Well, the holidays have snuck up on me once again and Christmas is just around the corner. Fortunately, my list of loved ones to buy for is a short one this year and I feel prepared. I don’t have stressful decisions to make about what to buy my non-existant significant others’ family members, and for that I am glad. Truly. Sometimes I bemoan the fact that I am single, but I relish it just as often. Sometimes I don’t want to be alone—like when I’m driving to Kansas City and my iPhone fails me, leaving me to find my way with no phone numbers and only half of my friends’ address—but at other times I want to be alone, like when it’s just me, this breakfast in a skillet, and a fork. Singledom at its finest!
This recipe has been adapted from Pam Anderson (no, not that Pamela Anderson), who recently published a cookbook called Cook without a Book: Meatless Meals. I almost called it a non-cookbook because she presents vegetarian meal concepts, rather than precise recipes, and provides tips and flavor combinations that go with it.
I love this way of cooking because it’s realistic—I almost never follow recipes exactly, because I don’t want to make an extra trip to the store or because my taste buds prefer a different flavor. I think it’s an especially great concept for a vegetarian cookbook because so many who want to cook more meatless meals do not know where to begin. Pam’s cookbook provides plenty of family-friendly vegetarian cooking inspiration along with endless flavor combinations to try.
I was drawn to Pam’s recipe for this egg and potato scramble because it was easy to scale down for breakfast for one. I’ve mentioned before how much I adore breakfast—it’s the only thing that gets me out of bed in the morning—and on the weekends I love spending lazy mornings making myself a good meal. Sometimes I want a quick, savory breakfast instead of sweet waffles or pancakes, and this scramble was just right.
I appreciate Pam’s technique for quick steaming the potatoes, which speeds up the potato cooking process and means that I can now whip up a breakfast club-quality meal for myself in twenty minutes! Her breakfast scramble is not unlike the “veggie kitchen sink” I enjoyed for brunch at Succotash in Kansas City this past weekend. It’s basically like mixing together two of my favorite Breakfast Club menu items (home fries and scrambled eggs) in one skillet, for one. I’m a big fan.
The recipe below is Pam’s original, which serves two people. I scaled it down for one by cooking two medium red potatoes and two scrambled eggs in an 8-inch cast iron skillet. In fact, Pam’s breakfast scramble was so good, I couldn’t resist eating it straight from the pan (and thankfully, no one was around to watch)!
Egg and Potato Breakfast Scramble
- Author:
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 15 mins
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 2 1x
- Category: Breakfast
You’ll love this breakfast scramble! It’s an easy, versatile, one-skillet breakfast filled with scrambled eggs, home fries, herbs and cheese. It’s like all my favorite things about breakfast in one skillet.
Ingredients
- 6 ounces red potatoes, rinsed and scrubbed and diced. (Pam said four small red potatoes. I would dice up just enough to cover the bottom of the skillet in a single layer.)
- ¼ cup water
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- Pinch of salt
- 3 large eggs, beaten (I’d probably add another for good measure)
- Dash of milk
- 1 scallion, thinly sliced
- ⅓ cup grated cheese (I used Gruyère)
- 1 tablespoon freshly chopped herbs (I used fresh thyme) OR a pinch of dried herbs
Instructions
- Combine the potatoes, water, oil and salt in a 10-inch skillet. The author suggested a non-stick skillet but in my opinion there’s nothing a well-seasoned cast iron skillet can’t do.
- Cover and bring to a boil over high heat. Cook for about five minutes, until the water has evaporated and the potatoes start to sauté.
- Uncover the potatoes and loosen them from the bottom of the skillet with a wooden spoon until lightly browned, about five minutes later. If you’re using dried spices or herbs, add them now.
- In a bowl, scramble the eggs with a dash of milk. Pour the eggs into the skillet, toss in the scallions and scramble until the eggs are just set. Remove the skillet from heat.
- Sprinkle with grated cheese and fresh herbs (optional). Give it a minute to let the cheese melt, then dig in!
Notes
Adapted from Cook without a Book by Pam Anderson.
Variations to try: extra sharp cheddar with fresh dill, feta or goat cheese with oregano (add diced roasted red pepper), pepper jack and cilantro (perhaps add black beans and a side of salsa), or Swiss and paprika.
▸ Nutrition Information
Vegetable enthusiast. Dog lover. I'm probably making a big mess in my Kansas City kitchen right now. 
Erica
My favorite holiday meal is a sour cream cranberry coffee cake – layers of whole berry cranberry sauce are swirled into a sour cream based batter….and the topping is crunchy walnuts! So tasty and easy! Happy Holidays!
Jeff
This morning my girlfriend made us a simple leek frittata with Gruyère and Fontina.
Bev Weidner
LADY, this is so my kind of breakfast. Protein and starches. UH. HUH.
And I’m sort of dying for that book.
Bad.
janet @ taste space
Love the concept of cooking without a recipe! Breakfast lends so well to that! I really enjoyed a chickpea flour quiche which we will be having for Christmas as well. :)
heather
Christmas morning breakfast at my parents’ house, where we still make a point to be each year, is panettone french toast. It’s a tradition we began several years ago and have no intention of stopping! It’s wonderful with a bit of powdered sugar over top.
Cheers and happy Christmas,
*Heather*
Laura L
the book looks delicious! of course i’m referring to the recipes, would like to try em out!
Heather
You made me realize two things in this post besides the fact that I need to try this recipe. First, I still need to get my bff’s parents a gift and second, precise has all the letters to spell recipes. For breakfast on Christmas we have an egg and bacon casserole that my mom makes ahead of time so we can just pop it in the oven. Happy holidays!
Brenda
This dish looks fabulous!! We have 5 growing boys at home and they have already been asking what I am cooking this year for Christmas morning breakfast! This looks like a good one (of course, quadrupled) Thanks for your recipes…love cooking healthy :)
Jill
During the holidays we usually make a strata and have some sort of bread (orange cinnamon rolls, coffee cake, etc.) with it. This year, I would love to make ebelskivers because I just got a pan from Williams Sonoma.
Sarah K
This sounds delicious! I will have to give it a try soon. My favorite breakfast is scrambled eggs over roasted sweet potatoes with pickled red onions and a dash of hot sauce all rolled up in a whole wheat tortilla.
sara
This looks amazing – great breakfast! My sister often makes baked oatmeal for Christmas morning, along with my dad’s fancy scrambled eggs and some sort of sweet bread made by me and my mom.
Heidi @ Food Doodles
Mmm, this looks fantastic. I think I may try this out on my hubby actually, I know he’ll be a huge fan :D Quite often I just scramble some eggs with whatever veggies are in the fridge and some cheese for a quick breakfast that everyone likes. I haven’t tried potatoes yet though :D
cadence
I’m a big fan of scrambled eggs–I really love the concept of that cookbook, that is exactly how I “follow” recipes, subbing things out with what is available / potentially delicious. it’d be neat to have a guidebook for cooking that way (as it is now somethings just don’t come out right. I have some lentil meatballs that were *way* less delicious than expected).
Shelley
my favorite breakfast is a classic spread here in the South: scrambled eggs, organic bacon, hash browns with peppers and onions, buttery grits, and if I can talk my mom into it…chocolate chip pancakes.
Sarah @ pão e queijo
My list of gifts to buy/ make this year was pretty small, too. This breakfast scramble looks really yummy– I got this book out of the library and love it. I’d love to own a copy! We usually have mimosas and croissants for Christmas breakfast, but since my mom is now gluten-free, I don’t think we’ll be doing that anymore! Breakfast is my favorite meal, maybe I’ll make the big cinnamon biscuits I saw on The Kitchn just for me ;)
Nene
We love skillet meals, so I can’t wait to try this recipe. Lately breakfasts have consisted of lots of simple whole-grain cereals, like simple steel-cut oats with dried fruit and greek yogurt…of course, if I get the book, I’m sure to find lots of other ideas to help spice up that morning grub routine!
Katrina
Yum! I think I’ll make this tomorrow :)
Katie
Oh my – you’ve got me set on picking up this cookbook even if I don’t win! I love working off of flavor combinations and techniques rather than instructions, and find myself rarely cooking meat/chicken at home.
PS. beautiful photos, as always!
Jennifer
My favorite breakfast is crepes…sweet or savory, it doesn’t matter, I love them all! But I’ll definitely be trying this recipe, too :)
Lauren
This looks fabulous! I don’t often eat eggs for breakfast, but I would make this scramble for dinner in a heartbeat. My morning meal typically consists of stovetop oatmeal + peanut butter, but pancakes are a special favorite.
Ellen
This book sounds amazing! Right up my alley.
Kate
Yum! My brother makes a similar version which he calls “monster mash” this looks much prettier:)
I love frittatas around the holidays loaded with veggies!
kerry
Thanks again Kate for your great ideas. I will certainly look more closely at this cookbook. I love this recipe and will add wild mushrooms to it and serve it over a baby cos lettuce this year. Have a wonderful new year and keep up the good work.
Marcia
As one single woman to another, I know exactly what you mean about the ups and downs of living and cooking on your own, but spoiling myself with a lovely egg-based breakfast on a lazy weekend is definitely one of the perks in my book.
For a holiday breakfast, I often serve up a frittata or souffle or such, with lots of good cheese and some sort of veggies mixed in. With a warm buttered slice of banana bread and a medley of fresh fruit on the side, it makes a stellar combination, but still leaves plenty of room for the feast to come a few hours later!
Haley
christmas morning breakfast is always my favorite :) last year my mom made whole wheat gingerbread pancakes. and this year, she is making whole wheat pancakes with a nutty topping :)
Lisa
My mother was pretty wise. Oh, she could make terrific breakfasts, but she didn’t owe us that. She usuallly preferred to make great dinners for us all every night. As for breakfast, she wanted us to be self-sufficient, and what better way to do that than letting the kids cook? Her attitude about breakfast was that once we kids were old enough to reach the cabinets, we could and should make our own breakfasts. Sundays were special breakfasts, and Dad hosted those. Dad would raid the neighborhood Jewish deli and return with a feast of freshly cut cold cuts, rye bread and onion rolls. But for me, what I treasure to this day was Mom’s over-riding philosophy about breakfast: this is the meal that one should be served, either out at a favorite local restaurant, or else, in bed. I mean, how right is that?
la domestique
Just in the last year I’ve really started enjoying breakfast. My husband and I sit down together with a pot of tea and either pancakes, oatmeal, or bacon with eggs and toast. Special occasions (like Christmas) always call for cinnamon rolls. :) I’m going to add this egg and potato breakfast scramble to my repertoire.
Jenn
Mmm. This looks so good, I’ll have to try soon. I love scrambles and omlets. My husband makes good potatoes. This is a good blend of the two.
On holidays, (or any day) I love French toast or buckwheat pancakes!
Would LOVE to win this book and try some new ideas! Thanks!!!
Katie
We always had “monkey bread” on Christmas morning when growing up. Still carrying on the tradition!
jacquie
no holiday breakfasts in general. my typical breakfast would be a couple of crackers w/ pb, some cheese and a few nuts. i know, i know – not the best way to start the day …
Sylvie @ GitK
You know eating straight from the pan never gets old, even when you are married! Then you just need two forks. ;-) Happy Holidays to you!
Natalie
my favorite holiday breakfast is either chocolate chip banana bread (super dense and rich bread) with an americano, or latkes!!
www.nataliejso.com/cookies.html
Sara
With two small kids, we’re still working on the ‘tradition’ part for christmas, but we make plain old scrambled eggs and toast a whole lot. My 4-year-old has named it ‘poncho wonchos’ (ponchos are eggs and wonchos are toast), and we get a kick out of it. The younger sister is much more likely to call eggs ‘ponchos’, poor girl… My favorite breakfast right now is a baked oatmeal from http://www.simplebites.net/eat-well-spend-less-back-to-school-breakfast-recipe-baked-oatmeal/
Alicia
This Christmas I’m dying to make Ina Garten’s French Toast Bread Pudding. Half breakfast and half dessert? Can’t go wrong.
Kathleen
Oh! I would LOVE a copy of this cookbook.
My very favorite breakfast is migas – but this Christmas I’m thinking about trying out some eggs baked in avocado halves.
Christopher
i’m all about breakfast and this one looks pretty good.
i am in charge of christmas breakfast this year. on the docket–vanilla pancakes w homemade raspberry preserves and some maple flavored veg sausage on the side. hope aunt, mom and grandmom approve!
kelsey
whenever I reminisce about past Christmases, I’m always reminded of my mom baking cinnamon rolls every Christmas morning!
Genevieve
Our family tradition for the past few years for Christmas morning breakfast is to make an overnight blueberry-stuffed french toast – it can be prepared the night before and baked while we open stockings!
Stephanie Stein
looks so yummy! although its a rarity that i choose savory over sweet:) Happy Holidays!
Cynthia
Cinnamon rolls from a can and hot chocolate have always been my parents tradition. This will make the 5th year in a row I’m not spending Christmas with them, but the first time I’m making cinnamon rolls for scratch. They’re made, rolled, and in my freezer now so all that’s left to do is thaw and bake them. Wish me luck that they turn out right!!
Jodell
Found your blog from my friend Karla’s blog and LOVE your recipes. Just tried the blackberry orange pancakes (but did the raspberry/lemon version) and they were amazing, especially since they were for dinner! This recipe is great, only I’m going to put it in a tortilla with some green chile! Thanks for sharing all the great stuff!
Jesse
I’ve never been a big breakfast eater. I’m known to skip it more than just ‘occasionally’. However, I can’t say no to a good scramble of hashbrowns, eggs, various veggies and herbs with toast on the side. That plus a smoothie to drink and there you have my dream breakfast. Are you writing this down, future boyfriends?
Christina
We have done something new each year. Can that be a tradition?! One year I made a french toast casserole and last year I made the Pioneer’s Woman’s monkey muffins. I think I made the full eggs/sausage/toast/fruit breakfast. I know for sure the year I was pregnant the first time I ate holiday cookies for breakfast!! The kids asked for the monkey muffins again but I am trying for ease this year and I may just do cinnamon rolls from a can on Christmas day. We’ll see… I might not be able to resist those monkey muffins myself!
Rebeca Juarez
I cannot wait to try this recipe! My favorite breakfast meal is a combination plate of huevos rancheros, black beans and fried plantains-a salvadoran classic
Karlee Hoffart
This year we bought the best croissants from Williams Sonoma and ate them with jam and nutella… YUM!
Bridget
Sounds like something a single girl would find rather useful! A very cool concept, that’s for sure.
Cynthia
My favorite holiday breakfast is breakfast casserole: a casserole of bread, milk, eggs, sausage and cheese. Yummy!
Holly
At our house, we do a potato hash with red bell peppers, bacon, onions and a fried runny egg on top.
Diane Chichelli
I read your Blog while eating one of your Quinoa Breakfast recipes. I added a couple of heaping spoonfuls of Greek Yogurt, half a banana, a cap of pure Maple syrup and a dash of cinnamon. Yum! Cooking off the cuff.
Marilyn
My mother-in-law makes wonderful cinnamon rolls for Christmas breakfast.
Grace
My grandma makes amazing sweet potato biscuits in the morning!
Clarissa
We love monkey bread and if we’re feeling more ambitious, sticky buns. Something sticky and super bad for you! Happy Holidays!
Veronica
I love my morning bowl of oatmeal, so when I need to feed a crowd, I prepare baked oatmeal with different dried and fresh fruit, nuts, and seeds!
Kate
I love greek yogurt and homemade granola…another favorite is brown rice pudding with dried cranberries! Great blog! This breakfast looks so good!
adrienne yancey
I’m a breakfast person too, but it took me 20 years to fall in love with eggs. Now I make an omelette at least once a week. If not for breakfast than for a quick & tasty dinner. My favorite sides are potatoes, onions and greens.
Sabine
My favorite holiday breakfast would have to be pumpkin bread french toast, which is leftover pumpkin bread soaked in an egg wash and cooked just like you would with classic french toast. The french toast is delicious with just a drizzle of maple syrup or a pad of nice jam, but is sweet enough to go without.
Amy
My favorite is pumpkin waffles with ginger spice, served with bacon. Yum!
Love your blog – have been blog-stalking you for a while now and really enjoy it. :=)
kate
Thanks for the comment, Amy! I’m so glad you enjoy my blog.
Charissa
Our Christmas breakfast is Eggnog and Christmas bread…so special!
This cookbook looks like fun!
Maria@Orchard Bloom
Our tradition is cinnamon buns, but one of my fav things is a slight variation of this recipe; pan fried potatoes with tomato, egg, mozzarella and basil!
Grace
My favorite holiday breakfast is homemade waffles with fresh fruit. This year I had gluten-free banana bread with almond butter and homemade cinnamon rolls. If I could eat something for breakfast every day it would probably be breakfast burritos with potatoes.
Tasha @ Dine & Dash
waffles with black,blue & strawberries and a mountain of whipped cream + eggs/sauteed spinach
Erica
This year our big holiday breakfast was overnight waffles with fresh blueberries, strawberries and real Vermont maple syrup!
Samantha Walter
I am not sure why I never mix the eggs and hash browns for this 1 pan scramble, but it was oh so good with the mexican version made!
Jess
Our family made our most delicious (and meat free) Christmas morning breakfast to date! Aged cheddar, asparagus and carmelized onion strata (made with homemade bread) with fruit salad. So delicious!
Sam H
Always love me some cinnamon rolls for a holiday breakfast!
Hillary {Nutrition N
this year for x.mas i made egg nog pancakes + caramelized bananas!
Jen @ pretty plate
Wow this looks good!!!!
: ))
Jen
Julia
Have you ever tried it with sweet taters instead? I am wanting to try it but not sure if it would be a weird taste…eggs and sweet taters…hmm. Thoughts?
Kate
Great question, Julia. I haven’t tried if with sweet potatoes, but I absolutely love sweet potatoes so I think it’d be delicious. I bet rosemary and Parmesan would be stellar with the sweet potatoes and eggs!
Wendy
Breakfast is always whatever we can find. Usually it’s a Japanese yam that’s been steamed or baked. Mmmm!
Camille duckworth
I just made a simpler version of this for my sick kiddos. We normally just do plain old scrambled eggs for my kids, they likenthingsnboring. First response when they saw it was “yuck!” My kids always have to try at least one bite of everything on their plate so I made them try it. The pan is now empty! They loved it! Thanks for sharing!
Kate
That’s great, Camille! I’m glad your kids enjoyed this breakfast dish.
Elisha
I just made this for breakfast, along with your apple cinnamon oatmeal muffins. After my husband tasted the eggs and potatoes, he spontaneously applauded and bowed down to me! Haha! Great recipe!
Kate
Thanks, Elisha! Applause in the kitchen is a beautiful thing. :)
Alan
Mmm… guess whats for dinner tonight?! Gonna try it with feta!
Brent
Hey Felicity,
Christmas breakfast growing up was mom’s homemade cinnamon rolls and pineapple rolls-yeah buddy, mouth-watering! I make something similar to the potato egg scramble called the Mountain Man Breakfast that even my adamantly anti-dad’s cooking 10 year old son admits is good!
You say you occasionally cheat with fish and bacon, have you succumbed to cheating with any Kansas City barbecue yet?
Kate
I took a bite of my brother’s pulled pork sandwich from Oklahoma Joe’s last year—not a fan!
Brent
So, what’s your position on Yosemite Sam?!? haha (sorry-that was bad!)
miraa
This looks so good. Thank you for sharing. I love breakfast, and especially were I am originally from the South we have breakfast for dinner, so I cant wait to try this .
★★★★★
Jonny watson
Really tasty. Will make again
Niamh
I made this today for my lunch/second breakfast, used the recipe that feeds two aaaaand ate most of it myself You’ve made this pregnant lady’s tummy very happy, thank you!
★★★★★
Paul Abey
Loved this recipe, a great way to sauté potatoes and tastes fabulous with some added chillies, I will definitely be making this again
Kate
Yum, chilis sound excellent :)
Andrea Barrineau
Hi, Thank you for sharing the recipe for the easy and delicious “Egg and Potato Breakfast Scramble.” I made it this morning and it was perfect!
★★★★★
Kate
Awesome! Thanks, Andrea.
Spud
I added some red bell pepper and carrot with the potatoes which added a nice sweet flavor to it :) I also put sausage in just after the water evaporated to add some meet in. Great recipe. Thanks!
★★★★
Kate
Sounds delightful! Thank you, for your review! I appreciate it.
Scott
Very good! Found the recipe looking for something that would work with what we had in the ‘fridge (the joys of breakfast before heading out shopping) and this was perfect
★★★★
Kate
I can relate, Scott! Thank you, for your comment and review.
Dee
Not a fan.
★★
Kate
I’m sorry you didn’t love this recipe, Dee. Thanks for your feedback.
ERIKA
Found this recipe while staying home, where I’m re-learning how to cook.This method of cooking potatoes by steaming first in the same skillet as subsequent sauteing and scrambling is just what I was looking for! Boiling potatoes beforehand in a different pot was just too much kitchen mess. Thank you!
A little spicy aioli (fancy word for a mix of hot sauce and mayo) added just the sauce needed.
★★★★★
Kate
Thank you, Erika! So glad you enjoyed this one. You’re reminding me that I haven’t had a breakfast scramble in way too long. Love you aioli addition, will have to try that next time!
tadiwa zvidzai
nice
★★★★★
Rosie
Great recipe! One of my favourites for any time of day!
★★★★★
Lori
I made this recipe with leftover roasted potatoes. It was very good! Thank you!
★★★★★
Hay
Simple and delicious, but please note that the potatoes are easy to burn!
★★★★
Kate
I’m sorry you had some trouble! Be sure to watch the heat. Thank you for your feedback and review, Hay.
Emily
How long would you be comfortable storing leftovers in the fridge ?
Kate
Hi Emily, it should keep for a few days in the refrigerator. Although, it’s best the first day.
David Sowd
This recipe looks great! But I think you have the wrong link for Succotash, which should be this:
http://www.succotashkcmo.com/
Kate
Thank you for the heads-up! Looks like their domain name changed.
Melissa Jones
My husband loves potatoes and scrambled egg breakfast burritos. I tried this recipe he didn’t care for it. He didn’t like the thyme. The only difference is I used chives with a little black pepper. Would try again but without the spices.
★★★
Kate
I’m sorry this one wasn’t a hit with him. I appreciate your feedback, Melissa.
Patty
It took 4-5 times longer to cook the potatoes than the recipe says it does and I used only 3 potatoes. It was OK, a bit dry even after I added in 3 or more teaspons of oil. And it was too much for one person – I’d cut it down to 2 1/2 potatoes, add more water and cook it in the water longer.
★★★