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.
Ingredients
Scale
- 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
Instructions
- Preparation: Position oven rack centrally and preheat to 180°C / 350°F for optimal cooking environment.
- Sausage Preparation: Cook sausage in skillet over medium heat, crumbling thoroughly until fully browned, then drain excess fat completely.
- Dish Assembly: Grease 9×13-inch baking dish generously, then create a foundational layer of cubed, buttered bread across the entire surface.
- 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.
- Custard Creation: Whisk eggs until smooth, blending in milk, cayenne pepper, dry mustard, salt, and black pepper to form a well-seasoned liquid mixture.
- Liquid Integration: Pour seasoned egg mixture uniformly across layered ingredients, ensuring complete coverage and penetration through all components.
- 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.
- 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