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Cozy Cheesy Baked Breakfast Casserole with Sausage

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A simple, one-dish breakfast casserole with sausage, cheese, and bread that comes together in under 15 minutes of prep. Perfect for lazy Sundays, holiday brunches, or any morning when you need a warm, comforting meal.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 large eggs, room temperature
  • 2 cups whole milk (or 2% if needed)
  • 1 teaspoon fine sea salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 pound breakfast sausage (e.g., Johnsonville or Jimmy Dean; sage sausage recommended)
  • 6 cups day-old bread cubes (1/2-inch pieces, crusty French bread or sourdough)
  • 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1/2 cup diced yellow or white onion
  • 1/4 cup chopped green onions
  • 1/2 cup diced bell peppers (optional)
  • 1 cup fresh spinach, wilted (optional)
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with non-stick cooking spray or grease lightly with butter.
  2. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add sausage and break it up with a spatula. Add diced onion in the last 3 minutes. Cook until sausage is browned and onion is translucent, about 6-8 minutes. Drain excess grease, leaving a little for flavor. Let cool slightly.
  3. If bread isn’t already cubed, cut into 1/2-inch pieces. Spread bread cubes evenly in the prepared baking dish.
  4. In a large mixing bowl, whisk eggs until yolks and whites are combined, about 30 seconds. Add milk, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika. Whisk until smooth and pale yellow.
  5. Sprinkle cooked sausage and onion mixture evenly over bread cubes. Sprinkle both cheeses over the top. Gently toss with hands or a spoon to distribute.
  6. Slowly pour egg mixture evenly over the dish, ensuring every bread cube gets some liquid. Use a fork to gently press down on bread to help absorption. Let rest for 10 minutes before baking.
  7. Cover dish with aluminum foil and bake for 25 minutes.
  8. Remove foil and bake for another 15-20 minutes, until top is golden brown and puffed, and a knife inserted in the center comes out clean.
  9. Let casserole rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. Sprinkle chopped green onions on top right before serving.

Notes

Use day-old bread for best texture; fresh bread can be dried in a 300°F oven for 5-7 minutes. Do not overmix eggs. Let casserole rest after baking for clean slices. Can be assembled the night before and refrigerated; add 10 minutes to baking time if starting cold. Freezes well for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Keywords: breakfast casserole, sausage casserole, cheesy casserole, baked breakfast, easy breakfast, holiday brunch, cozy breakfast

Find it online: https://breezybake.com/cozy-cheesy-baked-breakfast-casserole-with-sausage/