Name: Breakfast casserole without eggs: 5 surprising ingredients revealed!
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 1 h 5 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 cups mashed potatoes (leftover or prepared from instant); 1 cup cottage cheese (the secret binding agent!); 3 tablespoons ground flaxseed mixed with 9 tablespoons water; ¼ cup nutritional yeast (for that cheesy flavor); 1 tablespoon cornstarch (helps with structure); 1 pound breakfast sausage, cooked and crumbled; 2 cups shredded hash browns, thawed; 1½ cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided; 1 medium onion, diced; 1 red bell pepper, chopped; 2 cloves garlic, minced; 2 cups spinach, roughly chopped; 1 cup milk (dairy or plant-based); 1 teaspoon dried thyme; 1 teaspoon smoked paprika; ½ teaspoon dried mustard powder; Salt and pepper to taste; 2 tablespoons butter, melted; 1 cup crushed corn flakes or breadcrumbs

Description

Craving a hearty breakfast casserole without eggs? Uncover 5 surprising ingredients that will wow your taste buds. Discover new flavors today!

Ingredients

Scale

The Five Surprise Stars:

2 cups mashed potatoes (leftover or prepared from instant)

1 cup cottage cheese (the secret binding agent!)

3 tablespoons ground flaxseed mixed with 9 tablespoons water

¼ cup nutritional yeast (for that cheesy flavor)

1 tablespoon cornstarch (helps with structure)

Supporting Cast:

1 pound breakfast sausage, cooked and crumbled

2 cups shredded hash browns, thawed

1½ cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided

1 medium onion, diced

1 red bell pepper, chopped

2 cloves garlic, minced

2 cups spinach, roughly chopped

1 cup milk (dairy or plant-based)

1 teaspoon dried thyme

1 teaspoon smoked paprika

½ teaspoon dried mustard powder

Salt and pepper to taste

2 tablespoons butter, melted

1 cup crushed corn flakes or breadcrumbs

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare Your Flax “Eggs”

In a small bowl, mix ground flaxseed and water. Stir well and let sit for 15 minutes until it develops a gel-like consistency. This mixture will help bind our casserole together, just like eggs would!

Step 2: Brown the Sausage

In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the breakfast sausage until no longer pink, breaking it into crumbles as it cooks. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess fat. If you’re going meat-free, skip this step!

Step 3: Sauté the Vegetables

In the same skillet, add a touch of oil if needed and sauté the onions and bell pepper until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant. Stir in the chopped spinach and cook until just wilted. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.

Step 4: Create Your Base Mixture

In a large mixing bowl, combine the mashed potatoes, cottage cheese, flax mixture, nutritional yeast, and cornstarch. Stir until well incorporated. Add the milk, spices, and 1 cup of the shredded cheese, stirring to combine.

Step 5: Assemble the Casserole

Preheat your oven to 375°F and grease a 9×13 baking dish. Layer the thawed hash browns on the bottom of the dish. Spread half of the potato-cottage cheese mixture over the hash browns. Layer the sausage and vegetable mixture next, then top with the remaining potato-cottage cheese mixture.

Step 6: Add the Topping

In a small bowl, mix the melted butter with the crushed corn flakes or breadcrumbs. Sprinkle this mixture over the top of the casserole, then add the remaining ½ cup of shredded cheese.

Step 7: Bake to Golden Perfection

Bake uncovered for 40-45 minutes, until the top is golden brown and the casserole is bubbling around the edges. Let stand for 15 minutes before serving – this resting time helps everything set up beautifully.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Category: Breakfast
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1/8 casserole
Calories: 375

Keywords: breakfast casserole without eggs, egg-free breakfast casserole, cottage cheese breakfast recipe, allergy-friendly breakfast, make-ahead breakfast