By: Jill Mills Updated: Oct 7, 2024

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With frozen tater tots, breakfast sausage, creamy eggs, and cheese, this Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole is a hit with the whole family. Quick and easy to prepare, this savory casserole is a great option for breakfast or brunch.

A serving of breakfast casserole with tater tots on a white plate

One thing we love in this house is tater tot casseroles. We’ve got classic tater tot casserole, cheeseburger tater tot casserole, and even taco tater tot casserole. Today’s recipe is our newest addition to the tater tot menu and a huge hit with the family. This tater tot breakfast casserole is loaded up with frozen tater tots, breakfast sausage, cheese, and eggs. Hearty, filling, and so good!

Why You’ll Love This Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole

Here are a few reasons why we love this savory breakfast so much.

Super easy to prepare. Just cook the sausage, whisk the eggs, and layer everything in the casserole dish. The oven does the rest.
Family-friendly. Kids love this tater tot breakfast casserole just as much or perhaps more than the adults. With lots of cheese, sausage, and tater tots, it’s a hard dish not to love.
Great for brunch. This recipe is great for breakfast but you could argue that it’s even better for brunch! It might be one of my new go-to’s for a savory brunch dish.
Stores well. You can make this breakfast casserole with tater tots on the weekend and enjoy the leftovers for breakfast throughout the week. It also stores well in the freeze!
Easy to customize. One thing I love about this recipe is that I can customize it based on what I have on hand, from using a different meat to whatever shredded cheese is in the fridge. I’ve included other ideas below.

Overhead view of ingredients needed to make tater tot breakfast casserole

Recipe Ingredients

Besides the tater tots, you’ll need just a few other ingredients to make this breakfast casserole. Scroll down to the recipe card below for measurements.

Breakfast sausage – You can use regular breakfast sausage, maple, or even spicy breakfast sausage depending on the flavor desired.
Frozen tater tots – Any brand works here!
Cheddar cheese
Eggs
Whole milk – Whole milk adds a rich creaminess to the casserole. 2% would also work.
Sour cream – Adds a bit of tang and creaminess.
Spices – Salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
Green onions – For garnish.

A serving of tater tot breakfast casserole on a white plate

Variation Ideas

There are lots of ways to customize your tater tots breakfast casserole. Here are a few ideas:

Add some veggies. Diced bell peppers, onions, or mushrooms can all be added to the sausage while cooking.
Add some heat. For a spicier kick, consider using spicy sausage and/or adding red pepper flakes. You could also add a splash of hot sauce to the eggs.
Use different sausage. Maple breakfast sausage adds a sweet flavor to the casserole that pairs nicely with the savory flavors. You can also select mild, medium, or spicy depending on your preference.
Try a different meat. Diced ham would work well in place of the sausage and bacon could be used as well.
Use a different cheese. Instead of cheddar, you can use a Mexican cheese blend, Monterey Jack, Gruyere, or any other cheese (or blend) you desire.

How To Make Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole

Here’s an overview of how to make this breakfast casserole with tater tots. You can find the printable version of the instructions in the recipe card below.

Prep. Preheat the oven to 350F. Lightly grease a 9×13 baking dish.
Cook the sausage. Crumble and cook the breakfast sausage over medium heat until browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Drain excess fat and set aside.
Assemble. Spread the frozen tater tots across the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Top with the sausage then sprinkle 1 1/2 cups of shredded cheese over the sausage.

Shredded cheddar cheese on top of cooked sausage and tater tots in a baking dish

A bowl of eggs whisked with milk and sour cream

Add the eggs. Whisk together the eggs, milk, sour cream, and seasonings. Pour the mixture evenly over the other ingredients, using a spatula to gently press down and ensure the eggs cover all the ingredients.
Bake. Bake for 40-45 minutes, until the eggs are set and the top is golden brown.
Enjoy. Let cool for a few minutes before slicing. Garnish with green onions and enjoy!

Serving a square of tater tot breakfast casserole from the baking dish

Tips for Success

Here are a few things to keep in mind when making this tater tot breakfast casserole.

Use full fat dairy. I recommend whole milk and regular sour cream in this recipe as it really gives the egg mixture a rich creaminess. 2% milk would work too but skim might make the mixture too thin.
Spread the egg mixture evenly. I like to use a spatula to gently spread the egg mixture over the top to ensure that it’s evenly distributed and all ingredients are covered.
Prevent browning. If the top of the casserole begins to brown too quickly, cover it loosely with foil to prevent over-browning while the rest of the dish continues cooking.

A fork diving into a serving of tater tot breakfast casserole

Can I Make This Ahead?

Yes. You have a few options for making this tater tot breakfast casserole in advance.

You can prepare the whole casserole as directed, cover, and refrigerate it for up to 12 hours. This is perfect if you want to assemble it the night before and bake it in the morning.

You can also bake the entire casserole, let it cool, and cover it tightly with plastic wrap and foil then freeze it for up to 3 months. Just let it thaw and pop it in the oven.

How To Store & Reheat Leftovers

Fridge. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Freezer. You can also freeze individual portions of the casserole by wrapping them tightly in plastic wrap once they’ve cooled. Freeze for up to 3 months. You can reheat in the microwave from frozen or thaw in the fridge overnight.
Reheat. To reheat, cover the casserole with foil and warm in a 350°F (175°C) oven for about 10-15 minutes, or microwave individual portions until heated through. This will help maintain its texture and flavor.

Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole