Breakfast Casserole (Grain & Dairy Free!)

Oooohhh... one of my favorite things about Christmas (as I've gotten older) has got to be breakfast! Or brunch really. We're too busy opening presents and enjoying the magic in the wee hours, and maybe munching on the chocolate left in our stockings too.

We head out my parents house around lunch time and enjoy Cinnamon rolls, bacon, fresh fruit and a delicious breakfast casserole. My mom does the cooking, but it's my recipe I gave her years ago and we've kept the tradition going ever since! It's hearty- filled with eggs and potatoes, rather than bread and cheese. You really don't need either of those things to create a delicious breakfast casserole. We do a small amount of cheese on our Christmas casserole, but I left out all dairy in this one. You can always add it if you like.

I love layering these roasted red bell peppers on the bottom of the casserole with the potatoes. The Great Value brand from Walmart works great.

Here's what you'll need:

• 1 dozen eggs

• 1/2 bag of hash brown potatoes, thawed (cubed or shredded)

• 2-3 large handfuls spinach

• 1/2 cup almond milk (for beating in with eggs)

• 1/2 to whole pound breakfast sausage (I use turkey sausage)

• Small amount roasted bell pepper

• Salt and pepper to taste (sausage takes care of these flavors for me)

• Feel free to add any veggie you like! (Shredded potato is a great addition!)

Directions:

1. Brown your sausage, drain and set aside.

2. Crack your eggs into a large mixing bowl, add milk and beat until blended well.

3. Shred your spinach (by hand works) and stir into egg mixture.

4. Add your sausage to the mixture.

5. Grease the bottom of a 9 x 13 baking dish and place your potatoes on the bottom and top with some of your roasted bell pepper.

6. Add any veggies you like to the bottom layer (mushrooms, diced zucchini, etc.)

7. Pour the egg mixture into the dish, press everything down into mixture as needed.

8. Bake at 350 for about 45 minutes or until cooked through.

   
   
   
   
   

   

   
   
   

   

   
   

   

   
   

   You can double this recipe or play with the amounts of things added. I think my mom actually uses about 14 eggs when she makes it.

   
   

   Love Cheese?

   
   

   You can sprinkle shredded cheese to the top of the casserole before baking or half way through the baking process. You can also add shredded cheese to the egg mixture before dumping into your casserole dish.

   
   

   

   
   

   We love adding hot sauce (Franks is best) to our piece before eating. (And ketchup lovers will of course want to add that too!)

   
   

   Enjoy! And.... MERRY CHRISTMAS!