Description
A hearty, make-ahead breakfast casserole featuring crispy sausage, fluffy eggs, and sharp cheddar cheese baked with day-old bread. Perfect for feeding a crowd with minimal morning stress.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound breakfast sausage (pork, sage/pepper preferred)
- 12 large eggs
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup whole milk
- 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1/4 cup fresh chives, chopped
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 4 cups day-old bread, cubed (French or sourdough)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- If using fresh bread, cube it and toast on a baking sheet at 350°F for 5-7 minutes until dry but not browned. Let cool. If using day-old bread, skip toasting.
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Brown the sausage, breaking it up with a spoon, for 5-8 minutes until crispy. Drain excess grease if desired, but leave some for flavor. Let cool slightly.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk 12 eggs vigorously until smooth and frothy.
- Add heavy cream, milk, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper to the eggs. Whisk to combine.
- Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish with butter or cooking spray.
- Spread the cubed bread evenly in the bottom of the dish.
- Sprinkle the browned sausage over the bread.
- Add half of the shredded cheddar cheese over the sausage.
- Pour the egg mixture evenly over the top. Press down gently with a spatula to ensure bread absorbs liquid.
- Sprinkle the remaining cheese on top.
- Let the casserole rest at room temperature for 15-20 minutes (or refrigerate overnight if making ahead).
- Bake for 35-40 minutes until the top is golden brown and the center is set (knife inserted comes out clean).
- Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes before cutting.
- Sprinkle with chopped fresh chives and serve warm.
Notes
Use day-old bread for best texture; fresh bread should be toasted first. Let the casserole rest for 5 minutes after baking to allow eggs to set for clean slicing. Can be made ahead and refrigerated overnight. Does not freeze well due to egg/dairy texture changes.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Breakfast
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 square slice
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 3
- Sodium: 650
- Fat: 22
- Saturated Fat: 10
- Carbohydrates: 25
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 22
Keywords: breakfast casserole, sausage bake, egg recipe, make-ahead breakfast, cheddar cheese, weekend brunch, easy breakfast, comfort food