Hash Brown Cottage Cheese Egg Bake {Excessive-Protein Make-Forward Breakfast}

When mornings are busy, and everybody’s hungry at the very same time, I like having a breakfast like this ready within the fridge. This egg bake is hearty, tacky, full of veggies, and constructed on a crispy hash brown crust, so it really looks like an actual “sit down” breakfast even in the event you’re consuming it between emails.

The cottage cheese is the key weapon right here. Mixing it proper into the eggs makes the entire casserole additional creamy and provides an enormous protein enhance with out feeling heavy. You continue to get these traditional breakfast flavors from turkey bacon, peppers, onions, and melty mozzarella, simply in a lighter, extra filling package deal.

It additionally makes an enormous pan, so it’s good for meal prep, vacation mornings, or feeding houseguests with out juggling a number of pans on the range. Bake it as soon as, slice it into squares, and also you’ve acquired grab-and-go breakfasts able to reheat all week lengthy.

Earlier than You Get Began

Right here are some things to know earlier than you begin cooking so your egg bake comes out completely each time.

• Use your favourite bacon: I like turkey bacon right here to maintain issues lighter, however center-cut pork bacon works nice if that’s what your loved ones prefers. Simply cook dinner it till it begins to brown and render some fats earlier than including the veggies.
• Thaw and season the hash browns: Be sure that frozen hash browns are totally defrosted earlier than urgent them into the pan, and season them with salt, pepper, and garlic powder so the crust has loads of taste.
• Mix the egg combination: Mixing the eggs, egg whites, and cottage cheese makes the filling actually easy and fluffy. A blender is best, however a handheld mixer additionally works if that’s what you may have.
• Select the best pan: Use a 9×13 baking dish that’s sprayed nicely with cooking spray so the hash brown crust and eggs launch simply after baking.

Find out how to Make Hash Brown Cottage Cheese Egg Bake

Right here’s a easy overview of how this egg bake comes collectively.

1. Cook dinner the Bacon and Veggies

Warmth the olive oil in a big skillet over medium-high warmth. Add the chopped turkey bacon and let it begin to brown. Stir within the onions and bell peppers and cook dinner till they soften, then add the spinach and let it wilt. Season this combination nicely with salt and pepper, then set it apart.

2. Mix the Egg Combination

Add the eggs, egg whites, cottage cheese, garlic powder, crimson pepper flakes, salt, and pepper to a blender. Mix till the combination is totally easy and creamy, so it bakes up mild and even.

3. Construct the Hash Brown Base

Spray a 9×13 baking dish with cooking spray. Press the hash browns firmly into the underside of the pan, in order that they type a fair crust. Season with a bit additional salt, pepper, and garlic powder, then sprinkle half of the shredded cheese over the potatoes.

4. Add the Veggies and Pour the Eggs

Unfold the bacon and veggie combination evenly over the hash brown base. Fastidiously pour the blended egg combination excessive, ensuring it sinks down into all of the nooks and crannies. Sprinkle the remaining cheese evenly excessive of the casserole.

5. Bake Till Set

Switch the casserole dish to a 350-degree oven and bake till the casserole is ready within the middle and the highest is flippantly golden. The eggs ought to now not be jiggly within the center, and a knife inserted within the middle ought to come out largely clear. Let it sit for a couple of minutes earlier than slicing into squares.

Recipe Ideas and Methods

Listed below are one of the best suggestions and methods to make this recipe come out completely each single time.

• Get a crispier crust: Be sure that your hash browns are thawed and pressed firmly into the pan. For additional crisp edges, you may flippantly spray or drizzle the highest with a little bit of oil earlier than including the cheese.
• Season in layers: Style the bacon and veggie combination earlier than it goes into the pan, and ensure it’s nicely seasoned. The higher that layer tastes, the higher the entire casserole will probably be.
• Pack in additional veggies: You may simply add mushrooms, additional spinach, shredded zucchini (squeezed dry), and even broccoli florets. Simply sauté them with the peppers and onion so extra moisture cooks off.
• Change up the cheese: Mozzarella retains issues gentle and melty, however cheddar, pepper jack, or a mix of no matter you may have within the fridge will all work. Use what your loved ones loves!
• Enhance the protein much more: In order for you an additional protein punch, swap among the entire eggs for added egg whites or add a bit extra cottage cheese and in the reduction of barely on the shredded cheese.
• Vegetarian casserole possibility: Leave out the turkey bacon or use a vegetarian bacon or sausage various. You may as well add additional veggies like mushrooms or extra peppers to bulk it up so you continue to get a hearty, satisfying casserole!

Serving Concepts

Listed below are some easy serving concepts to spherical out your breakfast or brunch.

Storage & Reheating

Listed below are one of the best methods to retailer and reheat this egg bake so you may get pleasure from all of it week lengthy.

• Retailer within the fridge: Let the casserole cool fully, then slice it into squares and retailer in an hermetic container within the fridge for 3–4 days.
• Freeze for later: Wrap particular person items tightly or pack in freezer-safe containers and freeze for as much as 2–3 months. For one of the best texture, thaw in a single day within the fridge earlier than reheating.
• Reheat gently: Heat slices within the microwave in brief bursts or reheat in a 325-degree oven or toaster oven till heated by way of. Cowl with foil if reheating within the oven to maintain it from drying out.
• Leftover concepts: Tuck warmed squares into an entire wheat tortilla for a fast breakfast wrap, serve with a aspect salad for a simple lunch, or chop and fold right into a skillet with additional veggies and potatoes for a “second-day” hash.