Overnight Cheesy Sausage and Hashbrown Breakfast Casserole: 7 Delicious Steps for Stress-Free Mornings

Name: Overnight Cheesy Sausage and Hashbrown Breakfast Casserole
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 55 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 cups shredded mild cheddar; 1 (30 oz) bag frozen shredded hash browns; 2 lb breakfast sausage (hot if desired); 2 cups milk; 8 medium eggs; 1/4 tsp onion powder; 1/4 tsp garlic powder; 1 tsp salt; 1/2 tsp pepper

Jump to Recipe

If your mornings ever feel like a sprint—kids asking where their shoes are, emails chiming before you’ve even found your coffee mug, hair doing whatever it wants—this Overnight Cheesy Sausage and Hashbrown Breakfast Casserole is about to become your new best friend. Seriously. This recipe is the kind of cozy, reassuring dish that practically gives you a hug while saying, “Relax, I’ve got breakfast handled.”

And the best part? The magic happens while you sleep. As someone who runs on to-do lists and iced coffee, I can tell you: make-ahead meals like this have saved me more times than I can count. They’re comforting, they’re practical, and they make mornings feel almost peaceful.

So grab your casserole dish, your favorite mug, and let’s make some breakfast magic happen—effortlessly.

Why You’ll Love This Overnight Cheesy Sausage and Hashbrown Breakfast Casserole

Let’s talk about what makes this recipe such a hit for busy home cooks (hi, friend—that’s you!):

It’s make-ahead bliss. Mix it, cover it, and forget it until morning.
Feeds a crowd with zero stress. Whether it’s brunch with friends, holiday mornings, or feeding your hungry teens, this casserole delivers.
Comfort food at its finest. Sausage, cheese, eggs, and hash browns? That is breakfast royalty.
Budget-friendly ingredients. Nothing fancy, nothing fussy—just pantry and freezer staples you probably already have.
Perfect for meal prep. Leftovers reheat beautifully, which means breakfast all week long.

This Overnight Cheesy Sausage and Hashbrown Breakfast Casserole is the kind of dish that fits right into your life—especially on those mornings when “cooking” really means “reheating with love.”

Ingredients You’ll Need

Here’s everything that goes into our cozy breakfast masterpiece:

2 cups shredded mild cheddar
1 (30 oz) bag frozen shredded hash browns
2 lb breakfast sausage (hot if you want a little kick)
2 cups milk
8 medium eggs
1/4 tsp onion powder
1/4 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper

Simple ingredients doing extraordinary things—my favorite kind of cooking.

How to Make This Overnight Cheesy Sausage and Hashbrown Breakfast Casserole

This recipe was designed with real life in mind—busy mornings, hungry families, and those days when you just don’t have the bandwidth for anything complicated. The steps are easy, approachable, and flexible.

1. Prep your ingredients.

If you’re baking the casserole the same day, go ahead and preheat your oven to 350°F. If you’re making it ahead (which I highly recommend), you can skip the preheating for now.

2. Brown the sausage.

In a large skillet, cook your breakfast sausage until it’s beautifully browned. Drain off the extra fat and set it aside. If you’re using hot sausage, get ready for a little morning excitement. (Not too much—this isn’t brunch at a NASCAR race.)

3. Lightly brown the hash browns.

In the same skillet, give your hash browns a little color. If your skillet is small, do this in batches so they can brown instead of steaming. Once they’re lightly crisp, spread them evenly into a greased 9×13 casserole dish.

4. Layer the goodness.

Top the hashbrowns with your cooked sausage…
Then sprinkle all that glorious shredded cheddar on top.
If you’re thinking, “Should I add extra cheese?”—the answer is always yes.

5. Mix the egg custard.

In a medium bowl, whisk together your eggs, milk, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
Pour this mixture evenly over the casserole. Don’t worry if it looks like a lot of liquid—that’s exactly what transforms into that fluffy, dreamy texture tomorrow.

6. Refrigerate overnight.

Cover the casserole dish tightly with aluminum foil, slide it into the fridge, and let time work its magic. This overnight rest helps the flavors mingle and the hashbrowns soak up the custard, giving you that perfect, spoon-worthy bite.

7. Bake to perfection.

The next morning, bake uncovered at 350°F for 40 minutes, or until the cheese on top is bubbling and beautifully golden.
Your kitchen will smell like a cozy Sunday morning—no matter what day it actually is.

Slice of Overnight Cheesy Sausage and Hashbrown Breakfast Casserole served on a plate with a fork. — A warm slice of Overnight Cheesy Sausage and Hashbrown Breakfast Casserole showing layers of sausage, eggs, and melty cheddar.

Tips for the Best Overnight Cheesy Sausage and Hashbrown Breakfast Casserole

I’m all about easy cooking, especially for breakfast, but these little tips make the dish even better:

Try different cheeses. Pepper jack adds heat, Colby is extra melty, and a cheddar blend gives you a richer flavor.
Add veggies if you like. Diced bell peppers, mushrooms, or green onions all work beautifully.
If your mixture looks thick before baking—don’t stress. That custard tightens up in the oven and becomes creamy, not dry.
Make it lighter. Use turkey sausage and reduced-fat cheese if you want a breakfast that feels a touch lighter but still tastes indulgent.
Feeding picky eaters? Skip the onion and garlic powder—trust me, the cheese and sausage do plenty of heavy lifting.

This casserole once saved me during a week when my schedule looked like a game of Tetris. I made it Sunday night, and every morning afterward felt manageable—even the day I spilled coffee on my sweater and wore it anyway (we’ve all been there).

FAQs About This Overnight Cheesy Sausage and Hashbrown Breakfast Casserole

Can I substitute the sausage?

Absolutely. Swap in turkey sausage, chicken sausage, or even crumbled bacon. The flavor will change, but the recipe stays wonderfully comforting.

Can I cook the casserole without refrigerating overnight?

Yes—you can bake it right away. The texture may be a bit looser, but it will still be delicious.

Do leftovers store well?

Oh yes. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat in the microwave or oven.

Can I freeze it?

Definitely. Bake it first, let it cool completely, then freeze tightly wrapped. Thaw overnight and warm it in the oven when ready.

Can I add more secondary keywords like extra hashbrowns or cheese?

Totally! Whether you’re doubling the cheese or adding more hashbrowns, this casserole is flexible and forgiving.

Bringing It All Together

This Overnight Cheesy Sausage and Hashbrown Breakfast Casserole isn’t just a recipe—it’s a little gift to your future self. It’s warm, hearty, and easy enough to pull together on even the busiest nights. And when you wake up to a breakfast that’s already done, it feels like winning at adulthood.

Whether you’re feeding your family, hosting a brunch, or prepping for a busy week, this dish brings comfort and convenience straight to your kitchen. And that’s exactly why I love making it—and sharing it with you.

Give this Overnight Cheesy Sausage and Hashbrown Breakfast Casserole a try this week. Your mornings might just thank you.

More Cozy Breakfast Ideas You’ll Love

If this casserole warmed your morning, you might enjoy exploring a few more comforting breakfast favorites that pair beautifully with it. Here are some reader-loved dishes that bring the same ease, flavor, and family-friendly vibes:

For another hearty start to the day, try the comforting Tater Tot Sausage Breakfast Casserole—crispy, savory, and always a crowd-pleaser.
If you love anything with hashbrowns, the simple and satisfying Hashbrown Breakfast Casserole is another great one to keep in your rotation.
If you’re craving something with a creamy Southern twist, the rich and irresistible Pimento Cheese Hash Brown Casserole is a delicious option to explore.
For something sweet to balance your savory mornings, the cozy French Toast Casserole is a warm, indulgent treat that feels like a weekend hug.
And if you’re planning ahead for holiday mornings or feeding a bigger crowd, the festive Christmas Breakfast Casserole Recipe is perfect for making mornings easier and extra special.