👩‍🍳 Detailed Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Preheat and Prepare the Dish
   Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease an 8x8-inch baking dish with non-stick spray.

   • Pro tip: A glass dish provides even, gentle heat, while a metal pan will give you crispier edges.

2. Cook the Sausage
   Place a medium skillet over medium heat. Add the sausage, crumbling it into smaller pieces with a spatula as it cooks. Continue cooking for 3–4 minutes, or until the sausage is browned and fragrant.

   • If the sausage releases a lot of grease, carefully drain the excess fat before moving on.

   • Flavor hack: Don’t rush this step—the browning process (Maillard reaction) adds deep savory notes to your casserole.

3. Add the Vegetables
   To the skillet, add the diced onion, diced potatoes, salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Stir and cook for 6–8 minutes, or until the potatoes are lightly golden and the onions are soft and translucent.

   • Tip: Cut your potatoes into uniform cubes so they cook evenly.

   • Shortcut option: If you’re short on time, parboil the diced potatoes for 2 minutes before adding them to the skillet.

4. Whisk the Eggs
   In a medium bowl, whisk together the eggs and milk until smooth and well blended. Stir in ½ cup of the shredded cheddar cheese.

   • Room-temperature tip: Using eggs that are closer to room temperature helps them whisk more easily and creates a fluffier set when baked.

5. Assemble the Casserole
   Transfer the sausage and potato mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading it out evenly. Fold in the chopped broccoli. Pour the whisked egg mixture over the top, making sure it covers the sausage and vegetables. Sprinkle the remaining cheddar cheese evenly across the surface.

   • Make-ahead option: At this stage, you can cover the dish and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours. When ready to bake, let it sit at room temperature for about 20 minutes before placing it in the oven.

6. Bake the Casserole
   Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 30–35 minutes, or until the eggs are fully set and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

   • For a golden, bubbly cheese crust, switch the oven to broil and cook for an additional 1–2 minutes, watching closely so it doesn’t burn.

7. Cool, Garnish, and Serve
   Remove the casserole from the oven and allow it to rest for 5 minutes before slicing. Garnish with fresh chives or herbs of your choice, then serve warm.

   • Slow cooker option: Layer the sausage, potatoes, and broccoli in the bottom of a 4-quart slow cooker. Pour the whisked eggs and cheese mixture over the top. Cover and cook on low heat for 4–6 hours, until the eggs are fully set.