Description
A foolproof, make-ahead breakfast casserole featuring savory sausage, sharp cheddar cheese, and day-old bread custard. Perfect for weekend brunches and holiday mornings, this dish allows you to prep the night before for zero morning stress.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb breakfast sausage (pork links or bulk Italian, casings removed)
- 1 loaf day-old bread (sourdough, French, or brioche), cut into 1-inch cubes
- 8 large eggs
- 2 cups whole milk
- 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 2 tbsp butter (for greasing dish)
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
Instructions
- Prep the bread: Cut day-old bread into 1-inch cubes. Spread on a baking sheet and let air-dry for an hour or toast at 350°F for 5 minutes to ensure they are slightly stale.
- Cook sausage and veggies: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown the sausage, breaking it up with a spoon. Drain excess grease, leaving a little for flavor. Push sausage to the side and cook diced onion and bell pepper until softened (3-4 minutes). Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
- Mix egg custard: In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, salt, pepper, and garlic powder until uniform.
- Assemble: Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish with butter. Layer half the bread cubes, half the sausage/veggie mixture, and half the cheese. Repeat layers. Pour egg mixture evenly over the top, pressing down gently to submerge all bread.
- Rest: Cover tightly with aluminum foil and refrigerate for at least 8 hours (overnight).
- Bake: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Let casserole sit on counter for 20 minutes. Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove foil and bake for another 15-20 minutes until golden brown and center is set.
- Rest and Serve: Let the casserole rest for 10 minutes before slicing to allow the custard to firm up.
Notes
Use day-old bread to prevent a mushy texture. Press the bread down to ensure it absorbs the egg mixture. Drain sausage grease to avoid sogginess. Let the casserole rest for 10 minutes before slicing for cleaner cuts. Can be frozen unbaked for up to 3 months.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Breakfast
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 square slice
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 4
- Sodium: 800
- Fat: 24
- Saturated Fat: 10
- Carbohydrates: 35
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 22
Keywords: breakfast casserole, make-ahead breakfast, sausage casserole, cheesy breakfast, brunch recipe, holiday breakfast, egg casserole, comfort food