Hash Brown Breakfast Casserole

One of Nick's family traditions is enjoying this lovely breakfast casserole on Christmas morning. It is a delicious hash brown and sausage casserole that can be prepared ahead of time so that all that needs to be done Christmas morning is to bake it in the oven. It can be served alone or with scrambled eggs and/or rice. It's also good with a drizzle of hot sauce. This is a great recipe that we will continue to make an appearance every year for Christmas morning.

Ingredients:
1 Tbsp butter
1 cup onion, chopped
1/2 cup red bell pepper, minced
1/2 cup green bell pepper, minced
2 lbs. pork sausage
2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded
1 can of cream of chicken soup
8 oz. pack of French onion soup mix
1 cup sour cream
30 oz. package of hash brown potatoes

Directions:
1. Melt the butter in a large saute pan, add the onions and bell peppers and cook until slightly tender, about 5 minutes.
2. Add the sausage to the pan with the onions and bell peppers and saute until thoroughly cooked, using the spatula to break up the meat into bite sized pieces. Once cooked, remove from heat.

3. Combine the remaining ingredients in a large bowl, mix thoroughly until equally combined.

4. Layer components in a a greased 9 x 13 pan starting with 1/2 potato mixture on bottom, all sausage onion mixture for the middle, and topping off with remaining 1/2 potato mixture. 

5. Refrigerate until ready to bake. Bake at 350 degrees F for 1 hour or until cheese is nice and bubbly. Serve hot, enjoy!