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Cheesy Western Skillet with Hash Browns and Ham

Cheesy Western skillet with hash browns and ham is an easy one-pan breakfast where frozen potatoes turn golden and the eggs set in cheesy layers. Stirring at the right times and covering the skillet helps the cheese melt and the eggs cook evenly for a campfire-ready meal.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Breakfast
Cuisine: American
Calories: 620
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Cheesy Western skillet base
  • 20 oz frozen hash browns Frozen, shredded hash browns (use 1 bag).
  • 1 lb ham Diced ham.
  • 1 bell pepper Diced.
  • 1 onion Diced.
  • 6 eggs Crack 1 into each well.
  • 2 cup shredded cheddar cheese Reserve extra to fully cover before covering.
  • 3 tbsp butter or oil Choose butter or a neutral oil.
  • 0.25 salt and pepper To taste; have extra for finishing.

Equipment

  • 1 cast iron skillet

Method
 

Brown the hash browns
  1. Heat 3 tablespoons butter or oil in a large cast iron skillet over campfire until shimmering.
  2. Add the frozen hash browns and cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until golden.
Add filling and cook briefly
  1. Add the diced ham, bell pepper, and onion to the skillet and cook for 5 minutes more.
Form wells and cook the eggs
  1. Create 6 wells in the hash brown mixture and crack 1 egg into each well.
  2. Sprinkle 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese over everything and cover with a lid or foil.
  3. Cook for 8-10 minutes until the eggs are set to desired doneness, watching for bubbling around the edges.
Finish and serve
  1. Season with salt and pepper to taste and serve directly from the skillet.

Notes

For the best golden crust, avoid over-stirring after the first 10 minutes—let the hash browns sit briefly between turns. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator up to 3 days; reheat in a skillet over medium heat until warmed through. Freezing is not recommended for eggs. Dietary swap: use reduced-fat shredded cheese to cut calories while keeping the melty texture.