AMISH BREAKFAST CASSEROLE

Steps:

• 1. In a large bowl, combine hash browns, salt, black pepper, garlic powder and hot sauce. Stir gently to thoroughly combine. Stir in cottage cheese and all Cook bacon in 400degreesF oven until crisp. when crisp, carefully remove from oven and place on papper towel lined plate to cool. When cool, crumble into small pieces and set aside. While bacon is cooking, thoroughly brown sausage in a skillet. When browned, remove from skillet and place on papertowel lined [late to drain and cool. When sausage is cool, break into small pieces. While sausage cools, sauté onions and other desired additions [ diced bell peppers, diced fresh mushrooms, etc.] in the skillet with the sausage drippings. set aside to drain and cool.
• 2. In a large bowl, combine hash browns, salt, black pepper, garlic powder and hot sauce. Stir gently to thoroughly combine. Stir in cottage cheese and all but 1/4 to 1/2 cup of the cheddar and Swiss cheeses[ save for the top.] Stir in sausage and bacon, reserving 1/4 cup each for the top. Stir in sautéed onions, any other sautéed additions, and the 6 eggs.
• 3. Grease one 9"X13" baking dish or two smaller ones if you want one casserole to eat now and one to freeze to eat later. Spread the hash brown mixture into the greased pans and spread reserved cheeses, bacon and sausage on top. If baking your casserole now, preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Bake for 35-40 minutes until all cheese is melted and bubbling and casserole has set up in the middle. Let casserole cool for a while and then cut into individual portions. Serve warm. Leftover portions may be frozen in covered freezer containers for quite a while and reheated in microwave. If baking later, tightly cover casserole with foil and refrigerate until 30 minutes before baking.