Description
Hearty “savory breakfast sausage and cheese casserole” brings comforting morning magic to kitchen tables across America. Layers of rich flavors and golden-brown edges create a satisfying meal that promises to delight you at first bite.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb breakfast sausage (pork, turkey, or chicken)
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 4 cups cubed bread (French bread, sourdough, or Texas toast)
- 6 large eggs
- 1 cup whole milk
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 2 tbsps butter, melted
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp dried parsley (optional)
- Cooking spray
Instructions
- Preparation: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and coat a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray for optimal non-stick performance.
- Sausage Cooking: Brown the sausage in a skillet over medium heat, breaking it into fine crumbles and carefully draining any excess fat to ensure a crisp texture.
- Egg Mixture Creation: Whisk eggs, milk, heavy cream, salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and parsley in a large mixing bowl until thoroughly combined and smooth.
- Layering Foundation: Distribute bread cubes evenly across the prepared baking dish, then layer with cooked sausage and sprinkle half the shredded cheese for initial flavor development.
- Liquid Integration: Gently pour the egg mixture over the layered ingredients, softly pressing to help bread absorb the liquid and create a cohesive texture.
- Final Cheese Topping: Generously scatter remaining cheese across the surface and drizzle melted butter to enhance richness and promote golden browning.
- Baking Process: Place uncovered dish in the oven and bake for 35-40 minutes, monitoring until the casserole turns golden brown and the center sets completely.
- Serving Preparation: Allow the casserole to rest for 5-10 minutes, which helps stabilize the structure, then slice and serve while warm for maximum enjoyment.
Notes
- Choose day-old or slightly stale bread for better absorption of egg mixture, preventing soggy texture and ensuring a more structured casserole.
- Thoroughly drain sausage after cooking to prevent excess oil pooling, which can make the dish heavy and less appetizing.
- Let casserole rest 5-10 minutes after baking to allow eggs to set completely and achieve perfect slice-ability without falling apart.
- Swap regular sausage with turkey or plant-based alternatives, use gluten-free bread, and select low-fat cheese for lighter, diet-friendly versions without compromising flavor.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 9
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 12 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 14 g
- Cholesterol: 180 mg