Sausage-Hash Brown Casserole

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 lbs bulk italian sausage meat (spicy or mild)
• 1 (2 lb) bag frozen hash browns, thawed (do not use the shredded frozen hash browns)
• 1 (10 3/4 ounce) can cream of mushroom soup, undiluted
• 2 cups sour cream
• 1/2 cup melted butter
• 1/4 cup milk
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon seasoning salt
• 1 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper (or to taste)
• 1 pinch cayenne pepper (optional or to taste)
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 2 cups grated cheddar cheese, divided (can use more if desired)

Directions

1. 1

   Set oven to 350 degrees F.

2. 2

   Grease a 13 x 9-inch baking dish.

3. 3

   In a skillet cook the bulk sausage meat until browned; set aside (if using ground beef cook beef for extra flavor brown with a chopped onion and 1-2 tablespoons fresh minced garlic).

4. 4

   In a bowl combine soup with sour cream, melted butter, milk, garlic powder, seasoned salt, black pepper and cayenne; mix vigorously until well combined.

5. 5

   Mix in onion, hash browns, and 1 to 1-1/2 cups cheddar cheese.

6. 6

   Spread just under half of the hash brown mixture into the bottom of the pan.

7. 7

   Sprinkle the cooked sausage mixture over hash brown mixture.

8. 8

   Spoon the remaining hash brown mixture over the sausage (does not have to cover completely).

9. 9

   Bake uncovered for about 40-45 minutes.

10. 10

    Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup grated cheddar over the top, then place back in oven for about 2-3 minutes to melt the cheese.