There’s nothing quite like a hearty breakfast that fills your kitchen with aromas of spiced sausage and melted cheese—this Southwest Chorizo Breakfast Casserole Recipe does just that. It's comfort and flavor all baked into one cozy dish that’s perfect for weekend mornings or feeding a crowd.

The image shows a white baking pan with a thick, rectangular slice of lasagna removed, revealing the layers inside. The lasagna has multiple layers: golden melted cheese on top with light brown spots from baking, sprinkled with small green herb bits. Below the cheese, there are layers of red tomato sauce mixed with ground meat and creamy cheese, visible in shades of orange and brown. The sides of the pan have baked sauce stains, and there are small bits of sauce and cheese around the empty space where the slice was taken out. The pan is on a white marbled surface photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Southwest Chorizo Breakfast Casserole Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Southwest Chorizo Breakfast Casserole Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Southwest Chorizo Breakfast Casserole Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I absolutely adore this casserole because it brings together all the bold Southwest flavors in one easy dish. I'm always amazed at how the chorizo’s spice, combined with cheesy, tender potatoes, makes mornings feel special without spending hours in the kitchen.

Bold Southwest Flavors: The chorizo and green chiles create a lively, spicy base that wakes up your taste buds.
One-Dish Convenience: Everything cooks together in a single pan, making cleanup a breeze.
Great for Feeding a Crowd: This casserole is generously portioned and perfect for sharing with family or friends.
Flexible and Customizable: You can easily swap ingredients or add your favorite veggies and cheeses for a personal touch.

A close-up of a square slice of layered casserole being lifted from a white baking dish by a woman's hand holding a spatula. The casserole has three visible layers: a light golden bottom layer with soft chunks, a middle layer of crumbly browned meat, and a top layer of melted, browned cheddar cheese with small green herb pieces sprinkled on top. The white baking dish is set on a blue cloth with a white checkered pattern, and the background is a white marbled texture. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

This Southwest Chorizo Breakfast Casserole Recipe brings together ingredients that balance texture, heat, and creamy richness. Each component plays a key role, and knowing why helps you get the best results every time.

Flat lay of spicy chorizo sausage pieces, diced green chiles, vibrant frozen potatoes O'Brien with red and green pepper bits, shredded Colby Jack cheese mounds, a cluster of fresh green cilantro leaves, smooth whole eggs, glass of creamy milk, scattered chili powder and dried oregano sprinkles, all beautifully arranged on a white marble surface, photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Olive oil: Helps brown the chorizo beautifully without sticking — a good-quality oil makes a difference in flavor.
Chorizo: The star of the show—provides smokiness, spice, and lots of savory depth.
Eggs: The binder that ties all the flavors and textures together with a fluffy, custardy finish.
Milk: Added to the eggs to create a tender, creamy bake instead of a dry scramble.
Chili powder & oregano: Give the casserole that classic Southwest kick and a touch of herbaceous warmth.
Salt & black pepper: Essential for seasoning, bringing out all the complex flavors.
Diced green chiles: Add a mild heat and freshness that brighten the dish.
Colby Jack cheese: Melts beautifully and adds creamy, mellow sharpness that complements the spice.
Frozen potatoes O'Brien: Convenient and flavorful with peppers and onions, they add texture and substance to the casserole.
Cilantro or parsley (optional): Fresh herbs for a pop of color and freshness when serving.

📝

Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I love making this casserole my own by tweaking the spice levels or swapping cheeses based on what I have at home. You should definitely play around with it to suit your taste!

Variation: Once, I added diced jalapeños for extra heat, and it was fantastic—I highly recommend it if you like things spicy.
Veggie Boost: Feel free to toss in some chopped spinach or bell peppers for added nutrients and color.
Dairy-Free: I’ve also made it using dairy-free milk and cheese substitutes, and it still came out wonderfully creamy and flavorful.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Southwest Chorizo Breakfast Casserole Recipe

Step 1: Cook the Chorizo Until Crisp and Flavorful

Start by heating olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chorizo and break it apart with a spatula as it cooks. You want it to get a little crispy around the edges—that's where the magic happens! This usually takes about 7-8 minutes. Once done, remove from heat and set aside to cool slightly.

Step 2: Whisk Together Your Egg Mixture

In a large bowl, whisk the eggs along with milk, chili powder, oregano, salt, and pepper until smooth. Then gently fold in the drained diced green chiles. This mixture is going to soak right into the potatoes and chorizo to make everything tender and flavorful.

Step 3: Layer Your Ingredients in the Baking Dish

Grease your 9x13-inch baking dish with nonstick spray and spread the frozen potatoes evenly on the bottom. Sprinkle the cooked chorizo over the potatoes, followed by about 1 ½ cups of grated Colby Jack cheese. Pour the egg mixture evenly over the top, making sure it covers everything. Finally, sprinkle the remaining cheese on top.

Step 4: Bake to Perfection

Pop the casserole into a 350°F oven and bake for 40-45 minutes. You’ll know it’s done when the cheese is melted and bubbly, and the eggs are fully set (a knife inserted in the center should come out clean). Let it rest for 5 minutes before slicing—this helps everything settle and makes serving easier.

Top Tip

From making this casserole multiple times, I've learned a few tricks that consistently make it better and easier:

Use Frozen Potatoes O'Brien: They save so much prep time and add built-in flavor with peppers and onions—so convenient!
Get the Chorizo Crispy: Browning the chorizo well adds texture and releases flavorful fat that infuses the whole casserole.
Don’t Rush the Rest Time: Letting the casserole sit for a few minutes after baking makes slicing cleaner and helps the flavors meld.
Even Egg Distribution: Pour your egg mixture slowly and spread it evenly so each bite gets that perfect custard texture.

How to Serve Southwest Chorizo Breakfast Casserole Recipe

Southwest chorizo casserole - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

Personally, I love topping my slices with a handful of freshly chopped cilantro or parsley—it brightens the dish and adds a lovely herbaceous contrast to all that richness.

Side Dishes

This casserole pairs beautifully with fresh fruit or a simple green salad to lighten things up. I also like serving it alongside warm tortillas or crusty bread to soak up any extra cheesy goodness.

Creative Ways to Present

For a brunch party, I’ve served this casserole in individual ramekins topped with dollops of guacamole and a sprinkle of sliced green onions, which adds a fun, festive vibe. You can also layer it in a casserole dish with alternating cheese types for added color and flavor.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover casserole in an airtight container in the fridge, and it keeps well for 3-4 days. Just cover tightly to prevent it from drying out.

Freezing

This casserole freezes wonderfully. I portion it into meal-sized containers and freeze for up to 2 months. When thawed overnight in the fridge, the texture remains delicious and fresh.

Reheating

For best results, I reheat leftovers in a 350°F oven for about 15 minutes until warmed through and the cheese is melty again. You can also microwave it, but watch the time to avoid overcooking the eggs.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I make this casserole the night before?

Yes! This casserole is perfect for prepping the night before. You can assemble it and keep it covered in the fridge, then bake it fresh in the morning for the best texture and flavor.

Can I use fresh potatoes instead of frozen?

You can, but frozen Potatoes O'Brien are convenient because they come pre-seasoned with peppers and onions. If you use fresh potatoes, be sure to sauté them first until tender and add your own diced peppers and onions for similar flavor.

Is this casserole spicy?

The spice level is moderate thanks to the chorizo and chili powder, but it shouldn't be overwhelmingly hot. You can adjust the heat by choosing mild or spicy chorizo and adding extra chili powder or jalapeños if you like it spicier.

Can I substitute the cheese?

Absolutely! While Colby Jack melts wonderfully and balances the spice nicely, feel free to use cheddar, Monterey Jack, or a Mexican cheese blend depending on your preference.

Final Thoughts

This Southwest Chorizo Breakfast Casserole Recipe is one of those dishes I turn to when I want something satisfying, bold, and fuss-free. It brings a little fiesta to the morning table with minimal effort. Next time you need a breakfast that impresses and feeds a crowd, you’ll be glad you have this easy, flavorful casserole in your recipe box.