Cheesy Ham and Hash Brown Breakfast Casserole

There’s something wonderfully comforting about a hot breakfast casserole coming out of the oven, especially when it combines crispy hash browns, savory ham, fluffy eggs, and plenty of melted cheese. This Cheesy Ham and Hash Brown Breakfast Casserole is the kind of recipe that makes breakfast feel effortless while still delivering plenty of flavor.

It’s hearty enough to serve a hungry family, easy enough to prepare ahead of time, and versatile enough for everything from a relaxed weekend breakfast to a holiday brunch. The hash browns create a golden, satisfying base, while diced ham adds a salty, savory bite throughout the casserole. Eggs bring everything together, and a generous layer of cheese melts into every corner.

The best part is that most of the preparation can be done before the casserole goes into the oven. Once baked, you’ll have a bubbling, golden breakfast that can be sliced and served straight from the baking dish.

Why You’ll Love This Breakfast Casserole

This recipe checks all the boxes for a convenient and satisfying breakfast.

• Easy to prepare: Most of the ingredients simply need to be layered and combined.
• Perfect for a crowd: One casserole provides several generous servings.
• Make-ahead friendly: Assemble it the night before and bake it the next morning.
• Comforting and filling: Potatoes, eggs, ham, and cheese make a substantial meal.
• Easy to customize: Add vegetables, switch the cheese, or use cooked bacon or sausage instead of ham.

Ingredients

For the hash brown base:

• 1 bag (about 30 ounces) frozen shredded hash browns, thawed
• 2 tablespoons melted butter
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

For the egg filling:

• 10 large eggs
• 1 cup whole milk
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

For the casserole:

• 2 cups diced cooked ham
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack or mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 small onion, finely diced
• 1/2 cup diced bell pepper, optional
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley or green onions, for garnish

Step 1: Prepare the Hash Browns

Begin by thawing the frozen hash browns completely. Once thawed, place them in a clean kitchen towel or several layers of paper towels and gently press out as much excess moisture as possible.

This step is important because overly wet hash browns can make the bottom of the casserole soft instead of pleasantly golden.

Transfer the potatoes to a large bowl and toss them with the melted butter, salt, and black pepper.

Step 2: Prepare the Baking Dish

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

Lightly grease a 9-by-13-inch baking dish with cooking spray or a small amount of butter.

Spread the seasoned hash browns evenly across the bottom of the dish. Use the back of a spoon or your hands to gently press them into an even layer.

For a more golden and crisp potato layer, bake the hash browns by themselves for about 15 minutes before adding the remaining ingredients.

This optional step gives the potatoes a head start and helps create a sturdier base.

Step 3: Add the Ham and Vegetables

Scatter the diced ham evenly over the hash brown layer.

Add the diced onion and bell pepper if using. Try to distribute everything evenly rather than concentrating the ingredients in the center. This ensures that nearly every serving gets a little ham, vegetable, and potato.

If your ham is particularly salty, you may want to reduce the amount of added salt in the egg mixture.

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