Farmer’s-Style Casserole is a hearty, rustic dish that embodies comfort food. It’s versatile, often using ingredients a farmer might have on hand: eggs, potatoes, cheese, pork (like sausage or ham), and vegetables.
There’s no single official recipe, but the concept is a layered or mixed baked dish, often similar to a breakfast casserole or a heartier version of a frittata.
Here is a classic, highly-rated version that serves 6-8 people.
Classic Farmer’s-Style Casserole
This is a make-ahead wonder, perfect for a weekend brunch or a simple dinner.
Ingredients:
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3 cups frozen shredded hash brown potatoes (thawed)
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¾ cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese (divided)
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1 pound bulk pork sausage (or cooked, diced ham)
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¼ cup chopped onion
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¼ cup chopped bell pepper (any color)
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6 large eggs
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2 cups milk (whole or 2%)
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1 teaspoon salt
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½ teaspoon black pepper
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½ teaspoon dry mustard (optional)
Optional Add-Ins:
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1 cup chopped fresh spinach or broccoli florets
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Sliced mushrooms
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Different cheeses like pepper jack or gruyere
Instructions:
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Prep & Layer: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. Spread the thawed hash browns evenly in the bottom. Sprinkle with ½ cup of the cheddar cheese.
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Cook the Meat & Veg: In a skillet over medium heat, cook the sausage (if using raw) with the onion and bell pepper until the sausage is browned and vegetables are tender. Drain any excess fat. If using pre-cooked ham, simply sauté the onions and peppers until soft, then stir in the ham to warm. Spread this mixture over the cheese layer.
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Make the Egg Custard: In a large bowl, whisk the eggs, milk, salt, pepper, and dry mustard until well combined.
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Assemble: Slowly pour the egg mixture evenly over the layers in the baking dish. Top with the remaining ¼ cup of cheese.
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Bake: Bake, uncovered, for 45-55 minutes, or until the center is set (a knife inserted near the center comes out clean) and the top is golden brown.
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Rest & Serve: Let the casserole stand for 5-10 minutes before slicing and serving.
Key Variations & Tips (The “Farmer’s Style” Spirit)
The beauty is in the customization based on what you have.
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Potato Base: Use diced cooked potatoes, tater tots, or even sliced potatoes instead of hash browns.
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Bread Base: Use cubed day-old bread or biscuits for a strata-style dish.
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Meat: Use cooked bacon, crumbled breakfast sausage links, diced ham, or even ground beef.
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Vegetables: Add corn, zucchini, asparagus, or sun-dried tomatoes. Sauté watery veggies (like mushrooms, spinach) first to remove excess moisture.
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Make-Ahead: Assemble the entire casserole the night before, cover, and refrigerate. In the morning, let it sit at room temp for 20-30 minutes while the oven preheats, then bake. You may need to add 5-10 minutes to the baking time.
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Dairy-Free/Healthier: Use a milk alternative, egg substitute, turkey sausage, and increase the veggies.
Why it’s called “Farmer’s-Style”? It’s hearty, filling, uses simple pantry/farm staples, and can feed a crowd with minimal fuss—perfect after a long morning of work. Enjoy