Farmer’s Casserole Recipe
I’ve included some videos I found relevant and helpful. 😍
Farmer’s casserole is a tasty and easy breakfast dish you can make for your family or guests. This hearty meal combines frozen hash browns, ham, cheese, and eggs into one delicious casserole. You can prep it ahead of time and pop it in the oven when you’re ready to eat.
The recipe is simple to follow and takes just 10 minutes to prepare. After about 45 minutes of baking, you’ll have a hot, cheesy casserole that serves 4 people. It’s perfect for busy mornings or lazy weekend brunches.
Exact Ingredients List
Here’s what you’ll need to make this yummy farmer’s casserole:
- Cooking spray
- 3 cups frozen hash brown potatoes
- 3/4 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
- 1 cup cooked ham, diced
- 1/4 cup chopped green onions
- 1 (12 ounce) can evaporated milk
- 4 large eggs
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
Make sure you have all these items ready before you start cooking. The frozen hash browns are the base of your casserole, so don’t skip them!
Your cheese, ham, and green onions will add lots of flavor. Feel free to use leftover ham from a previous meal – it works great in this recipe.
The evaporated milk and eggs will bind everything together. Don’t forget the salt and pepper for seasoning. With these simple ingredients, you’ll have a tasty meal in no time!
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grab a 2-quart casserole dish and give it a good spray with cooking spray.
Spread the frozen hash browns evenly in the dish. This forms your base layer. Next, sprinkle the shredded cheese, diced ham, and chopped green onions on top.
In a bowl, crack open the eggs and add the evaporated milk, salt, and pepper. Whisk everything together until well mixed. Pour this egg mixture over the layers in your casserole dish.
Pop the dish in the oven and bake for 40-45 minutes. You’ll know it’s done when a knife stuck in the middle comes out clean.
Once baked, let your casserole cool on a wire rack for 5 minutes. This helps it set and makes it easier to cut. Then, slice it up and serve!
Here’s a quick checklist:
- Preheat oven
- Layer ingredients
- Mix and pour egg mixture
- Bake
- Cool and serve
Enjoy your tasty farmer’s casserole!
Possible Substitutes List
You can easily swap out ingredients in this farmer’s casserole to suit your taste or what you have on hand. Here are some ideas:
- Potatoes: Use fresh shredded potatoes instead of frozen hash browns.
- Cheese: Try cheddar, Swiss, or pepper jack instead of Monterey Jack.
- Meat: Swap the ham for cooked bacon, sausage, or even leftover chicken.
- Veggies: Add diced bell peppers, mushrooms, or spinach for extra flavor and nutrients.
For the dairy, you can make these changes:
- Milk: Use regular milk or half-and-half instead of evaporated milk.
- Eggs: Substitute 1 cup of egg substitute for the 4 whole eggs.
Don’t have green onions? Try these options:
- Use 1/4 cup diced yellow onion
- Sprinkle in 1 tablespoon of dried chives
Feel free to play around with the spices too. Add a pinch of garlic powder or paprika for extra flavor. Remember, cooking is all about making it your own!
How To Make It Diabetes-Friendly
To make this Farmer’s Casserole more diabetes-friendly, you can try these simple swaps:
Use sweet potatoes instead of regular hash browns. They have a lower glycemic index.
Swap the ham for lean turkey breast to reduce saturated fat.
Choose low-fat cheese to cut down on calories and fat.
Use unsweetened almond milk instead of evaporated milk to lower carbs.
Add extra veggies like spinach or bell peppers for more fiber and nutrients.
You can also reduce the portion size. Cut the casserole into 6 servings instead of 4 to lower the carb count per serving.
Here’s a quick comparison:
| Original | Diabetes-Friendly |
|---|---|
| Hash browns | Sweet potatoes |
| Ham | Turkey breast |
| Regular cheese | Low-fat cheese |
| Evaporated milk | Unsweetened almond milk |
These changes will make the dish better for blood sugar control. You’ll still get a tasty meal, but with fewer carbs and less fat.
Remember to check with your doctor or dietitian about how this fits into your meal plan. They can give you personalized advice on portion sizes and ingredients.
Tips, Tricks & Storing
Want to save time in the morning? Prep this casserole the night before! Just cover and refrigerate overnight, then bake in the morning. You may need to add 5-10 minutes to the baking time.
Try different cheeses for variety. Cheddar, Swiss, or pepper jack all work great. You can also swap the ham for cooked bacon or sausage.
Don’t have frozen hash browns? Use 3 cups of diced, cooked potatoes instead. Just make sure they’re cool before adding them to the dish.
To store leftovers, let the casserole cool completely. Cover tightly with plastic wrap or transfer to an airtight container. It will keep in the fridge for 3-4 days.
You can freeze this casserole too! Wrap it well and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
To reheat, cover with foil and warm in a 350°F oven for about 20 minutes. Or microwave individual portions for 1-2 minutes.
For extra flavor, try adding some diced bell peppers or mushrooms with the onions. A dash of hot sauce in the egg mixture can give it a nice kick too!