Potatoes, cheese and eggs come together in this baked Italian Potato Casserole, perfect for breakfast or brunch.
One of the most common words of advice I get – whether it be from books, magazines, the internet or other moms – about life after having a first child is to not expect to be perfect. Everyone says to realize that you are human and that you can’t do it all – take care of a newborn, have a perfectly clean house, warm dinner on the table every night… But I have to admit, I know this is one that I am going to struggle the most with. Not that my life is perfect already by any means. My house certainly isn’t spotless, and my husband is lucky lately if he gets homemade dinner. But I do have to admit that it is already eating me up inside, and the baby isn’t even here yet.
One of the biggest areas that has been frustrating for me the past few months is in my photography. I spent a little time looking online yesterday, and I start to feel anxiety about how I want to better my blog and my photos. But when it comes down to it, I just haven’t had the energy lately. Or the daylight. Like the picture above. It’s obviously of leftovers, since there is no daylight after 5pm, and even though we are early eaters, we still do eat after 5pm. So I took the picture the next day, but it just doesn’t look as appealing as “fresh” food. Maybe I’ll break down and invest in a fancy flash or some lighting, but I can imagine that even then, once the baby is here, my photo taking time will be limited.
So maybe one of these days I’ll be able to take the time I want, but for now, you’ll have to take my advice on how the food tastes versus how it looks as leftovers in the photo!!
This casserole is really more of a breakfast casserole – with eggs, potatoes and sausage – but we had it for dinner because really, breakfast is always good for dinner!! This is also a good “make ahead” dish that can be made earlier in the day and just stick it in the oven before dinner. These are becoming my favorite kinds of dishes lately since I have more energy in the morning than I do in the evening. A delicious meal morning, noon or night!
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Italian Potato Casserole
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 10 - 14 servings 1x
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: Italian
Description
Potatoes, cheese and eggs come together in this baked Italian Potato Casserole, perfect for breakfast or brunch.
Ingredients
- 6 large potatoes, peeled and boiled
- 1/2 cup chopped onions
- 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 1 cup Mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 1/2 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1 pound sausage
- 10–12 eggs
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400 F.
- Take the potatoes and dice into 1/2 inch squares. Set aside.
- Crumble and cook the sausage in a large pan over medium heat until cooked through. Once sausage is cooked, remove from pan. Drain grease, reserving 2-3 tablespoons to cook the potatoes in.
- Add potatoes to the same pan with the reserved sausage grease. Add the onions, salt, pepper, basil and Italian seasoning. Cook until the potatoes are tender, like hash browns. Taste and add salt and pepper if needed. Potatoes should be lightly browned.
- Spray an 8×10 casserole dish with cooking spray. Layer the potatoes in the bottom of the dish. Add the sausage on top of the potatoes. Next, sprinkle the Mozzarella.
- In a separate bowl, whisk the eggs. Pour the eggs over the casserole. The eggs should cover all the ingredients. If they don’t, add another egg or two.
- Bake in the preheated oven for about 40 minutes. Make sure the eggs are set in the middle before removing from the oven. Sprinkle the cheddar cheese on top and return to the oven for a few minutes to melt the cheese.
- Serve hot.
Recipe Notes:
source: thedailyrecipe.com
giz says
Have I told you lately that you’re way too hard on yourself?
The potato casserole looks delicious.
Here’s my recipe for success (not that you asked for it or anything) – cook lots, freeze most of it.
Cara says
This breakfast casserole looks great! I’m having similar photography issues since we don’t eat until after we put our toddler down for the night! Sounds like we have similar personalities….I’m still adjusting to life with a child, and he’s 16 months old! Best of luck, and can’t wait to meet the new arrival!
Psychgrad says
This looks delicious. I’m sure it would be a hit at my place. What’s not to love?
I was thinking that you may have the baby over the holidays and quickly scrolled through the backlog of posts (I’m behind on my google reader). No baby yet. I’m sure it’ll be soon! Good luck with everything. I can’t wait to see the new arrival!
lalaine says
This looks amazing! We have a version in the Philippines that is akin to this but I also thought it was Spanish in influence.
Claire says
I don’t even have a baby and I can’t do all that! This looks good and I LOVE breakfast for dinner.
Maria says
No worries! Your photos are lovely. You have much more important things to worry about!! And you do a fabulous job anyways!!
glamah16 says
You know I’m no expert photographer, but I dont have the luxery of daylight. I still find I can take a decent picture in my near windowless condo without flash. I dont know.Just take it easy and go with it it. Sometimes the best art comes out of the least prfecy settings.
Grace says
as a perfectionist, i feel your pain. good luck to you in accepting your human-ness, and don’t fret about your pictures–they’re great. also great? your casserole. it looks hearty and delicious.
Mary says
Great recipe! As to the rest….take it a step at a time. Start by picking one thing you won’t give up, then make sure to set aside the time to do it. The baby will sleep – a little – and while she does move full steam ahead. The house – dirty or clean – will still be there. Dinner – homemade or carryout – will make it to the table. You are about to take the path less travelled because for each of us becoming a Mama is a singular adventure. Have a great trip!
Catherine Wilkinson says
Deb,
After raising four of the little buggers, I have to break the news to you that life won’t be the same…ever. Your house will most likely look like a bomb just went off, you’ll feel like there’s never enough time to do what you WANT to do, let alone what NEEDS to be done, and unfortunately you may find your camera outside in a pile of mud because someone was taking pictures of bugs! But the rewards are so sweet and wonderful, it will all work out in a way that you never imagined. You’ll do just fine, I’m sure of it!
Amanda at Little Foodies says
I’m with Aimee and Elle but would add that although I think your pics are great I pop by for what you make and write about. There are loads of blogs where the photography is so cool I couldn’t even start trying to be that good – so I wont. teehee!
Everybody will offer advice and sometimes it will bamboozle you so always have faith in yourself, listen to others but go with how you feel and what you want because everybody is different and only you will really know your baby. Don’t give it too much thought, just go with your gut instinct. x
Elle says
This would be yummy any time of day. Be good to yourself. Once the baby arrives I bet taking photos of the baby will become even more enthralling than taking photos of food.
Ben says
I know what I am having for dinner tomorrow night. It sounds so good!
Maryann says
No worries, sweety! We all have trouble taking pictures of our dinner this time of year. I bought a very cheap goose neck lamp from the home store. I think it was like 8 bucks.Then I bought another to light up the shadows. They work like a charm and are easy to take out and put away.There are also lots of sites out there that show you how to make a light box. Very inexpensive..maybe 15 dollars.
Your personality shines through your blog posts, even if that doesn’t help to light your dishes.
noble pig says
I think the photo looks great. But you should get one of those photo light boxes if you are stressed about it, I know people who use them love them.
Dragon says
Winter is the absolute worse time for photo taking. I can’t wait for the spring and longer days.
I love this casserole. It looks so warm and comforting.
kristina says
I’ve been dealing with the same issues re photography.
It’s so dark in our north-facing flat that I have to take everything outside to photograph it…or hold it out the window! I’m sure the neighbors are beginning to wonder what on earth I’m doing!
And I’m not at all sure how I’ll deal with photographing dinners once I start the cookbook project, as it gets dark here by 4 pm! K x
Aimée says
I think I wrote almost this exact post a while back. Good photography with a newborn and a toddler slamming into my legs while I was trying to hold the camera steady..it wasn’t worth the stress/trouble.
Hey, this is a huge crossroads in your life. Trust me, the photos will seem insignificant when you are holding your little one.
All the best….
Rosa's Yummy Yums says
Nobody’s perfect ;-P… That Casserole looks really good! Surely delicious!
Cheers,
Rosa
Dawn says
Oh I just love your photos…you’re too hard on yourself; your photos are wonderful–I always look forward to your new posts.
It’s hard to for to photograph in the winter because of lack of sunlight and all we’ve been having is rain rain rain.
kat says
Love these kind of casseroles. & I think your photos look great
Barbara Bakes says
I love breakfast for dinner. This looks great. One tip for after the baby comes is to ask for help, or accept it when it’s offerred. I think as women we think we need to do it all ourselves. If someone asks what they can do to help, let them clean the house or cook while you sleep or spend time with the baby.