Hearty Hashbrown Breakfast Casserole

This dairy-free, cheesy and flavorful hashbrown casserole recipe is the definition of comfort food!

Not only a great breakfast item, but this hearty recipe makes a great lunch, dinner or a potluck dish. Easy and quick to make using real and whole ingredients including fresh plant-based milk created in the NutraMilk as well as a tasty dairy-free cheese made out of cashews using the NutraMilk. Enjoy!

INGREDIENTS

For casserole

• 2 green onions
• 1 small red bell pepper
• 16 ounces frozen hash browns or, use 2 medium russet potatoes (1 pound), grated
• 2 cups plant-based cheese made with the NutraMilk
• 1 tablespoon chili powder
• 1 tablespoon garlic powder
• 1 tablespoon cumin
• 1 ¾ teaspoons kosher salt, divided
• 12 eggs
• 1 cup plant-based milk made with the NutraMilk
• Salsa, to serve

For almond milk

• 1 cup almonds (150 g)
• 1 quart water (946 mL)

INSTRUCTIONS

• Start by making almond milk or other plant-based milk and cheese, if you don’t have a batch already made.
• Place almonds in the NutraMilk container.
• Press Butter cycle, set for 7 minutes.
• Press Start.
• Open the container lid, add water. Replace lid.
• Press Mix (do not change the default Mix time).
• Press Start.
• Press Dispense.
• Press Start and open spigot to fill your storage container.

• Prepare plant-based cheese if you don’t have a batch on hand. I tend to have cheese frozen so I can quickly heat up and use. We have various cheese recipes, here are a few:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Grease a 9″ x 13″ casserole dish.
• Finely dice the bell pepper. Thinly slice the green onions.
• Add the frozen or fresh hash browns, chopped pepper and green onion to the casserole pan and mix to combine. Sprinkle with the chili powder, garlic powder, cumin and 1 ¼ teaspoons kosher salt over the veggie mix and stir to combine.

• In large bowl, whisk the eggs. Then whisk in the milk, plant-based cheese and the remaining ½ teaspoon kosher salt until fully combined. Pour the egg mixture over vegetables, then gently tap it down with a whisk to get everything evenly distributed.

• Bake 50 to 55 minutes until eggs are set (insert a knife and check to make sure it is cooked through). Rest 5 minutes before slicing into pieces and serving. Leftovers save well: refrigerate for up to 5 days and serve them cold, room temperature, or warmed. (Make ahead info: Assemble the casserole, then cover with aluminum foil and refrigerate overnight. In the morning, bake as instructed in the recipe. You may need a few extra minutes in the oven.)

Prepared and photographed by NutraMilk nutritionist, Florencia Tagliavini.      

Recipe inspired by A couple Cooks.