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Make-Ahead Sausage Cheese Breakfast Casserole

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A comforting, make-ahead breakfast casserole featuring savory sausage, sharp cheddar, and Gruyère cheese baked into a custard-like bread base. Perfect for lazy weekends and holiday brunches.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound sturdy bread (sourdough or brioche), cut into 1-inch cubes
  • 1 pound breakfast sausage (pork, mild or spicy)
  • 12 large eggs
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • 2 cups shredded cheese (mix of sharp cheddar and Gruyère or mozzarella)
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 0.5 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (for greasing dish)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 300°F. Spread bread cubes on a baking sheet and toast for 10 minutes to remove moisture. Let cool completely.
  2. Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Cook sausage, breaking it apart, until browned and crumbled (8-10 minutes). Drain excess grease but leave some for flavor. Set aside to cool.
  3. Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish with butter.
  4. Spread toasted bread cubes evenly into the bottom of the dish.
  5. Sprinkle cooked sausage evenly over the bread, then add half of the shredded cheese.
  6. In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, heavy cream, milk, salt, pepper, and garlic powder until uniform.
  7. Pour egg mixture over the bread and sausage. Gently press down on bread cubes to ensure they are submerged.
  8. Sprinkle remaining cheese over the top.
  9. Cover tightly with plastic wrap or foil and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight.
  10. Preheat oven to 350°F. Remove casserole from fridge and let sit at room temperature for 15 minutes.
  11. Bake for 45-50 minutes until the center is set and top is golden brown. Cover with foil if top browns too quickly.
  12. Let rest for 10 minutes before cutting and serving.

Notes

Toast the bread to prevent a soggy texture. Let the casserole rest after baking to allow the custard to set. For dietary restrictions, swap pork sausage for turkey or plant-based alternatives, and use gluten-free bread if needed. Adjust liquid slightly if using gluten-free bread.

Nutrition

Keywords: breakfast casserole, make-ahead breakfast, sausage and cheese, brunch recipe, easy breakfast, comfort food, egg casserole

Find it online: https://islatable.com/make-ahead-sausage-cheese-breakfast-casserole-easy-prep/