Cheesy Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole with Sausage and Eggs

This cheesy tater tot breakfast casserole is an easy, one-skillet dish made with ground breakfast sausage, tater tots, eggs, milk, and cheddar cheese. It combines protein, eggs, crispy potatoes, and melty cheese for a hearty brunch that takes about 10 minutes to assemble and 45 minutes to bake.

I love a robust breakfast skillet. A great casserole should have protein (like bacon or sausage), eggs, cheese, and satisfying, crispy potatoes — basically the elements of your favorite breakfast sandwich in casserole form. This recipe delivers all of that and will make you the hero of any brunch.

Why I Love This Recipe

Every bite includes sausage, egg, potatoes, and cheese, giving you a comforting, well-balanced breakfast in skillet form. It’s straightforward, crowd-pleasing, and great for feeding a group.

Ingredient Notes and Substitutions

• Tater tots: standard frozen tater tots work perfectly.
• Ground breakfast sausage: use ground Italian sausage if needed.
• Eggs: regular large eggs.
• Cheese: finely shredded mild cheddar is recommended; a cheddar-mozzarella mix works well too.
• Milk: adds creaminess to the egg mixture for a slightly custardy texture.
• Onion and garlic powder: optional, but they add a nice background flavor.
• Bacon: optional — cook and chop a few strips to sprinkle on top if desired.

See the recipe card below for exact quantities and full details.

Step by Step Instructions

Step 1.

Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).

Step 2.

In a cast-iron skillet, brown 1 pound of ground breakfast sausage over medium heat until fully cooked. Break it into small pieces with a spatula. If there’s excess fat, tilt the pan and blot with a paper towel.

Step 3.

Use the spatula to press the cooked sausage into an even layer that covers the bottom of the skillet.

Step 4.

Whisk 8 eggs in a medium bowl. Add 1 cup milk, 1/2 teaspoon onion powder, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, and salt and pepper to taste. Whisk until combined and set aside.

Step 5.

Arrange tater tots (from a 28-ounce bag) on their sides in a single layer over the sausage. Leave a little space between tots so they crisp evenly.

Step 6.

Sprinkle 1/2 cup of the shredded cheese over the tater tots (and add cooked, chopped bacon now if using). Pour the egg mixture evenly over the skillet so it fills the spaces between the tots.

Step 7.

Bake the skillet uncovered on the middle rack for 40–45 minutes, until the tater tots are golden and the egg is set. In the last 5 minutes of baking, sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of cheese over the top and return to the oven until melted.

Step 8.

Remove from the oven, garnish with sliced green onions, and let rest for 5 minutes before serving.

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