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Crack Breakfast Casserole

Crack breakfast casserole is a bacon ranch breakfast bake with layers of hash browns, sausage, and a deeply golden, cheesy egg crust. It’s baked uncovered until set, then finished with fresh chives for a savory brunch-style cut.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings: 10 servings
Course: Breakfast
Cuisine: American
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Hash browns
  • 30 oz frozen hash browns, thawed
Breakfast meats
  • 1 lb breakfast sausage, cooked and crumbled
  • 8 bacon, cooked and crumbled
Egg mixture
  • 8 large eggs
  • 1 cup sour cream
  • 0.5 cup whole milk
  • 1 oz ranch seasoning
  • 2 cup sharp cheddar, shredded, divided
  • 0.25 salt and black pepper to taste
  • 1 fresh chives for garnish

Equipment

  • 1 sheet pan

Method
 

Prep and layer
  1. Preheat the oven to 375°F and grease a 9x13 dish so the casserole releases cleanly.
  2. Spread the thawed hash browns in the bottom of the dish and press lightly to form an even base.
  3. Scatter the cooked and crumbled breakfast sausage and bacon over the hash browns so each bite has meat in it.
Mix and bake
  1. Whisk the eggs, sour cream, whole milk, ranch seasoning, salt, and black pepper until smooth.
  2. Stir in 1.5 cups of the shredded sharp cheddar until it begins to melt slightly from the warm mixture.
  3. Pour the egg mixture over the meat layer, then top with the remaining cheddar for a browned cheese crust.
  4. Bake uncovered for 40–45 minutes at 375°F until deeply golden and set, then garnish with fresh chives right before serving.

Notes

For best texture, thaw the hash browns completely and spread them evenly so the casserole bakes with a uniform golden crust. Refrigerate leftovers in a covered container up to 4 days; reheat individual portions in the microwave until hot. Freezing is not recommended because the potatoes and eggs can turn watery after thawing. For a lighter option, swap reduced-fat sour cream and use part-skim cheddar to cut calories while keeping the ranch-seasoned flavor.