Description
Hearty Paula Deen breakfast casserole combines savory sausage, eggs, and cheese in a comforting morning dish. Perfect for weekend gatherings, this casserole satisfies hungry diners with its rich, layered flavors and easy preparation.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (454 g) loose pork breakfast sausage
- 7 eggs
- 3 cups (720 ml) milk
- 1 cup (240 g) shredded white cheddar cheese
- 1 cup (240 g) shredded sharp yellow cheddar cheese
- 8 thick slices country white bread, buttered and cubed
- 1 tbsp chopped fresh sage
- ½ tsp cayenne pepper
- ½ tsp dry mustard
- salt, to taste
- black pepper, to taste
- Paula Deen’s hot sauce (optional)
Instructions
- Preparation: Thoroughly coat a 9×13 inches baking dish with non-stick cooking spray, ensuring complete coverage to prevent sticking.
- Sausage Preparation: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook ground pork sausage, breaking it into small crumbles until golden-brown. Fold in freshly chopped sage, distributing the herb’s aromatic flavors evenly throughout the meat.
- Layering Foundation: Create a uniform base by arranging buttered bread cubes across the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Distribute the sautéed sausage mixture evenly over the bread layer, then generously sprinkle shredded cheddar and monterey jack cheeses to form a complete cheese blanket.
- Egg Mixture: In a mixing bowl, whisk eggs, whole milk, cayenne pepper, dry mustard, kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper until smooth and well-integrated. Carefully pour the seasoned mixture over the layered ingredients, allowing it to penetrate thoroughly.
- Chilling and Resting: Cover the casserole with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight to meld flavors. Remove from refrigerator and let rest at room temperature while preheating the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius).
- Baking: Uncover and bake for 50-60 minutes until the top turns golden brown and the center becomes firm and bubbling. Allow the casserole to rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. Optionally, serve with hot sauce for an extra kick of flavor.
Notes
- Overnight Marination Magic: Letting the casserole rest in the refrigerator allows ingredients to absorb flavors deeply, creating a more complex and rich taste profile.
- Sausage Crumbling Technique: Break sausage into small, uniform pieces while cooking to ensure even distribution and consistent texture throughout the dish.
- Cheese Layer Precision: Sprinkle cheese evenly to create a complete coverage that melts uniformly and provides a delicious golden-brown top.
- Room Temperature Rest: Allowing the casserole to sit at room temperature before baking helps it cook more evenly and prevents potential temperature shock.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 900 mg
- Fat: 36 g
- Saturated Fat: 16 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 24 g
- Cholesterol: 320 mg