Give it up my breakfast-loving friend! You cannot resist the temptation of this Ultimate Make-Ahead Sausage Breakfast Casserole recipe!!! Trust me, once you start smelling that savory breakfast goodness filling the house with its incredible, mouth-watering aroma baking away, it’s pretty much over.
You really never did have a chance… not even for a second…or two! Come to Mama! This sausage breakfast casserole is about to become your new weekend morning hero and holiday brunch showstopper!
Do You Love Easy Breakfast Casseroles That Feed a Crowd?
Have you ever had perfectly seasoned breakfast sausage transformed into a fluffy, cheesy, golden casserole with layers of buttery bread, creamy eggs, and melted cheddar cheese all baked together into breakfast perfection?
Wake up to the most amazing sausage breakfast casserole that practically makes itself while you sleep!
Morning is the time of day when the scent of sizzling sausage fills the air, and no other breakfast dish captures this comfort-food magic quite like the classic make-ahead breakfast casserole. With a few simple ingredients and some basic prep work the night before, you’ll soon be serving up delicious squares of this ultimate sausage breakfast casserole.
If You Bake This, You’ll Get Lots of Happy Morning Faces and Clean Plates
We all love a hearty and satisfying breakfast, and what could be better than a delicious sausage breakfast casserole that’s ready when you wake up? This flavorful and easy to make recipe will have you preparing breakfast like a pro in no time. Packed with savory sausage, fluffy eggs, and melted cheese, this casserole is the perfect weekend brunch or holiday morning treat.
What’s amazing about making this Ultimate Sausage Breakfast Casserole is, you don’t have to be an expert cook either. All you need is a 9×13 baking dish to assemble it in and it only takes 20 minutes or so to prepare the night before and 45 minutes to bake in the morning.
What Makes This Sausage Breakfast Casserole Special
My all-time best tip is to let this casserole rest overnight in the refrigerator – it makes ALL the difference in texture and flavor development! The bread soaks up all those amazing egg and sausage flavors, creating the most incredible breakfast experience.
How to Make the Ultimate Sausage Breakfast Casserole
Preparing the Sausage Base
- Cook and crumble 1 pound breakfast sausage in a large skillet over medium-high heat until golden brown and fully cooked, about 8-10 minutes. Drain excess fat and set aside to cool slightly.
Building Your Casserole Layers
- Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish with butter or cooking spray. Layer the cubed bread evenly across the bottom of the dish.
- Sprinkle the cooked sausage over the bread layer, then top with 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese.
Creating the Egg Custard Magic
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together 8 eggs, 2 cups milk, dry mustard, salt, pepper, and garlic powder until smooth and well combined.
- Pour the egg mixture evenly over the bread, sausage, and cheese layers. Make sure all bread pieces are soaked with the egg mixture.
The Make-Ahead Secret
- Cover the assembled sausage breakfast casserole tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight (or at least 4 hours). This overnight rest allows the bread to absorb all those amazing flavors!
Morning Baking Instructions
- Remove from refrigerator 30 minutes before baking to bring to room temperature.
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Remove plastic wrap and sprinkle with remaining ½ cup cheese and paprika.
- Bake uncovered for 45-50 minutes until center is set and top is golden brown. A knife inserted in center should come out mostly clean.
- Let rest for 10 minutes before serving – this helps it hold its shape when cut.
SAUSAGE BREAKFAST CASSEROLE
Cuisine: American
Category: Breakfast/Brunch
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Chill Time: 4+ hours (overnight)
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Total Time: 5+ hours
Serves: 8-10 people
INGREDIENTS
- 1 pound breakfast sausage
- 8 slices thick white bread, cubed
- 2½ cups sharp cheddar cheese, divided
- 8 large eggs
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1 teaspoon dry mustard
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 tablespoons fresh chives
- Paprika for garnish
PREPARATION
- Cook the sausage in a large skillet over medium-high heat, breaking it into small pieces, until browned and fully cooked, about 8-10 minutes. Drain fat and set aside.
- Prepare the baking dish by greasing a 9×13 inch casserole dish with butter or cooking spray.
- Layer the bread by spreading cubed bread evenly across the bottom of the prepared dish.
- Add sausage layer by distributing cooked sausage evenly over the bread, then sprinkle with 2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese.
- Make egg mixture by whisking together eggs, milk, dry mustard, salt, pepper, and garlic powder in a large bowl until smooth.
- Pour and soak by pouring egg mixture evenly over the layers, ensuring all bread is moistened.
- Refrigerate overnight by covering tightly with plastic wrap and chilling for at least 4 hours or overnight.
- Prepare for baking by removing from refrigerator 30 minutes before baking and preheating oven to 350°F.
- Add final toppings by removing plastic wrap and sprinkling with remaining ½ cup cheese, chives, and paprika.
- Bake to perfection for 45-50 minutes until center is set and top is golden brown.
- Rest before serving for 10 minutes to allow casserole to firm up for easier cutting.
NUTRITION INFORMATION
- 385 calories per serving
- 24g protein per serving
- 18g carbs per serving
- 26g fat per serving
- 2g fiber per serving
How Do I Store Sausage Breakfast Casserole?
Store leftover sausage breakfast casserole in the refrigerator for up to 4 days in an airtight container. Cut into individual squares and reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes or in a 350°F oven for 10-15 minutes until heated through.
Can I Freeze Sausage Breakfast Casserole?
Yes! Once baked and cooled, wrap individual portions in plastic wrap or store in freezer-safe containers for up to 3 months. You can also freeze the assembled but unbaked casserole – just thaw overnight in the refrigerator before baking as directed.
Amazing Variations to Try
Veggie-Loaded Version: Add diced bell peppers, onions, mushrooms, and spinach to the sausage layer for extra nutrition and flavor.
Spicy Kick: Use hot breakfast sausage and add diced jalapeños and pepper jack cheese instead of cheddar.
Lighter Option: Substitute turkey sausage, use 2% milk, and reduce cheese to 1½ cups total.
Bread Alternatives: Try cubed croissants, English muffins, or even hash browns as the base layer.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Can I make sausage breakfast casserole without overnight chilling?
While the sausage breakfast casserole tastes best after chilling overnight, you can bake it immediately if needed. The texture won’t be quite as cohesive, but it will still be delicious. Let it sit for at least 30 minutes before baking for better results.
What type of sausage works best for breakfast casserole?
Regular pork breakfast sausage works wonderfully, but Italian sausage adds extra flavor to your sausage breakfast casserole. Turkey sausage is a lighter option, while chicken sausage with herbs creates a more gourmet taste. Just make sure whatever you choose is fully cooked before adding to the casserole.
How do I know when my sausage breakfast casserole is done?
Your sausage breakfast casserole is perfectly done when the center feels firm to the touch and a knife inserted in the middle comes out mostly clean. The top should be golden brown and slightly puffed. Internal temperature should reach 160°F for food safety.
Can I prep this breakfast casserole more than one day ahead?
Absolutely! You can assemble your sausage breakfast casserole up to 2 days ahead of time. Keep it tightly covered in the refrigerator and add an extra 5-10 minutes to the baking time since it will be extra cold.
Why is my breakfast casserole watery or soggy?
Soggy sausage breakfast casserole usually happens when the sausage isn’t drained properly or when too much milk is used. Always drain cooked sausage well and stick to the milk measurements. Also, make sure your eggs are well-whisked to create proper binding.
Better make a double batch of this sausage breakfast casserole! One for this weekend and one to freeze for next time! Trust me on this one. It’s the perfect make-ahead breakfast recipe everyone is talking about!
Share your breakfast masterpiece on my Facebook page – I love seeing your sausage breakfast casserole creations! Tag me @OlyviaBestRecipes on Pinterest when you make this amazing recipe!
Author: Olyvia T.
