Sausage and Hash Brown Casserole

This is John's favorite meal. We have it for his birthday almost every year. I never make it for breakfast, we always have it for dinner, but if you like getting up early enough it would be great. I always serve it with muffins.


12 oz bulk sausage (not links)
1 red bell pepper, chopped
1 ½ c. milk
3 ½ tsp. cornstarch
1 lb. frozen shredded potatoes, thawed or 2 c. shredded potatoes
¾ c. cheddar cheese, shredded (I use way more)

(The recipe suggests an 8x8 square pan. It won’t fit. I have a casserole dish that works, but 9x13 would probably work as well.)
Grease pan. Arrange potatoes in single layer in bottom of pan. Top with half the cheese. Set aside. Brown sausage in skillet until no longer pink. Add pepper, cook for 2 minutes. Add all but 2 tbsp. milk. IN a cup mix remaining milk and cornstarch. Add to sausage and stir until bubbly. Pour over potatoes. Top with remaining cheese. Bake for 45 minutes at 350.