WEEKEND BAKED HASH BROWNS

Steps:

• Cut bacon into 1/2" pieces; fry in large skillet until crisp; remove and drain on absorbent paper; discard all but a very small amount of bacon fat from skillet.
• Add vegetable oil to lightly cover bottom of skillet; heat to medium-high; add hash browns and fry (spread them out and fry without disturbing for about 5 minutes, then turn them and fry for another 5 minutes) until brown.
• Remove hash browns from skillet, spreading them into a 9x13 baking dish that has been lightly sprayed with no-stick cooking spray; spread half the bacon and half the cheese over the hash browns.
• Beat eggs, milk, onions, salt, pepper, and hot pepper sauce together then pour over the hash browns, bacon, and cheese; press the bacon and cheese evenly down into the hash browns and egg mixture with the edge of a spoon or clean fingertips; top with remaining bacon and cheese.
• Bake at 450 for 8 minutes; reduce oven temperature to 350 and continue baking for an additional 12-15 minutes.
• NOTE: I often use Simply Potatoes® "Southwest Style Hash Browns" for a spicier breakfast casserole.