Hometown Cooking with Kelsie Leverich

Christmas Eve Casserole

I don’t know about you, but my Christmas Eve is just as busy, if not busier, than Christmas day. Let’s face it, we all know the holidays can be extremely hectic. Half the time I just want to order take-out and spend my time baking disgusting amounts of sugar cookies. (Sorry, I can’t share my recipe. It’s a family recipe. And I’ll admit, I enjoy being the one with the amazing sugar cookies! *Evil laugh* It’s mine. All mine!)

Okay, back to Christmas Eve. Sorry, about my sugar cookie distraction.

For the last several years, I’ve been hosting Christmas Eve breakfast for my Father-in-law. He lives a couple hours away, and it’s always easier for him to travel to us. For you mommies out there, you know how hard it is to pack a car with presents, not to mention how hard it is to pack a car with OPENED presents. Seriously, I don’t know how some of those toys get into those boxes to begin with!

I’m usually tidying up the house or wrapping last minute gifts, so making this casserole ahead of time has been my life saver. I try to make it the night before so all I have to do in the morning is pop it in the oven. (World’s biggest procrastinator? Yep, that’s me.)

This casserole is super easy, and so delicious. I got this recipe a few years ago online. If you’d like to see the original recipe, go to http://allrecipes.com/recipe/sausage-casserole/.

Picture-1
What you’ll need:

1lb breakfast sausage
3 cups frozen hash browns (thawed, drained, and pressed)
¼ cup melted butter
½ cup chopped onion
12 oz. sharp cheddar cheese
16 oz. low fat small curd cottage cheese
8 large eggs
Salt
Pepper

Directions:

Go ahead and preheat your oven to 375 degrees.

After you drain and press your hash browns, mix them with the butter until coated. I like use the Pampered Chef deep dish baker. (I rub a tiny amount of vegetable oil on the bottom and sides. However this step isn’t necessary.) Spread your hash brown mixture evenly along the bottom and sides of your baking dish.

It’s important to push them up along the sides, leaving a nice thin layer at the bottom. If it’s too thick, the potatoes won’t golden. Then, put it in the oven for 15-20 mins.

While you are baking the potatoes, start browning your sausage and chopping up your onions. I like to use my Pampered Chef chopper. I love it! If you don’t have one, I highly recommend them!

Once your sausage is browned, drain and blot. No one likes a greasy casserole. Then pour sausage, onions, cottage cheese, cheddar cheese, eggs, and salt and pepper (eyeball this) in a mixing bowl. MIX WELL.

Pull your potatoes out of the oven. Slowly pour your mixture on top of the potatoes.

Pop that baby back into the oven and bake for an hour or until done. You can always check with a fork or toothpick to make sure the eggs have cooked completely.

Tada!

This is so yummy. My kids tear it up and my Father-in-law always eats a few helpings. I serve it with fruit and bacon.
If you try this dish out for your holiday breakfast, let me know what you think! I’d love to see your pictures!

Merry Christmas!

Kelsie Leverich