The Farmer’s Casserole is a delicious breakfast recipe for serving a crowd during family gatherings or festive holidays. Packed with farm-friendly ingredients like hash browns, eggs, cheese, and ham, this casserole is baked to perfection, delivering a satisfying and hearty meal to start the day.
What Makes Farmer’s Casserole Special?
Farmer’s Casserole combines simple, wholesome ingredients in a dish that’s both easy to make and incredibly delicious. Here’s what goes into it:
- Hash browns: Provide a crispy base.
- Eggs: Bind everything together and add richness.
- Cheese: Adds creaminess and flavor.
- Ham: Offers a savory, meaty component.
- Green onions: Give a mild, crunchy bite.
- Evaporated milk: Ensures the casserole is moist but not watery.
This casserole is a favorite for occasions like Thanksgiving morning, Christmas, Easter brunch, or any time you have guests staying over. It’s versatile too—feel free to add Dijon mustard for a tangy twist, sautéed bell peppers for extra flavor, or use a mix of different cheeses to suit your taste.
Is Farmer’s Casserole Gluten-Free?
For those needing a gluten-free option, this casserole can easily accommodate dietary restrictions without sacrificing taste. Using brands like Ore-Ida shredded hash browns, which are gluten-free, and checking that your ham is also free of gluten, ensures everyone can enjoy this delicious breakfast. Remember, evaporated milk is naturally gluten-free, so no worries there!
Can You Substitute Regular Milk for Evaporated Milk?
It’s best to stick with evaporated milk in Farmer’s Casserole. Its concentrated and creamy nature contributes to the casserole’s ideal texture, preventing it from becoming too watery, which is a common issue when regular milk is used. Find evaporated milk in the baking aisle of your local supermarket.
Mastering the Art of Farmer’s Casserole: A Flexible and Flavorful Breakfast Dish
Farmer’s Casserole is a cherished recipe known for its ease of preparation and rich, comforting taste.
It’s a versatile dish that welcomes a variety of personal tweaks, whether it’s using your preferred type of cheese or adding fresh herbs for a burst of flavor. Below, we’ll guide you through the simple steps to prepare this delightful casserole, perfect for any morning gathering or a hearty family breakfast.
Ingredients for a Classic Farmer’s Casserole
- Frozen hash brown potatoes: 3 cups
- Pepperjack cheese: 3/4 cup, shredded
- Cooked ham: 1 cup, diced
- Green onions: 1/4 cup, chopped
- Eggs: 4, beaten
- Evaporated milk: 1 (12 fluid ounce) can
- Ground black pepper: 1/4 teaspoon
- Salt: 1/8 teaspoon
Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions
- Prepare the Baking Dish: Start by preheating your oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a 2-quart baking dish to ensure nothing sticks.
- Layer the Base: Arrange the hash brown potatoes evenly at the bottom of your prepared dish. Sprinkle the shredded pepperjack cheese, diced ham, and chopped green onions over the potatoes. This layering ensures each bite is packed with flavor.
- Mix the Egg Mixture: In a medium bowl, whisk together the beaten eggs, evaporated milk, black pepper, and salt until well combined. This mixture will bind the ingredients together and add a creamy texture to the casserole.
- Combine and Set: Pour the egg mixture over the potato layer, ensuring it covers the ingredients evenly. If you’re not baking immediately, you can cover the dish and refrigerate it for several hours or even overnight—perfect for preparing ahead of time.
- Bake to Perfection: Bake in the preheated oven for 40 to 45 minutes, or 55 to 60 minutes if the casserole has been chilled overnight. The casserole is ready when a knife inserted in the center comes out clean, indicating that the eggs have set beautifully.
- Rest and Serve: Allow the casserole to stand for 5 minutes after baking. This rest period lets the flavors meld together, enhancing the overall taste of the dish.
Tips for Customizing Your Casserole
Farmer’s Casserole is wonderfully adaptable. Try adding a handful of fresh herbs like parsley or chives for a pop of color and freshness. If you’re feeling adventurous, swap out the pepperjack cheese for another variety like sharp cheddar or a smoky gouda to tweak the flavor profile. Each adjustment makes this dish uniquely yours.
Really like the recipes you put out but can’t use them cause you never say how many it serves
I’m not usually a breakfast food fan but I really enjoyed this casserole and so did my family…but they like anything I cook. LOL! I did add bacon with the ham and fresh jalapeños(seeds removed), some green and red bell peppers and cherry tomatoes(cut in half). And in future casseroles I’ll use breakfast sausage or smoked sausage for my meat choice but still stick with the fresh veggies. And serve with bisquits or cressant rolls. Since I feed a man at home, I bulk up some recipes to keep his belly feeling full longer.