This is the ultimate Breakfast Casserole recipe, designed to deliver a perfectly golden, fluffy, and savory dish every single time. It’s incredibly easy to assemble, perfect for making ahead, and guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser for a weekend brunch, holiday morning, or a simple family breakfast. Forget about soggy bottoms or bland flavors; this guide will show you how to create the most delicious and satisfying egg casserole that will have everyone asking for seconds. This is more than just a recipe; it’s a blueprint for a perfect morning.
Why This is the Ultimate Breakfast Casserole Recipe
What makes this the best Breakfast Casserole? It’s all about the perfect ratio of ingredients and a few simple techniques that guarantee success. This recipe is designed to be foolproof, with a rich, custardy texture that’s loaded with savory sausage and melted cheese. It’s versatile enough to be adapted with your favorite ingredients and reliable enough for the most important occasions.
Unlike other recipes, we focus on preventing the dreaded soggy bottom by using day-old bread and ensuring it’s perfectly toasted, creating a sturdy base for the rich egg mixture. It’s a complete, hearty meal in one dish.
The Core Ingredients for a Perfect Breakfast Casserole
The beauty of this dish lies in its simple, accessible ingredients. Each component plays a crucial role in creating the final, delicious product. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Pork Sausage: Provides the primary savory, hearty flavor. You can use mild or hot, depending on your preference.
- Day-Old Bread: This is the secret weapon against sogginess. Stale bread cubes absorb the egg mixture without falling apart.
- Eggs: The star of the show, creating the light, fluffy, and custardy binder for the casserole.
- Whole Milk & Heavy Cream: A combination of milk and cream adds richness and creates a tender, luxurious texture that milk alone can’t achieve.
- Sharp Cheddar Cheese: Provides a tangy flavor and a delicious, melted cheesy topping. Feel free to shred your own for the best melt.
- Seasonings: Simple salt, black pepper, and a pinch of dry mustard powder elevate the flavors and complement the sausage and cheese perfectly.
These simple ingredients come together to create something truly special. It’s a classic combination that has stood the test of time for a reason.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Making this Breakfast Casserole is a straightforward process. Just follow these simple steps for a perfect result.
- Prepare Your Pan and Bread: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish. Spread the bread cubes in a single layer and bake for 8-10 minutes, or until lightly toasted and dry. This step is crucial for preventing a soggy base.
- Cook the Sausage: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the sausage, breaking it up with a spoon, until it’s browned and cooked through. Drain off any excess grease and set it aside.
- Whisk the Egg Mixture: In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, heavy cream, dry mustard, salt, and pepper until smooth and well-combined.
- Assemble the Casserole: Spread the toasted bread cubes evenly in the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Top with the cooked sausage, followed by half of the shredded cheddar cheese. Pour the egg mixture evenly over the top, making sure to cover all the bread. Sprinkle the remaining cheese over the surface.
- Bake to Perfection: Bake for 40-50 minutes, or until the center is set (a knife inserted into the middle comes out clean) and the top is golden brown and bubbly.
- Rest and Serve: Let the casserole rest for at least 10 minutes before slicing and serving. This allows it to set up properly, making it easier to cut clean slices. Garnish with fresh chives or parsley if desired.
Tips for a Foolproof, Non-Soggy Casserole
The most common issue with any breakfast bake is a soggy texture. Follow these expert tips to ensure your casserole is perfectly fluffy and firm.
- Use Dry, Stale Bread: Using day-old or lightly toasted bread is the most important step. Fresh, soft bread will turn to mush when it absorbs the egg mixture.
- Don’t Over-Soak: Pour the egg mixture over the bread just before baking (unless making it overnight). This prevents the bread from becoming overly saturated.
- Let It Rest: Allowing the casserole to cool for 10 minutes after baking is essential. This helps it firm up, preventing it from falling apart when you slice into it.
Delicious Breakfast Casserole Variations
This recipe is a fantastic base for customization. Try one of these delicious variations to switch things up!
Vegetarian Delight
For a vegetarian version, simply omit the sausage. Sauté 1 pound of sliced mushrooms, a diced bell pepper, and a diced onion until tender. Use this vegetable mixture in place of the sausage and consider swapping the cheddar for Gruyère or Swiss cheese.
Spicy Southwest Casserole
Use chorizo instead of pork sausage for a spicy kick. Add a can of drained and rinsed black beans and a can of mild green chiles to the sausage layer. Swap the cheddar cheese for a Colby Jack or Pepper Jack blend and serve with salsa and sour cream.
Ham and Swiss
For a flavor profile reminiscent of a classic French quiche, substitute the sausage with 2 cups of diced cooked ham and swap the cheddar for shredded Swiss cheese. This combination is a timeless classic that always pleases a crowd.
Make-Ahead and Storage Guide
This casserole is the perfect make-ahead dish, saving you precious time in the morning.
Overnight Instructions
To prepare this Breakfast Casserole the night before, assemble it completely through step 4, but do not bake. Cover the dish tightly with plastic wrap or foil and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. The next morning, remove it from the refrigerator 30 minutes before baking to let it come to room temperature. Bake as directed, adding 5-10 minutes to the cooking time if needed.
Storing and Reheating Leftovers
Store any leftover casserole tightly covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. You can reheat individual slices in the microwave for 1-2 minutes or place the entire dish, covered with foil, in a 325°F oven for 20-25 minutes, or until heated through.
What to Serve with Your Casserole
While this dish is a complete meal on its own, it also pairs wonderfully with a few simple sides. For a full brunch spread, consider serving it alongside a fresh fruit salad, yogurt, or even some crispy Garlic Herb Roasted Potatoes. And of course, no breakfast is complete without a fresh pot of coffee. If you’re looking for another sweet treat to go with it, try our Easiest Blueberry Muffins. For those who love savory options, our Sausage, Egg, and Cheese Roll-Ups are another great choice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, absolutely! This recipe is perfect for making ahead. Assemble the entire casserole, cover it tightly, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. When you’re ready to bake, let it sit at room temperature for 30 minutes, then bake as directed, possibly adding 5-10 extra minutes.
Definitely! You can easily substitute the sausage with cooked bacon, diced ham, or chorizo. For a vegetarian option, replace the meat with sautéed vegetables like mushrooms, onions, spinach, and bell peppers.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. You can reheat individual slices in the microwave for 1-2 minutes or reheat the entire dish in a 325°F oven for 20-25 minutes until warmed through.
The best way to prevent a soggy casserole is to use day-old or toasted bread cubes. This ensures the bread is dry enough to absorb the egg mixture without turning to mush. Also, allow the casserole to rest for 10 minutes after baking to let it set completely.
A sturdy, crusty bread like French bread, sourdough, or challah works best. The key is that it should be stale or day-old. Avoid soft sandwich bread as it can easily become too saturated.
The Best Breakfast Casserole Recipe
Breakfast Casserole (The Only Recipe You'll Ever Need)
Ingredients
Equipment
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9x13 inch baking dish. Spread the bread cubes in a single layer on a baking sheet and bake for 8-10 minutes until lightly toasted and dry. Place toasted cubes into the baking dish.
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the sausage until browned and cooked through. Drain off excess grease. Spread the cooked sausage over the bread cubes in the dish.
- Sprinkle 1 cup of the shredded cheddar cheese over the sausage and bread.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, heavy cream, salt, pepper, and dry mustard powder until fully combined.
- Pour the egg mixture evenly over the layers in the baking dish. Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of cheese over the top.
- Bake for 40-50 minutes, until the center is set and the top is golden and bubbly. A knife inserted in the center should come out clean.
- Let the casserole rest for 10 minutes before slicing and serving. This helps it set completely.
Notes
You can assemble this casserole the night before. Cover and refrigerate, then bake in the morning.
Feel free to customize with different meats, cheeses, or vegetables.
Share Your Creations!
This Breakfast Casserole is a recipe you’ll come back to again and again. It’s a comforting, satisfying, and stress-free way to feed a hungry crowd. If you make this recipe, we’d love to see it! Snap a photo and share your masterpiece on Pinterest. Don’t forget to leave a comment below with any questions or variations you tried!
