Description
This Classic Breakfast Casserole is a hearty and delicious dish perfect for brunch or a weekend breakfast. Featuring savory breakfast sausage, fresh eggs, day-old bread, and melted cheddar cheese baked to golden perfection, it combines simple ingredients into a comforting and satisfying meal that’s easy to prepare ahead of time.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat
- 1 pound breakfast sausage
Egg Mixture
- 6 large eggs
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
Others
- 4 cups cubed day-old bread
- 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup diced bell pepper
- 1/4 cup diced onion
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 350°F and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking.
- Cook the Sausage: In a skillet over medium heat, cook the breakfast sausage until it is browned and fully cooked through. Drain any excess grease to avoid a greasy casserole.
- Mix Egg Mixture: In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, whole milk, salt, black pepper, and garlic powder until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
- Assemble the Casserole: Evenly spread the cubed day-old bread in the prepared baking dish. Layer the cooked sausage over the bread, then scatter the diced bell pepper and onion evenly. Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese on top.
- Add Egg Mixture: Pour the egg mixture evenly over the assembled ingredients, pressing down lightly so the bread soaks up the liquid for a cohesive bake.
- Rest Before Baking: Allow the casserole to sit for about 10 minutes so the bread fully absorbs the egg mixture, which improves the texture.
- Bake: Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 40 to 45 minutes, or until the center is set and the top is golden brown.
- Cool and Serve: Let the casserole cool slightly before slicing into 8 servings. This helps it hold its shape for perfect servings.
Notes
- For convenience, assemble the casserole the night before, cover it, and refrigerate. Before baking, let it sit at room temperature for 20 minutes.
- You can substitute breakfast sausage with bacon or ham for variety.
- Using day-old bread is essential as it soaks up the egg mixture better than fresh bread.
- Feel free to add vegetables like mushrooms or spinach for extra nutrition.
