Description
Overnight breakfast casserole brings comfort to your morning table with minimal effort and maximum flavor. Hearty layers of eggs, cheese, and sausage bake into a delightful dish that makes breakfast feel like a special occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
Primary Protein:
- 1 pound sausage
- 8 large eggs
Base Ingredients:
- 4 cups day-old bread cubes
- 2 cups whole milk
- 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
Supporting Vegetables and Seasonings:
- 1 cup diced bell peppers
- 1 cup chopped onion
- Salt
- Pepper
Instructions
- Prepare your mise en place by dicing 1 cup bell peppers and 1 cup onions into uniform small pieces for even cooking and distribution.
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and cook 1 pound of sausage, breaking it into small crumbles until no pink remains, approximately 7-8 minutes.
- Crack 8 large eggs into a spacious mixing bowl and pour 2 cups whole milk, whisking vigorously until the mixture becomes light and aerated.
- Add 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese, cooked sausage, diced bell peppers, chopped onions, 1 teaspoon salt, and ½ teaspoon black pepper to your egg mixture, stirring gently to combine.
- Tear 4 cups day-old bread cubes into the bowl and fold them carefully, ensuring each bread piece gets coated with the egg mixture.
- Transfer the entire mixture into a generously greased 9×13 inch baking dish, smoothing the top to create an even layer.
- Cover the casserole with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 8-12 hours, allowing flavors to meld and bread to absorb the liquid.
- Remove casserole from refrigerator 30 minutes before baking to reduce temperature shock.
- Preheat your oven to 350°F and bake uncovered for 50-55 minutes, until the top turns golden brown and the center becomes firm and puffy.
Notes
- Chop vegetables finely to ensure even distribution and better texture throughout the casserole.
- Allow the sausage to cool slightly before mixing with eggs to prevent scrambling and maintain a smooth consistency.
- For a lighter version, swap whole milk for skim milk and use turkey sausage instead of pork sausage.
- Customize the casserole by adding your favorite herbs like thyme or rosemary for extra flavor depth.
- Prep Time: 35 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Category: Casseroles
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 535 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 820 mg
- Fat: 38 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 17 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 215 mg