Follow these simple steps to create your own delicious Crispy Hash Brown & Cheesy Egg Casserole:

1. Preheat Your Oven & Prepare the Pan: Start by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C). While the oven is heating, grease a 9×13 inch baking dish with butter or cooking spray. This will prevent the casserole from sticking and ensure easy removal after baking. Using a glass or ceramic baking dish is recommended for even heat distribution.
2. Sauté the Vegetables: In a large skillet over medium heat, melt 2 tablespoons of butter. Add the diced onion and green bell pepper. Sauté for 5-7 minutes, or until the vegetables are softened and the onion is translucent. Stir occasionally to prevent burning. Sautéing the vegetables before adding them to the casserole helps to soften them and bring out their flavors, rather than having them be slightly crunchy in the final dish.
3. Cook the Meat (If Using Raw): If you are using raw sausage or bacon, cook it in the same skillet after removing the vegetables. Crumble the meat as it cooks. Drain off any excess grease. If you are using pre-cooked bacon or sausage, simply crumble it and set it aside. Make sure your meat is fully cooked before adding it to the casserole for food safety reasons.
4. Prepare the Hash Brown Crust: In the greased baking dish, evenly spread the thawed hash browns. Press them down gently to create a uniform layer that covers the bottom and slightly up the sides of the dish. This will form the crispy crust of your casserole. Ensure the hash browns are thawed and not still frozen as this will affect the texture and cooking time.
5. Pre-bake the Hash Brown Crust (Optional but Recommended for Extra Crispiness): For an extra crispy crust, pre-bake the hash browns in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, or until they are lightly golden brown. This step is optional, but it significantly enhances the crispiness of the hash brown base and prevents it from becoming soggy from the egg mixture.
6. Whisk the Egg Mixture: While the hash browns are pre-baking (or if skipping pre-baking, while the oven preheats), in a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper until well combined and slightly frothy. Whisking well ensures a smooth and even texture for the egg mixture. Frothy eggs will also result in a slightly lighter and airier casserole.
7. Assemble the Casserole: Remove the pre-baked hash browns from the oven (if pre-baking). Sprinkle half of the shredded cheese evenly over the hash brown crust. Then, layer the sautéed vegetables and cooked meat (sausage or bacon) over the cheese. Finally, pour the egg mixture evenly over the top of the meat and vegetables.
8. Top with Remaining Cheese: Sprinkle the remaining shredded cheese evenly over the egg mixture. This will create a beautiful cheesy topping that melts and browns during baking.
9. Bake the Casserole: Bake in the preheated oven for 35-45 minutes, or until the casserole is set and the top is golden brown. A good indicator of doneness is when the center of the casserole is no longer jiggly and a knife inserted into the center comes out clean. The baking time may vary slightly depending on your oven and the depth of your baking dish.
10. Let it Rest & Serve: Once baked, remove the casserole from the oven and let it rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing and serving. This allows the casserole to set further and makes it easier to slice. Resting also helps to prevent the casserole from being too runny. Serve hot and enjoy!