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Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole {with Gluten and Dairy-Free Options}

5 from 1 vote
Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole is filled with eggs, sausage, and cheese, and is sure to be a family favorite! The recipe only requires a few ingredients and is so easy to cook in a dutch oven while camping or in a casserole dish at home in the oven. As always, gluten and dairy-free modifications are included in the recipe card.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Course: Breakfast
Cuisine: American
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pound Ground Breakfast Sausage (check for gluten-free)
  • 1 32-oz Package Frozen Tater Tots or Mini Tater Tots (check for gluten-free; Ore Ida brand is GF)
  • 12 Large Eggs
  • 1/2 Cup Milk (Use almond, soy, or coconut milk for dairy-free)
  • 2 Cups Cheddar or Monterey Jack Cheese (Use vegan cheese for dairy-free)
  • 1/2 tsp Salt
  • 1/4 tsp Pepper

Equipment

  • 10-inch Deep or 12-inch Camp Dutch Oven
  • Lid Lifter Tool (optional but recommended)
  • Charcoal, Chimney Starter, and Lighter
  • Long-handled tongs
  • Heat-Resistant Gloves
  • Large Mixing Bowl and Stirring Spoon
  • Non-Stick Spray or a Dutch Oven Liner

Method
 

At Home Before Camping:
  1. Brown and drain the ground sausage. Let the meat cool and store it in a ziplock bag in the cooler for up to three days.
  2. Optional: Crack 12 eggs and put them in a jar or leak-proof container. Store in the cooler for up to three days. (This takes up less cooler space and prevents accidentally cracked eggs while camping).
Prepare Cooking Heat Source:
  1. This recipe is best cooked over charcoal briquettes (instead of a campfire) for better heat control.
  2. You'll want to heat your dutch oven to 400 degrees. Download or screenshot the printable dutch oven charcoal temperature chart in this article to know how many charcoal briquettes you'll need to use based on your dutch oven size.
  3. Place the appropriate number of charcoal briquettes in a chimney starter and light them. You'll have about 10 minutes to prepare the tater tot breakfast casserole ingredients from the time you light the chimney starter until the coals will be ready to use. 
Assemble and Cook:
  1. Grease or spray the inside of the dutch oven with non-stick spray, or insert a dutch oven liner. Arrange half of the tater tots in a single layer in the bottom of the dutch oven.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, salt, and pepper. Stir in the cooked ground sausage and 1 cup cheese and mix well.
  3. Pour the mixture over the tater tots in the dutch oven.
  4. Cover the top of the casserole with the remaining tater tots and put the lid on the dutch oven.
  5. Using tongs and heat-resistant gloves, place the recommended number of hot charcoal briquettes under and on top of the dutch oven to achieve 400 degrees (see dutch oven temp chart).
  6. Bake for approximately 40-45 minutes, rotating the lid a half-turn every 15 minutes to help with even cooking. The casserole is done when the eggs are set and the tater tots are golden brown.
  7. Top the tater tot casserole with the remaining cup of cheese. Replace the dutch oven lid and bake for another 5 minutes to melt the cheese.
  8. Remove the dutch oven from the coals and let the casserole cool, uncovered, for 10 minutes before serving. Enjoy!

Notes

Indoor Oven Cooking Directions: 
Pre-heat the oven to 350 degrees. Arrange frozen tater tots in a single layer in a greased 9x13 dish. In a large mixing bowl, stir together the eggs, milk, cooked ground sausage, cheese, salt, and pepper. Pour the mixture over the tater tots, then top with additional tater tots. Bake for 40-45 mins. Top with remaining cheese and bake an additional 5-7 minutes. Let stand for 10 mins prior to serving. 

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