Ham and Egg Breakfast Casserole

Why we love this recipe

There’s something about the words “breakfast” and “casserole” that make my heart sing. I love all things breakfast (looking at you, breakfast sandwich of my dreams) and I can never pass up a casserole (hi there, cheesy cauliflower casserole).

This particular casserole not only features the classic breakfast favorites of ham and eggs, but it’s also full of Tater Tots.

And melty cheese.

It’s a great way to use up any leftover ham you might have around, and it can be all yours in a little over a half hour. Now that’s what I call starting the day off right! Let’s make it.

What are Tater Tots?

Tater Tots are basically potatoes that have been chopped up into teeny pieces, mixed with a little flour, seasoned and fried, and then frozen and put in your supermarket freezer section just waiting for you to come and get them.

I love a Tater Tot in its natural state, all warm and crispy from the oven, but I’ve also found if you thaw them out and smoosh them a little, you have perfect little potato cubes that are just right for hash or a speedy Tater Tot soup…or a Tater Tot breakfast casserole like this one!

We are talking a smooshed Tater Tot base, mixed in with bite sized chunks of ham, eggs cracked into the middle, covered with shredded cheddar cheese and baked up until everything is the right amount of melty and crispy and perfect.

Ingredients you need

Yep, only 5 ingredients stand between you and breakfast happiness!

Ingredient notes and Substitutions

• Eggs: We like extra large eggs for this recipe but any size will work. You can also double up the number of eggs so your lucky eaters get two eggs with their serving instead of one.
• Cheese: Any melty cheese will work. Cheddar, Swiss, Monterey Jack – use your fave!
• Tater Tots: You can use any brand of these frozen potato nuggets – look for them in the freezer section of your supermarket next to the french fries.
• Ham: If you don’t have any leftover ham on hand, pick up am 8 ounce ham steak and that will work perfectly.

See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities and nutritional information.

How to make this recipe

STEP 1: Preheat your oven to 375. Put a pound of defrosted Tater Tots in a bowl and lightly mash them with the back of a spoon or a potato masher until they are broken up a bit.

STEP 2: Heat a couple tablespoons of canola oil in an ovenproof skillet (a cast iron skillet is PERFECT if you have one) over medium high heat. Add the tots and cook them until they are lightly browned – smoosh them down with the back of a spatula, let them brown and then flip them over in sections. Don’t worry if it breaks apart here and there.

STEP 3: Sprinkle some cooked cubed ham on top.

STEP 4: Create 4 wells in the hash with the back of a spoon and break an egg into each well.

STEP 5: Sprinkle the whole thing with a cup of shredded cheddar cheese, and then pop this deliciousness into the oven.

STEP 6: Bake it up for about 12 to 15 minutes depending on how soft or firm you like your eggs. Scoop out around each egg to give everyone their fair share of ham and potato and egg and serve it up!

This is of course a perfect breakfast or brunch recipe, but we also think it’s a pretty fabulous comfort food supper.

Hurray for breakfast casseroles!

Want to round out your meal?

We do love a fruit salad with this casserole no matter what time of day we serve it, and our fave is this mimosa fruit salad recipe.

And let’s have some cream cheese coffee cake for dessert!

Other ham recipes we love