Wake Up Casserole

            Whoever created this amazing machine is my hero! I am the type of person who NEEDS to have breakfast each morning. If I do not get it, I become very ‘hangry’ and no one likes me in that mood. So this, to me, is an ideal recipe. It is filling, hearty and flavorful. Everything we want to wake up to. This breakfast casserole gives you a healthy POP!

That is almost guaranteed to wake you up fully. However, I tweaked this to be cooked in a regular oven this time. I did list how to use your Instant Pot if you choose.

I always know there will not be a problem getting the family up when they know I am making this for breakfast.

Obviously, I have tweaked this from the original version I published earlier. I did that because my family likes a little heat.

Frequently Asked Questions:

            Do I have to use Pepper Jack cheese?

No, if you and your family prefer to use cheddar cheese, then please do so.

            Must I include the jalapeno peppers?

No, again, my family likes the heat. I realize that not all families do. You could simply substitute green pepper if you want, or even green onion.

            Can I use bread or bagels?

One of the original versions of this recipe does call for bagels that have been cut up into pieces. You can certainly use that version.

            Can I use my Instant Pot for this?

I tweaked this recipe for the oven, but you can certainly use the instant pot. You will need to cook on high for 20 minutes and allow the slow release of pressure.

What do you need to make Wake Up Casserole

            1 pound breakfast sausage

            3 cups frozen hash browns

            ¼ cup of unsalted and melted butter

            8 large eggs

            1 can of diced jalapeno peppers

            ½ medium onion, chopped

            2 tsp minced garlic

            16 ounces Cottage Cheese

            2 cups shredded Pepper jack cheese

            Salt and pepper to taste

            Chives for garnish

How to make Wake Up Casserole

FIRST STEP:

Preheat the oven to 350*

Spray a 9 x 13 baking dish with non stick spray

SECOND STEP:

Mix the hash browns with the melted butter and layer at the bottom of the baking dish

Saute the sausage with the onion, garlic and peppers until the sausage is cooked thoroughly

THIRD STEP:

Mix together the 8 large eggs, the cottage cheese, the shredded Pepper Jack cheese and the meat mixture

Add salt and pepper to taste

FOURTH STEP:

Pour this mixture over the hash browns in the baking dish

Bake for one hour or until the eggs are completely set.

Garnish with chives and serve immediately.

Enjoy!

Notes:

For safety’s sake, they do not recommend putting hash browns as a layer at the bottom of the instant pot. I hope most of you have already tried this. I used this recipe as it is written in the instant pot and it did turn out fine. I just feel that it is best for legal concerns to mention this. You have been told, so now it is up to you how to make this.