Description
Hearty “Breakfast Sausage and Cheese Casserole” delivers comfort straight from grandma’s kitchen, blending rich flavors that promise morning satisfaction. Layers of golden eggs, sizzling sausage, and melted cheese create a morning masterpiece you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Meats:
- 1 pound (454 grams) breakfast sausage (pork, turkey, or chicken)
Dairy and Eggs:
- 6 large eggs
- 2 cups (226 grams) shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup (113 grams) shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) whole milk
- ½ cup (120 milliliters) heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons (28 grams) butter, melted
Seasonings and Bread:
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley (optional)
- 4 cups (about 340 grams) cubed bread (French bread, sourdough, or Texas toast)
- Cooking spray
Instructions
- Prepare the baking vessel by coating a 9×13-inch dish with cooking spray and heating the oven to a toasty 375°F (190°C).
- Render the sausage in a skillet over medium flame, transforming it into crispy, browned crumbles while eliminating excess fat through careful draining.
- Craft a luxurious custard base by whisking eggs with milk, heavy cream, and a harmonious blend of seasonings including salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and fresh parsley.
- Create a foundational layer of bread cubes across the greased baking dish, establishing a rustic landscape for the upcoming flavor profile.
- Distribute the caramelized sausage crumbles evenly atop the bread, followed by a generous sprinkle of shredded cheese, creating the first robust stratum of the casserole.
- Cascade the meticulously prepared egg mixture across the layered ingredients, gently pressing to ensure maximum liquid absorption by the bread cubes.
- Crown the casserole with the remaining cheese, then drizzle melted butter across the surface for an indulgent golden finish.
- Slide the assembled dish into the preheated oven, allowing it to transform for 35-40 minutes until the top achieves a rich, amber complexion and the center sets completely.
- Extract from the oven and permit the casserole to rest and stabilize for 5-10 minutes, allowing flavors to meld before serving this comforting morning masterpiece.
Notes
- Swap bread cubes with gluten-free alternatives like almond flour bread or cauliflower toast for those with gluten sensitivities.
- Use turkey or chicken sausage to reduce fat content and create a lighter breakfast option for health-conscious eaters.
- Prepare components the night before by cooking sausage and whisking egg mixture, then assemble and refrigerate overnight for effortless morning preparation.
- Experiment with different cheese varieties like sharp cheddar, gruyère, or pepper jack to customize flavor profiles and keep the dish exciting.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 421
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 877 mg
- Fat: 27 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 26 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 215 mg