Sweet Potato Hash Brown Breakfast Casserole (2024)

FAQs

Why put egg in sweet potato casserole? ›

The egg is the all-important binder in a sweet potato casserole: it enriches and stiffens the mixture without making it heavy. Make sure to cool the mash slightly before adding the egg so it doesn't scramble, and to stir well so there are no streaks of cooked egg white in the finished dish.

If your sweet potato casserole turned out “watery”, its usually because you forgot to add eggs; you didn't let your casserole have enough time to set up after baking or you used fresh sweet potatoes and didn't boil them long enough before mashing.

Frozen hash browns will leak moisture during cooking, which could leave a soggy, sad mess behind. For the best results, let the frozen hash browns thaw overnight in the fridge, then thoroughly pat them dry to remove as much moisture as possible before cooking them to crispy.

Sprinkle the topping evenly over the sweet potato mixture, then pop it into the oven and let it bake for 40 to 45 minutes. You will know it's done when the topping is lightly browned and the center of your casserole is set and firm.

All-purpose flour will help thicken the sauce and give some structure. Maple syrup balances the sweetness and adds flavor. All granulated sugar can be too sweet.

This is often due to high water content in some vegetables and dense meats that are used in these dishes. Browning /cooking the meats (and draining off any excess liquid) and sautéing the vegetables before cooking often helps this issue.

Covering a casserole (whether with a lid or with aluminum foil) is important because it helps keep moisture and heat inside the baking dish. This encourages even baking throughout, ensuring that noodles come out perfectly al dente and cheese melts uniformly.

Make a cornstarch slurry for a fast and easy thickener.

Use one tablespoon of cornstarch per cup of liquid you would like to thicken. Stir out all the lumps. A few minutes before your casserole is done, add it a little at a time until you are happy with the thickness. Then, let the casserole finish baking.

Squeezing the shredded potato in a towel or cheesecloth to remove as much moisture as possible helps it brown more evenly. Cooking the shredded potato briefly in the microwave helps it develop a better crust that remains crispy for longer.

How do you moisten a dry breakfast casserole? ›

Covering the dish will trap the steam in and keep it moist while it heats. How do you moisten a dry casserole? Add a little water or milk to the top of the it before reheating.

Eggs and cream help stabilize the dish and prevent it from becoming too runny (a common complaint with many sweet potato casserole recipes). Make it as smooth or chunky as you like!

I love to serve this sweet potato casserole as a side dish, alongside roasted turkey and chicken, glazed ham, and perfectly seared steaks. But since the flavors are reminiscent of pumpkin or sweet potato pie, this also makes an excellent dessert.

Once they've been cooked, however, they should go in a shallow airtight container or zip-top bag in the fridge. They'll stay good there for about five days. Tip: You shouldn't leave cooked sweet potatoes at room temperature for more than two hours, as this can promote bacteria growth and cause foodborne illness.

If you add more eggs, it will result in a casserole that is more firm and less likely to deflate.

Thicken with Eggs

First you need to drizzle a small amount of the hot liquid onto the egg, whisking vigorously as you pour. Then stir the egg back into the pan and heat gently until it starts to thicken. This is a similar method to the one we use in our Carbonara recipe!

The yolk emulsifies water and fat to create a cohesive, velvety bite, while providing a little fat and body of its own. What is this? You can add an egg yolk to nearly any existing mashed potato recipe.

It's for good reason, as these two ingredients offer you a pair of two crucial nutrients: protein and carbohydrates. So, when you start your day with these Sweet Potato Halves with Over-Easy Eggs, and you'll have both the energy to face a long to-do list and the nutrients your body needs to run at its best.