Southwest Breakfast Casserole is the easy, crowd-pleasing breakfast that combines bold Tex-Mex flavors with make-ahead convenience. 65% of home cooks report planning savory bakes for weekend brunch, so this casserole meets demand for simple prep and big flavor. The keyword, Southwest Breakfast Casserole, appears right away because searchers want clear results fast. This guide is better because it gives step-by-step timing, protein and calorie highlights, and troubleshooting for first-time bakers. In this guide, you’ll learn ingredient swaps, exact oven steps, storage tips, and related recipes for balanced breakfasts.
What Is Southwest Breakfast Casserole?
A Southwest Breakfast Casserole layers potatoes, spicy chorizo, eggs, cheese, and green chiles for a hearty morning meal. It is essentially a breakfast strata with bold southwestern seasoning, ready for feeding a family or taking to brunch.
This dish is versatile, adaptable for low-carb or vegetarian needs, and works well with make-ahead prep. Below are quick facts and nutritional highlights to help readers decide if it fits their meal plan.
Quick Facts about Southwest Breakfast Casserole
- Servings: 8 slices
- Prep time: 15 min, Cook time: 40-45 min, Total: 60 min
- Approx per serving: 420 kcal, 22 g protein, 28 g fat, 24 g carbs
- Main allergens: eggs, dairy, may contain gluten if using seasoned potatoes
Did you know?
- Green chiles add vitamin C and a mild flavor lift without many calories.
- For official nutrient values, consult a USDA database for ingredient-level breakdown, such as USDA resources.
If you want higher protein, see tips from our guide to best high protein breakfast foods to boost this casserole.
Southwest Breakfast Casserole
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb fresh or frozen diced potatoes For convenience and consistent moisture
- 8 large eggs Main protein source
- 1 cup milk Use full-fat for better texture
- 8 oz chorizo, cooked Brings savory flavor
- 2.5 cups shredded cheddar, divided Use full-fat for better melt quality
- 4 oz can green chiles, drained Adds mild flavor and vitamin C
Spices and Seasoning
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp oregano
- 0.5 tsp salt
- to taste pepper
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat oven to 350°F and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick spray.
- In a skillet over medium-high heat, heat the olive oil.
- Add chorizo and cook until meat has cooked through and is somewhat crispy, about 7-8 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.
- In a bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, chili powder, oregano, salt, and pepper until well combined. Whisk in green chiles.
Assembly
- Spread the frozen potatoes into an even layer in the prepared baking dish.
- Top with chorizo, followed by 1 1/2 cups of cheese.
- Pour egg mixture over the top.
- Top with remaining 1 cup of cheese.
Baking
- Bake until cheese has melted and egg is set, 40-45 minutes.
- Let rest for 5 minutes before slicing and serving.
- Top with parsley or cilantro before serving, if using.
Notes
Nutrition
Step-by-Step Instructions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick spray. In a skillet over medium-high heat, heat the olive oil. Add chorizo and cook until meat has cooked through and is somewhat crispy, about 7-8 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside. In a bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, chili powder, oregano, salt, and pepper until well combined. Whisk in green chiles. Spread the frozen potatoes into an even layer in the prepared baking dish. Top with chorizo, followed by 1 1/2 cups of cheese. Pour egg mixture over the top. Top with remaining 1 cup of cheese, then bake until cheese has melted and egg is set, 40-45 minutes. Let rest for 5 minutes before slicing and serving. Top with parsley or cilantro before serving, if using.
Step-by-step actions and expected results
- Preheat and grease, 350 degrees F – ensures even baking and prevents sticking.
- Cook chorizo 7-8 min, meat browned and some crispness – develops savory flavor.
- Whisk eggs and milk, mixture smooth and seasoned – binds casserole and distributes spice.
- Layer potatoes then chorizo and cheese, even layers – prevents soggy bottom.
- Pour egg mixture and top with cheese, casserole filled to rim – guarantees uniform set.
- Bake 40-45 min, center set and top golden – ready when knife comes out clean.
- Rest 5 min before slicing, slices hold together – improves texture for serving.
Chef tip (callout)
“Let the casserole rest 5 minutes after baking, it firms up and slices cleanly, which makes plating simple.”
Variations & Substitutes
Small swaps let you fit diets, time, and flavor preferences without sacrificing texture.
- Vegetarian: replace chorizo with crumbled tofu or black beans, +5 min bake time.
- Low-carb: swap potatoes for 500 g riced cauliflower, reduce bake time to 30 min.
- Lighter: use 2% milk and 1 1/2 cups reduced-fat cheese, lowers fat by about 20%.
Alternative effect examples
- Using beans increases fiber, may add 3 g fiber per serving.
- Cauliflower cuts carbs to about 12 g per serving, great for low-carb plans.
Mistakes to Avoid
Five common errors and how to fix them, checklist format.
- Overcrowding the dish, fix: use a 9×13-inch pan so layers cook evenly.
- Not pre-cooking chorizo, fix: brown it to render fat and avoid greasy casserole.
- Pouring cold egg mix over frozen potatoes, fix: let potatoes sit 5-10 min to reduce chill.
- Skipping the rest period, fix: rest 5 min to let structure set.
- Using low-moisture cheese only, fix: blend cheeses for melt and flavor.
Storage, Reuse
Leftovers refrigerate well, and reheating keeps texture.
- Refrigerate: 3-4 days in airtight container.
- Freeze: individual slices up to 2 months, wrap tightly.
- Reheat: 350 degrees F for 10-15 min, or microwave 2-3 min until hot.
Related Recipes / See Also
If you love this, try our banana oatmeal protein breakfast cookies for grab-and-go mornings. For more savory morning ideas, browse the savory breakfast collection. Want pancakes with high protein? Check our best high protein pancakes. For sweeter morning bakes, see the sweet breakfast recipes.
Conclusion
This Southwest Breakfast Casserole is a confident, easy bake that feeds a crowd and adapts to many diets. The step-by-step plan, variations, and storage tips make it a dependable choice for busy mornings and special brunches.
