The Best Breakfast Casserole with Sausage is your ultimate solution for a stress-free, delicious, and satisfying morning meal. This recipe delivers a perfect balance of savory flavors and comforting textures, making it ideal for busy weekdays or leisurely weekend brunches, and a guaranteed crowd-pleaser for any occasion.
Key Ingredients for The Best Breakfast Casserole with Sausage
- 1 pound breakfast sausage (pork or your preferred variety)
- 1 loaf (16 ounces) French bread or other sturdy white bread, cut into 1-inch cubes (about 8 cups)
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (or a blend of cheddar and Monterey Jack)
- 1/2 cup finely chopped yellow onion
- 1/2 cup finely chopped green bell pepper
- 6 large eggs
- 2 cups milk (whole milk is recommended for richness)
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- Optional: Pinch of red pepper flakes for a little heat
How to Make The Best Breakfast Casserole with Sausage
This Best Breakfast Casserole with Sausage is incredibly easy to assemble, making it a perfect make-ahead meal. Its rich, savory profile, balanced with tender cubes of bread and melty cheese, promises pure breakfast bliss. With a preparation time of just 20 minutes and 20 minutes of baking, you’ll be enjoying this delightful dish in no time, perfect for any morning.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Brown the Sausage and Sauté Vegetables: In a large skillet, crumble and cook the breakfast sausage over medium heat until browned. Drain off any excess grease. Add the chopped onion and green bell pepper to the skillet with the sausage. Cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are softened. Remove the skillet from the heat.
- Prepare the Bread Cubes: While the sausage cooks, place the cubed French bread in a single layer on a baking sheet. If you prefer slightly crisper bread, you can toast it in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 5-10 minutes, or until lightly golden. This step is optional but adds a pleasant texture.
- Assemble the Casserole: In a large mixing bowl, combine the toasted or untoasted bread cubes, the cooked sausage and vegetable mixture, and the shredded cheddar cheese. Toss gently to distribute the ingredients evenly.
- Prepare the Egg Mixture: In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, Dijon mustard, salt, black pepper, and optional red pepper flakes. Whisk until well combined and slightly frothy.
- Combine and Soak: Pour the egg mixture evenly over the bread, sausage, and cheese mixture in the large bowl. Gently press down with a spoon or spatula to ensure all the bread cubes are moistened by the egg mixture. Let the mixture sit for at least 15-20 minutes (or up to overnight in the refrigerator) to allow the bread to absorb the liquid. This soaking time is crucial for a tender, cohesive casserole.
- Bake the Casserole: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish with butter or cooking spray. Pour the soaked casserole mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading it evenly. Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil.
- First Bake (Covered): Bake for 30 minutes with the foil on. This ensures the inside cooks through without the top browning too quickly.
- Second Bake (Uncovered): Remove the aluminum foil and continue baking for another 20-25 minutes, or until the casserole is puffed up, golden brown on top, and a knife inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Rest and Serve: Let the Best Breakfast Casserole with Sausage rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. This allows it to set properly and makes it easier to slice.
Why You’ll Love This Best Breakfast Casserole with Sausage
You’ll absolutely adore this Best Breakfast Casserole with Sausage for its incredibly hearty and comforting qualities. The star of the show is the irresistible combination of savory sausage, tender bread cubes that soak up all the delicious eggy goodness, and a generous melted cheese topping that creates a wonderfully rich texture. Compared to a simple breakfast scramble, this casserole elevates your morning meal with its layered flavors and satisfying chew, offering a more substantial and visually appealing dish. Plus, making this at home is significantly more budget-friendly than dining out – you control the quality of ingredients while saving a bundle.
Imagine waking up to the aroma of this delightful casserole, knowing a flavor-packed breakfast is just minutes away, or even better, prepped and ready to bake. It’s the perfect solution for feeding a hungry family without the morning rush, and the leftover potential is fantastic for quick weeknight dinners too. Don’t wait to try this amazing dish; gather your ingredients and prepare to fall in love with your new favorite breakfast staple, because it’s so easy to make and tastes even better the next day!
Storing and Reheating Tips
Storing: Once cooled, store any leftover Best Breakfast Casserole with Sausage in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Ensure the casserole is completely cooled before covering.
Reheating:
- Oven: The best way to reheat is in the oven to restore its optimal texture. Preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C). Cover the casserole with foil and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until heated through. Remove the foil for the last 5-10 minutes if you want to crisp up the top again.
- Microwave: For a quicker reheat, cut individual portions and place them on a microwave-safe plate. Cover loosely with a damp paper towel and microwave on medium power for 1-2 minutes, or until heated through. Note that the texture might be slightly softer than oven-reheated.
Freezing: You can freeze the assembled, unbaked casserole or baked leftovers.
- Unbaked Casserole: Assemble the casserole in a freezer-safe baking dish, cover tightly with plastic wrap, then with aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 2-3 months. When ready to bake, thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then bake as directed. You may need to add a few extra minutes to the baking time.
- Baked Casserole: Allow the baked casserole to cool completely. Cut into individual portions, wrap each portion tightly in plastic wrap, then in aluminum foil, or place in freezer-safe containers. Freeze for up to 2-3 months. Reheat individual portions using the oven or microwave methods described above.
Final Thoughts
The Best Breakfast Casserole with Sausage offers a delightful and convenient way to start your day. Its comforting flavors and satisfying texture make it a fantastic dish for any occasion, so gather your family and give this wonderful recipe a try!
try also :
- Lentil and Sweet Potato Salad
- Cranberry Brie Bites
- Crispy Sweet Potato Bites
- Matcha Cake Recipe
- find more in Pinterest
The Best Breakfast Casserole with Sausage
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- In a large skillet, crumble and cook the breakfast sausage over medium heat until browned. Drain off any excess grease. Add the chopped onion and green bell pepper to the skillet with the sausage. Cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are softened. Remove the skillet from the heat.1 pound breakfast sausage, 1/2 cup finely chopped yellow onion, 1/2 cup finely chopped green bell pepper
- While the sausage cooks, place the cubed French bread in a single layer on a baking sheet. If you prefer slightly crisper bread, you can toast it in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 5-10 minutes, or until lightly golden. This step is optional but adds a pleasant texture.1 loaf (16 ounces) French bread or other sturdy white bread
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the toasted or untoasted bread cubes, the cooked sausage and vegetable mixture, and the shredded cheddar cheese. Toss gently to distribute the ingredients evenly.1 loaf (16 ounces) French bread or other sturdy white bread, 1 pound breakfast sausage, 1/2 cup finely chopped yellow onion, 1/2 cup finely chopped green bell pepper, 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, Dijon mustard, salt, black pepper, and optional red pepper flakes. Whisk until well combined and slightly frothy.6 large eggs, 2 cups milk, 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, Pinch red pepper flakes
- Pour the egg mixture evenly over the bread, sausage, and cheese mixture in the large bowl. Gently press down with a spoon or spatula to ensure all the bread cubes are moistened by the egg mixture. Let the mixture sit for at least 15-20 minutes (or up to overnight in the refrigerator) to allow the bread to absorb the liquid. This soaking time is crucial for a tender, cohesive casserole.6 large eggs, 2 cups milk, 1 loaf (16 ounces) French bread or other sturdy white bread, 1 pound breakfast sausage, 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish with butter or cooking spray. Pour the soaked casserole mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading it evenly. Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil.
- Bake for 30 minutes with the foil on. This ensures the inside cooks through without the top browning too quickly.
- Remove the aluminum foil and continue baking for another 20-25 minutes, or until the casserole is puffed up, golden brown on top, and a knife inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Let the Best Breakfast Casserole with Sausage rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. This allows it to set properly and makes it easier to slice.
Notes
Reheating (Oven): Preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C). Cover the casserole with foil and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until heated through. Remove the foil for the last 5-10 minutes if you want to crisp up the top again.
Reheating (Microwave): For a quicker reheat, cut individual portions and place them on a microwave-safe plate. Cover loosely with a damp paper towel and microwave on medium power for 1-2 minutes, or until heated through. Note that the texture might be slightly softer than oven-reheated.
Freezing: You can freeze the assembled, unbaked casserole or baked leftovers. Assemble the casserole in a freezer-safe baking dish, cover tightly with plastic wrap, then with aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 2-3 months. When ready to bake, thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then bake as directed. You may need to add a few extra minutes to the baking time. For baked casserole, allow to cool completely. Cut into individual portions, wrap each portion tightly in plastic wrap, then in aluminum foil, or place in freezer-safe containers. Freeze for up to 2-3 months. Reheat individual portions using the oven or microwave methods described above.