Description

A savory and comforting Tater Tot Breakfast Bowl featuring crispy oven-baked tater tots, fluffy scrambled eggs, rich sausage gravy, and melted shredded cheddar cheese. This hearty breakfast bowl is topped with optional fresh herbs and bacon bits, perfect for a satisfying morning meal with customizable variations to suit different tastes and dietary needs.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

4 cups frozen tater tots
8 large eggs
1 lb breakfast sausage
1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
2 tablespoons butter
Salt and pepper, to taste

For Sausage Gravy

3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 ½ cups whole milk
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon paprika
Salt and pepper, to taste

Optional Toppings

2 green onions, chopped
½ cup crispy bacon bits
2 tablespoons fresh chives, chopped
Hot sauce, for serving

Instructions

Prepare the Crispy Tater Tot Base: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C) and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Spread frozen tater tots in a single layer, avoiding overlap to ensure they cook evenly and become crispy. Bake for 25-30 minutes until golden brown and crispy on all sides. Remove from the oven and season immediately with salt and pepper while still hot to enhance flavor.
Cook the Breakfast Sausage and Make Gravy: Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add the breakfast sausage. Break it into small crumbles as it cooks until fully browned. Sprinkle all-purpose flour over the cooked sausage and stir continuously for about 2 minutes to cook out the raw flour taste. Gradually pour in whole milk, stirring constantly to avoid lumps. Add garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper, then reduce heat to low and simmer the gravy for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally until thickened and smooth.
Scramble Perfect Fluffy Eggs: Crack the eggs into a bowl and whisk together with 2 tablespoons of butter, salt, and pepper until smooth. Heat a non-stick pan over low to medium heat and pour in the egg mixture. Using a spatula, stir gently and continuously to form soft, fluffy curds. Remove the pan from heat when the eggs are still slightly wet, as residual heat will finish cooking them, ensuring a creamy texture.
Assemble Your Ultimate Breakfast Bowl: Divide the crispy tater tots evenly among four serving bowls, creating a golden potato base. Layer the fluffy scrambled eggs over the tater tots, spreading evenly. Ladle warm sausage gravy generously over each bowl, making sure every portion is well covered. Finally, sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese on top; it will melt naturally from the heat of the other ingredients. Optionally, garnish with chopped green onions, bacon bits, fresh chives, and serve with hot sauce to taste.

Notes

Keep tater tots warm by placing them in a low oven if preparing other components takes longer.
Pat tater tots dry before baking for maximum crispiness.
Use room temperature eggs to achieve fluffier scrambled eggs.
Constantly whisk the sausage gravy while adding milk to prevent lumps and ensure smooth texture.
Season each ingredient individually to build layered flavors in the bowl.
Cheese melts better when sprinkled over hot ingredients rather than being cooked separately.
Cook sausage gravy up to 3 days ahead and reheat gently, adding milk for desired consistency.
Store cooked components separately for up to 2 days in the refrigerator and reheat before assembling.
Freeze individual components for up to 3 months; thaw overnight before reheating for best results.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Category: Breakfast
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Keywords: tater tot breakfast bowl, breakfast sausage, sausage gravy, crispy tater tots, scrambled eggs, cheddar cheese, hearty breakfast, comfort food