The Best Make-Ahead Crack Breakfast Casserole is your culinary shortcut to stress-free mornings. This incredibly satisfying dish, packed with savory goodness, can be prepared the night before, ensuring a warm, delicious breakfast is ready with minimal effort. It’s the ultimate breakfast solution for families, busy professionals, or anyone who craves a hearty start to their day without the morning rush.
Key Ingredients for The Best Make-Ahead Crack Breakfast Casserole
- 1 pound Italian sausage (mild or hot, your preference)
- 1 dozen large eggs
- 1 cup milk (whole or 2%)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 loaf (16 oz) white bread or French bread, cubed into 1-inch pieces
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
- 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese (or a blend of Monterey Jack and Colby)
- 1/2 cup diced onion (optional, but highly recommended for flavor)
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh chives (for garnish, optional)
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley (for garnish, optional)
- Butter or cooking spray for greasing the baking dish
How to Make The Best Make-Ahead Crack Breakfast Casserole
This Best Make-Ahead Crack Breakfast Casserole is a triumph of simplicity and flavor, promising a deeply satisfying breakfast experience. Its effortless assembly, coupled with a rich, creamy texture and savory depth, makes it a perennial favorite. With a preparation time of just 20 minutes, you can create a comforting meal that will be enjoyed by everyone. The magic lies in its ability to be assembled ahead of time, practically eliminating morning chaos.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Prepare the Bread: If your bread isn’t already cubed, cut it into approximately 1-inch pieces. A slightly stale loaf works even better as it absorbs the egg mixture without becoming too mushy. Place the cubed bread into a large mixing bowl.
- Cook the Sausage and Onion (if using): In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown the Italian sausage. If you’re opting for the diced onion, add it to the skillet during the last few minutes of cooking the sausage, allowing it to soften and become fragrant. Drain off any excess grease from the cooked sausage and onion mixture.
- Assemble the Base: Add the cooked sausage (and onion, if used) and 1.5 cups of the shredded cheddar cheese, and the Monterey Jack cheese to the bowl with the cubed bread. Toss gently to distribute the ingredients evenly.
- Whisk the Egg Mixture: In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the large eggs, milk, salt, and black pepper until well combined. This liquid base is crucial for binding everything together and creating that delightful, custardy interior.
- Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Pour the egg mixture over the bread, sausage, and cheese mixture in the large bowl. Gently fold and stir everything together, ensuring all the bread cubes are coated. Let the mixture sit for about 5-10 minutes to allow the bread to absorb some of the liquid, which helps create a more even texture.
- Prepare the Baking Dish: Generously grease a 9×13 inch baking dish with butter or cooking spray. This prevents the casserole from sticking and ensures easy serving.
- Transfer to Baking Dish: Pour the entire contents of the mixing bowl into the prepared baking dish, spreading it out evenly.
- Add Remaining Cheese: Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top of the casserole.
- Cover and Chill (Make-Ahead Step): Tightly cover the baking dish with plastic wrap or aluminum foil. Refrigerate the casserole for at least 4 hours, or preferably overnight. This allows the flavors to meld beautifully and the bread to fully soak up the egg mixture.
- Preheat Oven and Bake: When ready to bake, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Remove the plastic wrap or foil from the casserole.
- Bake Until Golden: Bake for 45-60 minutes, or until the casserole is set in the center, golden brown on top, and the cheese is melted and bubbly. A knife inserted into the center should come out clean.
- Let it Rest: Allow the casserole to rest for about 10-15 minutes before slicing and serving. This is crucial for the casserole to set properly and makes it easier to cut clean portions.
- Garnish and Serve: Garnish with fresh chives and parsley, if desired. Serve hot and enjoy the deliciousness of your Best Make-Ahead Crack Breakfast Casserole.
Why You’ll Love This Best Make-Ahead Crack Breakfast Casserole
You’ll adore this Best Make-Ahead Crack Breakfast Casserole for its sheer convenience and incredibly rich flavor profile. The star of the show is the irresistible combination of savory Italian sausage, creamy melted cheeses, and tender bread, all bound together in a custardy egg mixture – it’s pure comfort food that truly lives up to its ‘crack’ name. Making this at home is also incredibly cost-effective compared to purchasing similar breakfast options, allowing you to enjoy a gourmet breakfast without a gourmet price tag. The delightful symphony of textures, from the slightly crisp edges of the bread to the smooth, cheesy interior and the optional pops of fresh herbs, makes every bite an experience.
Unlike a quick scramble that can sometimes feel rushed, this bake-ahead wonder allows you to truly savor your mornings. It’s the perfect foundation for a relaxed weekend brunch or a triumphant start to a hectic weekday, offering a warm, satisfying meal that requires minimal effort right before serving. So, gather your ingredients and prepare to revolutionize your mornings – you won’t regret giving this Best Make-Ahead Crack Breakfast Casserole a try!
Storing and Reheating Tips
Leftovers of the Best Make-Ahead Crack Breakfast Casserole can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Ensure the casserole is completely cooled before transferring it to an airtight container or covering the baking dish tightly with plastic wrap and then aluminum foil to prevent any odor absorption.
To reheat individual portions, place a slice on a microwave-safe plate and heat in 30-second increments until warmed through. For larger quantities or a crisper texture, reheat the entire casserole (or portions) in a preheated oven at 325°F (160°C) for about 15-25 minutes, or until heated through. You can also assemble and bake the casserole, then let it cool completely and freeze it for up to 1-2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating as described above.
Final Thoughts
The Best Make-Ahead Crack Breakfast Casserole is a wonderfully simple yet incredibly rewarding recipe that truly simplifies mornings. Give this recipe a try; your busy self will thank you for it!
try also :
- Lentil and Sweet Potato Salad
- Cranberry Brie Bites
- Crispy Sweet Potato Bites
- Matcha Cake Recipe
- find more in Pinterest
The Best Make-Ahead Crack Breakfast Casserole
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- If your bread isn’t already cubed, cut it into approximately 1-inch pieces. A slightly stale loaf works even better as it absorbs the egg mixture without becoming too mushy. Place the cubed bread into a large mixing bowl.1 loaf (16 oz) white bread or French bread
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown the Italian sausage. If you’re opting for the diced onion, add it to the skillet during the last few minutes of cooking the sausage, allowing it to soften and become fragrant. Drain off any excess grease from the cooked sausage and onion mixture.1 pound Italian sausage (mild or hot), 1/2 cup diced onion
- Add the cooked sausage (and onion, if used) and 1.5 cups of the shredded cheddar cheese, and the Monterey Jack cheese to the bowl with the cubed bread. Toss gently to distribute the ingredients evenly.1 loaf (16 oz) white bread or French bread, 1 pound Italian sausage (mild or hot), 1/2 cup diced onion, 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
- In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the large eggs, milk, salt, and black pepper until well combined. This liquid base is crucial for binding everything together and creating that delightful, custardy interior.1 dozen large eggs, 1 cup milk (whole or 2%), 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- Pour the egg mixture over the bread, sausage, and cheese mixture in the large bowl. Gently fold and stir everything together, ensuring all the bread cubes are coated. Let the mixture sit for about 5-10 minutes to allow the bread to absorb some of the liquid, which helps create a more even texture.1 loaf (16 oz) white bread or French bread, 1 pound Italian sausage (mild or hot), 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese, 1 dozen large eggs, 1 cup milk (whole or 2%), 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- Generously grease a 9×13 inch baking dish with butter or cooking spray. This prevents the casserole from sticking and ensures easy serving.Butter or cooking spray
- Pour the entire contents of the mixing bowl into the prepared baking dish, spreading it out evenly.
- Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top of the casserole.2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- Tightly cover the baking dish with plastic wrap or aluminum foil. Refrigerate the casserole for at least 4 hours, or preferably overnight. This allows the flavors to meld beautifully and the bread to fully soak up the egg mixture.
- When ready to bake, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Remove the plastic wrap or foil from the casserole.
- Bake for 45-60 minutes, or until the casserole is set in the center, golden brown on top, and the cheese is melted and bubbly. A knife inserted into the center should come out clean.
- Allow the casserole to rest for about 10-15 minutes before slicing and serving. This is crucial for the casserole to set properly and makes it easier to cut clean portions.
- Garnish with fresh chives and parsley, if desired. Serve hot and enjoy the deliciousness of your Best Make-Ahead Crack Breakfast Casserole.1/4 cup chopped fresh chives, 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley