Farmer’s casserole is a fantastic meal to feed a crowd!
This breakfast casserole combines filling ingredients like potatoes, eggs, and ham. Oh, don’t forget the cheese! Every classic breakfast food makes an appearance in this fantastic dish.
And you don’t need to get up with the roosters to whip up this fantastic dish. It’s easy and comes together in less than an hour.
So, loosen your farming overalls and dive into this yummy farmer’s casserole!
Farmer’s Casserole
Traditional farmer’s casserole uses farm-fresh ingredients whipped up into breakfast egg-cellence.
All you do is add the ingredients to a casserole dish, and the oven does all the heavy lifting.
The cheese is melty and gooey and pairs perfectly with rich veggies, eggs, and smoky ham.
Making breakfast foods for a big group is a challenge. But this dish is simple and is sure to be a big hit!
Ingredients
For the best casserole, opt for the freshest ingredients. Use farm-fresh eggs, green onion from the garden, and freshly grated cheese. These minor adjustments make a world of difference in the flavor.
- Frozen hash brown potatoes – Fresh isn’t always best. Frozen potatoes work much better because they won’t oxidize (turn brown).
- Shredded Monterey Jack cheese – Use freshly shredded cheese rather than pre-shredded. It will ensure that it melts into a gooey consistency in the oven.
- Ham – Always use cooked ham and chop it into small pieces. The smaller pieces ensure each bite delivers smoky ham flavors!
- Green onions. They add a pop of fresh flavors and a wonderful crunchy texture.
- Evaporated milk – If you don’t have evaporated milk, you can substitute regular milk. But evaporated milk adds such a wonderful creaminess.
- Eggs – It’s not breakfast without eggs. For the best flavor, use large organic eggs. Or even better, use local farm-fresh eggs.
- Salt and pepper – There’s no heavy seasoning here. A dash of salt and pepper is all you need.
- Cooking spray – Always prepare your baking dish with a quick spray to ensure the eggs don’t stick.
How to Make Farmer’s Casserole
If you can whisk ingredients in a bowl, you have all the skills for this fantastic casserole. It’s so easy to whip up before your morning cup of coffee.
1. Prepare. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and spray a casserole dish with cooking spray.
2. Add the dense ingredients first. Place the frozen potatoes at the bottom of your casserole dish. Then, layer them with the cheese, ham, and green onions.
3. Mix the eggs. Whisk eggs, salt, pepper, and evaporated milk in a medium bowl until combined. Pour it over the potatoes and cheese.
4. Bake. Place the casserole into the oven and bake it for 40-45 minutes. The casserole is ready when a knife comes out of the center clean.
5. Cool. Allow the casserole to rest on a wire rack for 5 minutes before cutting, and enjoy!
Tips for the Best Casserole
This breakfast feast is so simple. But there are a few tips and tricks to remember to ensure it’s perfect.
- Go easy on the eggs – Don’t overcook them! No one likes rubbery, overcooked eggs. Monitor your casserole in the oven. If the eggs start to brown too quickly, cover the dish with aluminum foil.
- Give ’em a good coating. Eggs like to stick to everything. Don’t be shy with the cooking spray. Hit every last inch of that casserole dish!
- Be patient. Frozen hash browns sometimes come out of the freezer in a giant block. Allow the hash browns to thaw for a few minutes in the sink to make them easier to spread.
Variations
I call this recipe the “great fridge cleaner.” This simple casserole is the jumping-off point to tasty additions like veggies, meat, and cheese.
You can add all your favorite meats, veggies, and cheeses. Or add them all! It’s an insanely versatile recipe.
- Make it meaty. Not a fan of cubed ham? No worries! Any breakfast meat (or all of them) works great in this recipe. Try crumbled bacon or breakfast sausage.
- Go vegetarian. The eggs, potatoes, and cheese are the perfect canvas for seasonal veggies. You can use whatever you have in your fridge, like peppers, onions, mushrooms, carrots, or spinach.
- Get a little cheesy. Monterey Jack adds a delightful pop of heat, but you can substitute it for any high-melting cheese. Opt for cheeses like mozzarella, cheddar, fontina, or Havarti.
Serving Suggestions
Looking for something that pairs with your casserole? You can accent the flavors with some fantastic sides!
Opt for sweet dishes like pancakes or French toast, or get fancy with your coffee selections.
IHOP French Toast
The sweetness of IHOP French toast pairs turns breakfast into a decedent feast! It’s crunchy on the outside, gooey on the inside, and ready for tasty toppings.
Plus, it cooks on the stovetop while your casserole bakes in the oven. Easy peasy.
Old-Fashioned Pancakes
A plate piled high with fluffy pancakes is always a crowd-pleaser. These old-fashioned pancakes are delightfully fluffy and come together in a snap.
They’re a fantastic compliment to the savory flavors in Farmer’s casserole.
Coffee
While your casserole bakes, why not whip up some fantastic coffee? These coffee recipes from around the world are a great way to jumpstart your day.
They’re super fancy and come together quicker than it takes your casserole to bake.
How to Store and Freeze
Yes, there will be leftover farmer’s casserole. And yes, they’re just as good the next day! Here are some quick suggestions on how to store and freeze them.
To Store: This casserole will stay fresh for 5 days in the fridge. You can store it in its original casserole dish and cover it tightly with plastic wrap or foil.
To Freeze: You can’t freeze a cooked casserole, but you can freeze it uncooked. If you want to get ahead of the game, mix the raw ingredients and cover it with a lid.
Then, place it in the freezer, where it will stay fresh for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to bake, thaw it in the fridge overnight and pop it in the oven.
To Reheat: You can reheat leftovers in the microwave in 30-second increments until warmed through. Or, to ensure the eggs don’t become rubbery, reheat them in the oven at 350 until warm.
Farmer’s Casserole
4
servings10
minutes45
minutesThis farmer’s casserole is loaded with eggs, potatoes, ham, veggies, and cheese! It’s the perfect dish to feed a hungry crowd.
Ingredients
Cooking spray
3 cups frozen hash brown potatoes
3/4 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
1 cup cooked ham, diced
1/4 cup chopped green onions
1 can evaporated milk
4 large eggs
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and grease a 2-quart casserole dish with cooking spray.
- Arrange the frozen potatoes in the bottom of the casserole dish. Then, sprinkle cheese and green onions on top.
- Mix the eggs, evaporated milk, salt, and pepper in a medium mixing bowl. Whisk until combined.
- Pour the egg mixture over the potatoes.
- Bake the casserole in the oven for 40-45 minutes or until a fork comes out clean.
- Allow the casserole to rest on a wire rack for 5 minutes before cutting. Enjoy!
Notes
- If your casserole browns too quickly, tent with a sheet of aluminum foil.
- Allow frozen hash browns to thaw for a few minutes in the sink to make them easier to spread.
