The “Sheepherder’s Breakfast Casserole” is a delicious and easy breakfast dish that is sure to please a crowd. This one-dish casserole is made with bacon, onion, hash browns, eggs, and cheddar cheese. It is simple to prepare and can be served with toast, juice, and coffee for a complete breakfast. The recipe has been passed down through generations and is a favorite among family and friends. With its savory flavors and hearty ingredients, this breakfast casserole is the perfect way to start your day.
Recipe
Sheepherder’s Breakfast is a delicious and hearty breakfast casserole that is perfect for feeding a crowd. Packed with flavorful ingredients and easy to make, this dish is sure to become a breakfast favorite. Whether you’re hosting a brunch or need a quick and easy breakfast option, Sheepherder’s Breakfast is the answer.
Ingredients
- 3/4 pound bacon strips, finely chopped
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 1 package (30 ounces) frozen shredded hash brown potatoes, thawed
- 8 large eggs
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Directions
- In a large skillet, cook bacon and onion over medium heat until bacon is crisp. Drain, reserving 1/4 cup drippings in the pan.
- Stir in the thawed hash brown potatoes. Cook, uncovered, over medium heat until the bottom is golden brown, about 10 minutes.
- Turn the potatoes and using the back of a spoon, make 8 evenly spaced wells in the potato mixture.
- Break 1 egg into each well and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
- Cook, covered, on low heat until the eggs are set and the potatoes are tender, about 10 minutes.
- Sprinkle with shredded cheddar cheese and let stand until the cheese is melted.
Tips and Variations
Leftover bacon grease
If you have leftover bacon grease from cooking the bacon, don’t throw it away! Save it in the refrigerator to use in a variety of ways. Bacon grease can add delicious flavor to baked goods, or be used to fry up eggs or vegetables. It can even be added to ice cream for a unique twist!
Variations
Sheepherder’s Breakfast is a versatile dish that can easily be customized to suit your tastes. If you’re not a fan of bacon, you can substitute it with country pork sausage for a flavorful twist. You can also make a vegetarian version by eliminating the meat and replacing the reserved bacon drippings with oil or butter.
Using more or less eggs
If you need to make this recipe with more or fewer eggs, you can easily adjust it based on your needs. Simply make as many wells in the potato mixture as the number of eggs you want to use. If you have leftover eggs, you can use them up in other delicious egg recipes.
Nutrition
Sheepherder’s Breakfast is a hearty and satisfying meal that provides a good balance of nutrients. Here is the nutrition breakdown per serving:
- Calories: 354
- Fat: 22g
- Cholesterol: 222mg
- Sodium: 617mg
- Carbohydrate: 22g
- Protein: 17g
Other Breakfast Casserole Recipes
If you enjoyed making and eating Sheepherder’s Breakfast, here are a few more breakfast casserole recipes you might like to try:
Amish Breakfast Casserole
Amish Breakfast Casserole is a traditional dish that combines ingredients like bacon, eggs, cheese, and hash browns into a satisfying and delicious breakfast. It’s perfect for a cozy weekend morning or for feeding a crowd at a brunch gathering.
Shepherd’s Inn Breakfast Pie
Shepherd’s Inn Breakfast Pie is a savory and flavorful casserole that combines ground sausage, eggs, cheese, and bread into a tasty breakfast dish. It’s great for meal prepping or for serving at a breakfast or brunch event.
Camper’s Breakfast Hash
Camper’s Breakfast Hash is a hearty and filling breakfast casserole that is perfect for camping or any time you want a comforting and delicious breakfast. Packed with potatoes, sausage, and eggs, this dish is sure to keep you fueled and satisfied.
About the Sheepherder’s Breakfast
Sheepherder’s Breakfast is a classic breakfast dish that is popular among campers and outdoor enthusiasts. It is a one-dish casserole that combines crispy bacon, onions, hash brown potatoes, eggs, and cheese into a flavorful and satisfying meal. It is often served with toast, juice, and coffee, making it a complete and convenient breakfast option.
History of Sheepherder’s Breakfast
Sheepherder’s Breakfast has its origins in the Western United States, where sheepherders would cook hearty and filling meals to sustain them during long days out in the fields. The dish is believed to have been created by sheepherders who needed a simple and nourishing breakfast that could be cooked over an open fire. Over time, the recipe has been adapted and modified to include different ingredients and flavors, but the basic concept of a hearty breakfast casserole remains the same.
Ingredients in Sheepherder’s Breakfast Casserole
Sheepherder’s Breakfast Casserole is made with a combination of delicious ingredients that come together to create a flavorful and satisfying dish. Here are the main ingredients used in this recipe:
- Bacon strips: Crispy and flavorful bacon adds a smoky and savory taste to the casserole.
- Onion: Chopped onion adds a sweet and aromatic flavor to the dish.
- Hash brown potatoes: Frozen shredded hash brown potatoes provide a hearty and filling base for the casserole.
- Eggs: Large eggs are added to the casserole to provide additional protein and richness.
- Salt and pepper: These simple seasonings enhance the flavors of the other ingredients.
- Shredded cheddar cheese: Sprinkling shredded cheddar cheese on top of the casserole adds a gooey and cheesy finish to the dish.
Preparation and Cooking Instructions
Making Sheepherder’s Breakfast Casserole is a simple and straightforward process. Here are the step-by-step preparation and cooking instructions:
- Start by cooking the bacon and onion in a large skillet over medium heat until the bacon is crisp. Drain the bacon and onion, reserving 1/4 cup of the drippings in the pan.
- Stir in the thawed hash brown potatoes and cook, uncovered, over medium heat until the bottom is golden brown, approximately 10 minutes.
- Turn the potatoes and use the back of a spoon to make 8 evenly spaced wells in the potato mixture.
- Break 1 egg into each well and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
- Cook the casserole, covered, on low heat until the eggs are set and the potatoes are tender, approximately 10 minutes.
- Sprinkle the casserole with shredded cheddar cheese and let it stand until the cheese is melted.
Storage and Reheating
Sheepherder’s Breakfast Casserole can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Simply reheat individual servings in the microwave or warm the entire casserole in the oven at a low temperature until heated through.
Conclusion
Sheepherder’s Breakfast is a delicious and satisfying breakfast casserole that is perfect for feeding a crowd or enjoying as a weekend treat. Packed with flavorful ingredients and easy to make, this dish is sure to become a breakfast favorite. With its versatile nature, you can easily customize the recipe to suit your tastes. Whether you’re hosting a brunch or simply looking for a quick and easy breakfast option, Sheepherder’s Breakfast is a fantastic choice. Give it a try and enjoy a hearty and delicious start to your day!
