Oh, mornings, right? Sometimes they feel like a race against the clock, but there’s nothing quite like starting the day with a warm, comforting hug in a dish. That’s exactly what this Sausage Breakfast Casserole is all about! It’s my absolute go-to when I need something easy and delicious that’ll make everyone happy, especially on those extra special weekend mornings or holidays when you want to linger a little longer. You know, my Grandma Carla always said the best mornings started with a kitchen filled with happy sounds and even happier bellies. This casserole brings back all those wonderful memories for me – it’s like a slice of home, made even easier because you can whip it up the night before. Trust me, it’s a lifesaver!
- Why This Sausage Breakfast Casserole is a Must-Try
- Gather Your Ingredients for the Best Breakfast Casserole
- Step-by-Step Guide to Your Sausage Breakfast Casserole
- Tips for the Ultimate Sausage Breakfast Casserole
- Making Ahead and Storing Your Sausage Breakfast Casserole
- Frequently Asked Questions About This Sausage Egg Bake
- Nutritional Estimate for Your Sausage Breakfast Casserole
- Share Your Sausage Breakfast Casserole Creations!
Why This Sausage Breakfast Casserole is a Must-Try
So, why is this sausage breakfast casserole my secret weapon for stress-free mornings? Let me tell you!
- It’s a Make-Ahead Marvel: Seriously, you can put this together the night before. Just cover it and pop it in the fridge. Then, all you have to do is wake up, pop it in the oven, and enjoy the amazing aroma filling your house. It’s a game-changer for busy weekdays or lounging on a lazy Sunday.
- Crowd-Pleasing Perfection: Who doesn’t love sausage, eggs, and cheese all wrapped up in fluffy bread? It’s a flavor combo everyone adores, from picky eaters to grown-ups. It really is the best breakfast casserole for any gathering.
- Super Simple to Assemble: I’m all about easy recipes, and this one delivers. No fancy techniques required, just a few simple steps and you’ve got a gorgeous breakfast bake ready to impress.
- So Versatile!: You can totally tweak it to your liking! Swap out the cheeses, add some veggies if you’re feeling it, or even mix up the spices. It’s my favorite way to meal plan for brunch.
Gather Your Ingredients for the Best Breakfast Casserole
Alright, let’s get down to business and gather everything you need for this amazing sausage breakfast casserole. My rule is to always use good quality ingredients – it really makes a difference, you know? And remember that tip about the bread? Using day-old bread is honestly the secret to avoiding a soggy casserole, so try to plan ahead a little; it’s worth it!
Here’s what you’ll need:
- 1 pound bulk pork sausage
- 12 slices day-old bread, cubed
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
- 6 large eggs
- 3 cups milk
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
Step-by-Step Guide to Your Sausage Breakfast Casserole
Alright, let’s get this deliciousness into the pan! Making this sausage breakfast casserole is super straightforward, and honestly, it’s kind of fun. Just follow these steps, and you’ll have a winner on your hands!
Prepping the Casserole Base
First things first, grab a big skillet and cook up that pound of bulk pork sausage over medium-high heat. You want it nicely browned! Once it’s cooked, drain off any excess grease – we want savory flavor, not a grease slick! Then, in your greased 9×13 inch baking dish, start layering. I like to put down the cubed bread first, then sprinkle all that yummy cooked sausage on top, followed by both the cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses. Make sure you spread it out evenly so every bite gets a little bit of everything – that’s my secret for a consistent flavor!
Creating the Flavorful Egg Mixture
Now, for the magic that holds it all together! In a separate bowl, just whisk up those 6 large eggs, 3 cups of milk, and all those seasonings: the salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Give it a good whisk until it’s all combined. You want it nice and smooth, ready to soak into everything.
The Overnight Magic for Your Sausage Egg Bake
This is where the real convenience comes in. Gently pour that egg mixture all over the bread, sausage, and cheese in the baking dish. Now, cover the whole thing tightly with plastic wrap. Pop it into the refrigerator for at least 4 hours – but honestly, overnight is totally the way to go! This gives all those flavors a chance to meld together beautifully. This overnight rest is what makes it the ultimate make-ahead breakfast.
Baking Your Perfect Sausage Breakfast Casserole
When you’re ready to bake, just preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Take the plastic wrap off the casserole dish. Bake it for about 45 to 55 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when it’s puffed up, golden brown on top, and looks beautifully set. Make sure to let it stand for 5-10 minutes before slicing and serving; it helps it hold its shape really well. Enjoy that amazing aroma!
If you’re looking for other ways to get a perfect cook without the fuss, sometimes a sous-vide precision cooker can simplify things, but for this classic breakfast bake, good old oven time is just perfect!
Tips for the Ultimate Sausage Breakfast Casserole
Okay, so this sausage breakfast casserole is pretty foolproof as it is, but I’ve picked up a few little tricks over the years that I think really make it shine. Don’t be afraid to play around with it a bit; that’s part of the fun of cooking, right?
First off, that day-old bread is key. If you forget and only have fresh bread, no worries! Just toast your cubes in the oven for a bit until they’re lightly golden and a little firm. It does the trick!
Cheese swaps are totally welcome! I love cheddar and Monterey Jack together, but feel free to use Colby Jack, a sharp white cheddar, or even some Swiss if that’s what you have. And if you like a little heat, a pinch of red pepper flakes in the egg mixture is a great way to go.
Making Ahead and Storing Your Sausage Breakfast Casserole
This is where the magic of the make-ahead breakfast really shines! You can totally get this sausage breakfast casserole all ready to go the night before. Just follow steps 1 through 5 of the recipe – get that sausage cooked, layer everything in the dish, pour over the egg mixture, cover it up tight, and pop it in the fridge. You can keep it like that for up to 24 hours, which is fantastic if you’re doing some serious meal planning for a weekend brunch or holiday.
Got leftovers? Lucky you! Just let the casserole cool completely, then cover it well with plastic wrap or foil, or scoop it into an airtight container. It should stay good in the refrigerator for about 3 days. To reheat, I usually pop a slice in the microwave for a minute or two until it’s warm through. If you want to warm up a bigger piece or the whole gosh-darn thing, just pop it back into a 350°F (175°C) oven for about 10-15 minutes, or until it’s heated through. Easy peasy!
Frequently Asked Questions About This Sausage Egg Bake
Can I use fresh bread instead of day-old bread for my sausage breakfast casserole?
You know, day-old bread is definitely best because it holds its shape and doesn’t get mushy. If you only have fresh bread, just cut it into cubes and lightly toast them in the oven for about 10-15 minutes before assembling the casserole. It works wonders!
What other meats can I use in this breakfast casserole?
Absolutely! While pork sausage is my favorite, you can totally switch it up. Cooked, crumbled bacon makes this casserole extra special, or you could try diced breakfast ham. Just make sure it’s cooked and drained well!
How do I reheat leftovers of this overnight casserole?
Leftovers are the best! For single servings, just pop a slice in the microwave for about 60-90 seconds until it’s nice and warm. If you’re reheating a larger portion, you can cover it with foil and warm it in a 350°F (175°C) oven for about 10-15 minutes until heated through.
Nutritional Estimate for Your Sausage Breakfast Casserole
Now, I always like to mention that these numbers are just estimates because, you know, we all use slightly different ingredients and amounts! But, based on my recipe, one serving of this delicious sausage breakfast casserole usually comes in around 450 calories, with about 28g of fat, 22g of protein, and 25g of carbs. It also has roughly 800mg of sodium and 180mg of cholesterol. If you’re watching your intake, this might be a good dish to consider as part of a larger keto meal plan delivery strategy, or just enjoy it as a treat!
Share Your Sausage Breakfast Casserole Creations!
I absolutely love hearing from you all! Once you’ve made this amazing sausage breakfast casserole, please, pretty please, leave a comment below and let me know how it turned out. Did you change anything up? Was it a hit with your family? If you snap a pic, tag me on social media! Seeing your creations makes my day!
PrintSausage Breakfast Casserole
A hearty and easy make-ahead breakfast casserole featuring sausage, eggs, cheese, and bread, perfect for feeding a crowd on busy mornings or holidays.
- Prep Time: 20 min
- Cook Time: 50 min
- Total Time: 70 min
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
- 1 pound bulk pork sausage
- 12 slices day-old bread, cubed
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
- 6 large eggs
- 3 cups milk
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
Instructions
- In a large skillet, cook the sausage over medium-high heat until browned. Drain off any excess grease.
- In a greased 9×13 inch baking dish, layer the cubed bread, cooked sausage, cheddar cheese, and Monterey Jack cheese.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, salt, pepper, and garlic powder until well combined.
- Pour the egg mixture evenly over the bread and cheese mixture in the baking dish.
- Cover the baking dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or preferably overnight.
- When ready to bake, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Remove the plastic wrap and bake for 45-55 minutes, or until the casserole is set and golden brown on top.
- Let stand for 5-10 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Using day-old bread helps prevent a soggy casserole.
- You can substitute other cheeses like Colby Jack or Swiss.
- For a spicier casserole, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the egg mixture.
- This casserole can be assembled up to 24 hours in advance.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/8 casserole
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 180mg



