Hearty Wake Up Casserole with sausage, hash browns, eggs, cottage cheese, jalapeños, and cheese. The perfect breakfast bake for family mornings.
Remember it later!
Planning to try this recipe soon? Pin it for a quick find later!
Remember it later!
Planning to try this recipe soon? Pin it for a quick find later!
I made this Wake Up Casserole the first time on one of those mornings when everything’s going wrong. You know the kind—the coffee pot decided to act up, the kids were arguing about who “stole” the last pair of clean socks, and I swear I stepped on at least three Lego pieces before 9 a.m. Breakfast? Ha. That felt like a luxury.
But there I was, staring into the fridge, and what did I see? A pound of sausage I’d meant to use two days ago, a bag of frozen hash browns shoved into the back of the freezer, and some cottage cheese that was about one day from becoming science-project material. And in a moment of “why not,” I tossed it all together. I didn’t expect much. Honestly, I was just hoping it wouldn’t burn. But when I pulled it out of the oven—golden, bubbly, smelling like the kind of breakfast you’d actually pay for at a diner—it felt like a win. The kids devoured it, my husband declared it “brunch-level good,” and I didn’t even have to bribe anyone to eat their peppers. That’s when Wake Up Casserole officially became part of our rotation.
Here’s a quick peek at what’s inside:
Table of content
Why You’ll Love This Wake Up Casserole Recipe?
This casserole is like the breakfast equivalent of your favorite pair of sweatpants: cozy, dependable, and somehow just right every time. It’s hearty but not over-the-top heavy, cheesy without being greasy, and the jalapeños give it a little kick that makes mornings feel less… dull.
And let’s be real—it’s also the kind of dish that makes you look like you’ve got your life together when really, you just dumped everything in a pan. It feeds a crowd (perfect for brunches, holiday mornings, or those random weekends when half your family “just happens to stop by”), and it reheats so well that leftovers might even taste better the next day. Or maybe that’s just me convincing myself cold casserole at 10 p.m. counts as a snack.
Ingredient Notes:
Let’s break it down like we’re chatting at the grocery store aisle:
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Sausage – Breakfast sausage, spicy or mild. Honestly, use whatever you’ve got.
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Hash browns – Frozen ones keep life easy. You could shred potatoes yourself, but why suffer?
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Butter – Because potatoes without butter feels… wrong.
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Eggs – Eight of them. Yes, it sounds like a lot, but trust me—it works.
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Jalapeños – Just enough heat to wake you up without making you cry into your OJ.
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Onion & garlic – They make everything smell and taste better.
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Cottage cheese – I know, I know, it sounds weird. But it makes the casserole creamy and adds protein. Don’t fight it.
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Pepper Jack cheese – Gooey, melty, and a little spicy. Cheese is non-negotiable.
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Chives – The garnish that makes it look like you tried harder than you actually did.
How To Make Wake Up Casserole?
Step 1: Get the oven going.
Preheat to 350°F and spray your baking dish. Trust me—nonstick spray is your friend here.
Step 2: Potato base.
Mix hash browns with melted butter and spread them across the bottom of the pan. Golden, crispy magic in the making.
Step 3: Cook the sausage mix.
Sauté sausage with onion, garlic, and jalapeños until the sausage is browned and the veggies are soft. It’ll smell so good you’ll start questioning why you don’t cook sausage every morning.
Step 4: Eggs and cheese party.
Whisk together eggs, cottage cheese, and shredded pepper jack. Stir in the sausage mixture. It’ll look a little chaotic, but that’s okay.
Step 5: Assemble and bake.
Pour the egg-and-sausage mixture over the hash browns. Bake for about an hour, until the eggs are set and the top is golden.
Step 6: Garnish and eat.
Sprinkle with chives if you want to feel fancy, slice, and serve. Warning: it disappears fast.
Want To Save This Recipe?
Storage Options:
Wake Up Casserole is one of those “keeps on giving” dishes. Leftovers last up to 4 days in the fridge, and reheating is easy—oven if you want it crispy again, microwave if you’re running out the door. Freezer-friendly too: bake it first, let it cool, slice into portions, and wrap them up. They’ll keep for about 2 months. Future you will be grateful.
Variations and Substitutions:
The best part about a casserole? Nobody says you have to follow the rules:
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Different meats – Turkey sausage, ham, or even chorizo for a smoky kick.
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Other cheeses – Cheddar, mozzarella, or Monterey Jack all do the job.
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Veggie boost – Mushrooms, spinach, or bell peppers sneak in perfectly.
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Mild version – Skip the jalapeños and swap in sweet peppers.
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Potato swap – Tater tots, diced potatoes, or even sweet potatoes if you’re feeling bold.
What to Serve with Wake Up Casserole?
This casserole doesn’t need much, but if you’re going all out:
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Fresh fruit on the side—grapes, melon, berries.
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Toast, biscuits, or even bagels for some carb-on-carb action.
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A pitcher of orange juice (or mimosas, because brunch).
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Roasted veggies if you’re pretending to be healthy.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Can I make it the night before?
Yes, and honestly, I recommend it. Just cover and refrigerate, then bake in the morning. Add 10 extra minutes since it’s starting cold.
Do I really need the cottage cheese?
I get it—it sounds strange. But it melts in and makes everything creamy. If you must, ricotta or cream cheese could work, but cottage cheese is the secret.
What if I want it less spicy?
No problem. Leave out the jalapeños or replace them with bell peppers. It’ll still be delicious.
And there you go—Wake Up Casserole that’s hearty, cheesy, and guaranteed to make mornings a little less chaotic (well… maybe). It’s become a regular at our house, whether it’s Sunday brunch or just a busy Monday when I want breakfast to feel like more than toast. So what do you think—are you a “pile on the jalapeños” kind of person, or do you keep it mild and classic?
Remember it later!
Planning to try this recipe soon? Pin it for a quick find later!
Remember it later!
Planning to try this recipe soon? Pin it for a quick find later!
Keep the Flavor Coming – Try These:
Wake Up Casserole
Ingredients
- 1 pound breakfast sausage
- 3 cups frozen hash browns
- ¼ cup unsalted butter melted
- 8 large eggs
- 1 can diced jalapeño peppers
- ½ medium onion chopped
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic
- 16 ounces cottage cheese
- 2 cups shredded pepper jack cheese
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Fresh chives for garnish
Instructions
Prepare the oven and dish
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick spray.
Prepare the potato layer
- In a medium bowl, combine the frozen hash browns with melted butter. Evenly spread this mixture into the bottom of the prepared baking dish to form the base layer.
Cook the sausage mixture
- In a large skillet over medium heat, sauté the breakfast sausage with the onion, garlic, and diced jalapeños until the sausage is fully cooked and the vegetables are softened. Drain any excess fat.
Prepare the egg mixture
- In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, cottage cheese, shredded pepper jack cheese, and the cooked sausage mixture. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
Assemble and bake
- Pour the egg and sausage mixture evenly over the hash brown base in the baking dish. Bake for 1 hour, or until the eggs are completely set and the top is lightly golden.
Finish and serve
- Remove from the oven and allow the casserole to rest for 5 minutes. Garnish with freshly chopped chives before slicing and serving.
Notes
I’m Bitty, owner of nodashofgluten.com, where I share simple, delicious recipes for all tastes, including gluten-free. Check out my “About Me” page for more info!
