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Denver Omelette Hashbrown Casserole

Featured in Start Your Day Right.

This Denver omelet breakfast casserole brings together crispy hash browns, diced ham, colorful bell peppers, and onions, all bound with fluffy eggs and melted cheese. The beauty of this dish is that you can assemble it the night before, then just pop it in the oven come morning. It's perfect for feeding holiday guests or making weekend brunch special, and the leftovers heat up beautifully. Each bite delivers the perfect balance of crispy potatoes, savory ham, and tender vegetables in a cheesy egg mixture.
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Updated on Thu, 16 Jan 2025 01:18:23 GMT
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A baked dish with a golden, cheesy topping, sprinkled with ham and green onions, in a green casserole dish. Pin it
A baked dish with a golden, cheesy topping, sprinkled with ham and green onions, in a green casserole dish. | cookingkeys.com

I created this Denver omelette casserole during a big family brunch when individual omelettes seemed too fussy. The magic happens when crispy hashbrowns meet fluffy eggs loaded with ham, peppers, and cheese all baked until golden. Now it's our go-to for weekend brunches, bringing all those diner flavors home in one easy dish.

Why This Works

Every bite brings crispy potato base, fluffy eggs, savory ham, and sweet peppers wrapped in melty cheese. Takes simple ingredients and turns them into something that feeds a crowd without any stress. Perfect for busy mornings, holiday breakfasts, or even breakfast for dinner.

Your Shopping List

  • The Base: Good frozen hashbrowns (make sure they're thawed and dried). Fresh eggs, whole milk creates that perfect custard texture.
  • The Mix-ins: Diced ham (leftover works great here), colorful bell peppers, sweet onions.
  • Extra Goodness: Sharp cheddar cheese, garlic powder, fresh parsley makes everything pretty.

Let's Make It

Start The Base
Layer those hashbrowns in your buttered dish, spread them even. Add ham, peppers, onions, scatter them all over.
Mix Your Eggs
Whisk eggs, milk, and seasonings until they're totally combined. Pour it all over your potato layer.
Make It Cheesy
Cover everything with that shredded cheddar cheese, don't hold back here.
Bake To Golden
Into the oven until eggs are set, cheese is melty, edges get crispy, about 40 minutes of magic.
A golden-brown casserole topped with melted cheese and garnished with fresh cilantro, set on a patterned dish towel. Pin it
A golden-brown casserole topped with melted cheese and garnished with fresh cilantro, set on a patterned dish towel. | cookingkeys.com

Kitchen Secrets

Really press out moisture from those hashbrowns, keeps them crispy. Room temperature eggs blend better with milk. Grate your own cheese, melts nicer than pre-shredded. Let it rest five minutes before cutting, makes neater squares.

Serve It Right

Perfect with some fresh fruit on the side, maybe some toast for soaking up any extra egg. Set out hot sauce, sour cream, salsa, lets everyone customize. Some crispy bacon on top never hurts. Great for feeding a crowd, everyone serves themselves.

Save Some For Later

Keeps beautifully in the fridge about four days. Warms up nice in the microwave or oven. Make it ahead, cover well, chill overnight, bake in the morning. Perfect for busy holiday mornings or when company's coming.

Mix It Up

Try different cheese combinations, pepper jack adds nice heat. Switch up vegetables, mushrooms, zucchini both work great. Sometimes I add breakfast sausage instead of ham. The recipe welcomes creativity while keeping that classic Denver flavor.

A baked casserole topped with cheese, diced ham, and green onions in a rectangular dish on a patterned cloth. Pin it
A baked casserole topped with cheese, diced ham, and green onions in a rectangular dish on a patterned cloth. | cookingkeys.com

Make It Yours

Play with add-ins until you find your perfect mix. My kids pick out the peppers, husband adds extra cheese. Some friends make it spicy, others keep it mild. That's what makes cooking fun, taking a classic recipe making it exactly how your family loves it.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can I make this casserole ahead of time?
Yes, you can assemble this casserole up to 12 hours before baking. Keep it covered in the refrigerator until ready to bake.
→ Can I use fresh hash browns instead of frozen?
Yes, fresh shredded potatoes will work. Just make sure to squeeze out excess moisture before using them in the recipe.
→ How do I know when the casserole is done?
The center should be set and not jiggly. The ham on top will start to brown, and a knife inserted in the center should come out clean.
→ Can I freeze this casserole?
Yes, you can freeze it after baking. Let it cool completely, wrap well, and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight before reheating.
→ What can I substitute for the pepper Jack cheese?
You can use regular Monterey Jack, mozzarella, or more cheddar cheese if you prefer less spice. The texture will remain similar.

Denver Omelette Hashbrown Casserole

A filling breakfast casserole that combines crispy hash browns with classic Denver omelette ingredients. Great for family brunches or make-ahead meals.

Prep Time
10 Minutes
Cook Time
75 Minutes
Total Time
85 Minutes

Category: Breakfast

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: American

Yield: 8 Servings (1 9x13-inch casserole)

Dietary: Gluten-Free

Ingredients

01 Cooking spray.
02 1 tablespoon vegetable oil.
03 2 ham steaks (8-ounce each), cut into 1/2-inch pieces.
04 1 medium yellow onion, chopped.
05 1 medium green bell pepper, chopped.
06 1 package (16-ounce) frozen shredded hash browns, thawed.
07 4 ounces sharp pepper Jack cheese, shredded.
08 2 teaspoons kosher salt.
09 1/2 teaspoon black pepper.
10 8 large eggs.
11 1 cup whole milk.
12 3/4 cup sour cream.
13 2 teaspoons hot sauce.
14 2 ounces sharp Cheddar cheese, shredded.

Instructions

Step 01

Heat oven to 350°F. Spray a 9x13-inch baking dish with cooking spray.

Step 02

Heat oil in a large pan. Cook ham, onion, and pepper until ham browns and onions turn clear, about 10 minutes.

Step 03

Combine hash browns, pepper Jack, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Spread in dish. Top with ham mixture.

Step 04

Whisk eggs, milk, sour cream, hot sauce, and remaining seasonings. Pour over ham layer. Top with cheddar cheese.

Step 05

Cover with foil and bake 40 minutes. Uncover and bake 20 more minutes until set. Rest 10 minutes before serving.

Notes

  1. Can be assembled 12 hours ahead and refrigerated.
  2. Great for feeding a crowd.
  3. Leftovers reheat well.

Tools You'll Need

  • 9x13-inch baking dish.
  • Large nonstick skillet.
  • Aluminum foil.

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Dairy.
  • Eggs.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 464
  • Total Fat: 30 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 22 g
  • Protein: 26 g