Spicy Italian Chicken Sausage Breakfast Casserole

I got the idea to make this version of a breakfast casserole after I made this one during the holidays:  Turkey Sausage Breakfast Casserole. It was just so good I wanted to make it with different flavors. It is certainly a nice change to have this on hand versus the go to cereal for us for breakfast. We just warmed some up in a bowl and rolled it up in warm spinach flavored tortillas to go.

I added a few things I just had on hand already and it really came out tasty. If you wanted it even spicier you can just add crushed red pepper flakes, chopped jalapenos or hot sauce. Or you can go the opposite way and get mild sausage versus the spicy. Either way I think it turned out great! I might try it meatless next and use some beans in place of the meat.

Spicy Chicken Sausage Breakfast Casserole       

Serves 6-8

Spicy Chicken Sausage Breakfast Casserole

ingredients

• 1 lb Spicy Italian chicken sausage, casings removed
• 16-18 oz frozen hash browns (I just used half of a large bag)

• 8 large egg whites, lightly beaten
• 4 green onions, finely chopped
• 3 cloves garlic minced
• 1/2 cup milk
• 4 oz shredded cheddar cheese
• 4 oz sliced black olives
• 1 red bell pepper, seeded and chopped

• Kosher Salt & Freshly Cracked Black Pepper

directions

1. Preheat the oven to 350º. Brown sausage in a cast iron skillet over medium heat until browned and cooked through. Remove and set aside on a plate. Add the hash browns to the same skillet (add a lil bit of oil if the pan seems to dry), salt, pepper & garlic. Cook until potatoes are slightly browned. Remove from heat.

2. In a large bowl, mix all the ingredients together until well blended. Pour into a buttered 9 x 13 baking dish.

3. Bake for 1 hour, let cool slightly and serve.

Enjoy!

This recipe was adapted from Allrecipes.