Can I use fresh potatoes instead of frozen hash browns?

Absolutely! If using fresh potatoes, shred them, place in a clean kitchen towel and squeeze out excess moisture. You may want to partially cook them in a skillet with a bit of oil before adding to the casserole to ensure they'll be fully cooked and crispy.

What can I substitute for half-and-half?

You have several options here. For a richer casserole, use heavy cream. For a lighter version, use whole milk or a combination of milk and cream. Even non-dairy milk works, though the texture will be slightly different.

Can I add vegetables to this casserole?

Definitely! Sautéed bell peppers, spinach, mushrooms, or tomatoes make excellent additions. Just make sure to cook vegetables with high water content beforehand to prevent a soggy casserole.

Why did my casserole turn out watery?

This usually happens when the hash browns weren't thawed and dried properly. Make sure to thoroughly thaw the potatoes and pat them dry before using. Also, some hams release more liquid during cooking, so using a leaner ham or pre-cooking it slightly can help.

Farmer's Breakfast Casserole Recipe

Name: Farmer's Breakfast Casserole Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 1 h 5 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: Main Ingredients; 3 cups frozen hash browns, thawed; 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese; 2 cups diced, cooked ham; ¼ cup green onions, chopped; Egg Mixture; 6 eggs; 1 ½ cups half-and-half; 1 teaspoon salt; ⅓ teaspoon black pepper; Nonstick cooking spray

This hearty Farmer’s Breakfast Casserole is a morning game-changer that brings together crispy hash browns, savory ham, melted cheese, and fluffy eggs in one delicious dish. Perfect for family brunches, holiday mornings, or meal prep for busy weekdays, this casserole comes together quickly and delivers maximum flavor with minimal effort. Your breakfast table will never be the same!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Make-Ahead Magic: Assemble it the night before and pop it in the oven in the morning for a stress-free breakfast solution.
Crowd-Pleaser: This casserole easily feeds a family and is perfect for when you have guests staying over.
Versatile: The basic recipe is fantastic as is, but you can customize it with different meats, cheeses, and vegetables to suit your taste.
Balanced Meal: Proteins, carbs, and veggies all in one dish means you don’t need to prepare multiple items for a complete breakfast.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Frozen hash browns: The crispy foundation of our casserole that creates the perfect potato base. Make sure to thaw them completely for even cooking.
Monterey Jack cheese: Adds a creamy, melty texture and mild flavor that complements the other ingredients beautifully. Freshly shredded melts better than pre-packaged.
Diced ham: Provides savory, smoky flavor and hearty protein. This is a great way to use leftover holiday ham!
Green onions: Adds a fresh, mild onion flavor without overpowering the dish. The pop of color is lovely too.
Eggs: The binding agent that brings everything together and creates that classic breakfast flavor.
Half-and-half: Creates a rich, creamy texture throughout the casserole. The fat content helps keep the eggs moist.
Salt and pepper: Simple seasonings that enhance all the flavors in the dish.
Nonstick cooking spray: Ensures your casserole doesn’t stick to the pan, making serving and cleanup much easier.

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

Looking to switch things up? Try these delicious twists:

Southwest Style: Add diced bell peppers, jalapeños, and substitute pepper jack cheese for the Monterey Jack.
Veggie Lover’s: Skip the ham and add sautéed mushrooms, spinach, bell peppers, and onions.
Bacon Lover’s: Swap the ham for crispy bacon pieces and use cheddar cheese instead of Monterey Jack.
Sausage Version: Replace ham with browned breakfast sausage for a different savory profile.

How to Make Farmer’s Breakfast Casserole

Step 1: Prepare Your Baking Dish

Preheat your oven to 350°F. Give your 9×13 baking dish a good coat of nonstick cooking spray to ensure nothing sticks.

Step 2: Layer the Base Ingredients

Spread the thawed hash browns evenly across the bottom of your baking dish. This creates a delicious potato foundation. Next, sprinkle the Monterey Jack cheese evenly over the potatoes, followed by the diced ham and chopped green onions.

Step 3: Prepare and Add the Egg Mixture

In a mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, half-and-half, salt, and pepper until well combined. The mixture should be smooth and uniform. Carefully pour this mixture over the layers in your baking dish, allowing it to seep down through the ingredients.

Step 4: Bake to Golden Perfection

Place your assembled casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 40 to 45 minutes. You’ll know it’s done when the top is beautifully browned and a knife inserted in the center comes out clean.

Step 5: Rest and Serve

Once baked, let the casserole rest for 5 to 10 minutes before cutting into it. This resting period allows the eggs to set up properly and makes for cleaner slices when serving.

Pro Tips for Making the Recipe

Hash Brown Hack: Squeeze excess moisture from thawed hash browns with a clean kitchen towel for crispier results.
Even Layering: Ensure ingredients are spread evenly throughout the dish for consistent flavor in every bite.
Don’t Overmix: When pouring the egg mixture, don’t stir everything together—the layered approach creates better texture.
Cheese Strategy: Reserve a small portion of cheese to sprinkle on top during the last 10 minutes of baking for an extra golden crust.
Test for Doneness: The knife test is crucial—if it comes out wet, give the casserole additional time in 5-minute increments.

How to Serve

Perfect Pairings:

This hearty casserole pairs wonderfully with fresh fruit, especially berries or sliced melon, which provide a refreshing contrast to the savory flavors.

Sauce Options:

Serve with a side of salsa, hot sauce, or a dollop of sour cream for guests to customize their portions.

Complete the Spread:

For a larger brunch, complement with lighter sides like a mixed green salad, yogurt parfaits, or fresh-baked muffins.

Make Ahead and Storage

Overnight Prep

Assemble the entire casserole the night before, cover tightly with plastic wrap, and refrigerate. In the morning, let it sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before baking. You may need to add 5-10 extra minutes to the baking time if the casserole is still cold.

Storing Leftovers

Refrigerate leftover casserole in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Individual portions make great grab-and-go breakfasts during the week.

Freezing

This casserole freezes beautifully! Cut cooled leftovers into individual portions, wrap in plastic wrap and foil, then freeze for up to 2 months.

Reheating

For refrigerated leftovers, microwave individual portions for 1-2 minutes until heated through. For frozen portions, thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then microwave for 2-3 minutes, or reheat in a 350°F oven for about 15 minutes.

FAQs

Can I use fresh potatoes instead of frozen hash browns?

Absolutely! If using fresh potatoes, shred them, place in a clean kitchen towel and squeeze out excess moisture. You may want to partially cook them in a skillet with a bit of oil before adding to the casserole to ensure they’ll be fully cooked and crispy.
What can I substitute for half-and-half?

You have several options here. For a richer casserole, use heavy cream. For a lighter version, use whole milk or a combination of milk and cream. Even non-dairy milk works, though the texture will be slightly different.
Can I add vegetables to this casserole?

Definitely! Sautéed bell peppers, spinach, mushrooms, or tomatoes make excellent additions. Just make sure to cook vegetables with high water content beforehand to prevent a soggy casserole.
Why did my casserole turn out watery?

This usually happens when the hash browns weren’t thawed and dried properly. Make sure to thoroughly thaw the potatoes and pat them dry before using. Also, some hams release more liquid during cooking, so using a leaner ham or pre-cooking it slightly can help.

Final Thoughts

This Farmer’s Breakfast Casserole is truly breakfast comfort food at its finest. It combines the best morning flavors in one easy dish that’s perfect for both special occasions and ordinary weekends when you want something a bit special. The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity and flexibility—make it as written or put your own spin on it with your favorite ingredients. I hope this casserole brings the same warmth and satisfaction to your table that it has to mine!