This Breakfast Skillet Combo became my signature dish during my catering days! I needed something that could feed a crowd but still felt like care went into each serving. The first time I made it, I was cooking for a family reunion at a lake house with limited kitchen space. The one-pan approach saved me – and the family patriarch declared it better than his favorite diner’s breakfast platter.
All American Breakfast Skillet Combo
A hearty one-pan wonder with crispy potatoes, bacon, sausage, and eggs topped with melted cheese for the ultimate American breakfast experience.
Cook the Bacon
Heat a 12-inch cast iron skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped bacon and cook until crispy, about 6-8 minutes. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate, leaving the rendered fat in the skillet.
Brown the Sausage
Add the sausage links to the same skillet and cook until browned on all sides and cooked through, about 8-10 minutes. Transfer to the plate with the bacon. When cool enough to handle, slice into 1/2-inch pieces.
Crisp the Potatoes
Add the diced potatoes to the skillet with the bacon fat, arranging in a single layer as much as possible. Cook undisturbed for 5 minutes to develop a crust, then stir and continue cooking for another 5-7 minutes until golden and crispy on the outside and tender inside.
Add Aromatics and Seasonings
Add the diced onion, bell pepper, and garlic to the skillet with the potatoes. Sprinkle with smoked paprika, dried thyme, salt, and black pepper. Stir to combine and cook for 3-4 minutes until vegetables begin to soften.
Return Meat and Create Wells
Return the bacon and sliced sausage to the skillet, distributing evenly throughout the potato mixture. Using the back of a spoon, create 6 wells in the mixture for the eggs.
Add Eggs and Cheese
Crack an egg into each well. Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese over the entire skillet. Cover with a lid or aluminum foil and cook for 4-5 minutes until egg whites are set but yolks are still runny (or longer if you prefer firmer yolks).
Garnish and Serve
Remove from heat, garnish with sliced green onions, and serve directly from the skillet. Offer hot sauce on the side for those who enjoy a bit of heat with their breakfast.
All American Breakfast Skillet | Over The Fire Cooking by Derek Wolf
Learn how to make a hearty all-American breakfast skillet with potatoes, meats, and eggs all in one pan.
You’ll love this recipe because everything cooks in layers, building flavor as you go. The fat from the bacon and sausage becomes the cooking medium for those crispy-edged potatoes, eliminating the need for extra oil. And that single-skillet approach means you’re not juggling multiple pans while trying to time everything perfectly – a game-changer for those hosting morning gatherings.
Each bite delivers that perfect combination of smoky bacon, savory sausage, and the slightly sweet notes from the bell peppers against the backdrop of golden potatoes. The eggs create pockets of richness throughout, while the melted cheese brings everything together in a cohesive, comforting dish.
Don’t be surprised when this becomes your go-to for impressing overnight guests or solving the “what’s for brunch?” question. I’ve taught this recipe in countless meal prep workshops, and students consistently report it’s the first one they master and make their own. The leftovers also reheat beautifully for quick weekday breakfasts!
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