Old-Fashioned Breakfast Casserole

🕒 Prep: 15 min
🔥 Cook: 1 hour
🍽 Serves: 8
★★★★★
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This Old-Fashioned Breakfast Casserole is like a warm hug on a chilly morning. It's a hearty, satisfying dish that combines savory sausage, gooey cheese, and fluffy eggs baked into comforting layers. Perfect for family gatherings or a lazy weekend brunch.

Ingredients for Old-Fashioned Breakfast Casserole

Thick-cut white bread serves as the base, soaking up all the flavors and giving structure to the casserole. Breakfast sausage brings a savory, meaty punch, while shredded sharp cheddar cheese adds a creamy, tangy layer that melts beautifully. The eggs and whole milk form the custard that binds everything together, seasoned with dry mustard, black pepper, and salt for a subtle kick. Finally, fresh green onions and red bell pepper add color and a touch of sweetness.

Tips & Tricks

  • Cut the bread into cubes the night before and let them dry out a bit for better texture.
  • If you’re making it ahead, assemble the casserole the night before, cover, and refrigerate. Bake it fresh in the morning.
  • For a spicier kick, add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the egg mixture.

Serving Suggestions

This casserole pairs wonderfully with a fresh fruit salad for a balanced breakfast. For a more indulgent brunch, serve it alongside crispy bacon or a batch of flaky biscuits. A dollop of sour cream or a drizzle of hot sauce on individual servings can add a fun twist, too.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a different type of bread?
Yes, any sturdy bread like sourdough or whole wheat would work well.
Is there a vegetarian version of this casserole?
Absolutely! Substitute the sausage with sautéed mushrooms or plant-based sausage.
How do I know when the casserole is done?
The top should be golden brown, and the center should be set (not jiggly).

Old-Fashioned Breakfast Casserole Recipe Walkthrough

First, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to get it nice and hot. While that's warming up, grab a 9x13-inch baking dish and give it a good greasing with either butter or a non-stick spray—this will save you from a sticky situation later.

Next, take your thick-cut white bread and cut it into 1-inch cubes. Spread these evenly across the bottom of your prepared baking dish. Now, in a skillet over medium heat, cook the breakfast sausage until it's browned and crumbled. Make sure to drain any excess fat to keep the casserole from becoming too greasy. Once that's done, scatter the sausage over the bread cubes, spreading it out as evenly as you can.

Now it's time for the cheese! Sprinkle the shredded sharp cheddar cheese over the sausage and bread. In a separate mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, whole milk, dry mustard, black pepper, and salt until it's all well combined. Pour this egg mixture evenly over the bread, sausage, and cheese. This is what's going to hold everything together.

For a splash of color and a bit of a fresh bite, sprinkle the chopped green onions and diced red bell pepper on top of everything. Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil and pop it in the oven to bake for about 30 minutes. After that, remove the foil and let it bake for an additional 15 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the casserole is set. Let it cool slightly before serving—this will help it slice nicely.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

  • Easy to prepare: Minimal chopping and mixing required.
  • Make-ahead wonder: Perfect for prepping the night before.
  • Feeds a crowd: Great for serving a hungry bunch.
  • Customizable: Easy to tweak to suit your taste buds.

Ingredients

8 slices of thick-cut white bread
1 lb of breakfast sausage
2 cups of shredded sharp cheddar cheese
6 large eggs
2 cups of whole milk
1 tsp of dry mustard
1/2 tsp of black pepper
1/4 tsp of salt
1/4 cup of chopped green onions
1/4 cup of diced red bell pepper

Step-by-step Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with butter or non-stick spray.
3. Cut the bread into 1-inch cubes and spread them evenly in the baking dish.
4. In a skillet, cook the sausage over medium heat until browned and crumbled. Drain excess fat.
5. Scatter the cooked sausage over the bread cubes.
6. Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the sausage and bread.
7. In a mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, dry mustard, black pepper, and salt.
8. Pour the egg mixture evenly over the bread, sausage, and cheese.
9. Sprinkle the chopped green onions and diced red bell pepper on top.
10. Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes.
11. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 15 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the casserole is set.
12. Let it cool slightly before serving.

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