Description
Whip up this family brunch casserole when weekend mornings call for something special that’ll have everyone gathering around the table with smiles. Packed with layers of cheesy goodness and hearty ingredients, this dish brings comfort and connection to your morning meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein and Meat:
- 1 pound of cooked and crumbled breakfast sausage
- 8 large eggs
Vegetables:
- 2 cups of fresh, chopped spinach
- 1 cup of diced bell peppers
- 1 medium onion, diced
Base and Seasonings:
- 6 slices of day-old bread, cubed
- 2 cups of shredded cheese
- 1 cup of milk
- 1 tablespoon of olive oil
- 1 teaspoon of salt
- ½ teaspoon of pepper
Instructions
- Warm your oven to 350°F, preparing a welcoming environment for your casserole.
- Crack 8 eggs into a spacious mixing bowl, whisking them with 1 cup milk, 1 teaspoon salt, and ½ teaspoon pepper until smooth and well-combined.
- Slice 6 slices of day-old bread into small, bite-sized cubes, creating a perfect base for your dish.
- Sauté the diced onion and bell peppers in 1 tablespoon olive oil until they soften and release their aromatic flavors.
- Brown 1 pound of breakfast sausage in a skillet, breaking it into small crumbles as it cooks.
- Pour your whisked egg mixture over the bread cubes, allowing them to soak up the creamy liquid.
- Sprinkle 2 cups of fresh chopped spinach and 2 cups of shredded cheese into the bowl, distributing them evenly.
- Gently fold the cooked sausage and sautéed vegetables into the egg-soaked bread mixture.
- Coat a 9×13 inch baking dish with cooking spray, then transfer the entire mixture into the dish.
- Slide the casserole into the preheated oven and bake for 35 minutes until the top turns golden and the center sets firmly.
- Remove from the oven and let your casserole rest for 10 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and settle before serving.
Notes
- Swap out sausage for ham, bacon, or vegetarian sausage to customize the casserole to your taste preferences.
- Prepare the night before by assembling the casserole and refrigerating overnight, then bake fresh in the morning for an easy breakfast solution.
- Use day-old bread for better texture, as slightly stale bread absorbs the egg mixture more effectively and creates a more cohesive dish.
- For a lighter version, substitute whole milk with skim milk and use reduced-fat cheese to cut down on calories without sacrificing flavor.
- Prep Time: 15-20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30-35 minutes
- Category: Casseroles
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 500 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 720 mg
- Fat: 38 g
- Saturated Fat: 14 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 22 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 15 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 210 mg