Casserole Comfort
I consider all breakfast foods comfort foods. It’s all of the carbs and fatty meats. Whipping up a plate of scrambled eggs after a difficult day can sometimes make all the difference. (Bonus points if you wrap said eggs in a tortilla because…carbs.) And while perfectly scrambled eggs can be a warm blanket for your soul, they can be made transcendent by the addition of so many wonderful things. (Also, a great way to use up what’s in your produce drawer.)

If I had to pick my favorite bite of egg it would include eggs, potatoes, green onions, and cheese (glorious cheese!) I am also open to the addition of sausage or bacon as well as chilies or bell peppers. But, the foundation will always be eggs, potato, green onions, and cheese hereto after known as EPGC bite.

The potatoes can be home fries, hash browns, or tots. Though, I think tots work best. (I have a serious weakness for tots.) The ideal cheese is generally cheddar, but I won’t turn away some gruyere or a lovely pepper jack. Nine times out of ten, if I were eating scrambled eggs straight up, I would go with a sausage chaser. But, when everything is all mixed together, I like the flavor of bacon. There’s something about the smokiness of the bacon with the cheese and potato that hits just right.

Below is a recipe for a breakfast casserole. This is what I think of when I am craving that EPGC combo.

Breakfast Casserole
Yields 8 servings

This casserole can be assembled the night before. Just slide it in the oven in the morning.

Ingredients
6 thick-cut smoked bacon slices, cooked and crumbled
12 large eggs
2 cups cheddar cheese, divided
1/3 cup green onions, chopped
1/2 cup milk, preferably whole milk
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper black pepper
1 (32-oz.) package frozen Tater Tots
Sour cream for garnish, optional

Directions
Preheat oven to 350°F.

Prep the casserole
Whisk together the eggs, 1 cup of cheese, green onions, milk, salt, and pepper in a large bowl.

Arrange the Tater Tots in an even layer in a lightly greased (with cooking spray) 13 x 9-inch baking dish. Sprinkle with the bacon.

Pour the egg mixture evenly over the Tater Tots. Top evenly with the remaining cheese.

Bake the casserole
Bake the casserole in a preheated oven until it is set and the cheese is golden brown (about 40 to 45 minutes).

Allow it to stand for 10 minutes before serving.