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Make-Ahead Sausage and Egg Breakfast Casserole

Make-Ahead Sausage and Egg Breakfast Casserole - featured image

A comforting, make-ahead breakfast casserole featuring layers of day-old bread, savory sausage, sharp cheddar cheese, and a rich egg custard. Perfect for holidays, brunches, or busy mornings, this dish allows you to prep the night before for a stress-free, delicious start to the day.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound breakfast sausage (pork or turkey, bulk)
  • 1 large loaf day-old bread (challah, brioche, or sourdough), torn into 1-inch pieces
  • 12 large eggs
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme or sage
  • 2 tablespoons butter (for greasing)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish with butter.
  2. In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the sausage, breaking it apart, until browned (5-7 minutes). Add onions during the last 3 minutes to soften. Drain excess grease.
  3. Tear day-old bread into 1-inch chunks and place them in the prepared baking dish as the base layer.
  4. In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, heavy cream, milk, salt, pepper, and dried herbs until uniform.
  5. Sprinkle the cooked sausage and onion mixture evenly over the bread. Top with shredded cheddar cheese.
  6. Slowly pour the egg mixture over the layers. Press down gently with a spatula to ensure bread is submerged.
  7. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight.
  8. Remove from fridge and let sit at room temperature for 15 minutes. Bake for 45-50 minutes until golden brown and a knife inserted in the center comes out clean.
  9. Let rest for 10 minutes before cutting and serving warm.

Notes

Use day-old bread to prevent sogginess. Ensure sausage is well-drained to avoid a greasy bottom. For a crispier top, broil for the last 2-3 minutes. Can be frozen unbaked for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Keywords: breakfast casserole, make-ahead breakfast, sausage and egg bake, brunch recipe, holiday breakfast, easy brunch, comfort food