t skip this important drying step!
• Time-Saving Sausage Options: To speed up your preparation even further, consider using pre-cooked sausage crumbles, such as those offered by popular brands like Jimmy Dean. This eliminates the need to cook and crumble raw sausage, saving you valuable minutes and making this already easy recipe even quicker to assemble and get into the oven.
• Personalize Your Peppers: While the combination of green, red, and yellow bell peppers offers a beautiful color medley and a sweet, fresh crunch, feel free to experiment with your favorite vegetables. Add some diced yellow or white onions for extra savory depth, or throw in a few finely chopped jalapeños or serrano peppers for an authentic Tex-Mex heat that truly awakens the senses.
• Explore Cheese Choices: A Mexican shredded cheese blend is fantastic for this recipe, providing a perfect melty texture and robust flavor. However, don’t hesitate to use your favorite cheese or a combination. Sharp cheddar, creamy Monterey Jack, or even a spicy pepper jack for an added kick would all be delicious alternatives that complement the Tex-Mex profile beautifully.

What You’ll Need: Simple Ingredients, Big Flavor

One of the beauties of this Texas Breakfast Hash Brown Casserole is that it comes together with a handful of readily available and affordable ingredients. You likely have many of these staples in your pantry and refrigerator already, making it a convenient choice for any meal. Here’s a quick overview of what you’ll need to gather to create this delightful dish:

• Refrigerated Hash Browns: The foundation of our casserole, offering a tender yet crisp texture. (Frozen hash browns, thawed and dried, are a great alternative).
• Colorful Bell Peppers (Green, Red, Yellow): These add not only a beautiful visual appeal but also a sweet, fresh crunch that balances the savory elements.
• Savory Sausage (Cooked and Crumbled): Provides a hearty, protein-rich component. You can choose mild, medium, or hot sausage to tailor the spice level to your preference.
• Shredded Mexican Cheese Blend: A medley of cheeses that melts perfectly, creating gooey, flavorful layers throughout the casserole and a golden crust on top.
• Heavy Cream: The secret ingredient that infuses the casserole with an incredibly rich, moist, and satisfying texture, preventing it from drying out.
• Cumin: The star spice that delivers that authentic, warm, and earthy Tex-Mex flavor profile.
• Salt & Black Pepper: Essential seasonings to enhance and balance all the other wonderful ingredients.
• Fresh Cilantro (Optional): For a final burst of vibrant freshness and a pop of color upon serving.

For exact measurements and a detailed step-by-step guide, please refer to the complete recipe card below.

Step-by-Step: How to Make Texas Breakfast Hash Brown Casserole

Creating this incredibly flavorful Texas Breakfast Hash Brown Casserole is simpler than you might imagine, making it accessible even for novice cooks. Follow these straightforward steps to bring this crowd-pleasing dish to life in your own kitchen:

1. Prepare Your Oven and Dish: Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). While the oven is heating, lightly spray a 2-quart (or 8-inch square) casserole dish with a nonstick cooking spray. This crucial step ensures your delicious casserole won’t stick to the bottom and sides, making serving and cleanup an absolute breeze.



2. Combine the Core Ingredients: In a spacious mixing bowl, combine the refrigerated hash browns, the vibrant diced green, red, and yellow bell peppers, your perfectly cooked and crumbled sausage, 1 cup of the shredded Mexican cheese, the rich heavy cream, and the aromatic cumin, along with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Gently mix everything together using a large spoon or your hands until all the ingredients are well incorporated and evenly distributed throughout the hash brown mixture.
3. Assemble the Casserole: Carefully pour the thoroughly mixed hash brown mixture into your prepared casserole dish, spreading it out evenly with your spoon or spatula to create a uniform layer. Then, generously sprinkle the remaining ¼ cup of shredded Mexican cheese over the entire top surface of the casserole. This final layer of cheese will melt into a beautiful, golden, and slightly crispy crust during baking.



4. Bake to Golden Perfection: Place the uncovered casserole dish into your preheated oven. Bake for approximately 25-30 minutes, or until the top is beautifully golden brown, the cheese is bubbly and melted, and the hash browns are tender. You can test for tenderness by carefully inserting a fork into the center.



5. Serve and Garnish: Once baked, remove the casserole from the oven and let it rest for about 5 minutes before serving. This brief resting period allows the flavors to meld together even further and helps the casserole set slightly for cleaner slices. For an extra touch of freshness and vibrant color, generously sprinkle with fresh cilantro, if desired. Serve warm, and consider offering additional toppings like freshly diced tomatoes, creamy avocado slices, a dollop of sour cream, or your favorite spicy salsa to further enhance the Tex-Mex experience. Enjoy every savory bite!

More Delicious Casserole and Breakfast Ideas

If you’ve enjoyed the comforting flavors and easy preparation of this Texas Breakfast Hash Brown Casserole, you’ll be thrilled to discover more delightful recipes that promise to become new favorites in your kitchen. Whether you’re in search of another hearty breakfast, a satisfying brunch option, or a simple weeknight dinner, these related recipes offer a variety of flavors and styles to inspire your next meal:

• Pork Chop Hash Brown Casserole: A savory and satisfying dinner casserole featuring tender pork chops layered with hash browns and a creamy sauce.
• Cowboy Hash Brown Skillet: A rustic, one-pan meal packed with robust flavors of meat, potatoes, and vegetables, perfect for any time of day.
• Classic Sausage Hash Brown Casserole: For those who love the traditional combination of savory sausage and crispy hash browns in a creamy, cheesy bake.
• Ham Hash Brown Breakfast Casserole: An excellent and flavorful way to use leftover ham, ideal for holiday breakfasts or a satisfying weekend brunch.
• Chicken Hash Brown Casserole: A comforting and hearty dish combining tender pieces of chicken with cheesy hash browns for a family-friendly meal.
• Creamy Hamburger Hash Soup: A unique and warming soup version of a classic hash, perfect for colder days when you crave something comforting.
• Grandma’s Texas Sheet Cake: A delightful, moist chocolate sheet cake with a rich frosting that embodies Southern hospitality and indulgence.
• Old School Hamburger Hash: A nostalgic and simple ground beef and potato dish, perfect for a quick, hearty meal any night of the week.
• Classic Corned Beef Hash: A timeless comfort food, especially popular for breakfast or brunch, made with tender corned beef and potatoes.

Texas Breakfast Hash Brown Casserole: The Full Recipe

Here’s the detailed recipe for your delightful Tex-Mex inspired hash brown casserole. Gather your ingredients and let’s get cooking!

Summary: This deliciously easy breakfast (or side dish) recipe for Texas Sausage Hash Brown Casserole is simple to make and packed with incredible flavor!

Rating: 4.88 out of 5 stars based on 16 reviews.

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Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 45 minutes

Yields: 8 servings

Author: Brandie Skibinski

Ingredients

• 2 cups refrigerated hash browns
• ¼ cup diced green pepper
• ¼ cup diced red pepper
• ¼ cup diced yellow pepper
• ½ cup cooked and crumbled sausage
• 1 ¼ cups shredded Mexican cheese, divided
• ½ cup heavy cream
• 2 teaspoons cumin (or taco seasoning for a bigger kick of flavor)
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• Fresh cilantro (optional), for topping

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Spray a 2-quart (or 8-inch square) casserole dish with nonstick cooking spray.
2. In a large bowl, mix together hash browns, diced peppers, cooked sausage, 1 cup shredded Mexican cheese, heavy cream, cumin, salt & pepper.
3. Pour the hash brown mixture into the prepared casserole dish. Top with the remaining ¼ cup shredded Mexican cheese.
4. Bake uncovered for 25-30 minutes, or until the top is a golden brown and the cheese is bubbly.
5. Sprinkle with fresh cilantro (optional) and serve immediately. For extra flavor, serve with diced tomato, avocado slices, or a side of salsa.

Video: See How It’s Made!

Watch this quick video to see just how easy it is to prepare this delicious Texas Breakfast Hash Brown Casserole:

Recipe Notes

• Hash brown casseroles freeze beautifully. Allow it to cool then cover with plastic wrap then aluminum foil to protect from freezer burn.
• You can also freeze before baking. Prepare the casserole then cover and freeze before baking. You can then bake it from frozen but obviously you will have to add onto your cooking time since cooking from frozen.
• This casserole can be prepared the day before. Cover then put in the refrigerator. Again, add a few minutes onto cooking time since baking from a cold state.
• You can use frozen hash browns. Just thaw them first and pat dry with paper towels (so they don’t make your casserole runny from the excess moisture.)
• To make this faster to prepare, try using the pre-cooked sausage crumbles (like Jimmy Dean).

Recipe Details

Course: Breakfast, Brunch, Side Dish

Cuisine: American (with a Tex-Mex twist)

Nutrition Information (Estimated Per Serving)

Calories: 257 kcal | Carbohydrates: 11g | Protein: 11g | Fat: 18g | Sodium: 331mg | Fiber: 1g

Nutritional Disclaimer

The author of this recipe is not a registered dietician or nutritionist. Any nutritional information provided is an estimate based on common ingredient values and serves for informational purposes only. Calorie counts and other nutritional values can vary significantly depending on specific brands, preparation methods, and ingredient substitutions used. If precise nutritional values are important to your dietary needs, we recommend calculating them using your preferred online nutritional calculator and the exact ingredients you use.

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Originally published: April 2018
Updated & republished: March 2019