Description
This Sausage Breakfast Casserole is a comforting, flavorful, and easy-to-make dish that combines savory sausage, fluffy eggs, melted cheese, and hearty bread. Perfect for busy mornings or weekend brunches, this casserole is customizable, make-ahead friendly, and loved by families of all ages.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Dairy
- 1 pound breakfast sausage (pork or turkey)
- 8 large eggs
- 1 1/2 cups milk (dairy or plant-based)
- 2 cups shredded cheese (cheddar, mozzarella, or blend)
- 1 tablespoon butter or oil (for sautéing)
Produce
- 1/2 cup diced onion (optional)
- 1/2 cup diced bell pepper (optional)
Bakery
- 6 cups bread cubes (day-old or slightly stale bread such as French bread, sourdough, or sandwich bread)
Seasonings
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Cook the sausage and vegetables: Heat a skillet over medium heat and cook the breakfast sausage until browned and fully cooked. Remove sausage from pan. In the same skillet, sauté diced onions and bell peppers in butter or oil until tender, about 3-5 minutes. This step intensifies the savory flavors.
- Prepare the egg custard: In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, salt, and pepper until fully combined and slightly frothy. This custard will soak into the bread cubes and sausage to create a creamy texture after baking.
- Assemble the casserole: Grease a baking dish and evenly layer the bread cubes inside. Sprinkle the cooked sausage and sautéed vegetables over the bread. Then evenly distribute the shredded cheese. Pour the egg mixture over the top, pressing lightly to ensure the bread absorbs the custard.
- Bake until golden and set: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the assembled casserole for 40-45 minutes until the top is golden and the eggs are fully set. Let cool for a few minutes to allow the casserole to firm up before serving.
Notes
- Use day-old bread to prevent sogginess and achieve perfect custard absorption.
- Mix sharp and mild cheeses for a deeper flavor profile.
- Season each component adequately with salt and pepper to avoid blandness.
- Assemble the casserole the night before and refrigerate to save morning prep time.
- Allow the casserole to rest after baking to make slicing easier.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/8th of casserole)
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 520mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 220mg