Sumptuous Paula Deen Brunch Casserole Recipe

Paula Deen’s brunch casserole transforms morning meals into a culinary celebration of Southern comfort.

Layers of golden bread, zesty sausage, and melted cheese create a symphony of flavors that tantalize hungry taste buds.

Rustic and rich, this dish speaks to comfort food lovers seeking a hearty breakfast experience.

Fragrant herbs and spices weave through each bite, promising a feast that elevates ordinary ingredients.

Pillowy bread cubes soak up savory seasonings, promising a texture that melts in your mouth.

Simple yet sophisticated, this casserole delivers restaurant-quality decadence straight from your kitchen.

Grab your skillet and get ready to impress everyone at the breakfast table.

Equipment You’ll Need for Paula Deen’s Brunch Casserole

• Large mixing bowl: Perfect for whisking eggs and creating a smooth, creamy mixture.
• Skillet: Essential for browning sausage and releasing delicious flavors.
• 9×13-inch baking dish: Provides the ideal canvas for layering bread, sausage, and cheese.
• Whisk: Crucial for blending eggs and seasonings into a silky, well-combined liquid.
• Measuring cups: Helps accurately portion milk and other liquid ingredients.
• Measuring spoons: Ensures precise amounts of spices like cayenne and dry mustard.
• Sharp knife: Useful for cubing bread and checking casserole doneness.
• Oven mitts: Protects hands when handling hot baking dishes and removing the casserole.

How to Prepare Paula Deen’s Savory Brunch Casserole

• Heat Kitchen Battlefield

Fire up the oven to a toasty 350°F, positioning the rack smack in the center for killer even cooking.

• Sausage Transformation

Brown sausage in a sizzling skillet, letting it dance until perfectly golden. Drain away excess grease and set aside your meaty treasure.

• Create Crispy Foundation

Grease a baking dish lavishly. Spread bread cubes across the bottom, creating a fluffy, welcoming base that’ll soak up all the delicious flavors.

• Layer Flavor Explosion

Sprinkle cooked sausage and fresh sage across the bread, creating a tantalizing landscape of savory goodness. Shower the surface with a generous mix of white and sharp yellow cheddar, letting the cheese become your flavor canvas.

• Egg Magic Unleash

Whisk eggs with milk, cayenne, dry mustard, salt, and black pepper until the mixture transforms into a silky, smooth liquid that promises culinary excitement.

• Bake And Transform

Pour the egg mixture over your layered masterpiece, ensuring every nook gets covered. Slide into the oven and bake for 50 minutes until the top turns a gorgeous golden brown and the center sets perfectly.

• Serve And Celebrate

Pull out your bubbling creation, drizzle with hot sauce, slice into generous portions, and watch hungry faces light up with pure brunch bliss.

Paula Deen’s Brunch Casserole Tips & Variations

• Smart Swaps: Replace traditional white bread with sourdough or whole wheat for added nutrition and deeper flavor profiles.
• Spice It Up: Experiment with different pepper varieties like smoked paprika or red pepper flakes to create personalized heat levels in your casserole.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Assemble the entire dish the night before, refrigerate overnight, and bake fresh in the morning for stress-free entertaining and maximum convenience.
• Vegetarian Twist: Substitute sausage with roasted mushrooms, bell peppers, or plant-based protein crumbles to transform this recipe into a meatless morning masterpiece.

Serving Ideas for Brunch Casserole

• Breakfast Bliss Pairing: Serve alongside fresh orange juice or a zesty Bloody Mary to complement the rich, savory flavors of the casserole.
• Green Freshness Boost: Add a light mixed green salad with vinaigrette to balance the hearty dish and introduce a crisp, refreshing element.
• Brunch Crowd-Pleaser: Perfect for weekend gatherings, this casserole works wonderfully as a centerpiece for family brunches or potluck events.
• Garnish with Gusto: Top with chopped fresh chives or parsley for a burst of color and extra layer of herbal freshness just before serving.

Meal Prep and Storage for Paula Deen’s Brunch Casserole

• Preserve the Deliciousness: Smart Storage Solutions
• Refrigerate leftover casserole in an airtight container for up to 4 days, keeping its robust flavors intact and ready for quick reheating.
• Freeze Like a Pro: Meal Prep Magic
• Wrap individual portions tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, storing in the freezer for up to 3 months without losing texture or taste.
• Reheat with Precision: Maintaining Flavor Perfection
• Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then warm in the oven at 350°F for 15-20 minutes, restoring the casserole's crispy edges and creamy center.
• Portion and Protect: Leftover Lifehacks
• Divide casserole into single-serve containers for grab-and-go breakfasts, making meal planning a breeze and ensuring no delicious bite goes to waste.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 50 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes

Calories: 580 kcal

Servings: 8

Ingredients for Paula Deen’s Brunch Casserole

• Cubed Bread: Choose day-old, slightly stale bread for maximum absorption and texture stability.

• Sausage, Sage: Select fresh ground sausage with robust flavor; opt for sage leaves that are vibrant green and fragrant.

• White Cheddar, Sharp Yellow Cheddar: Select artisan cheeses with sharp, complex flavor profiles; ensure they're freshly grated for optimal melting.

• Eggs, Milk: Use farm-fresh eggs with bright, firm yolks; select whole milk for richer, creamier consistency.

• Cayenne Pepper, Dry Mustard, Salt, Black Pepper: Choose freshly ground spices for intense, dynamic flavor; select high-quality sea salt for balanced seasoning.

• Hot Sauce: Select a bright, tangy hot sauce that complements the casserole's rich, savory profile.

Hearty Paula Deen Brunch Casserole Recipe

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4.7 from 17 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Hearty Paula Deen Brunch Casserole combines layers of breakfast favorites in one comforting dish. Cheese, eggs, and sausage meld together for a satisfying morning meal you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 lb (454 g) loose pork breakfast sausage
• 7 eggs
• 1 cup white cheddar cheese, shredded
• 1 cup sharp yellow cheddar cheese, shredded
• 3 cups (710 ml) milk
• 8 thick slices country white bread, buttered and cubed
• 1 tbsp fresh sage, chopped
• ½ tsp cayenne pepper
• ½ tsp dry mustard
• salt, to taste
• black pepper, to taste
• Paula Deen’s Hot Sauce

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Position oven rack centrally and preheat to 180°C / 350°F for optimal cooking environment.
2. Sausage Preparation: Cook sausage in skillet over medium heat, crumbling thoroughly until fully browned, then drain excess fat completely.
3. Dish Assembly: Grease 9×13-inch baking dish generously, then create a foundational layer of cubed, buttered bread across the entire surface.
4. Layering: Distribute cooked sausage crumbles evenly over bread, sprinkle fresh sage for aromatic depth, and cover with a robust blend of white and yellow sharp cheddar cheeses.
5. Custard Creation: Whisk eggs until smooth, blending in milk, cayenne pepper, dry mustard, salt, and black pepper to form a well-seasoned liquid mixture.
6. Liquid Integration: Pour seasoned egg mixture uniformly across layered ingredients, ensuring complete coverage and penetration through all components.
7. Baking Process: Slide casserole into preheated oven and bake for 45-50 minutes until surface achieves a rich golden-brown color and center becomes completely set.
8. Finishing Touch: Allow casserole to rest 5-7 minutes after removing from oven, then optionally enhance with a drizzle of hot sauce for added zest before serving.

Notes

• Customize Cheese Selection: Feel free to experiment with different cheese varieties like Gruyère or Monterey Jack for unique flavor profiles.
• Perfect Bread Preparation: Use day-old bread or slightly stale bread cubes to prevent soggy texture and maintain ideal casserole structure.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Assemble the casserole the night before and refrigerate, then bake directly from the cold state for convenient meal planning.
• Spice Adjustment: Modify cayenne and dry mustard quantities to match personal heat preference without compromising the overall recipe balance.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 50 minutes
• Category: Breakfast, Lunch
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 580
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 1300 mg
• Fat: 38 g
• Saturated Fat: 18 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 28 g
• Cholesterol: 280 mg