Paula Deen Breakfast Casserole Recipe to Feed a Crowd

Paula Deen breakfast casserole recipe has become a morning staple in countless homes across the South and beyond.

There's something wonderfully comforting about a dish that feeds a crowd without keeping you chained to the stove.

Perfect for holiday mornings, weekend brunches, or any time family gathers around the table, it offers that homestyle satisfaction everyone craves.

You can prepare it ahead and simply pop it in the oven when hunger strikes.

Its golden, bubbly appearance alone is enough to draw everyone to the kitchen.

Few dishes match the appeal of a warm, filling meal that makes mornings feel special without any fuss.

Head to the recipe below and see why so many families have made it part of their breakfast tradition.

Top Reasons to Try Paula Deen Breakfast Casserole

• Minimal Morning Effort: This breakfast casserole prepares super quickly, letting your entire family enjoy a hearty meal without complex kitchen work.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Assembling the casserole the night before means zero morning stress and a delicious breakfast ready in minutes after waking up.
• Crowd-Pleasing Comfort: Packed with sausage, cheese, and bread, this dish satisfies everyone from kids to grandparents with its classic, filling flavors.
• Flexible Family Favorite: Easy to customize by switching out sausage type or adding veggies, making it perfect for different taste preferences around your table.

What Are the Essential Ingredients for Paula Deen Breakfast Casserole?

• 1 lb Ground Maple Pork Sausage: This flavor-packed sausage brings a delightful maple sweetness to your breakfast casserole and provides a hearty protein punch.
• 6 slices White Bread: Soft bread creates a tender foundation that soaks up all the delicious egg mixture and adds comforting texture.
• 8 oz Cheddar Cheese: Sharp and melty cheddar gives your casserole a rich, cheesy layer that everyone at the table will love.

• 8 Large Eggs: Fresh eggs create the creamy custard that binds your entire casserole together.
• 2 cups Whole Milk: Whole milk ensures a luxuriously smooth and rich egg mixture that coats every ingredient.

• 1 tsp Dry Mustard, ½ tsp Black Pepper, ¼ tsp Salt: These small but mighty seasonings enhance the overall flavor, adding depth and balance to your breakfast casserole.

Essential Tools for Paula Deen Breakfast Casserole

• 9×13-inch Baking Dish: Your go-to pan for layering all the delicious breakfast casserole ingredients and creating a perfect meal.
• Large Skillet: Essential for browning the sausage and getting that perfect crumbly texture.
• Large Mixing Bowl: Perfect for whisking together eggs, milk, and seasonings for a smooth, well-blended mixture.
• Whisk: The best tool for combining eggs and other liquid ingredients without lumps.
• Cutting Board: Helpful for removing bread crusts and slicing bread into neat halves.
• Sharp Knife: Needed for precise bread cutting and preparation.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Ensures accurate ingredient measurements for consistent results.
• Cheese Grater: Great for shredding fresh cheddar cheese if starting with a block.

Easy Baking Method for Breakfast Casserole

Extra Kitchen Insight for Breakfast Casserole Success

• Place bread slices carefully to create an even, complete bottom layer that will soak up all the delicious flavors.
• Drain sausage thoroughly to prevent excess grease from making your casserole soggy and heavy.
• Refrigerating overnight lets the bread absorb the egg mixture, creating a rich, custardy texture that makes this breakfast super special.
• Whisk eggs and milk completely smooth to ensure your casserole has a consistent, creamy texture throughout.
• Let the casserole rest after baking so it sets up perfectly and cuts into beautiful, clean squares.

Breakfast Casserole Add-In Possibilities

• Vegetarian Protein Swap: Replace sausage with crumbled firm tofu or plant-based sausage, seasoned with sage and thyme, keeping the same amount as the original recipe for a meat-free protein boost.
• Gluten-Free Bread Option: Substitute regular bread with gluten-free white or whole grain bread slices, ensuring your bread still provides that classic casserole texture without wheat.
• Low-Carb Cauliflower Base: Trade bread for riced cauliflower spread evenly on the bottom of the dish, creating a lighter, lower-carbohydrate breakfast foundation that still captures the casserole’s hearty essence.
• Spicy Southwestern Style: Swap cheddar for pepper jack cheese and add diced green chiles or jalapeños to the egg mixture, bringing a zesty southwestern kick to your breakfast casserole.

Comforting Ways to Serve Breakfast Casserole

• Perfect Breakfast Companion: Serve this hearty casserole with a side of fresh fruit salad to balance the rich, savory flavors and add a bright, refreshing touch to your morning meal.
• Easy Beverage Pairing: Brew a pot of strong coffee or create a zesty orange juice to complement the casserole’s robust sausage and cheese combination.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the casserole the night before your gathering, so you can wake up relaxed and have a delicious breakfast ready with minimal morning effort.
• Customize Your Plate: Garnish with chopped fresh chives or green onions to add a pop of color and a mild onion flavor that enhances the overall taste of the dish.

How Should Breakfast Casserole Be Stored

• Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days, making sure your casserole is completely cooled before sealing.
• When freezing, wrap the casserole tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil to prevent freezer burn, keeping your breakfast fresh for about a month.
• If refrigerating overnight before baking, cover the dish with plastic wrap to keep the surface from drying out and absorbing other refrigerator odors.
• After baking, let your casserole cool completely before transferring any remaining portions to storage containers, which helps maintain the texture and prevents condensation.

Paula Deen Breakfast Casserole Questions and Answers

Paula Deen Breakfast Casserole Recipe

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4.7 from 12 reviews

• Total Time: 8 hours 50 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Southern comfort meets breakfast bliss with Paula Deen Breakfast Casserole, a hearty morning treat that brings family together around the table. Layers of eggs, sausage, and cheese create a satisfying dish your loved ones will devour with pure delight.

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Ingredients

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Proteins:

• 1 lb ground maple pork sausage
• 8 large eggs

Main Components:

• 6 slices white bread
• 8 oz cheddar cheese, shredded
• 2 cups whole milk

Seasonings:

• 1 teaspoon dry mustard
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• ¼ teaspoon salt

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Instructions

1. Generously coat a 9×13-inch baking dish with non-stick cooking spray to prevent sticking and ensure easy cleanup.
2. Brown 1 lb ground maple pork sausage in a skillet over medium-high heat until completely crumbly. Drain excess fat thoroughly.
3. Trim crusts from 6 white bread slices and slice each piece in half. Create an even layer of bread at the bottom of your prepared baking dish.
4. Distribute the cooked sausage evenly across the bread layer, then sprinkle 8 oz shredded cheddar cheese over the entire surface.
5. Whisk 8 large eggs, 2 cups whole milk, 1 tsp dry mustard, ½ tsp black pepper, and ¼ tsp salt in a large mixing bowl until completely combined.
6. Pour the egg mixture carefully over the cheese, ensuring complete and uniform coverage of the casserole.
7. Cover the dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate for a minimum of 8 hours, preferably overnight to allow flavors to meld.
8. Remove the casserole from the refrigerator and let it rest at room temperature while preheating your oven to 350°F.
9. Uncover the casserole and bake for 40 minutes, watching for a golden-brown top that indicates perfect doneness.
10. Allow the casserole to rest for 10 minutes after removing from the oven, which helps it set and makes serving easier.

Notes

• Prep the bread slices the night before to save time in the morning and ensure they absorb the egg mixture perfectly.
• Experiment with different sausage types like spicy Italian or turkey sausage to customize the flavor profile of your casserole.
• For a lower-carb version, swap out bread for cauliflower or zucchini slices and reduce the cheese quantity.
• Make sure to drain the sausage thoroughly to prevent excess grease from making the casserole soggy.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Category: Casseroles
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 467 kcal
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 610 mg
• Fat: 36 g
• Saturated Fat: 13 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
• Trans Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 10 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 28 g
• Cholesterol: 225 mg