Make-Ahead Sausage Breakfast Casserole
An overnight breakfast casserole layered with sausage, bread, cheddar and eggs. Assemble the night before and bake in the morning to feed a crowd.
By Tasty Nest Recipes Editorial TeamPublished
9 hr 25 min total 1 (9 x 13-inch) casseroleEasy
Photo: thelesleyshow · CC BY 2.0. Illustrative photo; your results may look different.
About this recipe
This breakfast casserole is built for holidays, brunches and busy households. Everything is assembled the night before, so in the morning all you have to do is put it in the oven.
Cubes of day-old bread soak up an egg custard overnight, then bake into a golden, puffy casserole that is soft in the middle and crisp at the edges, with sausage and cheddar in every bite.
Equipment you'll need
- 9 x 13-inch baking dish
- Large skillet
- Large mixing bowl
Tips for success
- Day-old or lightly toasted bread holds its shape; very fresh bread can turn soggy.
- If the top browns before the centre is set, cover loosely with foil.
- Put the dish on a baking sheet in the oven to catch any drips.
Substitutions and variations
- Use cooked bacon, diced ham or sautéed mushrooms instead of sausage.
- Swap the cheddar for Monterey Jack, pepper Jack or Gruyère.
- Use cubed croissants or brioche for a richer casserole.
Storage and reheating
To store: Refrigerate leftovers, covered, for up to 4 days, or freeze individual portions for up to 2 months.
To reheat: Microwave portions for 1 to 2 minutes, or reheat covered in a 325°F (165°C) oven for 15 to 20 minutes, until hot throughout.
Recipe
Make-Ahead Sausage Breakfast Casserole
An overnight breakfast casserole layered with sausage, bread, cheddar and eggs. Assemble the night before and bake in the morning to feed a crowd.
- Prep
- 20 min
- Cook
- 55 min
- Chill and rest
- 8 hr 10 min
- Total
- 9 hr 25 min
- Yield
- 1 (9 x 13-inch) casserole
- Level
- Easy
Ingredients
Tick off ingredients as you gather them.
Instructions
Step 1: Cook the sausage
Cook the sausage in the skillet over medium-high heat, breaking it up, for 8 to 10 minutes until browned with no pink remaining. Drain off the fat.
Step 2: Layer the dish
Butter or grease the baking dish. Spread the bread cubes in the dish, then scatter over the sausage and 1 1/2 cups of the cheddar.
Step 3: Make the custard
Whisk the eggs, milk, mustard, salt and pepper until smooth, then pour evenly over the bread, pressing the cubes down so they are moistened. Top with the remaining cheese.
Step 4: Chill overnight
Cover and refrigerate for at least 8 hours, or up to 24 hours.
Step 5: Bake
Take the casserole out of the fridge while the oven heats to 350°F (175°C). Bake uncovered for 50 to 60 minutes, until puffed and golden and the centre is set; a knife inserted in the centre should come out clean and the centre should reach 160°F (71°C).
Step 6: Rest and serve
Let rest for 10 minutes, sprinkle with scallions and cut into squares.
Cuisine: American · Course: Breakfast
Estimated nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 480
- Protein
- 26 g
- Fat
- 33 g
- Carbs
- 18 g
- Fibre
- 1 g
- Sugars
- 4 g
Approximate values estimated from typical nutrition data for the listed ingredients, excluding optional toppings and serving suggestions. Actual values vary with brands, portion sizes and substitutions. Not verified by a dietitian or laboratory analysis.
tastynestrecipes.com/recipes/breakfast-casserole
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