Breakfast is one of my favorite meals so sometimes I like to have a little fun and get creative with different breakfast ideas! This breakfast hash uses frozen shredded potatoes so it comes together in under 30 minutes. It gets topped with ham, avocado and a poached egg for an easy, filling breakfast!
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While I'm all about non-processed foods and fresh ingredients, for something like this, where many other flavors are involved, and you want to pull together a quick, filling breakfast, I find it easier to use frozen shredded potatoes. You don't have to worry about making sure you get all the water out and I always keep a bag of them in my freezer so I can make this anytime!
I've cooked for one or two people most of my adult life, so I know it's not always easy to find recipes designed to yield smaller quantities. This recipe will serve 1 person as a rather large portion or two people if you add poached egg...that is unless one of you is really hungry! If you want to serve a larger group, use a larger pan and just double or triple the recipe.
Contents:
Recipe Ingredients
This recipe is a combination of frozen hash browns and fresh breakfast ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Frozen hash brown potatoes: Use your favorite brand.
- Onion: You'll want to use a yellow onion, not a sweet onion.
- Green pepper: In this dish, I prefer a standard green bell pepper but you could substitute a red, yellow or orange pepper if that's what you have on hand.
- Mushrooms: Either regular white mushrooms or baby bella mushrooms work best in this recipe.
- Ham: Black forest ham is my personal favorite, however, any ham will work.
- Cheddar cheese: I recommend grating cheese yourself as it melts better, however, you can substitute pre-grated, bagged cheese.
- Avocado: You'll need half of a ripe avocado.
- Green onion: This optional topping gives the dish extra flavor.
- Eggs: While also optional, adding a poached egg gives a nice finish to the dish and creates a complete meal with a good source of protein.
- Pantry staples: olive oil, kosher salt, ground pepper.
Notes from the Kitchen
Meal prep suggestions: You can chop all the veggies and ham the night before and also grate the cheese. This will reduce the total time to about 15 minutes.
Doubling or tripling the recipe: If you make the recipe as written you'll want to use an 8" non-stick pan. If you are doubling the recipe use a 10" pan and if tripling I'd recommend a 12" pan if you have one.
Fry or scramble the eggs: If poached eggs are not your thing or you just don't want to mess around with poaching them, you can also add a fried or scrambled egg on top of the hash.
How to make breakfast hash
This is a super quick and simple recipe that can be made in one pan.
- Poach the eggs. If you are planning to add the eggs, start poaching them first to ensure they are ready when the hash browns are done cooking. See below for my preferred egg poacher.
- Sauté the veggies. You'll start with the onions and green pepper since they take longer to cook. Then add the mushrooms and give them a quick stir.
- Cook the hashbrowns. You'll add the hashbrowns to the same pan with the veggies, give them a quick stir and then spread them out to cover the bottom of the pan.
- Add the ham and cheese. You'll add both to the pan and give everything a quick stir. Then let it cook for a minute or two until the cheese melts.
- Finish the dish. Remove the pan from the heat. You can transfer the hash brown mixture to a plate or bowl or just leave it in the pan (just be cautious of the hot pan). Top with the avocado, green onions and egg. Enjoy!
Recommended Tools
Individual Egg Poachers – These individual silicone egg poachers are perfect when you are poaching one or two eggs.
More easy breakfast ideas
If you want more easy breakfast recipes, check out these reader favorites:
- Breakfast Quesadilla. For a twist on the traditional quesadilla, this version combines scrambled eggs, avocado and cheese for an easy and very tasty breakfast!
- Ricotta Avocado Toast. This avocado toast gets a unique twist with additional toppings of lemon ricotta, kale microgreens and a sprinkle of everything bagel spice.
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Easy Breakfast Hash
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 ½ cups frozen breakfast potatoes, thawed
- ¼ cup chopped yellow onion
- 2 tablespoons chopped green pepper
- 2 tablespoons chopped mushroom
- ¼ teaspoon ground pepper
- ⅛ teaspoon sea salt
- 1 ½ ounces thinly-sliced black forest ham, chopped
- ¼ cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- ½ of an avocado, sliced
- 1 tablespoon sliced green onion
- 1-2 poached eggs
Instructions
- Saute the veggies. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a medium skillet over medium high heat. Sauté onion and green peppers for 1 minute. Add mushrooms and sauté for an additional minute.
- Cook the potatoes. Add potatoes, salt and pepper. Stir the mixture once, then spread to fill the pan. Reduce heat to just above medium and let the potatoes cook for 5-6 minutes until they begin to brown. Stir the mixture and add the additional tablespoon of oil. Flatten again and cook for an additional 4-5 minutes, until the desired doneness is reached.
- Finish the hash. Add the ham, stir and cook for 1 minute. Sprinkle with cheese and cook until melted, stirring once or twice. Top with avocado and green onions. If desired add a poached egg. Serve immediately.
Notes
- This recipe makes either one large serving or two smaller servings. If adding an egg I'd generally say it's enough for two people.
- If you are planning to add the poached eggs, start cooking them before you start the has to ensure they are done at the same time.
This post was originally published in May 2017. It was updated in September 2024 with some new information and photos. No changes were made to the original recipe.
Christie
Hash is definitely my husband's favorite brunch dish especially with an egg on top. Looks divine.
Faith (An Edible Mosaic)
I am all about breakfast/brunch too - I could happily eat it for any meal of the day! 🙂 I love that this makes a smaller amount!
FoodieGirlChicago
Thanks Faith - I've been trying to focus some of my recipes on servings for two as I feel like those with less servings can be harder to find.
Valerie
Yum! We make ann egg dish about one night per week and I'm putting this on the list! Hash browns are so convenient. I make a lot of food from scratch but have not desire to be shredding potatoes after work!
Cassandrea at chewsandbrews.ca
I love breakfast hash! And anything with avocado in the recipe is okay in my books! Plus I think the poached egg is a must! YUMMM!!!!
Judy@ImboredLetsGo
I have a hard time making smaller portions after feeding a family for so many years. This is one of my favorite kinds of breakfast!
Richa
Fantastic! Love this recipe!
Mireille
what a healthy way to start the day!
Jessica Robinson
Your hash recipe looks beyond amazing! Cannot wait to try this for Sunday breakfasts!
FoodieGirlChicago
Thanks Jessica - enjoy!
Marissa
I'm a sucker for breakfast hash and yours looks amazing! Just look at that perfectly cooked egg!