1. Prepare the Oven and Baking Dish: Setting the Stage for Baking

1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Grease Baking Dish: Generously grease a 9×13 inch baking dish with butter or non-stick cooking spray. This will prevent the casserole from sticking and make cleanup easier.

2. Cook the Sausage: Creating a Flavorful Base

1. Brown Sausage: In a large skillet, add the uncooked breakfast sausage. Cook over medium-high heat, breaking it up with a spoon or spatula as it cooks, until it’s fully browned and no longer pink. This should take about 7-10 minutes.
2. Drain Grease: Once the sausage is cooked, carefully drain off any excess grease from the skillet.

3. Prepare the Egg Mixture: Adding Richness and Binding Power

1. Whisk Eggs: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the 8 large eggs until they are well beaten and slightly frothy.
2. Add Milk: Pour in the 1 ½ cups of whole milk or heavy cream and whisk until combined.
3. Season: Season the egg mixture with 1 ½ teaspoons of salt, 1 teaspoon of black pepper, and ¼ teaspoon of garlic powder. Whisk well to distribute the seasonings evenly.

4. Assemble the Casserole: Building Layers of Flavor

1. Thaw Hash Browns: Ensure that the frozen shredded hash browns are completely thawed.
   • Tip: You can thaw them overnight in the refrigerator or place them in a colander and run cold water over them until thawed.
2. Layer Hash Browns: Spread the thawed hash browns evenly in the bottom of the prepared 9×13 inch baking dish.
3. Layer Sausage: Sprinkle the cooked and crumbled sausage evenly over the hash browns.
4. Layer Cheese: Sprinkle 1 cup of the shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the sausage layer.
5. Pour Egg Mixture: Carefully pour the whisked egg mixture over the layered ingredients in the baking dish. Try to distribute the mixture evenly to ensure that all the ingredients are moistened.

5. Bake the Casserole: Achieving a Golden-Brown and Bubbly Dish

1. Cover with Foil: Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil.
2. Bake: Place the covered casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 40 minutes.
3. Uncover and Continue Baking: After 40 minutes, remove the foil from the baking dish. Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese over the top. Continue baking uncovered for another 20 minutes.
   • Check for Doneness: The casserole is done when it’s golden brown on top, the cheese is melted and bubbly, and the center is set.

6. Cool and Serve: Enjoying Your Hearty Creation

1. Cool Slightly: Remove the casserole from the oven and let it cool for about 5-10 minutes before slicing and serving. This allows the casserole to set and makes it easier to serve.
2. Serve Warm: Slice the Sausage Hashbrown Breakfast Casserole into squares or rectangles and serve warm.
3. Optional Toppings: You can serve with your favorite toppings such as hot sauce, salsa, sour cream, or avocado.