This easy Breakfast Casserole recipe is the ultimate morning comfort food. It’s a savory, satisfying dish packed with fluffy eggs, savory sausage, and melted cheese, all layered over hearty bread. Perfect for holiday mornings, weekend brunch, or even a simple weeknight dinner, this make-ahead casserole is a true crowd-pleaser that simplifies your life while delivering incredible flavor. Say goodbye to hectic mornings and hello to the best breakfast casserole you’ve ever had.
We designed this recipe to be as simple as possible without sacrificing an ounce of taste. It’s the kind of dish that fills your home with an irresistible aroma, drawing everyone to the kitchen. Whether you’re feeding a large family or meal-prepping for the week, this casserole is your new go-to solution.
Why This is the Only Breakfast Casserole Recipe You’ll Ever Need
In a world of complicated recipes, this one stands out for its simplicity and reliability. Here’s why you’ll fall in love with it:
- Perfect for Any Occasion: From Christmas morning to a regular Tuesday, it fits every moment.
- Feeds a Crowd: This recipe easily serves a large group, and you can double it for even bigger gatherings.
- Incredibly Versatile: Don’t have sausage? Use bacon. Prefer cheddar? Swap it in! We’ll cover all the fun variations below.
- Make-Ahead Magic: Assemble it the night before and simply bake it in the morning for a stress-free meal.
The Core Ingredients for a Perfect Casserole
The beauty of this breakfast casserole lies in its simple, high-impact ingredients. You don’t need a long shopping list to create something truly special.
Key Components:
- Bread: The foundation of our casserole. Stale, day-old bread is perfect as it soaks up the egg mixture without getting mushy. We love using a sturdy white bread, like in our favorite Amish White Bread recipe.
- Pork Sausage: Provides a savory, slightly spicy flavor that is essential to the classic taste.
- Eggs: The binder that brings everything together into a fluffy, cohesive dish.
- Milk & Heavy Cream: This combination creates a rich, custardy texture that plain milk alone can’t achieve.
- Cheese: Sharp cheddar and Monterey Jack offer the perfect balance of flavor and meltiness.
- Seasonings: Simple salt, pepper, and a dash of dry mustard enhance all the other flavors.
Step-by-Step Guide to Making the Best Breakfast Casserole
Follow these simple steps for guaranteed success. We’ve broken it down to make the process foolproof, even for beginner cooks.
Step 1: Prepare Your Pan and Bread
First, grease your baking dish thoroughly. This prevents sticking and ensures easy serving. Arrange your bread cubes in an even layer across the bottom. This base will soak up all the delicious custard.
Step 2: Cook the Sausage
In a large skillet, cook the pork sausage over medium-high heat until it’s nicely browned. Be sure to break it apart as it cooks. Once done, drain off any excess grease and scatter the cooked sausage evenly over the bread cubes.
Step 3: Mix the Egg Custard
In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, heavy cream, and seasonings until they are light and frothy. This is where the magic happens. A well-beaten egg mixture leads to a lighter, fluffier casserole.
Step 4: Assemble and Chill (The Make-Ahead Secret)
Pour the egg mixture evenly over the bread and sausage. Gently press down on the bread to ensure it’s soaking up the liquid. Sprinkle your shredded cheeses over the top. Now for the most important step: cover the dish and refrigerate it for at least 4 hours, or preferably overnight. This allows the bread to fully absorb the custard, which is the key to avoiding a soggy casserole.
Step 5: Bake to Golden Perfection
When you’re ready to eat, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the casserole, uncovered, for 45-55 minutes. You’ll know it’s done when the center is set (a knife inserted comes out clean) and the top is beautifully golden brown and bubbly.
Variations and Customizations
This recipe is a fantastic starting point. Feel free to customize it based on your preferences or what you have on hand. It’s a great “clean out the fridge” meal!
- Meats: Swap the sausage for cooked bacon, diced ham, or even chorizo for a spicy kick. For a similar dish with a potato base, try our classic Tater Tot Casserole.
- Cheeses: Experiment with Gruyère, Swiss, or a pepper jack for some heat.
- Vegetables: Sautéed onions, bell peppers, mushrooms, or spinach are excellent additions. Just be sure to cook them and drain any excess moisture before adding them to the casserole.
- Bread: Try using croissants, sourdough, or brioche for a different texture and flavor profile.
Storage and Reheating Instructions
One of the best things about this breakfast casserole is how well it keeps. It’s a fantastic dish for meal prepping.
- Storing: Let the casserole cool completely, then cover it tightly or transfer individual slices to an airtight container. It will stay fresh in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Freezing: You can freeze the entire casserole or individual portions for up to 3 months. Wrap it securely in plastic wrap and then foil.
- Reheating: For best results, reheat slices in the microwave or in a 350°F oven until warmed through. If reheating from frozen, it’s best to thaw it in the refrigerator overnight first. For another great casserole idea, check out our Philly Cheesesteak Casserole.
Absolutely! This recipe is designed to be made ahead. Assembling it the night before and letting it chill in the refrigerator is the key to achieving the best texture and flavor.
Yes, it freezes very well. You can freeze it baked or unbaked. For a baked casserole, let it cool completely, then wrap it tightly and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
The two most important steps are to use day-old or slightly stale bread, which is drier and absorbs the custard better, and to let the assembled casserole rest in the fridge for at least 4 hours (overnight is best). This allows the bread to fully soak up the egg mixture.
This casserole is incredibly versatile! You can swap the sausage for cooked bacon or ham, use different cheeses like Gruyère or pepper jack, and add sautéed vegetables like onions, bell peppers, spinach, or mushrooms.
A sturdy, dense bread works best. Options like challah, brioche, sourdough, or even simple, thick-cut white bread are excellent choices. Avoid flimsy sandwich bread, as it can get too mushy.
Absolutely! This recipe is designed to be made ahead. Assembling it the night before and letting it chill in the refrigerator is the key to achieving the best texture and flavor.
Yes, it freezes very well. You can freeze it baked or unbaked. For a baked casserole, let it cool completely, then wrap it tightly and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
The two most important steps are to use day-old or slightly stale bread, which is drier and absorbs the custard better, and to let the assembled casserole rest in the fridge for at least 4 hours (overnight is best). This allows the bread to fully soak up the egg mixture.
This casserole is incredibly versatile! You can swap the sausage for cooked bacon or ham, use different cheeses like Gruyère or pepper jack, and add sautéed vegetables like onions, bell peppers, spinach, or mushrooms.
A sturdy, dense bread works best. Options like challah, brioche, sourdough, or even simple, thick-cut white bread are excellent choices. Avoid flimsy sandwich bread, as it can get too mushy.
Your Go-To Recipe for Effortless Mornings
This Breakfast Casserole is more than just a recipe; it’s a solution for delicious, stress-free mornings. It’s a dish that brings people together and leaves everyone feeling satisfied. We know you’ll love making it as much as we do. Give it a try, and let us know what you think in the comments below. For more amazing recipes, be sure to follow us on Pinterest!
Breakfast Casserole: The Easiest, Tastiest Recipe
The ultimate Breakfast Casserole recipe! This easy, make-ahead dish is packed with savory sausage, eggs, and cheese. It's the perfect crowd-pleasing meal for holidays, brunch, or a simple, delicious start to any day.
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Grease a 9x13 inch baking dish. Spread the cubed bread evenly across the bottom.
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the sausage until browned, breaking it up with a spoon. Drain off the excess grease. Sprinkle the cooked sausage over the bread cubes.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, heavy cream, salt, pepper, and dry mustard until well combined and frothy.
- Pour the egg mixture evenly over the bread and sausage. Sprinkle the shredded cheeses over the top.
- Cover the dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or preferably overnight. This step is crucial for the best texture.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Remove the plastic wrap and bake uncovered for 45-55 minutes, or until the center is set and the top is golden brown.
- Let the casserole rest for 10 minutes before slicing and serving. This helps it hold its shape.
Notes
For the best flavor, use freshly shredded cheese rather than pre-shredded.
Make sure your bread is stale or lightly toasted so it doesn't become soggy.
Let the casserole rest before slicing to ensure clean servings.
Breakfast Casserole: The Easiest, Tastiest Recipe
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Grease a 9x13 inch baking dish. Spread the cubed bread evenly across the bottom.
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the sausage until browned, breaking it up with a spoon. Drain off the excess grease. Sprinkle the cooked sausage over the bread cubes.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, heavy cream, salt, pepper, and dry mustard until well combined and frothy.
- Pour the egg mixture evenly over the bread and sausage. Sprinkle the shredded cheeses over the top.
- Cover the dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or preferably overnight. This step is crucial for the best texture.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Remove the plastic wrap and bake uncovered for 45-55 minutes, or until the center is set and the top is golden brown.
- Let the casserole rest for 10 minutes before slicing and serving. This helps it hold its shape.
Notes
Make sure your bread is stale or lightly toasted so it doesn't become soggy.
Let the casserole rest before slicing to ensure clean servings.
