Ingredients:

  • 2 medium Russet or Yukon Gold potatoes (or sweet potatoes)
  • 3 strips bacon (optional)
  • 1 large bell pepper, chopped (use a mix of red and green for color)
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 4 large eggs (adjust based on preference)
  • 1/3 cup shredded smoked gouda cheese (feel free to substitute your favorite cheese)
  • [Optional garnish: Chopped fresh or dried parsley]

Instructions:

  1. Prep the Potatoes: Wash and scrub the potatoes clean. Peel if desired. Shred the potatoes using the largest holes of a box grater. Place in a large bowl lined with paper towels; cover with more paper towels and press down to absorb moisture. Alternatively, use a kitchen towel to squeeze out excess moisture.
  2. Microwave Potatoes: Transfer shredded potatoes to a plate lined with paper towels and microwave on high for 2 minutes. This step helps remove additional moisture.
  3. Cook Bacon: In a cold skillet (10 – 12 inches), lay out three strips of bacon before turning the heat on low. Cook until slightly crispy; remove from heat while reserving grease and place bacon on paper towels to absorb excess fat. Once cooled, chop into small pieces.
  4. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (204°C).
  5. Cook Hash Browns: Heat reserved bacon grease over medium heat until simmering. Add shredded potatoes and mix briefly with a spatula; cook untouched for about two minutes.
  6. Add Vegetables & Seasoning: Stir in chopped peppers, salt, and black pepper; flatten mixture using the back of a spoon. Allow cooking untouched for another three minutes followed by stirring again then cooking an additional two minutes until browned.
  7. Combine Ingredients: Stir in chopped bacon; cook for an additional two minutes. Flatten top of hash browns once more using the back of the spoon.
  8. Add Eggs & Cheese: Create four shallow indentations in the hash browns using the back of a spoon—crack one egg into each indentation. Top evenly with shredded cheese around eggs.
  9. Bake Skillet Dish: Transfer skillet to preheated oven; bake until egg whites are set (approximately eight–ten minutes).
  10. Finish & Serve: Season finished dish with extra salt and pepper if desired; sprinkle chopped parsley before serving hot!