Hello, welcome to my beautiful world! My name is Prisca Bush. I am a food lover; I enjoy writing about my favorite recipes.
Introduction
It was a sleepy Saturday morning. I’d woken up a little later than planned and had promised myself a lazy, indulgent breakfast. I rummaged through the fridge, hoping inspiration would strike. I found half a bag of potatoes, a few eggs, and—glory be—some bacon in the freezer. That combination reminded me of a brunch I once had at a friend’s house: their bacon, potato, and egg casserole recipe had been the hit of the meal, rich, hearty, and comforting.
With that memory nudging me, I decided right then to attempt my own version. I chopped, whisked, layered, baked—and anxiously peeked into the oven every few minutes. When I finally pulled it out and cut a slice, the crisped bacon on top, the soft potatoes in the middle, and the custardy egg center all came together in a moment of delight. It became a weekend favorite in my home instantly.
Since then, I’ve refined the ratios, tested variations (with peppers, different cheeses, herbs), and learned tricks so your first attempt (or your next) will turn out splendid. In this post, I’ll share the full Bacon, Potato & Egg Casserole recipe, including ingredients, step‑by‑step preparation, serving ideas, variations, helpful FAQs, and some final thoughts.
Do you want more recipes?
Blueberry Maple Breakfast Bake Recipe
Chicken Stuffed Mushrooms Recipe– A Flavor-Packed Appetizer You’ll Love
Ingredients & Tools You’ll Need
Here is a tested ingredient list (serves about 8–10) and the kitchen tools you’ll want handy.
Ingredients (Base Recipe)
Ingredient | Quantity | Purpose / Notes |
---|---|---|
Bacon | 1 lb (≈ 450 g), cut into ½‑inch strips | For savory, smoky flavor. Cook until crisp and crumble. |
Yellow onion | 1 medium, diced | Adds sweetness and depth. |
Red bell pepper | 1 medium, diced (optional) | Adds color and a touch of sweetness. |
Garlic | 2–3 cloves, minced | For extra aroma. |
Frozen diced potatoes | 3 cups (no need to thaw) | Saves cooking time; they’ll cook as casserole bakes. |
Eggs | 12 large | The custard “binder” of the casserole. |
Milk | 1 cup | Helps make a creamy egg mixture. You can use whole milk, 2%, or even evaporated milk. |
Shredded cheddar cheese | 2 cups (divided) | One cup folded in, one cup for topping. |
Salt | ~1½ teaspoons (or to taste) | Season the egg mixture. |
Black pepper | ~½ teaspoon (or to taste) | Adds mild heat. |
Green onions (scallions) | 2 (for garnish) | Adds a fresh contrast. |
Optional: herbs or spices | e.g. paprika, dried thyme, parsley | To tweak flavor. |
Kitchen Tools / Equipment
- Large mixing bowl
- Whisk
- Large skillet / frying pan
- 9×13-inch (or equivalent) casserole / baking dish
- Nonstick cooking spray or butter (to grease the dish)
- Spatula or large spoon
- Oven / baking rack
- Knife and cutting board
How to Prepare: Step‑by‑Step
Here’s the stepwise method to go from raw ingredients to a perfect casserole.
Preheat & Prep
- Preheat your oven to 350 °F (≈ 175 °C).
- Grease the baking dish with nonstick spray or a little butter to prevent sticking.
Cook the Bacon & Aromatics
- In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the bacon strips until they are crisp (or nearly crisp).
- Remove the bacon onto paper towels to drain. Crumble or chop into bite‑sized pieces.
- In the same pan (with residual bacon fat), sauté the diced onion and red pepper (if using) until softened (about 3–4 minutes). Stir in the garlic and cook 1 minute more until fragrant.
Assemble the Base Layers
- Spread the frozen (or raw diced) potatoes evenly in the bottom of the prepared casserole dish. (No need to thaw them; they’ll bake through in the dish.)
- Sprinkle the crumbled bacon over the potatoes. Also, scatter the cooked onions, peppers, and garlic over the top.
- Add half of your shredded cheese (about 1 cup) on top of this layer.
Make the Egg Mixture & Bake
- In your mixing bowl, whisk the eggs and milk thoroughly until smooth and slightly frothy.
- Stir in salt, pepper, and (optionally) other seasonings or herbs.
- Pour the egg mixture over the layered potato–bacon–cheese in the casserole dish, distributing as evenly as possible.
- Sprinkle the remaining shredded cheese on top.
- Bake uncovered in the oven for about 40–55 minutes, or until the eggs are set and the top is golden. (If the top browns too fast, loosely cover with foil partway through.)
- Remove from oven and let it rest 5–10 minutes to help it firm up so slices hold together.
This method and timing aligns with many published versions — for example, Two Peas & Their Pod uses 50 min baking for 10 servings. Also, Tasty by Sophie describes a similar method: cook bacon, assemble, bake ~50 min.
How to Serve & Pairings
One of the great things about this casserole is how flexible it is. Here are serving ideas and pairing suggestions:
- Cut into squares and serve warm.
- Add a side of fresh fruit salad, green salad, or steamed vegetables to lighten the meal.
- Offer condiments like hot sauce, ketchup, salsa, or herb drizzle (e.g. parsley, chives).
- Accompany with toast, english muffins, or biscuits.
- Serve slices at brunch, breakfast, or even dinner on a lazy day.
Because it’s hearty and fills the plate, you don’t need heavy sides — something fresh or light complements it well.
Variations & Creative Twists
To keep your casserole exciting over time, here are ideas to vary ingredients and flavor profiles:
Variation | What to Change / Add | Notes |
---|---|---|
Vegetable boost | Add chopped spinach, mushrooms, zucchini, or kale | Sauté the veggies first before layering to avoid excess moisture. |
Different cheeses | Swap cheddar for pepper jack, gruyère, mozzarella, or Swiss | A stronger cheese = more flavor punch. |
Spicy / Tex‑Mex | Add diced jalapeño, chili powder, cumin, pepper jack cheese | Gives it a southwestern twist. |
Greek / Mediterranean | Use feta cheese, diced tomatoes, spinach, oregano | Reduces the “heaviness” and adds brightness. |
Lower fat version | Use turkey bacon, reduce cheese, use 2% or skim milk | Slight tradeoff in richness but healthier. |
Make‑ahead style | Assemble the night before, refrigerate, then bake in the morning | This is often recommended in recipe notes. |
Hash brown base | Use packaged hash browns instead of diced potatoes | Often quicker and more uniform texture. (Related egg & potato casseroles use hash browns.) |
Nutrition & Considerations
To give you a sense of nutrition:
- One version of this casserole yields ~430 calories per serving (with bacon, potatoes, eggs, and cheese).
- In Two Peas & Their Pod’s version (serving 10), nutritional breakdown is ~252 kcal, 14 g carbs, 14 g protein, 14 g fat.
- A version designed for breakfast by EatThisMuch shows a version with 833 kcal (for a rich, “full” version) when made with extra cheese, bacon, etc.
Points to consider:
- Due to bacon and cheese, saturated fat and sodium can be high — moderation and balance with vegetables help.
- You can lighten it by reducing bacon, using leaner meat (turkey bacon or ham), lowering cheese, or using lower‑fat milk.
- Because eggs and dairy are involved, this is not suitable for egg or dairy-allergic diets (unless substituted).
- Leftovers keep well (~3–5 days in fridge). See FAQs below for storage.
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
Q1. Can I assemble this casserole ahead of time?
Yes! Many cooks assemble the casserole the night before, cover it, refrigerate, and then bake fresh in the morning. Just be mindful: when baking from chilled, it may need a few extra minutes.
Q2. Do I need to thaw the frozen potatoes first?
Nope — you can use them straight from frozen. The baking process will cook them through. Many recipes (including Tasty by Sophie) explicitly allow this.
Q3. How do I know when it’s done?
The eggs should be set (no jiggly, runny center), and the top should be lightly golden. A knife or toothpick inserted in center should come out clean (or nearly so). Let it rest for several minutes to firm up before slicing.
Q4. Can I freeze leftovers?
Yes. After fully cooking and cooling, wrap individual portions (or the whole) tightly in plastic wrap + foil (or store in an airtight freezer container). Freeze up to ~2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge, then reheat in the oven (covered) or microwave. Two Peas & Their Pod mentions this option.
Q5. How should I store leftovers in the fridge?
Store in an airtight container or cover the baking dish with foil/plastic wrap. Use within ~3–5 days. When reheating, you can microwave slices or reheat in the oven at ~350 °F for 10–15 minutes until warmed through.
Q6. Can I make it dairy‑ or gluten‑free?
- Dairy-free: Use plant-based milk (almond, oat, soy) and dairy-free cheese.
- Gluten-free: The base recipe has no wheat, but make sure your bacon, cheese, and seasonings are certified gluten-free.
Q7. What if the top browns too quickly before the center is done?
You can loosely tent aluminum foil over the casserole partway through baking to prevent over-browning, then remove it near the end to let the top crisp.
Q8. Can I reduce bacon or omit it for a vegetarian version?
Yes — for a vegetarian version, you could swap in sautéed mushrooms, smoked tempeh, or vegetarian “bacon” strips (if available). The flavor will shift but the structure holds.
Final Thoughts & Tips for Success
This Bacon, Potato & Egg Casserole is a reliably crowd-pleasing dish. Whether you’re feeding brunch guests, prepping meals ahead, or just want a hearty breakfast for dinner, it offers satisfying flavor, flexibility, and comfort. Here are some final thoughts and tips:
- Balance richness with freshness. Because the dish is rich, a side of greens or fruit helps keep the meal balanced.
- Don’t skimp on seasoning. The egg custard is mild by itself, so herbs, spices, salt & pepper are key to ensuring the flavors come through.
- Let it rest after baking. That 5–10 minutes of rest helps the casserole firm up so your slices stay neat.
- Experiment with mix-ins. Once you master the base, try adding vegetables, different meats, or seasonings to keep it fresh.
- Use quality cheese & bacon. Freshly shredded cheese and good bacon (less processed) often yield better texture and flavor.
- Cook smart when scaling. If you double or halve, keep the ratio of eggs:potatoes:bacon roughly consistent, and adjust baking time accordingly (a deeper dish may take longer).
- Watch fat & sodium. If that’s a concern, moderate the bacon and cheese, use lower-sodium versions, or pair with more vegetables.
I hope this recipe (born from my own kitchen experiment) becomes a favorite in your home.