Sausage Gravy Breakfast Tater Tot Casserole

Transform your breakfast or dinner routine with this comforting one-skillet wonder! This creative mashup combines the best of biscuits and gravy with crispy tater tots for an irresistible family meal. With just 5 ingredients and minimal prep, this gluten-free casserole delivers maximum flavor with minimum effort.

What Makes This Casserole Special?

There’s something magical about combining two beloved comfort foods into one incredible dish. This casserole takes the creamy, peppery goodness of sausage gravy and pairs it with crispy, golden tater tots for a meal that’s sure to become a family favorite. Whether you’re serving it for breakfast, brunch, or dinner (BFD – Breakfast For Dinner!), this versatile dish always hits the spot.

Why This Recipe Works:

One-skillet simplicity- Everything cooks in a single pan for easy cleanup
Hidden vegetables- Sneaky cauliflower adds nutrition without changing taste
Versatile serving- Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or dinner
Family friendly- Kids and adults love this comfort food mashup
Gluten-free option- Easily adaptable for dietary needs
Make-ahead friendly- Can be prepped in advance
Budget-conscious- Uses simple, affordable ingredients

Ingredient Notes

Breakfast sausage- Use gluten-free varieties like Butcher Box or Jimmy Dean for best flavor
Riced cauliflower- Fresh or frozen works, adds nutrients without changing taste
Gluten-free flour- Bob’s Red Mill 1-to-1 blend gives perfect gravy consistency
Milk- Any variety works, including dairy-free alternatives
Tater tots- Ore-Ida brand stays crispy while baking
Seasonings- Homemade seasoned salt and plenty of black pepper
Optional garnishes- Green onions, fresh herbs, or extra pepper

Kitchen Tools Needed

Large oven-safe skillet (11-3/4″ minimum)
Wooden spoon or spatula
Whisk
Measuring cups and spoons
Sharp knife for garnishes

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Using too small a skillet
Over-thickening the gravy before baking
Not adding enough black pepper
Skipping the rest time after baking
Having ingredients at different temperatures

Expert Tips for Success

Bring milk to room temperature before adding
Season generously – gravy loves pepper
Don’t overcrowd the tots
Let skillet cool slightly before adding milk
Use freshly ground black pepper

Step By Step Instructions

STEP 1: Prep

Preheat oven according to tot package
Gather all ingredients
Measure ingredients in advance
Bring milk to room temperature

STEP 2: Cook Sausage

Heat large skillet over medium-high
Add sausage and break into pieces
Add cauliflower if using
Cook until no pink remains

STEP 3: Make Gravy

Sprinkle flour over meat
Cook flour 1 minute
Slowly whisk in milk
Stir constantly until smooth

STEP 4: Season and Thicken

Add seasoned salt
Add generous black pepper
Simmer until slightly thickened
Check seasoning levels

STEP 5: Add Tots and Bake

Arrange tots in circular pattern
Some sinking is normal
Bake until golden brown
Let rest 5 minutes

Make-Ahead Options

Prepare gravy base in advance
Store in refrigerator up to 24 hours
Reheat before adding tots
Add extra milk if needed

Serving Suggestions

Fresh fruit salad
Scrambled eggs
Mixed green salad
Fresh berries
Breakfast meat sides

Variations

Spicy Version- Add red pepper flakes
Cheese Lover’s- Add shredded cheese on top
Veggie Packed- Double the cauliflower
Extra Meaty- Add crumbled bacon
Southwest Style- Add diced peppers and onions

Storage and Reheating

Refrigerator- Store leftovers up to 3 days in airtight container
Freezer- Not recommended, affects tot texture
Reheating- Best in oven at 350°F until hot
Microwave- Possible but tots won’t be crispy
Make ahead- Gravy can be made 24 hours ahead

FAQ

Can I use frozen cauliflower rice? Yes! No need to thaw first. Add directly to sausage while cooking.

Why isn’t my gravy thickening? Make sure to:

Cook flour for full minute
Whisk constantly while adding milk
Simmer until slightly thickened
Remember it thickens more while baking

Can I double the recipe? Yes, but use larger baking dish instead of skillet. Brown meat and make gravy in batches.

What’s the best milk substitute? Unsweetened almond milk works surprisingly well. Oat milk is another good option.

Can I add cheese? Yes! Add shredded cheese in last 5 minutes of baking.

Sausage Gravy Breakfast Tater Tot Casserole

One-skillet comfort food perfect for breakfast or dinner. Creamy sausage gravy topped with crispy tater tots for an irresistible family meal.

Print Recipe

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Course: Breakfast, Dinner
Cuisine: American, Comfort Food
Servings: 5
Calories: 623 kcal

Ingredients

For the Gravy Base:

1 lb gluten-free breakfast sausage
1 cup riced cauliflower (optional)
3 tablespoons gluten-free flour blend
2½ cups milk (any variety)
1 teaspoon homemade seasoned salt
1-2 teaspoons fresh ground black pepper

For Topping:

1 (30 oz) bag frozen tater tots
Chopped green onions (optional)
Extra black pepper to taste

Instructions

Preheat oven according to tater tot package directions (usually 425°F).
Heat large (11-3/4″ minimum) oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat.
Add sausage and cauliflower, breaking meat into small pieces. Cook until no pink remains, about 5-7 minutes.
Reduce heat to medium, sprinkle flour over meat. Cook 1 minute, stirring constantly.
Slowly add milk while whisking continuously to prevent lumps.
Season with salt and pepper. Simmer 3-4 minutes until slightly thickened.
Remove from heat, arrange tots in circular pattern on top.
Bake according to tot package time until golden brown.
Let rest 5 minutes before serving.
Garnish with green onions if desired.