Loaded Breakfast Skillet Recipe

Potatoes: These are diced and cooked until golden brown, providing a crispy base for the skillet.

Sausage: Cooked and crumbled, this adds a savory and hearty flavor to the dish.

Eggs: Cracked into wells in the skillet, they are cooked until set, adding protein and richness.

Cheese: Shredded and sprinkled on top, it melts to create a gooey, delicious topping.

Olive oil: Used to cook the potatoes, it adds a subtle flavor and helps achieve a crispy texture.

Salt: Enhances the overall flavor of the dish.

Black pepper: Adds a touch of heat and depth to the flavor profile.

To achieve perfectly cooked eggs in your breakfast skillet, make sure to create deep enough wells in the potato and sausage mixture. This allows the eggs to settle nicely and cook evenly. If you prefer runny yolks, keep an eye on the eggs and reduce the cooking time slightly. For firmer yolks, let them cook a bit longer before adding the cheese.

• diced potatoes - Substitute with sweet potatoes: Sweet potatoes offer a slightly sweeter flavor and a similar texture when cooked, making them a great alternative.

• diced potatoes - Substitute with cauliflower florets: Cauliflower provides a lower-carb option while still offering a satisfying texture when roasted or sautéed.

• cooked sausage - Substitute with bacon: Bacon adds a smoky flavor and crispy texture, complementing the other ingredients well.

• cooked sausage - Substitute with vegetarian sausage: For a meat-free option, vegetarian sausage provides similar flavors and texture.

• eggs - Substitute with tofu: Crumbled tofu can mimic the texture of scrambled eggs and can be seasoned to taste.

• eggs - Substitute with chickpea flour scramble: A chickpea flour scramble offers a protein-rich, vegan alternative to eggs.

• shredded cheese - Substitute with nutritional yeast: Nutritional yeast provides a cheesy flavor without dairy, perfect for a vegan option.

• shredded cheese - Substitute with vegan cheese: Vegan cheese offers a dairy-free alternative with a similar texture and flavor.

• olive oil - Substitute with coconut oil: Coconut oil can be used for cooking and adds a subtle sweetness to the dish.

• olive oil - Substitute with butter: Butter provides a rich flavor and can be used for sautéing the ingredients.

• salt - Substitute with soy sauce: Soy sauce adds a savory depth of flavor and can reduce the need for additional salt.

• salt - Substitute with herb salt: Herb salt can enhance the dish with additional flavors from herbs while providing the necessary saltiness.

• black pepper - Substitute with cayenne pepper: Cayenne pepper adds a bit of heat and spice, offering a different flavor profile.

• black pepper - Substitute with white pepper: White pepper provides a milder heat and a slightly different flavor, suitable for those who prefer less pungency.

• Allow the loaded breakfast skillet to cool completely before storing. This helps prevent condensation, which can make the potatoes soggy.

• Transfer the cooled skillet contents into an airtight container. If you have multiple layers, place a sheet of parchment paper between them to maintain texture.

• Store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. For best results, consume within this timeframe to enjoy the freshness of the eggs and sausage.

• For freezing, portion the breakfast skillet into individual servings. This makes it easier to reheat only what you need.

• Wrap each portion tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe bag or container. This double-layer protection helps prevent freezer burn.

• Label the container with the date and contents. This ensures you know when it was stored and helps you keep track of your freezer inventory.

• Freeze for up to 2 months. Beyond this, the texture of the potatoes and eggs may degrade, affecting the overall quality.

• To reheat from the refrigerator, place the desired portion in a skillet over medium heat. Cover and heat until warmed through, adding a splash of olive oil if needed to prevent sticking.

• For reheating from frozen, thaw the skillet portion overnight in the refrigerator. Alternatively, use a microwave on the defrost setting for a quicker option.

• Once thawed, reheat in a skillet or microwave until hot. If using a microwave, cover with a microwave-safe lid or damp paper towel to retain moisture.

• To refresh the flavors, consider adding a sprinkle of fresh cheese or a dash of black pepper before serving.

• Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Transfer the loaded breakfast skillet leftovers into an oven-safe dish. Cover with foil to prevent drying out and bake for about 15-20 minutes, or until heated through. This method helps maintain the texture of the potatoes and ensures the eggs remain tender.

• For a quick fix, use the microwave. Place a portion of the loaded breakfast skillet on a microwave-safe plate. Cover with a microwave-safe lid or another plate to trap moisture. Heat on medium power for 1-2 minutes, checking halfway through to ensure even heating. This method is speedy but may slightly alter the texture of the eggs.

• If you prefer a stovetop approach, heat a non-stick skillet over low heat. Add a splash of olive oil or a pat of butter to prevent sticking. Place the leftovers in the skillet, cover with a lid, and gently reheat for about 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally. This method revives the sausage and potatoes while keeping the cheese melty.

• For an air fryer, preheat it to 350°F (175°C). Place the loaded breakfast skillet in the basket, ensuring it's spread out evenly. Heat for 5-7 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through. This method crisps up the potatoes and sausage nicely, adding a delightful crunch.

• Skillet: A flat-bottomed pan used for frying, searing, and browning foods. Essential for cooking the potatoes, sausage, and eggs in this recipe.

• Spatula: A tool with a broad, flat, flexible blade used to mix, spread, or lift material. Useful for stirring the potatoes and sausage.

• Knife: A sharp tool used for cutting. Necessary for dicing the potatoes.

• Cutting board: A durable board on which to place material for cutting. Provides a safe surface for dicing potatoes.

• Measuring cups: Tools used to measure the volume of liquid or bulk solid cooking ingredients. Needed to measure the potatoes, sausage, and cheese.

• Measuring spoons: Tools used to measure small quantities of ingredients. Useful for measuring the olive oil, salt, and pepper.

• Lid: A cover used to trap heat and moisture in a pan. Important for cooking the eggs and melting the cheese.

• Cheese grater: A tool used to shred cheese into small pieces. Necessary if you are shredding cheese from a block.

Prep ingredients in advance: Dice the potatoes and crumble the sausage the night before to save time in the morning.

Use pre-cooked sausage: Opt for pre-cooked sausage to eliminate cooking time and simply add it to the skillet.

Microwave potatoes: Partially cook the potatoes in the microwave for a few minutes before adding them to the skillet to speed up the browning process.

Shred cheese ahead: Shred the cheese and store it in the fridge so it's ready to sprinkle on top when needed.