Preheat the Oven – Set your oven to 375°F (190°C). This ensures an even bake and crispy tater tots.
Cook the Sausage – In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the sausage until browned and fully cooked (about 7-8 minutes). Break it into crumbles with a spatula as it cooks. If using bacon, cook until crispy and crumble it into small pieces. Pro Tip: Drain excess grease on a paper towel to prevent a greasy casserole.
Whisk the Egg Mixture – In a mixing bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, salt, pepper, until smooth. This helps create a light and fluffy texture when baked. Pro Tip: Whisk well to fully incorporate the eggs and milk for an even consistency.
Assemble the Casserole – Lightly grease your 9x13-inch baking dish with cooking spray or butter. Then, layer the ingredients:
Spread the cooked sausage evenly across the bottom.
Sprinkle shredded cheese over the sausage.
Pour the egg mixture evenly over everything.
Arrange the frozen tater tots on top in a single layer (no need to press them down!).
Bake – Place the casserole in the oven and bake for 40-45 minutes, or until the eggs are fully set and the tater tots are golden brown. Pro Tip: If the top is browning too quickly but the eggs aren’t fully cooked, loosely cover with foil for the last 10 minutes.
Cool & Serve – Let the casserole rest for 5 minutes before slicing. This helps it set and makes serving easier. Sprinkle with fresh herbs like parsley or green onions for extra flavor.