Hey there! Today, I wanted to share with you a delicious recipe called “Hearty Breakfast Casserole with Salsa” by Karen Jones Food & Family. This breakfast casserole can be enjoyed for breakfast or dinner and pairs perfectly with a side salad, grilled asparagus, or your favorite side. The recipe includes hash brown potatoes, eggs, breakfast sausage, cheese, and a variety of seasonings. Karen takes you through step by step on how to prepare and bake the casserole, ensuring a mouthwatering result. So, whether you’re in the mood for a hearty breakfast or a satisfying dinner, this breakfast casserole recipe is perfect for any time of day. Give it a try and don’t forget to add salsa on top for an extra kick of flavor!

Breakfast Casserole: A Hearty, Versatile Dish

Are you looking for a delicious and filling dish that can be enjoyed for breakfast or dinner? Look no further than Karen Jones Food & Family’s famous breakfast casserole recipe. This easy-to-make dish is perfect for any occasion and can be paired with a variety of sides to create a complete meal. In this article, we will go through the ingredients, preparation steps, optional additions, serving suggestions, and Karen’s personal experience with making this mouthwatering casserole. So grab your apron and get ready to create a breakfast casserole that will impress your family and friends!

Ingredients

To make this delicious breakfast casserole, you will need the following ingredients:

1. Hash brown potatoes: These shredded potatoes provide a hearty base for the casserole.
2. Eggs: Use six extra-large eggs for a fluffy and creamy texture.
3. Milk: Karen recommends using a combination of half evaporated milk and half heavy cream, but you can use whole milk or half & half as well.
4. Breakfast sausage: Half a pound of breakfast sausage adds flavor and a savory element to the casserole. Feel free to use hot sausage if you prefer a spicier dish.
5. Cheese: Two cups of shredded cheddar cheese, either sharp or mild, will create a deliciously cheesy casserole.
6. Mascarpone cheese: Two and a quarter ounces of Mascarpone cheese, which can be substituted with cream cheese, adds a creamy and rich component to the casserole.
7. Paprika: A half teaspoon of paprika adds a touch of smokiness and color to the dish.
8. Ground red pepper: Add a pinch of ground red pepper for a subtle kick of heat.
9. Salt and pepper: Season the casserole with salt and pepper to taste.

Preparation

Now that we have gathered all the necessary ingredients, let’s go through the step-by-step preparation process:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit to ensure that it’s fully preheated and ready for baking.
2. Layer the hash brown potatoes evenly in a greased 8×8-inch casserole dish. If you can’t find hash brown potatoes with onions and peppers already in them, you can add a few diced onions and red or green bell peppers to the mix.
3. In a separate bowl, beat six extra-large eggs and combine them with 1 1/4 cups of milk. Karen recommends using a combination of half evaporated milk and half heavy cream for a rich and creamy texture, but you can use whichever type of milk you prefer.
4. Add two and a quarter ounces of Mascarpone cheese to the egg mixture. Whip it in until well combined. This step may result in some small lumps, but they will melt as the casserole bakes.
5. Stir in two cups of shredded cheddar cheese, paprika, ground red pepper, salt, and a sprinkle of black pepper. This combination of seasonings adds depth of flavor to the casserole.
6. In a skillet, cook the breakfast sausage until it’s fully cooked or almost done. Remember that it will continue cooking in the oven, so it’s best not to overcook it at this stage.
7. Add the cooked breakfast sausage to the egg mixture, stirring it in thoroughly to ensure even distribution of the sausage throughout the casserole.
8. Pour the egg and sausage mixture over the layer of hash brown potatoes in the casserole dish, ensuring that it covers the entire dish evenly.
9. Bake the casserole for 45-55 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean. If the top of the casserole starts to brown too much during baking, cover it with aluminum foil to prevent over-browning.
10. Once the casserole is fully cooked, remove it from the oven and let it cool slightly before serving.

Optional Additions

While the base recipe for this breakfast casserole is delicious on its own, you can add some optional additions to customize it to your taste:

1. Hot breakfast sausage: If you prefer a spicier flavor, substitute the mild breakfast sausage with hot breakfast sausage.
2. Onion and pepper hash brown potatoes: If you can’t find hash brown potatoes with onions and peppers already in them, you can add a few diced onions and red or green bell peppers to the hash browns.

Feel free to experiment with additional ingredients and flavors to make this breakfast casserole truly your own!

Serving Suggestions

Now that your breakfast casserole is ready, it’s time to think about how to serve it. Here are some delightful serving suggestions:

1. Serve with salsa: Add a dollop of your favorite salsa on top of each serving to add a zesty and refreshing element to the dish.
2. Pair with a side salad: A fresh and crisp side salad makes a perfect accompaniment to this comforting and savory casserole.
3. Grilled asparagus: Fire up the grill and cook some asparagus alongside the casserole for a delicious and healthy side dish.
4. Morning fruit: For a complete and balanced breakfast, serve the casserole with a side of fresh fruit. The sweetness of the fruit will complement the savory flavors of the casserole.

Feel free to get creative with your sides and serve the casserole with your favorite breakfast or dinner accompaniments!

Karen’s Experience

Karen, the mastermind behind this incredible breakfast casserole recipe, shared her personal experience and some tips for making the perfect dish. Here’s what Karen loves about this casserole:

1. Breakfast sausage: Karen uses about half a pound of breakfast sausage in her casserole. She suggests using hot sausage if you prefer a spicier dish.
2. Hash brown potatoes: Karen opts for hash brown potatoes that already have onions and peppers in them, adding an extra layer of flavor and texture to the casserole.
3. Egg mixture: Karen combines six extra-large eggs with a combination of half evaporated milk and half heavy cream. She also adds two and a quarter ounces of Mascarpone cheese for a creamy and velvety texture.
4. Flavors and seasonings: Karen enhances the casserole’s taste by adding paprika, a tiny pinch of ground red pepper, cheddar cheese, and fresh parsley. The result is a burst of flavors that perfectly complement the potatoes and sausage.
5. Baking time and serving with salsa: Karen bakes the casserole for 45-50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean. To prevent excessive browning, she suggests covering the casserole with foil if necessary. Finally, Karen recommends serving the casserole with a dollop of salsa on top for an extra kick of flavor.

With Karen’s experience and tips, you can ensure that your breakfast casserole turns out to be just as delicious and satisfying as hers!

Contact Information

If you have any questions about this breakfast casserole recipe or want more information, feel free to contact Karen Jones Food & Family. Karen’s assistant, Stephanie, and camera operator, Paul, are also available to assist you. Here are the contact details:

• Karen Jones Food & Family: Reach out to Karen and her team at karenjonesfoodfamily@aol.com
• Stephanie (Assistant to Karen): Contact Stephanie at kjnpj20@gmail.com
• Paul (Camera operator): Contact Paul at pcomom@gmail.com or popjones59@gmail.com.

Don’t hesitate to get in touch with Karen, Stephanie, or Paul if you need further guidance or have any inquiries!

Conclusion

In conclusion, Karen Jones Food & Family’s breakfast casserole is a quick, easy, and delicious dish that can be enjoyed for breakfast or dinner. With its versatile nature, you can pair it with various sides and sauces to create a complete and satisfying meal. Karen’s personal experience and tips ensure that your casserole will turn out to be a flavor-packed, tender, and cheesy delight. So why wait? Try out this breakfast casserole recipe, and don’t forget to leave a comment and subscribe to Karen’s channel for more mouthwatering recipes. Enjoy your hearty breakfast or dinner casserole and have a great cooking experience!