Description
Crispy Cheesy Sausage Hash Browns are a delicious and hearty breakfast or brunch option featuring golden, crispy shredded potatoes mixed with savory sausage, melted cheddar cheese, scallions, and a hint of pepper. These hash browns combine rich flavors and a satisfying crunch, perfect for a comforting meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Potatoes and Sausage
- 1 lb / 500g potato, about two large
- 8 oz / 250g sausage, removed from casings (use the best quality you can afford)
- 2 1/2 tbsp oil (divided use)
Other Ingredients
- 3/4 cup grated cheddar cheese (or any other melting cheese, but not mozzarella)
- 1/2 cup sliced scallions/shallots (green and white parts)
- 1 egg
- 1/4 cup flour
- Pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare Potatoes: Peel and shred the potatoes using a standard box grater for fine, even pieces.
- Rinse Potatoes: Place shredded potatoes in a colander and rinse under cold water for 10 seconds or until the water runs clear to remove excess starch.
- Drain Excess Water: Shake off excess water, then wrap potatoes in a clean tea towel and squeeze firmly to remove as much moisture as possible. Transfer to a mixing bowl.
- Cook Sausage: Heat 1/2 tablespoon oil in a skillet over high heat. Add sausage meat, breaking it up like ground meat, and cook until browned and fully cooked.
- Combine Ingredients: Add cooked sausage to the bowl with potatoes. Add grated cheddar cheese, sliced scallions, egg, flour, and pepper. Mix thoroughly to combine all ingredients evenly.
- Prepare Skillet: Wipe the skillet clean with a paper towel to remove excess fat. Heat 1 tablespoon oil over medium-high heat.
- Form Hash Browns: Scoop 1/4 cup of the mixture per hash brown into the hot skillet. Use the base of the cup to press down the mixture to about 8mm (1/3 inch) thickness. Repeat for as many hash browns as fit comfortably in the skillet.
- Cook Hash Browns: Cook for about 3 minutes on one side until deep golden brown and crispy, then carefully flip and cook the other side until also golden and crispy.
- Keep Warm: Transfer cooked hash browns to a rack placed in a low oven to keep warm while frying the remaining portions.
- Serve: Serve the crispy cheesy sausage hash browns hot, optionally garnished with extra sliced scallions or shallots for added freshness and color.
Notes
- Make sure to squeeze out as much water as possible from the shredded potatoes to ensure maximum crispiness.
- Choosing a good quality sausage enhances the overall flavor; spicy or herb-infused varieties can create different taste profiles.
- You can substitute cheddar cheese with other melting cheeses such as Gruyere or Fontina but avoid mozzarella as it doesn’t melt well in this dish.
- Keep cooked hash browns warm in a low oven (about 200°F or 95°C) so they remain crispy until serving.
- If preferred, scallions can be substituted with finely chopped onions or shallots for a slightly different aromatic flavor.
