Cheesy Breakfast Sausage Casserole: The Perfect Make-Ahead Morning Meal

Wake up to something special with this hearty breakfast casserole! Loaded with savory sausage, eggs, and plenty of cheese, it’s perfect for holiday mornings, weekend brunches, or meal prep.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Prep it the night before and wake up to a delicious breakfast that just needs to be popped in the oven. It’s filling, flavorful, and feeds a crowd with minimal morning effort!

Ingredients

  • 1 pound breakfast sausage
  • 8 large eggs
  • 2 1/2 cups whole milk
  • 1 loaf French bread, cubed (about 6 cups)
  • 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
  • 1 small onion, diced
  • 1 red bell pepper, diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon dry mustard
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • Fresh chives for garnish

Step-by-Step Instructions

Brown the Sausage

  1. Cook sausage in large skillet, breaking into crumbles
  2. Add onion and bell pepper, cook until softened
  3. Add garlic, cook 1 minute more
  4. Drain excess fat

Prepare the Base

  1. Grease 9×13 baking dish
  2. Layer half the bread cubes
  3. Top with half the sausage mixture
  4. Sprinkle with half the cheese
  5. Repeat layers

Make the Egg Mixture

  1. Whisk eggs, milk, mustard, salt, and pepper
  2. Pour evenly over layers
  3. Press gently to submerge bread
  4. Cover and refrigerate 4 hours or overnight

Bake

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F
  2. Remove casserole from refrigerator while oven heats
  3. Bake uncovered 45-55 minutes until set
  4. Let rest 10 minutes before serving

Pro Tips

  • Use day-old bread for better texture
  • Don’t skip the resting time – it helps bread absorb egg mixture
  • Check doneness with knife – should come out clean
  • Fresh grated cheese melts better

Make It Your Own

  • Swap breakfast sausage for Italian sausage
  • Add mushrooms or spinach
  • Use different cheese combinations
  • Make it spicy with diced jalapeños

Storage & Reheating

  • Refrigerate leftovers up to 3 days
  • Reheat individual portions in microwave
  • Can be frozen for up to 2 months
  • Thaw overnight before reheating

Final Note

This casserole has saved many busy mornings and delighted countless weekend guests. It’s the perfect combination of convenience and comfort food!

Share your breakfast creations! 🍳🧀

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