Today’s post is sponsored by Milk Life. Hooray for milk!
We! Love! Milk!
And we love breakfast casseroles.
This one is loaded with little golden flecks of potato, chili-spiced turkey that resembles sausage but healthier, fluffy eggs, milk, garlic-sauteed-spinach, and a handful of cheese – so there just is no other word but love. ❤️
You know when you find a brunch or breakfast recipe that just sings its song to you so nicely that you just can’t help but want to get up in the morning? How it’s borderline inappropriate but secretly awesome that you would even WANT to wake up solely for a food? That’s this.
I mean, maybe I’m being too obvious here. Maybe it goes without saying bcz I’ve never known creamy potatoes, garlicky spinach, spicy turkey, and a few handfuls of cheese to do anything other than sing me a superhappy morning song.
Bjork has been getting on kicks with healthy eating habits lately (more vegetables, more protein, no sugar, that kind of thing) whereas somehow I’ve been more likely get on kicks with just food in general (more breakfasts, more cheese at breakfast, more brunches, and a few more breakfasts). But him being on these kicks has been actually kind of amazing for me in that convicting-amazing kind of way because lately I see him eating all this protein and then realize that gosh, maybe I should be eating more protein.
I mean, like, should I be eating more protein? And does this have protein in it? Yeah, I’m pretty sure I need more protein.
Bjork is on to something with the protein thing because protein at breakfast helps start your day with energy and focus which is MUCH NEEDED round these parts to avoid the shiny objects that tempt me all day (well hi again, Facebook) – plus proteiny breakfasts like this one can help you stay fuller longer so you’re more likely to stick to a healthy eating routine. Win! 🎉 Experts now recommend getting 25-30 grams of protein at every meal including breakfast, and I can truly say that I do notice a difference in how I feel throughout the morning when I am intentional about not sugar-bombing my life with some of the usual breakfast suspects like pancakes and cinnamon rolls and… I’ll stop.
But as if you needed any of that as motivation for this egg potato cheese spinach situation. I officially promise to right in this moment to never make/post food that is nutritious without actually being good-tasting, okay? I ate it, I loved it, I felt good that it was in line with my morning health goals, but friends. This is just good.
I have a few ideas for when you could make this:
- tomorrow morning: it’s quick! prep the stuff ahead of time and just keep it in the fridge till the next morning!
- tomorrow night: BRINNER IS A REAL THING THAT YOU NEED.
- day before Thanksgiving: bonus healthy person points that you can then redeem during the holiday meal. Just an idea.
- the morning of Black Friday: pre-or-post shopping depending on what level of extreme you are.
- the morning of the first snow: this is the moment where I pause to say how much I love Minnesota
- Christmas Eve morning: because what the heck does a person even make on Christmas Eve morning?
- Post-Christmas: time to protein-up for the healthy new year.
General message being that I hope sometimes very soon (!) you enjoy a happy breakfast with this breakfast casserole, an 8 ounce glass of milk (adds an extra 8g protein like a boss), a coffee for the vibes, and the snuggliest blanket. If you have a fireplace to round out this scene, you win at life.
Creamy Spinach and Potato Breakfast Casserole
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: serves 3-4 1x
Description
Breakfast Casserole with sausage, eggs, potatoes, spinach, and cheese! Super easy recipe that’s ready in 30 minutes and high in protein.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 tablespoon olive oil, divided
- 1/2 cup diced yellow onions
- 8 ounces raw 99% lean ground turkey
- 2 teaspoons chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 3 ounces fresh baby spinach leaves
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 1 tablespoon minced fresh sage
- 2 large eggs
- 1/3 cup fat free milk
- 2/3 cup grated raw potatoes, without skin
- 1/2 cup shredded low moisture Mozzarella cheese
- 2 tablespoons shredded Parmesan cheese
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Grease a small 3-cup casserole dish or ovenproof skillet with nonstick spray.
- Turkey: Heat 1/2 tablespoon olive oil in a nonstick skillet over medium high heat. Add the onions and saute for 5 minutes or until soft and fragrant. Add the turkey, chili powder, and onion powder. Brown the meat until fully cooked and crumbled. Transfer to a bowl and set aside.
- Spinach: Add the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil to the pan and reduce the heat to medium low. Add the garlic and sage. Saute for 2-3 minutes. Add the spinach and stir until wilted, about 2 minutes. Transfer to a bowl and set aside.
- Eggs: In a mixing bowl, whisk the eggs and milk. Add the cooked turkey, spinach, potatoes, and Mozzarella cheese. Stir until combined. Transfer to the casserole dish. Top with the Parmesan cheese.
- Bake: Bake for 20-25 minutes or until the top is golden brown and the casserole springs back when touched. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 30 mins
- Category: Breakfast
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: breakfast casserole, spinach and potato breakfast casserole, spinach casserole
Today’s post has been sponsored by Milk Life. 🐄
Protein at breakfast is SO important to me…or else I am hungry ALL day long. So obviously this is going to happen to a face near me REALLY soon. IE: My face.
Potatoes and turkey and spinach? Give this to me! Pinned!
Awesome! Enjoy, Taylor. 🙂
This looks so tasty and healthy and comforting! All the best things!
For sure! Enjoy, Ellen!
Protein is awesome, especially string cheese and lightly salted peanuts. Mmmmm.
Agreed, Jenna!
I’m a huge believer in protein at breakfast. Even if I give my kids healthy pancakes, I always make sure that there’s eggs, or low fat cottage cheese/yogurt to balance it all out. I love breakfast casseroles and this one is going on the list to make!
Enjoy, Ramona!
I’m a big believer in protein at breakfast! This sounds like perfection for a savoury breakfast lover like me. I could definitely imagine eating it for dinner as well!
Awesome, Heather! Hope you like it!
This actually looks good for lunches! How long do you think it would last in the fridge?
Hi, Briana! I would think this would be best if eaten in the first 3-4 days. Enjoy!
Ok – this may have to replace my usual Xmas morning egg bake! I love the fact you are using ground turkey and spicing it up – instead of processed, cancer causing breakfast sausage. (I know – you can buy the good organic non-nitrate sausage too). Love the green spinach too – could probably sneak some of the “K” word in there too!
Absolutely! Enjoy, Betsy!
Protein for breakfast is essential for me, otherwise I end up grumpy and hangry an hour later. No fun! This looks delicious. I am making this recipe the next time my parents come to visit for the weekend! Yum! Pinned!
Great, Emily! Hope you like it!
I usually do hard boiled eggs for breakfast but this looks delicious!
Kari
http://www.sweetteasweetie.com
Hope you try it out, Kari!
Hey Lindsay, quick question for ya- I always read a recipe through before I cook it to make sure I have everything and understand the recipe. You call for manchego cheese in your instructions but in the recipe it is not on the ingredient list. You list Parmesan and mozzarella so I’m wondering if the manchego is an addition to or instead of one of those.
You are truly brilliant with food and so hilarious in your writing and I just love your blog. Thank you for all the smiles you bring to our faces!
I had this same question.
Thanks for catching that! I’ll run your question by Lindsay.
Sorry about that! Fixing now 🙂
Hi Lindsay & Bjork : I am lovin’ your blog. This recipe sounds SO good. Bc I am vegan,
( animal rights/treatment issues, ) I will replace the turkey w/ BOCA sausage links which
are excellent. Yep, this messes w/ your protein, but I will cook a side of happy, locally-raised, farm eggs. Yum ! Thanx.
Great! Enjoy, Ruth!
just wondering. it says cook n a “3 cup casserole dish” ?? do you mean 3 quart?
Good question, Ali! It actually means 3-cup. This is meant to be made in a small casserole or skillet. 🙂
These pictures are absolutely amazing! And of course the casserole looks delicious too!
Thanks, Liora!
This sounds incredible, and I am always looking for heathy savory breakfast options! Making this for the morning after Halloween. Thanks as always, Lindsay
The hubs makes me an omelette every.single.morning. I’m SUPER grateful because I know I need the protein and I definitely don’t take the time to make it myself but… now I want this every morning!!
Ha! Hope you enjoy it, Senika!
This looks incredibly delicious, hearty and homey. I can’t wait to make it for my next family gathering! Thank you for sharing! 🙂
Enjoy, Megan!
That looks like the perfect breakfast and brunch meal! I love milk too : )
Yes!!! I love a good breakfast casserole, and hadn’t thought about adding grated potatoes! Also, I’m with you and Bjork on the protein, especially at breakfast. If I don’t have a really good dose of protein with my first meal I’m ravenous by 10 am.
Agreed, Becky!
I am so excited about this lovely casserole! I have an egg sensitivity and I can only eat them in small amounts. Which means most savory breakfast casserole recipes are off-limits for me (and they just happen to be my favorite breakfast food). But I think I can handle 1/2 an egg per serving. Whoohoo!
Awesome! Enjoy, Alexa!
Without protein for breakfast, I’m hungry before noon. Love love this breakfast casserole.
Yummmm!!! I don’t know about breakfast, but this is definitely going to feature soon in our household!!
Just cooked this with quorn mince rather than turkey and it worked a treat! Chucked in some thyme and rosemary, upped the spinach a little (cos that’s what I had in the fridge!) – it was deeeeeeelish!
Don’t know if you replaced the turkey with quince cause you stopped eating meat, but good for you if you did stop. However, this recipe contains cows’ milk and cheese which isn’t acceptable as dairy foods are bad for you and by consuming them, you are contributing to the abuse of sows and their young! See the documentary Simply Raw where all these Type 2 and even Type 1 diabetics were taken off dairy foods and put on a raw vegan diet for a month and all got their cholesterol, blood pressure, blood sugar and BMI back to normal!
I agree with ALL your ideas on when to make this breakfast casserole Lindsay! Sounds so delish!
Thanks, Mary Ann!
Why are you promoting dairy products? They contain pus, antibiotics, growth hormones, etc. and are pasteurized, removing any good vitamins and minerals. You also contribute to the suffering of sows and their calves as the mother is enseminated time after time just to keep her pregnant all her life to produce baby after baby to be thrown away and slaughtered as a veal calf while the mother wails and wails for days! Would you like your babies to be taken from you, put in the dark and chained down, then murdered?
Thanks for the information, Lindy. This sounds like a topic you’re very passionate about.
Cows’ milk can be easily be replaced with almond, cashew, hazelnut and coconut milk which are so much better for you and cheese can be replaced with nutritional yeast. A lotvif cheeses also contain tartrazine which in itself is bad for you. Even eggs shouldn’t be eaten and replaced with a substitute as for every female chick that is produced, a male chick is ground up alive or left in bags with other chicks to smother and die!