Description
Overnight Croissant Breakfast Casserole becomes your weekend breakfast hero, bringing French bakery charm straight to your kitchen table. Layers of buttery croissants, eggs, and cheese create a make-ahead morning marvel that saves precious time when breakfast needs to happen fast.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 5 croissants
- 1 lb (450g) ground sausage
- 1 cup (120g) shredded cheddar cheese
- 6 large eggs
- 2 cups (475ml) whole milk
Supporting Ingredients:
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
Garnish (Optional):
- Fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Coat your 9×13-inch baking dish thoroughly with 2 tablespoons butter or cooking spray, ensuring complete surface coverage.
- Tear 5 large croissants (about 12 ounces/340g) into rustic chunks, distributing them evenly across the greased dish’s bottom.
- Sprinkle 1 pound (450g) fully cooked and drained ground sausage across the croissant layer, creating a uniform meat distribution.
- Scatter 1 cup (120g) shredded cheddar cheese over the sausage, covering the entire surface.
- Crack 6 large eggs into a mixing bowl, whisking them until completely smooth and uniform in color.
- Pour 2 cups (475ml) whole milk into the eggs, adding 1 teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon black pepper, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, and ½ teaspoon onion powder.
- Blend the egg mixture until all seasonings are thoroughly incorporated and no streaks remain.
- Slowly pour the seasoned custard over the layered croissants, ensuring even distribution.
- Gently press down with a spatula, allowing croissants to absorb the liquid without breaking apart.
- Wrap the entire dish securely with aluminum foil.
- Refrigerate for 8 hours or overnight, allowing flavors to meld completely.
- Remove casserole from refrigerator 30 minutes before baking to reduce temperature shock.
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) with rack positioned in center position.
- Unwrap the casserole and place directly in preheated oven.
- Bake for 45-50 minutes until center is set and top becomes golden brown.
- Remove from oven and rest for 10-12 minutes before serving.
- Garnish with freshly chopped parsley if desired.
Notes
- Prep the casserole the night before to let croissants soak up all the delicious egg mixture, which helps create a rich, custardy texture.
- For a lighter version, swap whole milk for half-and-half or use turkey sausage instead of traditional pork sausage.
- Let the casserole rest for 10 minutes after baking so it sets properly and cuts cleanly, making serving easier.
- Fresh herbs like chives or parsley brighten the dish and add a pop of color and fresh flavor to this hearty breakfast bake.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40-45 minutes
- Category: Casseroles
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 570 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 810 mg
- Fat: 42 g
- Saturated Fat: 18 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 24 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 27 g
- Cholesterol: 225 mg