Description
Overnight croissant breakfast casserole delivers pure morning comfort straight from French culinary traditions, promising a delightful start to your day. Creamy eggs, buttery croissants, and savory cheese meld together in one pan for a breakfast that feeds the whole family with minimal morning effort.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 6 large croissants
- 1 lb breakfast sausage
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
Binding Ingredients:
- 6 large eggs
- 2 cups milk
Seasonings:
- 1 teaspoon dry mustard
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish thoroughly with cooking spray or butter, ensuring complete coverage for easy serving.
- Tear 6 large croissants into 1-inch chunks and distribute them uniformly across the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
- Sprinkle 1 pound of pre-cooked, crumbled breakfast sausage evenly over the croissant pieces.
- Scatter 2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese across the sausage layer, creating an even distribution.
- Whisk 6 large eggs in a mixing bowl, combining them with 2 cups of milk, 1 teaspoon dry mustard, ½ teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon black pepper until smooth.
- Carefully pour the egg mixture over the croissant layers, gently pressing down to help the bread absorb the liquid.
- Cover the casserole with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 8-12 hours, allowing flavors to meld and croissants to soak completely.
- Remove the casserole from the refrigerator 30 minutes before baking to bring it closer to room temperature.
- Preheat your oven to 350°F and position a rack in the center of the oven.
- Bake the uncovered casserole for 40-45 minutes, watching for a golden-brown top and a set custard center.
- Remove from the oven and let the casserole rest for 5-7 minutes before slicing and serving warm.
Notes
- Let croissants be slightly stale for better absorption of egg mixture, creating a richer texture.
- Choose high-quality sharp cheddar or gruyère cheese to elevate the casserole’s overall flavor profile.
- For a vegetarian version, swap sausage with sautéed mushrooms, spinach, or roasted bell peppers.
- Cover with foil during the last 10 minutes of baking if the top browns too quickly, preventing burning.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40-45 minutes
- Category: Casseroles
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 675
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 1080 mg
- Fat: 50 g
- Saturated Fat: 22 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 25 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 320 mg