"Breakfast for Dinner" Recipe

Do you ever have days when you just can't decide what to make for dinner?  You feel like you're in a rut, you make the same things over and over, and you want something a little different?

That's when I pull out this recipe!  It's not necessarily a quick meal (although I'll give you tips to make it quicker!), but it's made with ingredients I almost always have on hand, and it's one I can make without much thinking if my brain is busy with other things.  This was a family favorite when the kids were growing up, but I rarely made it for breakfast - except maybe for company - and I would often make a larger amount than necessary so there would be leftovers.

Meat and Potato Quiche, aka Breakfast for Dinner Casserole

• 3 T. olive oil
• 3 medium-sized potatoes    
  
• 1 1/2 to 2 cups shredded Colby cheese
• 1 pound Elm Run Farms bulk pork sausage
• 1 1/2 cups milk (the richer the better!  Or use part cream.)
• 3 eggs
• 1/2 tsp. salt
  
• pepper to taste

Preheat oven to 425.  

Coarsely shred the potatoes, toss with oil and press into a greased 9 x 13 pan.  Bake at 425 for 15 minutes until potatoes start to brown.

While potatoes are baking, brown the sausage.  Remove potatoes from oven.  Sprinkle cheese over potatoes, then add a layer of sausage.

In a bowl, beat together the milk, eggs, salt, and pepper.  Pour over the layers.  Return to oven and bake about 30 more minutes until lightly browned.

Allow to cool 5 minutes (it comes out of the pan easier!)

Notes and tips:

1. Use frozen shredded potatoes for a time-saver.
2. Try using sweet potatoes instead of regular ones.
3. Adding chopped red and green peppers makes an attractive dish!
4. If you're trying to cut carbs, use shredded or chopped veggies such as cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, peppers, onions - or a combination of two or more of these.
5. Vary the cheese and/or breakfast meat - such as chopped ham and Swiss, or bacon and cheddar...or use whatever you have on hand. (Mozzarella can make the casserole a little watery - so you might want to cut back on the amount.)
6. This can also be a good way to use up leftover meats, cheeses, or veggies...which also saves on time because they're already prepped.

Let me know if you try this recipe!