1. Preheat Oven and Prepare Ingredients:
- Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Prepare Ingredients: Cook and crumble the sausage; dice the bell pepper and onion; shred the cheese.
2. Assemble the Breakfast Bake:
- Grease Baking Dish: Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish with cooking spray or butter.
- Layer Hash Browns: Spread the hash browns evenly at the bottom of the dish as the first layer.
- Add Sausage and Vegetables: Scatter the cooked sausage, diced bell pepper, and onion over the hash browns.
- Add Cheese: Sprinkle half of the shredded cheddar cheese over the other ingredients.
3. Prepare Egg Mixture:
- Mix Eggs: In a bowl, whisk the eggs with milk, salt, and pepper until well combined.
- Pour Over Layers: Gently pour the egg mixture over the layered ingredients in the baking dish, ensuring it seeps into the layers.
4. Bake:
- Add Remaining Cheese: Sprinkle the remaining cheese on top.
- Bake: Place the dish in the oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the eggs are set and the top is lightly golden.
- Optional: In the last 5 minutes of baking, you can add diced tomatoes if using.
5. Garnish and Serve:
- Garnish: Once done, remove from the oven and let cool slightly. Garnish with sliced green onions.
- Serve: Cut into squares and serve warm.
Tips for Success:
- Variety and Flexibility: This breakfast bake is extremely flexible. Feel free to substitute any of the vegetables or the type of breakfast meat based on what you have on hand or prefer.
- Make-Ahead: You can assemble the dish the night before, cover it, and refrigerate. In the morning, simply bake it for a no-fuss breakfast.
- Storage: Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave or oven.
This quick and hearty breakfast bake is a great way to start your day with a warm, nutritious meal that keeps you full and energized. Whether it’s a lazy weekend morning or a special occasion like a holiday brunch, this breakfast dish is sure to impress!