Description

This hearty Sausage & Cheese Breakfast Casserole is a perfect make-ahead meal that combines savory breakfast sausage, gooey melted cheese, fluffy eggs, and cubed bread for a comforting and satisfying start to your day. Baked to golden perfection, it serves well for family breakfasts or brunch gatherings, offering a delicious, easy-to-prepare dish that everyone will love.

Ingredients

Scale

Breakfast Protein

1 pound breakfast sausage

Egg Mixture

8 large eggs
2 cups milk
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder

Other

4 cups shredded cheese (cheddar or your choice)
6 cups cubed bread

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Instructions

Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure it reaches the right temperature for baking the casserole evenly.
Cook Sausage: In a skillet over medium heat, cook the breakfast sausage until it is browned and fully cooked, breaking it into crumbles as it cooks for even texture.
Mix Egg Base: In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder until smooth and well combined, forming the base for the casserole.
Combine Ingredients: Add the cooked sausage, shredded cheese, and cubed bread to the egg mixture. Gently stir everything together to coat the bread evenly and distribute the sausage and cheese throughout.
Transfer to Baking Dish: Pour the combined mixture into a greased baking dish, spreading it out evenly to allow for uniform cooking.
Bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the center is set and the top is lightly golden.
Cool and Serve: Remove the casserole from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before slicing and serving to allow it to set for easier portioning.

Notes

You can use any type of bread you like, such as white, whole wheat, or sourdough, but day-old bread works best to absorb the egg mixture.
Feel free to substitute or add different cheeses like mozzarella, Monterey Jack, or pepper jack for varying flavors.
For a vegetarian version, omit the sausage and consider adding sautéed vegetables like bell peppers, mushrooms, or spinach.
This casserole can be prepared the night before; simply cover and refrigerate it before baking in the morning, adding a few extra minutes to the baking time if baking from cold.
Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.