Description
This easy make-ahead breakfast casserole combines savory pork sausage, fresh vegetables, eggs, and cheddar cheese layered with crusty bread cubes, baked to golden perfection. It's incredibly versatile, allowing substitutions for bread, meat, and veggies, and can be assembled up to 24 hours in advance, making it perfect for busy mornings or entertaining guests.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 4 cups (175g or 6 oz) cubes of crusty bread
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- 1 pound ground pork sausage, casings removed
- 1 teaspoon dried rosemary or Italian seasoning (optional)
- 3/4 cup (100g) chopped yellow onion (about 1/2 of a large onion)
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 cups (275g or 9-10 oz) chopped bell peppers
- 1 cup (100g or 3 oz) sliced mushrooms
- 1 cup roughly chopped fresh spinach
- 12 large eggs
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 2/3 cup (160ml) milk or half-and-half
- 1 cup (100g or 3.5 oz) shredded cheddar cheese
Optional Garnishes
- Green onion, chopped
- Chopped parsley
Instructions
- Prepare the baking dish. Grease a 9×13-inch or any 3–4-quart oven-safe dish. Arrange the bread cubes in an even layer on the bottom of the pan.
- Cook sausage and vegetables. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground sausage and dried rosemary or Italian seasoning if using. Break the sausage into bite-sized pieces as it cooks. Add chopped onion, garlic, bell peppers, mushrooms, and spinach. Cook for about 5–6 minutes until the vegetables are softened and the sausage is mostly cooked through.
- Layer sausage and vegetables. Remove the sausage and vegetable mixture from heat and spread it evenly over the bread cubes in the baking dish.
- Mix eggs and dairy. In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, salt, pepper, milk or half-and-half, and shredded cheddar cheese until combined.
- Pour egg mixture over layers. Evenly pour the egg mixture over the sausage and vegetable layer. Optionally, sprinkle a bit more salt and pepper on top.
- Refrigerate before baking. Cover the casserole with plastic wrap or aluminum foil and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or up to 24 hours. When ready to bake, let it sit at room temperature for 10–15 minutes while preheating the oven.
- Bake the casserole. Preheat the oven to 375°F (191°C). Bake the uncovered casserole for 40–45 minutes, until the top is golden, edges are crisp, and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Cool and serve. Let the casserole cool for 10 minutes before slicing. Garnish with green onion or parsley if desired, then serve. Leftovers keep well in the fridge for up to 5 days and reheat nicely in the microwave.
Notes
- Make Ahead: Assemble the casserole up to 24 hours before baking and keep refrigerated. You can also cook the sausage and veggies up to 24 hours ahead.
- Freezing: Freeze the assembled casserole before baking by covering tightly with plastic wrap and foil for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and bake as directed. Alternatively, freeze baked casserole and reheat it in a 350°F (177°C) oven for 25–30 minutes after thawing.
- Bread: Use crusty sourdough or other hearty bread. If bread is fresh and soft, toast cubes at 300°F (149°C) for 10 minutes to crisp before assembling.
- Potato Alternative: Substitute bread with 3 cups (about 380g) frozen hash browns (no thaw needed) or cooked diced potatoes.
- Meat Substitutions: Replace sausage with cooked ham, bacon (reduce to 1/2 lb and cook separately), ground turkey, beef, or chicken. Adjust cooking accordingly.
- Vegetable Variations: Swap bell peppers, mushrooms, and spinach with broccoli, zucchini, squash, or kale.
- Vegetarian Option: Omit meat and increase vegetables by an additional 1 cup.
- Milk Choice: Use half-and-half or whole milk for best texture; lower-fat or dairy-free milks can be used as alternatives.
- Cheese Variations: Mix different cheeses such as pepper jack, feta, Swiss, or smoked gouda for different flavors.
- Half Recipe: Halve ingredients and bake in a 9×9-inch pan for 32–36 minutes.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Breakfast Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
