Hearty Potato and Bacon Morning Bake
Revamped Recipe:
Whip up a storm for your next tailgate party, potluck brunch, or holiday breakfast with these fantastic make-ahead casseroles! This scrumptious mix of sautéed bell peppers and onions combined with shredded potatoes, crispy bacon, gooey cheese, and creamy sour cream is simple to make, bake, and reheat, if needed - even on the grill! Pair it with some scrambled eggs and a pitcher of zesty Bloody Marys.
This Masquerade as a Potato and Bacon Breakfast Casserole stole the show in our tailgating breakfast recipes collection.
- Servings: Approximately 4 to 6 people
- Difficulty Level: A snap!
- Total Time: 1 hour and 50 minutes
Ingredients (11)
- 12 ounces of bacon slices
- 4 tablespoons of unsalted butter (half a stick), plus more for greasing the pan, if necessary
- 1 large red bell pepper, diced (about 1 cup)
- 1/2 medium yellow onion, diced (about 1 cup)
- Freshly ground black pepper
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1 tablespoon kosher salt, adjustable based on taste
- 1 cup sour cream
- 2 1/2 cups shredded Gouda cheese (around 6 ounces)
- 1 1/2 pounds russet potatoes (3 medium-sized), cleaned and peeled
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F and place a rack in the center. Lightly grease a 9x9-inch metal baking dish. A ceramic or glass baking dish would work as well for reheating purposes; set aside.
- On a rimmed baking sheet, spread the bacon in a single layer and cook until crispy and well-browned, approximately 15 to 20 minutes. Transfer the cooked bacon to a paper towel-lined plate and let it cool.
- In a large, wide pot or Dutch oven, melt the measured butter over medium heat. Add the bell pepper and onion, season with salt and pepper, and cook, occasionally stirring, until they soften, about 5 minutes. Add the flour and continue cooking, stirring occasionally, until the flour lacks a raw taste, approximately 1 minute.
- Gradually pour the milk into the mixture while constantly whisking, allowing it to come to a boil and then remove it from heat. Whisk in the measured salt, sour cream, and 1 cup of the cheese, season with pepper, and set it aside.
- Grate the potatoes on the large holes of a box grater (you will have around 5 cups of shredded potatoes), combine them with the potato mixture, and stir to incorporate.
- Dice the cooled bacon into small pieces, mix them into the potato mixture, and stir to combine.
- Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish, spread it out evenly, and sprinkle with the remaining 1 1/2 cups of cheese. Bake until golden brown on top, bubbling around the edges, and the potatoes are cooked through, roughly 1 hour (cover the dish with aluminum foil if it browns too quickly).
- For make-ahead and reheating purposes in the oven or on the grill, let the casserole cool entirely and then cover it with aluminum foil. Refrigerate it for up to 2 days. Thirty minutes prior to reheating, bring it back to room temperature. Place the covered casserole in a 350°F oven or on a medium grill (around 350°F to 450°F) until heated through, approximately 20 to 30 minutes.
Bonus Recipes for Lively Tailgate Mornings:
Looking for more tailgating breakfast ideas similar to our Potato and Bacon Breakfast Casserole? Here are some tantalizing options to add some zest and variety to your upcoming tailgate events:
- Sausage and Cheese Breakfast Casserole: A delightful casserole boasting a buttery crescent roll crust atop a layer of sausage, Old English cheese, and a rich egg mixture. A breeze to prepare and perfect for a bustling crowd!
- Ingredients:
- 1 can crescent rolls
- 1 lb breakfast sausage
- 2 jars Old English cheese
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 6 eggs
- ½ cup milk
- Instructions: Brown the sausage with Worcestershire and cheese, then arrange it on a crescent roll crust. Pour an egg and milk mixture over the top and bake until set.
- Kick'N Chicken Breakfast Skillet: A smoky skillet dish loaded with juicy chicken drumsticks, perfectly roasted hasselback potatoes, and well-seasoned eggs.
- Ingredients:
- 12-18 chicken drumsticks
- New potatoes
- Weber Kick'N Chicken Seasoning
- Brown eggs
- Instructions: Grill the chicken on a smoker or grill, roast the potatoes until crispy, and fry the eggs in the same pan for added flavor. Season with additional Weber seasoning if preferred.
- Breakfast Sandwich Bar: Set up an assortment of sausages, eggs, bagels, and cheese to enable guests to create their unique breakfast sandwiches.
- Ingredients:
- Sausages
- Eggs
- Bagels
- Cheese
- Lettuce
- Tomatoes
- Instructions: Cook the sausages and toast the bagels while keeping eggs warm. Set up toppings for guests to craft their morning masterpieces.
- Crescent Roll French Toast Casserole: A tempting take on French toast with savory elements, featuring layers of crescent roll dough, French toast batter, and cinnamon sugar.
- Ingredients:
- 1 can crescent rolls
- Eggs
- Milk
- Cinnamon
- Sugar
- Instructions: Layout crescent roll layers in a dish, pour French toast-style egg mixture over them, and top with cinnamon sugar before baking.
These diverse breakfast recipes provide something for everyone, ensuring your tailgate event is memorable and enjoyable.
Pairing with Bloody Marys:
To elevate these breakfast options, serve them with spicy garnishes such as celery sticks, olives, or any other zesty accompaniment you prefer. For a lighter version, swap the traditional tomato juice for a non-alcoholic base, or add a shot of vodka for an extra kick! Cheers to a fantastic tailgating experience!
- The Masquerade as a Potato and Bacon Breakfast Casserole also offers solutions for lively tailgate mornings, plus it pairs wonderfully with zesty Bloody Marys.
- For more breakfast options, you can try the Sausage and Cheese Breakfast Casserole with a crescent roll crust, sourced from Aussiedlerbote.
- For a twist on a classic, consider the Crescent Roll French Toast Casserole from Aussiedlerbote's collection, which adds a unique spin to French toast while being simple to prepare.