Mindy's BREAKFAST CASSEROLE

MINDY’S BREAKFAST CASSEROLE - recipe from June 2004

This recipe makes 12 servings when cut into squares. Allow about 25 minutes for preparation time; the baking and standing time is about 50 minutes.

8 frozen, prepared hash brown patties [get the gently pre-browned, 9 per package kind]

12 ounces shredded mozzarella or Swiss cheese

12 ounces shredded Colby/Jack cheese

6 ounces canned, sliced mushrooms, drained [or get the fresh ones and slice & sauté them yourself]

2 tablespoons margarine or butter

1/3 cup chopped green onions [you can add more if you want]

Half of a medium red bell pepper, chopped [or just throw the whole pepper in]

8 ounces ham, julienned, or 8 ounces sausage, cooked and crumbled [Mindy probably throws the whole pound in here, too]

1 cup of milk or half & half [as if lowfat milk would make any difference at this point!]

One teaspoon dry mustard [do not even think about skipping this ingredient]

2 tablespoons of fresh parsley, chopped

12 eggs, beaten [or use a low-cholesterol egg substitute – yeah, right!!!]

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Place cheese in large bowl and toss to combine.
3. Spray a 9 X13 inch glass casserole with non-stick spray.
4. Layer one: arrange 8 hash brown patties in the bottom of the pan. [Freeze the extra one in a zipper bag.]
5. Layer two: evenly spread half of the cheese blend.
6. In a medium skillet, cook together green onions and peppers until tender. If mushrooms are fresh, cook them, too, otherwise add them once peppers and onions begin to soften.
7. Layer three: arrange sautéed vegetables evenly over cheese.
8. Layer four: arrange ham or sausage evenly over vegetables.
9. Layer five: spread the second half of the cheese blend over meat.
10. In a large bowl, use whisk to blend half & half, parsley & eggs together.
11. Layer six: pour egg mixture over the top of the cheese.
12. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes, until set and beginning to brown.
13. Let stand for about 10 minutes.
14. Cut into squares and serve.

To make ahead of time, follow the recipe through to layer five, then cover and refrigerate the casserole overnight. Next morning prepare the egg mixture and finish the recipe, but allow a little extra baking time since the ingredients will all be cold.

If you make this recipe 8 times, you'll have 8 hash brown patties in that zipper bag, and then you can make it for the ninth time. This recipe is not just popular with the Divas - guys love it! And it's great as a do-ahead recipe for a holiday morning, served with fruit and croissants.