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A golden slice of breakfast casserole served on a white plate with a fork, garnished with fresh parsley and paired with orange juice.
4.86 from 139 votes

Easy Breakfast Casserole Recipe

This Easy Breakfast Casserole is made with day-old bread, sausage, eggs, and cheese for a hearty, make-ahead dish that's perfect for Christmas morning, Easter brunch, or any weekend breakfast.
Prep Time20 minutes
Cook Time1 hour
Total Time1 hour 20 minutes
Servings: 10 servings
Calories: 502kcal
Chef: Jessica Randhawa

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil - or butter
  • 1 yellow onion - diced
  • 1 pound ground sausage - pork, chicken, or turkey; Italian, sweet, or hot
  • 8 large eggs
  • 3 cups whole milk - or half-and-half
  • ½ teaspoon salt - plus more to taste
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 cup parmesan cheese - grated
  • 1 cup gouda cheese - shredded
  • 10 cups day-old-bread - cut into large cubes (brioche, challah, or sourdough work best)
  • fresh parsley - to garnish

Instructions

  • Lightly coat a 9x13-inch baking dish with nonstick spray.
  • Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and cook for 2-3 minutes, or until it has started to soften.
  • Add the sausage and cook until the onion is completely soft and the sausage is browned. Remove from heat and cool to room temperature.
  • In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
  • Once the sausage has cooled, stir in the shredded cheeses and the cooled sausage mixture.
  • Spread the cubed bread evenly in the prepared baking dish. Pour the egg and sausage mixture on top, pressing gently to help the bread absorb the liquid.
  • Cover with foil and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or overnight for the best texture.
  • When ready to bake, preheat the oven to 350°F. Bake covered for 35 minutes, then uncover and continue baking for 25 minutes more, or until the center is set and the top is golden brown.
  • Rest for 5 to 10 minutes, then garnish with parsley and serve warm. Enjoy!

Notes

  • Bread: Day-old bread absorbs the custard mixture better than fresh bread. To make bread “day-old” quickly, cube it and bake on a sheet pan at 300°F for 10 to 15 minutes.
  • Protein Swaps: Try diced ham, oven-baked bacon, or even leftover shredded chicken as a substitute for sausage.
  • Veggies: Add sautéed mushrooms, roasted butternut squash, spinach, or bell peppers for more flavor and nutrition.
  • Make-Ahead: Assemble the casserole the night before, refrigerate, and bake in the morning.
  • Storage: Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. Freeze baked portions for up to 3 months and reheat in the oven or microwave until hot.
  • The total baking time will vary. You know your casserole is ready when the edges are golden brown and the center is no longer jiggly.
 
For more information about the ingredients and substitutions, variations, and FAQs, please visit the full post. If you have any questions, please feel free to leave a comment. I love hearing from you!

Nutrition

Calories: 502kcal | Carbohydrates: 28g | Protein: 28g | Fat: 30g | Saturated Fat: 13g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 11g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 224mg | Sodium: 1059mg | Potassium: 390mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 582IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 499mg | Iron: 3mg
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