Bookbinding Breakfast Bake

So, my breakfast strata is a go to. Just like the strata, you can use whatever ingredients you want. For the book binders, I did one with caramelized onions, spinach, and boursin cheese. So easy to use up leftovers: meats, veggies, whatever. But this Christmas, I wanted to make a heartier option for a day of book binding with family.

This fall, the Pioneer Woman shared recipes for her college-aged son. One of them was a breakfast bake that she froze, so he could bake them off whenever he wanted. "Wait." my eyes bulged, "You can freeze an egg casserole?" I was skeptical. But I tried it, and it is my favorite new recipe of 2025. I've made it twenty times. It's in the fridge right now for a relative that claims she is gluten free.

For book binding day, I didn't need to freeze it, but rest assured, this recipe can be frozen and then baked off any morning you want it! Here are four different permutations. You can use any meat, cheese, or veg. you want!

1 bag of frozen tater tots

5 eggs

1 cup of WHOLE milk (especially if freezing!)

1/2 cup of sour cream or Greek yogurt (But I've left this out and it's just fine without it.)

Salt! (especially with potatoes! I use a pinch of salt per egg.)

Pepper to taste.

Shredded cheddar, Swiss, Italian blend . . . whatever!

Sausage, Bacon, Ham . . . whatever!

Roasted red peppers, caramelized onions, diced tomatoes, spinach . . . whatever!

Green onions for topping (optional)

~ Grease your dish.

~ Layer the bottom with tater tots.

~ Sprinkle with whatever meat, veg., cheese you want.

~ Whisk eggs, milk, and sour cream/yogurt (if using).

~ Whisk in salt and pepper to taste.

~ Pour egg mixture over tots, meat, cheese, and veg.

At this point, you can freeze the dish/pan. I could not believe how light and fluffy it baked up. GAME CHANGER to my brunch game.

~ From frozen, bake at 350 degrees covered with foil for 30 minutes. Then remove foil, poke several slots in the mixture and bake for 15 more minutes. (Check the center. If the egg is still running, slice through the casserole several times and cover with foil so it doesn't over brown.)

~ If assembling and baking, 350 degrees uncovered for 45 minutes should do it.

(All ovens are not created equal. I've found I like poking holes and seeing how runny the egg is. Poking holes just makes the egg lighter and fluffier.)

Lovely book binding Christmas memories below. So grateful to Mary Mac, a dreamer and a giver: