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Easy Lightened-Up Cheesy Sausage Breakfast Casserole

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A lightened-up version of a classic breakfast casserole that uses cottage cheese for a silky texture and turkey sausage for less fat. It’s quick to prepare, perfect for meal prep, and delivers all the cheesy, savory satisfaction without the heavy cream.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 large eggs (room temperature if possible)
  • 1 cup cottage cheese (small-curd, like Good Culture or Daisy)
  • 1/2 cup milk (any kind, dairy or unsweetened almond milk)
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
  • 12 ounces turkey breakfast sausage (like Jennie-O or Applegate; if using links, remove casings)
  • 1 medium onion, diced (about 1 cup)
  • 1 red bell pepper, diced
  • 3 cups frozen shredded hash browns (no need to thaw)
  • 1 1/2 cups reduced-fat shredded cheddar cheese (sharp cheddar preferred)
  • 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese (optional, for topping)
  • Fresh chives or green onions, chopped for garnish

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray or butter.
  2. In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the turkey sausage, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned (5-7 minutes). Transfer to a plate and set aside.
  3. In the same skillet, add the diced onion and bell pepper. Cook for 4-5 minutes until softened and the onion is translucent. Remove from heat.
  4. While the vegetables cook, add the cottage cheese to a blender or food processor. Blend for 30-45 seconds until completely smooth (like thick cream).
  5. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, Dijon mustard, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. Add the blended cottage cheese and whisk until well combined.
  6. Spread the frozen hash browns evenly across the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Top with the cooked sausage, then the sautéed vegetables. Sprinkle 1 cup of the shredded cheddar cheese over everything.
  7. Slowly pour the egg mixture over the layers, making sure it seeps down through all the ingredients. Gently press down with a spatula. Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of cheddar cheese and the Parmesan on top.
  8. Bake for 40-45 minutes, until the center is set (jiggles slightly) and the edges are golden brown. A knife inserted in the center should come out clean. Let rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing.
  9. Garnish with fresh chives or green onions. Slice into 8 portions and serve warm.

Notes

For best results, use frozen hash browns straight from the bag (do not thaw). Let the casserole rest after baking to allow it to set properly. Grating your own cheese from a block yields a creamier texture than pre-shredded cheese. The casserole can be assembled the night before and refrigerated; add 5-10 minutes to baking time if starting from cold.

Nutrition

Keywords: breakfast casserole, lightened-up, cheesy, sausage, cottage cheese, turkey sausage, hash browns, meal prep, healthy breakfast

Find it online: https://perkypan.com/easy-lightened-up-cheesy-sausage-breakfast-casserole/