Description
Whip up this holiday breakfast casserole when your family craves a delicious morning feast that brings everyone together. Hearty layers of eggs, cheese, and savory meats make this dish a crowd-pleasing breakfast that sparks joy around the table.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1 lb breakfast sausage
- 8 large eggs
Dairy:
- 2 cups shredded cheese
- 2 cups milk
Vegetables and Seasonings:
- 6 slices day-old bread
- 1 cup diced bell peppers
- 1 cup diced onions
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
Instructions
- Cube 6 slices of day-old bread into 1-inch pieces and set aside. Chop 1 cup of bell peppers and 1 cup of onions into small, uniform pieces.
- Cook 1 lb of breakfast sausage in a skillet over medium heat until fully browned and crumbly, about 8-10 minutes. Drain excess fat.
- Drizzle 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a 9×13-inch baking dish. Spread bread cubes evenly across the bottom of the dish.
- Layer the cooked sausage crumbles, sauteed bell peppers, and onions over the bread cubes. Sprinkle 2 cups of shredded cheese on top.
- Crack 8 large eggs into a mixing bowl. Add 2 cups of milk, 1 teaspoon of salt, and ½ teaspoon of pepper. Whisk until smooth and fully combined.
- Pour the egg mixture carefully over the layered ingredients, ensuring even coverage. Use a spatula to gently press down and help bread absorb liquid.
- Preheat your oven to 350F. Cover the casserole with aluminum foil and bake for 25 minutes.
- Remove foil and continue baking for additional 15-20 minutes until the top turns golden brown and the center sets completely.
- Remove from oven and let your casserole rest for 10 minutes. This helps the dish settle and makes cutting easier.
- Slice into generous squares and serve warm, enjoying your hearty holiday breakfast.
Notes
- Prep bread cubes the night before to let them slightly dry out, which helps absorb the egg mixture more effectively.
- Customize the casserole by swapping sausage for bacon, ham, or vegetarian protein like plant-based crumbles for dietary preferences.
- Experiment with different cheese varieties like sharp cheddar, gruyere, or pepper jack to add unique flavor complexity.
- Make ahead and refrigerate assembled casserole overnight, then bake fresh in the morning for an easy holiday breakfast solution.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35-40 minutes
- Category: Casseroles
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 458 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 33 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 15 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 215 mg