Sausage and Hash Brown Breakfast Casserole

From: melissainabq

This is my yummy breakfast casserole. We're making it tomorrow night for Thanksgiving morning since we're eating really late in the day. If you prepare it the night before, let it rest on the counter for 15 minutes before baking.

Ingredients:
1/2 lb pork sausage (I use turkey breakfast sausage)
1 medium onion, chopped
4 cups frozen diced hash brown potatoes
1 1/2 cups shredded Monterrey Jack or Cheddar cheese
3 eggs, beaten (I use egg beaters)
1 cup milk
1/4 teaspoon pepper
salsa, optional

In a large skillet, cook the sausage and onion. When sausage is cooked, drain fat well.

In an 8x8x2 baking dish, layer the hash brown potatoes, half the cheese, browned sausage and onion mixture and the remaining cheese.

In a separate bowl, combine the eggs, milk and pepper. Pour over the casserole dish with the rest of the ingredients. If you want to make it ahead of time, this is where you'd stop and stick it in the fridge.

Bake, covered, in a 350 degree oven for 45 to 55 minutes, or until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean. Transfer to a wire rack and let stand for 10 to 15 minutes (although we never let it stand that long because we're usually hungry by the time it's done).

Cut into squares. Serve with salsa, if desired.

Serves 6 (I double it and use a 13x9 baking pan).