Ultimate Cheesy Bacon Hash Brown Pie: Your Go-To Recipe for a Delicious Weekend Breakfast
Imagine waking up to the aroma of crispy bacon, golden hash browns, and melting cheddar cheese, all baked together in one glorious dish. This Cheesy Bacon Hash Brown Pie is more than just a recipe; it’s an experience. Simple to prepare yet bursting with flavor and comforting textures, it’s the kind of breakfast your family will eagerly request again and again. Whether you’re planning a leisurely weekend brunch or need a hearty start to a busy day, this pie delivers pure satisfaction.
This post is proudly sponsored in partnership with Sargento®.
Rediscovering Comfort Amidst Change
Life can often throw us curveballs, disrupting our routines and leaving us longing for the familiar. For us, the past month has been a whirlwind of activity, culminating in a big move to a new house. The chaos of packing, unpacking, and settling in meant that many of our cherished routines had to take a backseat. I’ve deeply missed those moments of calm and connection that a consistent routine brings, especially our relaxed family breakfasts.
But now, the dust is beginning to settle. We’re slowly finding our rhythm in our new home, and one of the very first traditions I’m eager to reinstate is our lazy weekend breakfasts together. There’s something incredibly grounding about sharing a homemade meal, especially after a period of intense change. It’s a chance to reconnect, to unwind, and to simply enjoy each other’s company without the pressure of a looming to-do list.
Hooray for new beginnings and delicious traditions!
The Perfect Lazy Morning Indulgence
I cannot overstate my excitement for those upcoming Saturday mornings: no packing boxes, no urgent errands, just pure, unadulterated relaxation. We’ll linger in our pajamas until noon, maybe catch some cartoons, and, most importantly, savor a leisurely homemade breakfast. And this Cheesy Bacon Hash Brown Pie? It’s absolutely destined for our table. It has quickly become one of my new favorite things to make and, more importantly, to eat!
What makes this pie so irresistible? It’s a harmonious blend of textures and flavors. The golden-brown, crispy hash brown crust gives way to a tender, savory interior. Each bite is loaded with salty, smoky bits of crispy bacon, tender sautéed onion, and generous amounts of rich, melty Sargento® 100% real, natural cheddar cheese. This is not just breakfast; it’s a celebration of comfort food.
Just look at those perfectly crispy edges, the little jewels of bacon scattered throughout, and all that deliciously gooey, melty cheese—
How can anyone resist that? It’s an inviting, hearty dish that promises to put a smile on everyone’s face, whether it’s a quiet family meal or a lively brunch gathering.
Serving Suggestions and Creative Variations
While this Cheesy Bacon Hash Brown Pie is phenomenal on its own, a few simple additions can elevate your breakfast experience. I particularly enjoy serving wedges of this pie with a simple dollop of cool, creamy sour cream. The tanginess of the sour cream provides a delightful contrast to the rich, savory flavors of the pie.
If you’re feeling ambitious and want to go “all out” for a special brunch, a perfectly fried egg perched on top of each slice is an absolute game-changer. The runny yolk creates an extra layer of richness that truly makes the dish feel decadent. Don’t forget a sprinkle of fresh chives or green onions for a pop of color and a mild oniony bite.
Customize Your Pie: Endless Possibilities
This recipe is incredibly versatile, making it easy to adapt to your family’s preferences or whatever you have on hand. Want to add a healthier twist or simply pack in more flavor? Try adding finely diced vegetables to the mix before baking. Some of my favorite additions include:
- Bell Peppers: Red, yellow, or green peppers add a lovely sweetness and a vibrant crunch. Sauté them briefly with the onions until slightly softened.
- Mushrooms: Sliced mushrooms, sautéed until golden, lend an earthy depth of flavor.
- Spinach: Fresh spinach, wilted and squeezed dry, is an excellent way to incorporate greens.
- Jalapeños: For those who love a bit of heat, finely diced fresh or pickled jalapeños can add a fantastic kick.
- Tomatoes: Diced cherry tomatoes can add a burst of juicy flavor and acidity.
Beyond vegetables, consider swapping out or adding different meats. Cooked sausage crumbles or diced ham would be delicious alternatives to bacon. You could also experiment with different cheese blends – a mix of cheddar and Monterey Jack, or even a touch of smoked gouda, could offer new dimensions of flavor. For a richer flavor profile, consider adding a dash of hot sauce or a pinch of smoked paprika to the egg mixture. The beauty of this recipe lies in its adaptability!
Happy weekending, and enjoy every delicious bite!
Cheesy Bacon Hash Brown Pie
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Ingredients
- 4 slices bacon , chopped
- ½ onion chopped
- 3 large eggs
- ⅓ cup whole milk (80 ml)
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 3 cups frozen hash browns , thawed (200 grams)
- 1 ½ cups cheddar cheese (170 grams)
Suggested toppings for serving:
- Sour cream
- Chives
- Additional shredded cheese
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
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In a well-seasoned 8 or 9-inch cast iron skillet, cook the bacon over medium heat until crispy and fat has rendered. Transfer bacon to a paper towel-lined plate to drain. Add the onion to the skillet and reduce heat to medium low. Cook until onion is soft and translucent, about 4 minutes.
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In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, salt and pepper. Stir in the hash browns, cheese, bacon and onion.
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Make sure the cast iron skillet is well greased with bacon grease, and grease with non-stick cooking spray if needed. Dump the hash brown mixture into the skillet and spread it evenly in the pan. Bake until edges are crispy, about 30-35 minutes. Serve immediately.
Tips for the Best Cheesy Bacon Hash Brown Pie
- Thaw Hash Browns Thoroughly: Ensure your frozen hash browns are completely thawed and squeezed of any excess moisture. This is crucial for achieving that desirable crispy texture on the outside and preventing a soggy pie.
- Render Bacon Fat Properly: Cooking the bacon until perfectly crispy not only adds flavor but also provides the essential bacon grease needed to properly grease your cast iron skillet. Don’t discard this flavorful fat!
- Don’t Skimp on the Cheese: Using good quality, extra sharp cheddar cheese, like Sargento®, makes a noticeable difference. The sharpness cuts through the richness of the bacon and hash browns, creating a balanced flavor profile.
- Cast Iron Skillet for Crispiness: A cast iron skillet is ideal for this recipe as it retains and distributes heat evenly, contributing to those wonderfully crispy edges. If you don’t have one, any oven-safe skillet will work, but you might need to adjust baking time slightly.
- Even Spreading: Once the mixture is in the skillet, spread it out evenly. This ensures even cooking and browning throughout the pie.
Why This Breakfast Pie is a Game Changer
This Cheesy Bacon Hash Brown Pie isn’t just another breakfast dish; it’s a testament to the power of simple ingredients combined to create something truly extraordinary. It’s incredibly satisfying without being overly complicated. The prep work is minimal, allowing you more time to relax and enjoy your morning. Plus, it’s a fantastic crowd-pleaser, perfect for feeding a hungry family or entertaining guests for brunch. You can even prepare some of the components, like cooking the bacon and dicing the onion, ahead of time to make morning assembly even quicker.
From the moment you pull it out of the oven, golden and bubbling, it invites everyone to gather around. The blend of savory, salty, and cheesy notes makes it universally appealing, and the combination of textures – from the crispy potato edges to the tender egg and melty cheese interior – creates a delightful eating experience. This pie is a celebration of home cooking, family moments, and the simple joy of a truly delicious breakfast.
Disclosure: This recipe was sponsored in partnership with Sargento®. All opinions are 100% my own, as always. Thank you for supporting partnerships with brands I love and believe in, which make it easier for me to bring you new and creative content.