The Ultimate Easy Turkey Hash Brown Breakfast Casserole: Perfect for Busy Weekdays & Leisurely Weekends
Are you tired of the same old breakfast routine? Our incredible Turkey Hash Brown Breakfast Casserole is here to revolutionize your mornings! This recipe is not only incredibly simple to prepare but also wonderfully versatile, making it the perfect choice for a quick weekday breakfast or a relaxed, indulgent weekend brunch. If you’re searching for a delicious alternative to your usual pancakes or waffles, then you absolutely must give this hearty casserole a try!
Why This Turkey Hash Brown Breakfast Casserole Will Become Your New Favorite
Weekday mornings can be chaotic in most homes, and mine is no exception! We often fall into the trap of routine, grabbing the quickest thing available. For the adults, that usually means a hurried cup of tea or coffee before dashing out the door. For the kids, it’s often a bowl of cereal or a slice of toast – quick, but rarely exciting. This casserole changes all of that, offering a satisfying and flavorful start to any day without the usual morning rush.
On Saturday mornings, we love to treat ourselves to a nice, home-cooked breakfast. While I’m a big fan of classic bacon and eggs, I also enjoy experimenting with new dishes every other week. That’s why, when I stumbled upon a similar recipe in an old *Taste of Home* cookbook, I immediately knew this turkey hash brown breakfast casserole would be a huge hit with everyone. It combines all the beloved flavors of a traditional breakfast into one convenient, delicious dish.
Effortless Preparation: Make-Ahead Tips for Busy Weekdays
One of the best features of this casserole is its incredible simplicity. While it makes for a fantastic leisurely weekend meal, its ease of preparation means it’s also perfectly suited for even the busiest weekday mornings! The secret lies in a little bit of prep work the night before. If you take just a few minutes to cook the ground turkey and onions and assemble the remaining ingredients, all you’ll need to do in the morning is pop it into the oven. You can bake it while everyone is getting ready, and by the time they’re showered and dressed, a warm, homemade breakfast will be waiting.
Benefits of This Easy Breakfast Casserole:
- Time-Saving: With minimal active cooking, especially if prepped ahead, it frees up your morning.
- Wholesome & Filling: Packed with protein from eggs and turkey, and carbs from hash browns, it provides sustained energy.
- Crowd-Pleaser: A dish that appeals to all ages, making it perfect for family meals or entertaining guests.
- Customizable: Easily adapt the ingredients to suit your family’s preferences or whatever you have on hand.
- Less Mess: Everything cooks in one dish, simplifying cleanup.
If you’re still craving other breakfast delights, you might enjoy my gluten-free pancakes and gluten-free strawberry waffles – they’re also quick and easy to whip up. I also recently discovered this intriguing Overnight Fireman’s Breakfast Casserole, which looks absolutely delicious and has definitely earned a spot on my “recipes to try” list!
INGREDIENTS YOU WILL NEED FOR TURKEY HASH BROWN BREAKFAST CASSEROLE
Gathering your ingredients is the first step to a fantastic breakfast. Here’s what you’ll need for this flavorful turkey hash brown breakfast casserole:
- Eggs (for that rich, custardy base)
- Lean Ground Turkey (a healthier alternative to traditional sausage or bacon)
- Shredded Cheddar Cheese (adds gooey deliciousness and sharp flavor)
- Frozen Shredded Hash Browns (the perfect crispy, savory foundation)
- Onion (for aromatic depth)
- Italian Herbs (a simple blend that adds incredible flavor to the turkey)
- Oil (for sautéing)
- Salt and Pepper (essential seasonings)
KITCHEN TOOLS YOU MAY FIND HELPFUL:
Having the right tools makes any cooking experience smoother. These are some essentials you’ll appreciate having on hand for this recipe:
- 13×9-in. baking dish (the perfect size for a family-sized casserole)
- Mixing Bowl (for whisking eggs and combining ingredients)
- Whisk (for perfectly aerated eggs)
- Non Stick Skillet (for browning the turkey and sautéing onions)
- Bamboo Spatula (great for stirring and scraping)
Tips for a Perfect Breakfast Casserole Every Time
- Thaw Hash Browns Thoroughly: Ensure your frozen hash browns are fully thawed and squeeze out any excess moisture. This prevents a watery casserole and helps them get crispy.
- Don’t Overcook the Turkey: Ground turkey cooks quickly. Brown it just until no pink remains, as it will continue to cook in the oven.
- Season Generously: Eggs absorb a lot of seasoning. Don’t be shy with salt, pepper, and Italian herbs to ensure a flavorful casserole.
- Grease Your Baking Dish: A well-greased dish prevents sticking and makes serving and cleanup much easier.
- Customize Your Cheese: While cheddar is classic, feel free to experiment with other cheeses like Monterey Jack, Gruyere, or a Mexican blend for different flavor profiles.
Delicious Variations and Serving Suggestions
This Turkey Hash Brown Breakfast Casserole is incredibly versatile. Feel free to make it your own with these delicious variations:
- Add Veggies: Sauté bell peppers, mushrooms, spinach, or zucchini along with the onions for added nutrients and color.
- Spicy Kick: Introduce a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce to the egg mixture for a zesty twist.
- Herb Appeal: Experiment with fresh herbs like parsley, chives, or thyme for a brighter flavor.
- Cheesy Swaps: Try pepper jack for a kick, or a blend of cheeses for more complexity.
- Vegetarian Option: Omit the ground turkey and add extra veggies or a plant-based sausage alternative.
Serve this hearty casserole with a side of fresh fruit, a simple green salad, or your favorite breakfast bread. It pairs wonderfully with coffee, orange juice, or a refreshing mimosa for brunch.
Storage and Reheating
Leftovers of this turkey hash brown breakfast casserole are just as delicious! Store any remaining portions in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. To reheat, you can warm individual servings in the microwave or place the entire casserole (covered with foil) back in the oven at 300°F (150°C) until heated through. It’s also possible to freeze baked and cooled slices for up to 1 month, reheating them directly from frozen.
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MORE BREAKFAST IDEAS YOU MIGHT LIKE:
- If I want something indulgent for breakfast, Strawberries & Cream Stuffed French Toast is a top choice. Delicious!
- You really have to try this Mocha Smoothie Bowl, a great way to get up in the morning!
- If you’re like me and ready to run out the door in the morning, make sure you make yourself a Loaded Coffee Smoothie first.
- If you have kids, you’ll thank me for these Homemade Freezer French Toast Sticks. Perfect for popping in the microwave on busy school mornings.
- Sheet pan breakfast pizza using crescent dough, sausage gravy, cheese, and bacon for and all around delicious breakfast option everyone will love!
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This easy Breakfast Casserole with ham, cheese, and potatoes is a fulfilling way to start the day.
Turkey Hash Brown Breakfast Casserole
IMPORTANT – There are often Frequently Asked Questions within the blog post that you may find helpful. Simply scroll back up to read them!
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Ingredients
- 1 lb lean ground turkey
- 1 tbsp oil
- 1 small onion chopped
- 12 large eggs lightly beaten
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- 1 tsp Italian Herbs
- 1 package 16 ounces frozen shredded hash brown potatoes, thawed
- 1 cup 4 ounces 2% shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
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Heat oil in a large skillet and add the chopped onion and saute for a couple of minutes.
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Then add the ground turkey and sprinkle on the Italian herbs and cook on a medium – high heat for 3-4 minutes, stirring frequently. Break up the turkey into crumbles as it cooks.
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In a separate large bowl, whisk together eggs with the salt and pepper until well combined and slightly frothy.
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Stir in the thawed hash browns, half of the shredded cheese, and the cooked onion and turkey mixture to the bowl with the eggs. Mix gently until all ingredients are evenly distributed.
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Transfer the entire mixture to a greased 13×9-in. baking dish. Sprinkle the remaining cheese evenly over the top.
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Bake, uncovered, in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 35-45 minutes or until the casserole is set and a knife inserted near the center comes out clean. The top should be golden brown and bubbly. Let it rest for a few minutes before serving.
The recipes on this blog are tested with a conventional gas oven and gas stovetop. It’s important to note that some ovens, especially as they age, can cook and bake inconsistently. Using an inexpensive oven thermometer can assure you that your oven is truly heating to the proper temperature. If you use a toaster oven or countertop oven, please keep in mind that they may not distribute heat the same as a conventional full sized oven and you may need to adjust your cooking/baking times. In the case of recipes made with a pressure cooker, air fryer, slow cooker, or other appliance, a link to the appliances we use is listed within each respective recipe. For baking recipes where measurements are given by weight, please note that results may not be the same if cups are used instead, and we can’t guarantee success with that method.