Chilly Fall mornings are my favorite types of mornings!
Slipping into my bathrobe and putting on my slippers to go downstairs and start breakfast for my girls can be challenging when I just want to relax in bed.
So, I try to plan ahead of time by making meals at night that I can throw in the oven in the morning. And easy Breakfast Casserole recipe delivers!
It’s the perfect solution for busy moms who need a quick and filling breakfast that everyone will love.
With just a little prep the night before, you can pop it in the oven in the morning and have a delicious, warm meal ready to go.
Key Takeaways
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Main Ingredients: Whole grain bread, sausage links, eggs, milk, shredded cheddar cheese, and seasoning
- Servings: 6-8
- Extras: Make some unique breakfast casseroles to match your tastes!
- Change the Meat: Swap sausage for cooked bacon, ham, or a vegetarian option like sautéed mushrooms or bell peppers.
- Switch the Cheese: Try mozzarella, pepper jack, gruyere, or feta for a different flavor.
- Add New Seasonings: Experiment with Italian seasoning, paprika, or a dash of cayenne for added heat.
Easy Sausage & Egg Breakfast Casserole
My favorite thing about this Egg Bake is that you can make it the night before and put it in the oven in the morning!
When I know we’re going to have a busy morning ahead, I love making this casserole the night before and setting us up for success the next day.
This egg casserole recipe is simple and is easily made with what you have at home- I usually have whole grain bread, eggs, those little frozen sausage links, milk, and some seasonings.
It’s an easy base to get a tasty breakfast in the works, needing only 10 minutes max to throw it all together.
I use slices of whole-grain bread for the base because I love the texture it gives, but you can use whatever bread you prefer. I tear the bread into small pieces, letting my girls help out since it’s such a simple step.
We spread them across a prepared baking dish, and move on to the meat.
Next, I cook up some sausage links, breaking them into bite-sized chunks, and spread them evenly over the bread.
My daughters love sausage, so I sometimes throw in a couple of extra links for good measure! Other times, we’re in the mood for bacon or ham, and either is an easy swap- just break them up and toss them in!
Then, it’s time to sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese over the sausage and bread layers—just enough to get that cheesy goodness in every bite.
In a separate bowl, I whisk together eggs, milk, a pinch of ground mustard, and a little salt and pepper. This is the part where I (and you!) can personalize the casserole with different seasonings, to change it up.
After mixing, I pour the egg mixture over the bread, sausage, and cheese layers, making sure it soaks in evenly. Once everything is in, I cover the dish and pop it in the fridge overnight.
When morning comes, I simply preheat the oven, toss the casserole in, and in about 30 minutes, I’ve got a warm, comforting breakfast ready to serve.
A nice breakfast casserole is the perfect way to start the day with minimal effort!
Ingredients
- 5 Slices Whole Grain Bread or whatever kind you like
- 5-6 cooked Sausage Links or more for more meat
- 8 large Eggs
- 2 cups Milk
- 1 cup Shredded Cheddar Cheese
- Salt and Pepper to taste
- Pinch Ground Mustard to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
- Grease a 13 X 9 baking dish.
- Break apart 5 slices of Nature's Pride bread into small pieces and put them into the bottom of a baking dish.
- Break apart sausage links into small pieces and put them on top of the bread.
- Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese on top of the bread and sausage layers.
- In a separate bowl, mix the eggs, milk, salt, pepper, and ground mustard.
- Pour this egg mixture over the bread, sausage, and cheese.
- Bake at 375 degrees for 30 minutes.
- Slice up and serve!
Notes
*Use whole grain, sourdough, or even gluten-free bread if needed.
Nutrition
Recipe Substitutions
The beauty of breakfast casserole recipes is how you can add or change things to suit your tastes!
Here are some suggestions I have to change up your casserole:
The Meat
If sausage isn’t your thing, you can easily swap it out for another protein.
Try using cooked bacon or ham for a smoky flavor, or even shredded chicken if you’re looking for something lighter.
You could also use turkey sausage for a leaner option or crumbled chorizo for a spicy twist. I love a nice pork chorizo in cheese dips, so it could be great in a casserole.
For a vegetarian option, sautéed mushrooms or diced bell peppers work wonderfully and add a great texture. Plus it never hurts to add veggies in anywho!
The Cheese
Cheddar cheese is a classic, but you can mix things up with other cheeses, too.
Mozzarella gives the casserole a milder, gooey texture, while pepper jack will add a nice spicy kick. You can use shredded cheese or shredded, whatever you have on hand.
Our family is a huge fan of Colby Jack, which has a nice, rich, cheese-y flavor that melts perfectly in a casserole. I’ll even put an extra layer of slices on top of the eggs when we want more cheese to kickstart our day!
If you want a more gourmet touch, try gruyere or feta for an elevated flavor. I’ve been thinking about trying it out with a nice brie as well to get that slight buttery taste; I think it would be great in the casserole.
The Seasonings
While I like using salt, pepper, and ground mustard for a simple seasoning mix, you can get creative here.
Add some Italian seasoning for a Mediterranean twist or a sprinkle of paprika for a bit of smokiness.
If you prefer a little heat, a dash of cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes will do the trick!
Fresh herbs like thyme or rosemary can add a fragrant, earthy flavor, and garlic powder or onion powder can bring extra depth.
Other Add-Ins
To take your breakfast casserole to the next level, you can add a variety of extra ingredients for different textures and flavors.
Toss in some diced vegetables like bell peppers, onions, or spinach for added nutrition and color with, of course, the added flavors!
For a hearty twist, cut up refrigerated biscuits or crescent rolls and layer them into the dish, creating a biscuit breakfast bake.
You can also experiment and throw some cut-up frozen hash browns to get taters in your casserole.
If you like tacos like we do, you can make a Tex-Mex breakfast casserole by adding taco seasoning, black beans, roasted tomatoes, and tortillas.
Other Breakfast Recipes
I’ve searched high and low and looked through a lot of breakfast recipes, so I have some recommendations that go past just breakfast casseroles!
Starting off, I’m a big fan of budget eats- I found quite a few cheap breakfast ideas you may want to check out.
I’m on a big protein kick and found some amazing high-protein breakfast recipes that my girls have loved, and most are super easy to make.
If you are hungry for more, try one of these mini waffle recipes! They’re simple to toss together and enjoy for breakfast, both savory and sweet recipes for lots of variety.
FAQs
Can I make this breakfast casserole ahead of time?
Yes! I made this specifically to be a make-ahead breakfast casserole that would make my life easier.
Simply assemble all the ingredients, cover the dish, and store it in the fridge. In the morning, just pop it in the oven, and breakfast is ready.
Can I freeze this casserole?
Absolutely! Once the casserole is fully cooked, let it cool completely.
Then, you can cut it into portions and freeze them in airtight containers.
Just reheat in the oven or microwave when you’re ready to eat.
I haven’t tried to freeze it before cooking, but I’m not sure the egg mixture would do so well and have a good texture once thawed.
What other bread can I use for the base?
You can use any bread you like! White, whole grain, sourdough, or even gluten-free bread will work.
The key is to make sure the bread soaks up the egg mixture to give the casserole a nice, fluffy texture.
Can I use milk alternatives in this recipe?
Yes, you can substitute regular milk with almond milk, oat milk, or any other non-dairy milk.
Just be mindful that it may slightly change the flavor or texture depending on the alternative you choose.
How long will leftovers last?
The leftover casserole can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days. Just make sure to cover it or store it in an airtight container.
Final Thoughts
This Sausage & Egg Breakfast Casserole is a lifesaver on busy mornings and weekends when I want to do anything but cook early in the morning.
It’s easy to prepare ahead of time, customizable to your taste, and fills your family up with a warm, comforting breakfast.
Whether you’re serving it on a chilly fall morning or as part of a weekend brunch, this casserole makes it simple to get a delicious meal on the table with minimal effort.
So why not give it a try and enjoy a stress-free start to your day? Tell me down below how you serve it up!
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I love this recipe! I’ve made it for my women’s group at church multiple times and they love it. My only issue with it is I cant find a “Print” button that takes me to a nice printable version of the recipe. Thanks for sharing, I’ll be making it again this week.