Hash Brown Casserole

Step 1

Set the oven to 350°F and wait until the indicator light or beep confirms it has finished heating, about 10 minutes.

Step 2

Lay 4 bacon slices flat on a cutting board and cut them crosswise into pieces about the size of a fingernail, roughly 1/2-inch wide.

Step 3

Lay the remaining 4 bacon slices flat on the cutting board and cut them crosswise into 1/2-inch pieces.

Step 4

Place a large skillet over medium-high heat and add the 8 bacon pieces, spreading them across the pan in a single layer.

Step 5

Cook the bacon pieces, stirring once every 30 seconds, until they are golden brown and most of the fat has rendered out, about 5 minutes.

Step 6

Add the 0.5 lb sausage to the same skillet, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon as you stir constantly until it is fully browned with no pink remaining, about 6 minutes.

Step 7

Pour the cooked bacon and sausage through a fine-mesh strainer held over a small bowl to catch the drippings; discard the grease.

Step 8

In a separate large bowl, crack the 8 eggs and whisk them vigorously with a wire whisk for 30 seconds until the yolks and whites are fully combined and uniform in color.

Step 9

Pour the 1.5 cups milk into the egg bowl and whisk continuously for 15 seconds until the mixture is smooth and evenly blended.

Step 10

Sprinkle the 0.5 teaspoon salt and 0.25 teaspoon black pepper into the egg-milk mixture and whisk for 10 seconds to distribute them evenly.

Step 11

Spread the 4 cups thawed hash browns across the bottom of a 9-by-13-inch baking dish in an even layer, breaking up any large clumps with your fingers.

Step 12

Scatter the cooked bacon and sausage mixture evenly over the hash browns in the baking dish.

Step 13

Sprinkle the 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese in an even layer over the meat and hash browns, covering as much of the surface as possible.

Step 14

Pour the egg-milk mixture slowly over the entire casserole, tilting and gently stirring with a fork to help it flow between the hash browns so all areas are moistened.

Step 15

Slide the baking dish into the preheated 350°F oven and bake, uncovered, until the center is set and no longer jiggles when you gently shake the dish, about 45 minutes.

Step 16

Remove the baking dish from the oven using oven mitts and place it on a heat-safe trivet or folded kitchen towel to cool for 5 minutes before serving.