Sausage Breakfast Casserole

Made this Thanksgiving morning and it was a bit hit with the whole family! I’ll definitely be making it again Christmas morning!

— Diane

Get ready to pin this recipe because I promise you are going to want to make my overnight breakfast casserole on a very regular basis!

When I’m entertaining in the morning or just meal prepping a ready-to-go breakfast for busy mornings, I like to whip up some family favorite recipes such as French toast casserole, cinnamon roll casserole, or for something savory, this simple, yet satisfying egg casserole with sausage.

Why you’ll love this recipe

• Delicious & make-ahead. Not only is this dish incredibly delicious, but being that it’s an overnight casserole, you make everything ahead of time, and then have an amazing breakfast fresh out of the oven whenever you like!
• Nostalgic recipe. I have been enjoying this cheesy breakfast casserole for as long as I can remember. My grandma always made it for Christmas morning brunch and now my mom carries on the tradition. It’s my absolute favorite brunch dish (along with my go-to easy coffee cake, of course!).
• Easy to make. This breakfast casserole recipe is so perfect for holiday brunches because it’s ready to put in the oven and you aren’t wasting quality time putting it together, in the morning. And it’s such an easy recipe to feed to a crowd! It even reheats beautifully for a quick, hot breakfast on busy mornings. My family loves this dish and I know your family will too! It’s the ultimate breakfast comfort food!

ingredients needed

This dish uses common ingredients that are easy to find. Here’s the lineup:

• Bread. We use regular white sandwich bread for this recipe. As the casserole sits overnight, the bread will soak up all of the egg custard mixture and once the casserole is baked, this will make for the most delicious texture and consistency.
• Sausage. Pork sausage is our go-to, but you can use any preferred sausage for this casserole. Even Italian sausage would be amazing!
• Eggs. Eight large eggs is the perfect amount to make this and that will serve eight people.
• Evaporated milk. More concentrated and richer than regular milk, this ingredient will add to the flavor and consistency of the egg bake.
• Milk. Whole milk will give you the best results, but I’ve also successfully made this with skim milk and almond milk.
• Spices. Ground cloves are optional, but we always add it in for extra tastiness. And you’ll also want to add salt & pepper to bring out all of the delicious flavors.
• Cheese. We always use cheddar cheese or sharp cheddar cheese and I highly recommend grating your own cheese. Pre-shredded cheese from the grocery store is often coated in anti-caking agents and preservatives, and will not melt as smoothly.

how to make this recipe

I know there are tons of breakfast casserole recipes, but this one’s the BEST! It’s also super easy and totally kid-friendly! Here’s a quick rundown of how to make this recipe:

1. Prep a 9×13-inch pan with cooking spray or butter and place cubes of bread in an even layer over the bottom.
2. Add cooked sausage over the cubed bread.
3. Make egg mixture. In a medium mixing bowl, whisk the eggs, evaporated milk, milk, salt, cloves and pepper. Beat well.
4. Combine custard and bread. Pour the egg mixture over the sausage and bread. Sprinkle the cheese over the top. Cover with plastic wrap or aluminum foil and refrigerate overnight.
5. Bake. Cook casserole (uncovered) for 45-55 minutes at 350ºF or until cooked through and set.
6. Cool for 10 minutes, then cut into squares. Serve with your favorite toppings. Sliced avocado, chives, hot sauce or ketchup are all delicious options.

Full, printable recipe is at the bottom of the post. But it really is so easy peasy!

chef’s tips

Making this is super easy, but here are a few tips to make sure your dish bakes up perfect every time!

• Make ahead. The custard mixture can be made a day before using. Store it in the refrigerator and stir again before pouring over the bread cubes.
• Cut the bread into similar-sized pieces, so that they will absorb the egg mixture at the same rate and cook evenly.
• Allow soaking time. This casserole is best when it has time to soak, so the bread can absorb all of that yummy custard. I would say at least 4-6 hours in the fridge works, but overnight is best.
• Add mix-ins. Feel free to experiment with adding in other ingredients before baking. Sautéed onion, bell pepper or mushrooms would all be delicious.

ways to customize

We love this sausage egg casserole as written, but feel free to experiment and switch up some of the ingredients depending on what you have on hand.

• Protein. We always use pork sausage, but feel free to use turkey sausage. Or instead of sausage, try diced cooked ham or cooked crumbled bacon.
• Vegetables. You can add your favorite cooked vegetables to the casserole such as sautéed onions, peppers, spinach or mushrooms.
• Cheese. Try mozzarella cheese, Monterey Jack, or Swiss cheese instead of cheddar cheese.
• Gluten free. This can easily be made gluten free by using gluten-free bread.

serving suggestions

When I serve this, I like to keep the sides simple; unless, of course, it’s for a holiday brunch. It does pair well with a variety of breakfast sides, though. Below are some of my go-to options:

• hash browns, tater tots, or breakfast potatoes
• fresh fruit or fruit salad
• yogurt
• a slice of apple streusel bread or banana bread
• pancakes, French toast or waffles

Sometimes we even enjoy this egg bake for dinner and if that’s the case, I typically pair it with a fresh green salad on the side. For the salad, simply toss mixed greens with lemon juice, olive oil, salt and pepper. Feel free to add toppings to your salad such as red onion, cherry tomatoes, avocado or croutons. My Italian salad is a great choice too! You could also serve it with a fruit salad, roasted broccoli, or bacon roasted Brussels.

storing and freezing recommendations

• Storing leftovers. Place any leftover breakfast casserole in an airtight storage container in the refrigerator for up to about 5 days.
• To reheat. Pop individual servings in the microwave and cook for 30 second intervals until warm. You can also place the casserole dish in the oven at 350ºF. If using the oven, loosely cover with foil and place the dish on the center rack for 15 to 25 minutes, until warmed through (the larger the serving, the longer the cook time).
• Freezing. Place leftovers in an airtight freezer-safe storage container or a freezer-safe baggie in the freezer for up to 3 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

This is a great recipe to have in your repertoire for when you need a comforting dish that will serve a crowd. My kids request it at least once a month and I’m happy to oblige. I love the familiar, cozy flavors and that it is so simple to make!

If you try this recipe, let me know! Leave a comment and if your family loves it as much as mine does, be sure to give it a five star ⭐️ rating! Also, tag @kimscravings on Instagram with a picture of your creation. It’s so fun to see what you’re cooking! Be sure to subscribe to our mailing list to receive more healthy delicious recipes straight to your inbox.