Description
Overnight Sausage Breakfast Casserole is a hearty and flavorful dish combining savory ground sausage, fluffy eggs, melted cheese, and day-old bread soaked in a creamy custard. Perfect for make-ahead breakfasts, brunches, or light dinners, this casserole simplifies busy mornings with a comforting and crowd-pleasing meal that’s easy to customize to your taste.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb ground sausage (spicy or mild)
- 8 large eggs
- 2 cups milk
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (or mozzarella/pepper jack)
- 4 cups day-old bread, cubed
- 1 medium onion, diced
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- Optional: 1/2 tsp paprika or red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Cook the Sausage: Brown the ground sausage in a large skillet over medium heat, breaking it into small pieces for even texture. Once cooked through, drain excess fat and let it cool slightly.
- Prepare the Egg Mixture: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, salt, pepper, and any optional spices until smooth to create a custard base.
- Assemble the Casserole: Grease a baking dish generously. Layer the cubed bread evenly at the bottom, then sprinkle cooked sausage and diced onion over the bread. Add a generous layer of shredded cheese. Pour the egg mixture evenly over all ingredients, gently pressing the bread to soak up the liquid.
- Refrigerate Overnight: Cover the dish tightly with foil or plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator for at least 6 hours or overnight to allow the bread to absorb the egg custard.
- Bake and Serve: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Remove the casserole from the refrigerator, uncover, and bake for 45 to 55 minutes until the top is golden and the center is set. Let rest a few minutes before slicing and serving.
Notes
- Use day-old or slightly stale bread to absorb the egg mixture better and avoid sogginess.
- Refrigerate the assembled casserole overnight to fully develop flavors and texture.
- Distribute sausage and cheese evenly for consistent flavor in every bite.
- If the casserole browns too fast while baking, loosely cover with foil halfway through.
- Allow leftovers to cool before storing in the refrigerator to maintain moisture and texture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/8 of casserole)
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 15 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 18 g
- Cholesterol: 220 mg