Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner; Styling: Jan Gautro

We love a big, rich breakfast casserole in the South, especially on Christmas morning, and Sausage-Hash Brown Breakfast Casserole is a delicious, hearty choice. Get a jump start by cooking the sausage the night before, and placing it in a plastic zip-top bag to chill overnight. You’ll be one step ahead on Christmas morning, giving you time to enjoy the festivities.

Sausage-Hash Brown Breakfast Casserole
Makes 10 servings

• 1 pound mild ground pork sausage
• 1 pound hot ground pork sausage
• 1 (30-ounce) package frozen hash browns
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, divided
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• 1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
• 6 large eggs
• 2 cups milk

1. Cook sausages in a large skillet over medium-high heat, stirring until sausage crumbles and is no longer pink. Drain well.
2. Prepare hash browns according to package directions, using 1/2 teaspoon salt and pepper.
3. Stir together hash browns, sausage, and cheese. Pour into a lightly greased 13- x 9-inch baking dish.
4. Whisk together eggs, milk, and remaining 1 teaspoon salt. Pour evenly over potato mixture.
5. Bake at 350° for 35 to 40 minutes.