Christmas day! Christmas morning, actually. So many families are hosting family members in town from afar, and a hot and cheesy breakfast casserole easily feeds a crowd.
Video! How to Make Sausage Breakfast Casserole
Make Ahead Breakfast Casserole
You can assemble it the night before and just plop it in the oven in the morning. This way you, the cook, can enjoy the festivities of the morning with your guests instead futzing about in the kitchen. This recipe is inspired by a Jimmy Dean sausage ad pulled from a magazine 20 years ago. We’ve changed some of the ratios, but the idea remains the same — cubed rustic bread in a casserole dish, topped with grated cheddar, browned crumbled sausage, and some chopped tomatoes and mushrooms if you want, with a milk egg mixture poured over, and the whole thing baked until puffy and browned. Cut it into squares to serve!
Tip: Use Day-Old Bread
Bread that is a little bit dry will hold up better in the casserole and provide more structure, which is why breakfast casseroles tend to call for “day old” bread. If your bread is fresh or soft, after you cube it, spread it out on a sheet pan and put it in a 200°F oven for 10 to 12 minutes.
Mix Up the Fillings
This recipe takes very well to adaptation. Keep the base of the recipe as is — ten eggs, four cups of milk, and five cups of bread cubes — and you can play around with the rest. Swap out the ground sausage for ground beef, shredded chicken, or leftover diced ham. Swap out the cheddar cheese for something like Swiss or Monterey Jack. And instead of mushrooms or tomatoes, you could use chopped bell peppers, zucchini, or any other vegetable. If you have leftover cooked potatoes or sweet potatoes, those would also make a good addition.
What to Serve With Breakfast Casserole
A breakfast casserole like this is great served as part of a brunch buffet to a house full of guests. Add a platter of sliced fruit, some yogurt and granola, and a few breakfast pastries, and you’re all set. Don’t forget the coffee. Note: The more add-ins, the longer the casserole will take to bake.
How to Freeze Breakfast Casserole
You can bake this and freeze it to rewarm later.
More Favorite Breakfast Casseroles
Bagel Breakfast Casserole with Sausage, Egg, and Cheese Baked Blueberry French Toast Casserole Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole Make-Ahead Frittata Squares with Spinach, Tomatoes, and Feta French Toast Breakfast Casserole
When lightly browned, remove from pan to a paper towel lined plate to absorb any excess fat. If baking immediately, let the casserole sit for 10 minutes to give the bread a chance to absorb the milk-egg mixture before putting in the oven. Did you love the recipe? Leave us stars below!
