Farmer's Casserole [Easy Overnight Breakfast Casserole Recipe!]

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Last updated on September 12th, 2022

Farmer’s casserole with ham and hash browns is an easy, delicious, and filling overnight breakfast casserole, perfect to serve up for a big family or hungry crowd.

The easy breakfast bake combines all of your favorite breakfast ingredients–eggs, hash browns, ham, and cheese- into one incredible dish.

The delicious farmer’s casserole recipe is perfect for Christmas morning, Thanksgiving morning, Easter brunch, or to serve up for weekend brunch any time of the year.

If you are a breakfast casserole fanatic like I am you won’t want to miss this incredible blueberry french toast casserole or my very popular biscuits and gravy casserole.

Farmer's Casserole with hash browns and diced ham served on a white and blue plate with a fork, glass of orange juice, and the remaining casserole in the background

I can’t think of a better way to start a busy morning than with a hearty breakfast casserole.

And when it comes to breakfast, there’s nothing easier than layering all of your favorite breakfast ingredients into a baking dish and having the oven do the rest of the work.

Not only is this farmers breakfast casserole recipe very simple to make, but all of the prep can even be done the night before.

That way all that you will have to do the next day is pop the farmers casserole into the oven. What a dream!

Why You’ll Love This Farmer’s Breakfast Casserole

It can be prepared the night before.
It’s hearty and filling (and cheesy!).
It combines all of your breakfast faves all in one dish.
It’s a great, easy option to serve for family gatherings.
It’s packed with flavor.
It even tastes great leftover.

Ingredients

This section includes ingredient notes and substitution options. Get all measurements, ingredients, and instructions in the printable recipe card at the end of this post.

carton of eggs, can of evaporated milk, bowl of shredded cheese, bowl of diced cooked ham, bag of Ore Ida frozen hash browns, and green onions

eggs– you will need 8 large eggs for this recipe
frozen hash browns– we used Ore Ida but you can use any brand of diced or shredded frozen hashbrowns
shredded cheese– we used Colby Jack but you can switch it up with cheddar cheese, Monterey Jack cheese, or even Pepper Jack cheese (gives a nice kick!).
diced ham– leftover ham is perfect for this recipe
evaporated milk– can be found in the baking aisle. Whole or 2% work best for this recipe.
green onion– can be omitted if you aren’t a fan
salt & pepper

Popular Substitutions & Additions

Egg substitute– 2 cups of egg substitute can be used in place of fresh eggs.
Bacon– Sprinkle some bacon bits or crumbled bacon on top before baking
Hot Sauce– If you like your breakfast with a little bit of spice.
Diced peppers– Seeded and diced red bell pepper or jalapeno peppers make a tasty addition to this breakfast bake.
Garlic powder – Are you a garlic lover? Go ahead and add up to 1 teaspoon of garlic powder to the egg mixture.

How To Make Farmer’s Casserole

Step 1: Spray a 9 x 13 baking dish with non-stick spray. Then spread the shredded hash brown potatoes evenly along the bottom of the dish. Sprinkle cheese on top followed by the cubed ham and green onions.

rectangular glass baking dish with hash browns, diced ham, shredded cheese, and green onions.

Step 2: In a large mixing bowl, combine eggs, evaporated milk, salt, and pepper. Pour egg mixture into the baking dish.

Farmer's casserole a casserole dish just before going in to the oven

Step 3: Cover and place in the refrigerator overnight, or until ready to bake.

Step 4: Bake as directed in the recipe card below. Allow the casserole to stand for 5 minutes before slicing and serving.

Square slice of breakfast casserole with hash browns, ham, eggs, and green onion served on a white plate with a fork next to it

Enjoy!

Storage

Refrigerator: This ham and egg breakfast casserole keeps well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Make sure that you store the casserole in a sealed, air-tight container or wrap it tightly with plastic wrap.

Freezer: You can also freeze this casserole in an air-tight container for up to 2 months. Allow it to cool completely before placing it in the freezer. Thaw it completely in the fridge before reheating.

To Reheat: Cover with foil and place in the oven at 350 degrees for 30 minutes, or until warm. For smaller portions, pop them in the microwave for 2 minutes, or until warm.

What to Serve/Pair with Farmer’s Breakfast Casserole

I like to start my day with fruit, even if I have a casserole as filling as this one. Enjoy your casserole with a seasonal fruit mix, or if you want something a little more fun, with these Easy Breakfast Yogurt Popsicles. They’re packed with berries and kids love them!

If you are a breakfast sandwich fan, try putting your casserole inside one of these Homemade Buttermilk Biscuits. These will be your new favorite biscuits and even make a great side.

Need a caffeine boost along with your breakfast? Make this Caramel Frappuccino (Easy 5-Ingredients). It’s sweet, tasty, and will give you the boost that you need for your busy day without having to make a pit stop at the coffee shop.

Farmer’s Casserole FAQs

Can I add veggies to this casserole?

Sure. Diced bell peppers, spinach, or sundried tomatoes would be a great addition to this easy breakfast casserole. You just won’t want to add too many veggies or any that will put out too much liquid when they are baked.

Can I use regular milk instead of evaporated milk for this casserole?

I recommend sticking with evaporated milk for this recipe. Regular milk is thinner and will result in a watery casserole.

Can I use meat other than ham?

Yes, you can. I love the combination of flavors in this casserole with ham, but you can substitute it with your favorite breakfast meat. If you use sausage or bacon, be sure to cook them before mixing them into your casserole.

How will I know when my casserole is done?

The top of the casserole will firm up when it is done and a knife inserted in the center will come out clean.

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