Breakfast skillets are a popular and versatile meal option, perfect for busy mornings or weekend brunches. These one-pan dishes combine a variety of ingredients like potatoes, eggs, meats, and vegetables, all cooked together in a single skillet. The appeal of breakfast skillets lies in their simplicity—minimal prep, easy cleanup, and the ability to customize with whatever ingredients you have on hand. Whether you’re feeding a crowd or making a quick meal for yourself, breakfast skillets offer a hearty and satisfying start to the day.
Why This Recipe is Popular
The “Simple Loaded Breakfast Skillet” recipe is popular because it combines a rich medley of flavors—savory bacon, hearty potatoes, spicy sausage, and creamy cheese—all in one dish. The ease of preparation is a major draw, with everything cooked in a single skillet, reducing both cooking time and cleanup. This recipe is also highly adaptable to different dietary needs; it can be easily modified to be gluten-free by using specific sausage brands or dairy-free by substituting the cheese with a non-dairy alternative. This flexibility makes it appealing to a wide range of eaters.
Ingredients Breakdown
Key Ingredients Overview
Bacon: The bacon in this recipe adds a rich, smoky flavor and a satisfying crisp texture. As it cooks, the bacon releases fat, which not only enhances the taste of the dish but also serves as a flavorful base for cooking the other ingredients.
Potatoes/Hash Browns: Acting as the foundation of the skillet, potatoes or hash browns provide a hearty and filling base. They absorb the flavors from the bacon and sausage, creating a cohesive dish that’s both comforting and satisfying.
Sausage: Sausage is a protein-packed addition that brings a hint of spice and additional depth of flavor to the skillet. Depending on the type of sausage used, you can adjust the spice level to your preference, making the dish either mild or spicy.
Eggs: Eggs are essential to this skillet, adding both protein and richness. They are cooked directly in the skillet, allowing their yolks to blend with the other ingredients, creating a creamy and cohesive texture.
Cheese: Cheese adds a layer of creaminess and helps to tie all the ingredients together. It melts into the skillet, enhancing the overall flavor and making the dish indulgent and comforting.
Step-by-Step Preparation Guide
Preparing the Ingredients
Bacon:
- Cutting: Begin by cutting the bacon strips into 1-inch pieces. This size ensures they cook evenly and become crispy.
- Cooking: Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the bacon pieces and cook until they are crispy, turning occasionally to ensure even cooking. Once done, remove the bacon from the skillet and place it on a paper towel to drain excess fat.
Potatoes:
- Choosing Potatoes: You can use either refrigerated diced potatoes or frozen hash browns. If using frozen hash browns, thaw them slightly before cooking.
- Cooking: After removing the bacon, keep some bacon fat in the skillet for added flavor. Add the potatoes to the skillet in an even layer. Cook over medium heat, allowing them to brown on one side before flipping. Stir occasionally to ensure they cook evenly, achieving a crispy, golden-brown texture.
Vegetables:
- Onions and Peppers: If you’re including onions and red bell peppers, dice them finely for even cooking.
- Cooking: Once the potatoes are nearly done, add the diced onions and peppers to the skillet. Cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are tender and slightly caramelized. This step enhances the overall flavor of the dish.
Cooking the Skillet
- Combining Ingredients: After the vegetables are cooked, return the cooked bacon to the skillet along with the chopped, cooked sausage. Stir everything together to ensure even distribution of the ingredients. Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes to heat through.
- Making Wells and Cooking Eggs: Using a spoon, make small wells in the mixture for the eggs. Carefully crack an egg into each well. Cover the skillet with a lid and reduce the heat to medium-low. Allow the eggs to cook until the whites are set but the yolks are still runny, typically about 8-10 minutes. For firmer yolks, cook for an additional 2-3 minutes.
Adding Cheese
- Melting Cheese: Once the eggs are cooked to your desired doneness, sprinkle the shredded cheese evenly over the skillet. Replace the lid and cook for an additional 2 minutes, just until the cheese melts and becomes gooey. Avoid overcooking, as this can cause the eggs to become too firm.
Customization & Variations
Vegetarian Alternatives
For a vegetarian version of the skillet, swap out the bacon and sausage with plant-based alternatives. There are many high-quality meat substitutes available, like soy-based or pea protein sausages, that provide a similar texture and flavor. You can also increase the amount of vegetables, such as mushrooms or zucchini, to add more substance to the dish.
Spice It Up
To add more heat, consider incorporating ingredients like diced jalapeños, a dash of hot sauce, or a sprinkle of crushed red pepper flakes. You could also use spicier varieties of sausage or add a touch of cayenne pepper to the potatoes. Experimenting with different spices like smoked paprika, cumin, or even a bit of chili powder can also give the dish a unique flavor profile.
Dietary Adjustments
For a gluten-free version, ensure that your sausage is certified gluten-free, as some brands may contain gluten. For a dairy-free option, substitute regular cheese with a plant-based cheese alternative. Nutritional yeast can also be used to add a cheesy flavor without dairy. Additionally, if you want to reduce fat content, you can use turkey bacon or lean sausage.
Serving Suggestions
This breakfast skillet pairs wonderfully with a variety of sides. Serve it with slices of toasted sourdough bread, warm tortillas, or even over a bed of fresh greens for a lighter option. Adding a side of fresh fruit, such as berries or melon, can provide a refreshing contrast to the richness of the skillet. You might also consider serving it with a dollop of sour cream, salsa, or guacamole to add extra flavor and texture.
Nutritional Information & Health Benefits
Caloric Breakdown
A serving of the Simple Loaded Breakfast Skillet is estimated to contain approximately 400-500 calories, depending on the specific ingredients and portion sizes used. The bulk of the calories come from the bacon, sausage, eggs, and cheese.
Health Benefits
Key ingredients like eggs and avocado (if used as a topping) provide essential nutrients. Eggs are an excellent source of protein and contain essential vitamins such as B12 and D. Avocados add healthy fats, fiber, and potassium, contributing to heart health.
Balance Tips
To make the dish healthier without sacrificing flavor, consider using leaner meats like turkey bacon or chicken sausage. You can also increase the proportion of vegetables to add more fiber and vitamins. Opt for a reduced-fat cheese or a smaller portion to lower the calorie count, and use a non-stick pan to reduce the need for added fats.
FAQs Section
How can I make this dish vegetarian?
To make this dish vegetarian, replace the bacon and sausage with plant-based alternatives or increase the amount of vegetables, such as mushrooms or zucchini, for added texture and flavor.
Can I prepare this the night before?
Yes, you can prepare the ingredients (cook the bacon, sausage, and chop veggies) the night before and store them in the refrigerator. Assemble and cook the dish fresh in the morning.
What’s the best way to store and reheat leftovers?
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in a skillet over low heat or in the microwave until warmed through.
What other cheeses can I use?
You can use a variety of cheeses such as Monterey Jack, pepper jack for a spicy kick, or a milder cheese like mozzarella or Swiss for a different flavor profile.
How can I make the eggs more runny or fully cooked?
To achieve runnier eggs, reduce the cooking time slightly and monitor closely. For fully cooked eggs, increase the cooking time by a few minutes or break the yolks before cooking.
Conclusion
The Simple Loaded Breakfast Skillet is a versatile and easy-to-make dish that brings together a delicious blend of flavors in one pan. Its simplicity and flexibility allow for endless customization, making it perfect for any breakfast or brunch. Whether you stick to the classic ingredients or experiment with new additions, this skillet is sure to satisfy. Don’t hesitate to adjust the recipe to suit your tastes or dietary needs, making it a go-to option for a hearty, satisfying meal any day of the week.
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Simple Loaded Breakfast Skillet
Description
This Simple Loaded Breakfast Skillet is a hearty and satisfying meal, perfect for busy mornings or a relaxed weekend brunch. It combines crispy bacon, tender potatoes, savory sausage, and rich eggs, all brought together with melted cheese. The one-pan approach makes it easy to prepare and clean up, while the customizable ingredients allow you to tailor the dish to your taste or dietary needs.
Ingredients
- 4–6 strips bacon cut into 1 inch pieces
- 20 oz refrigerated potatoes or 3–4 cups frozen hash browns
- ½ cup sweet onion diced, optional
- ½ cup red bell pepper diced, optional
- 8–10 sausage links cooked, chopped
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 4 eggs
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese or your favorite
Serving
- Green onions sliced
- Tomatoes sliced
- Avocado sliced
- Jalapenos seeds removed and sliced
- Parsley
Instructions
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In a large skillet or cast iron skillet, cook bacon until crispy and remove from pan onto paper towel
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Add potatoes and cook until browned
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Add vegetables, if using and cook until tender, about 5 minutes
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Stir in sausage and bacon and heat through
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Add salt and pepper to taste
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Make wells in the pan and carefully break eggs into each well
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Cover pan and cook over medium low heat until whites of eggs are set, about 8-10 minutes
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Sprinkle with cheese and cook until melted
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Serve immediately with toppings of your choice
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Store leftovers in refrigerator
Notes
Feel free to customize this recipe to your preferences. Swap out the meats for plant-based alternatives, adjust the spice level, or experiment with different cheeses. This dish is as flexible as it is delicious!
