Description
Hearty breakfast sausage casserole brings comfort to morning tables with layers of savory ingredients. Rich flavors blend seamlessly, promising a satisfying meal you’ll savor from first bite to last.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1 pound (454 grams) breakfast sausage
- 6 large eggs
- 2 cups (340 grams) shredded cheddar cheese
Dairy and Liquid:
- 2 cups (480 milliliters) milk
- 1 teaspoon dry mustard
Bread and Seasonings:
- 6 cups (240 grams) cubed day-old bread (about 8 slices)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
Optional Vegetables and Herbs:
- 1/2 cup (75 grams) chopped bell peppers
- 1/2 cup (75 grams) chopped onions
- 1/2 cup (75 grams) sliced mushrooms
- 1/2 cup (60 grams) chopped spinach
- 1/4 cup (15 grams) chopped fresh herbs (such as parsley or chives)
Instructions
- Cook breakfast sausage in a large skillet over medium heat until thoroughly browned, approximately 7-8 minutes. Drain excess grease and set meat aside.
- Whisk eggs, milk, seasonings, and spices together in a large mixing bowl until well combined and slightly frothy.
- Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish thoroughly to prevent sticking.
- Create a foundational layer by evenly distributing cubed bread across the bottom of the prepared dish.
- Distribute cooked sausage uniformly over the bread layer, ensuring complete coverage.
- Scatter chopped bell peppers, onions, mushrooms, and spinach across the sausage, creating a colorful vegetable medley.
- Gently pour the whisked egg mixture over the entire layered composition, allowing liquid to seep between ingredients.
- Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese generously across the top, creating a golden, melty surface.
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and position rack in center position.
- Bake casserole for 45-50 minutes, monitoring until eggs are completely set and cheese turns a rich, golden brown.
- Remove from oven and allow casserole to rest for 10 minutes, enabling ingredients to settle and cool slightly.
- Slice into square portions, garnish with fresh herbs if desired, and serve warm for a hearty breakfast experience.
Notes
- Prep Bread Ahead: Slightly stale or day-old bread works best for absorbing the egg mixture without becoming too soggy, creating a perfect texture.
- Customize Veggies: Swap or add different vegetables like zucchini, kale, or sun-dried tomatoes to match personal taste preferences or seasonal availability.
- Make-Ahead Magic: Assemble the entire casserole the night before, refrigerate, and bake in the morning for a stress-free breakfast that saves precious morning time.
- Dietary Adaptations: Use gluten-free bread for a celiac-friendly version, turkey sausage for lower fat content, or plant-based alternatives for a vegetarian twist.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 420 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 720 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 15 g
- Fiber: 1.5 g
- Protein: 23 g
- Cholesterol: 215 mg