Welcome to the ultimate solution for stress-free mornings: our Sausage Egg Casserole. This isn’t just any breakfast dish; it’s a game-changer for busy households and a crowd-pleaser for weekend brunches. Crafted for convenience and bursting with flavor, this make-ahead breakfast casserole is incredibly easy to prepare and reheats beautifully, making your mornings smoother and more delicious. Loaded with savory sausage, fluffy eggs, rich cheese, and vibrant bell peppers, it’s a protein-packed powerhouse designed to kickstart your day with a satisfying meal that truly fuels you.
Why You’ll Love This Make-Ahead Sausage Egg Casserole
My philosophy for a perfect weekday breakfast is simple: it needs to be both satisfying and quick. This Sausage Egg Casserole embodies both principles flawlessly! It’s an ideal choice for meal prepping a busy week, ensuring you always have a wholesome breakfast ready. Beyond daily convenience, it’s also a fantastic recipe for feeding a crowd. Whether you’re hosting house guests, planning a lake trip, or preparing for a festive brunch gathering, this casserole scales wonderfully. Its greatest advantage lies in its ability to be baked in advance and reheated without compromising taste or texture.
Imagine waking up, and instead of rushing, you simply pop this delightful casserole into the oven. Reheat the entire dish in a 300°F oven for approximately 20 minutes until warm through. For individual servings, slice the casserole into squares and microwave them for about 30 seconds each – a super quick option for those grab-and-go mornings. If your daily cereal routine has become monotonous, this savory breakfast casserole offers a refreshing and hearty alternative that will revolutionize your breakfast experience. It’s a delicious blend of classic breakfast flavors, making it a beloved staple in our home.
Essential Ingredients for a Flavorful Sausage Egg Breakfast Casserole
Creating this incredibly satisfying sausage egg casserole requires a selection of fresh, high-quality ingredients that come together to form a balanced and delicious meal. Each component plays a crucial role in delivering the hearty, comforting flavors that make this recipe a consistent favorite.
- Bulk pork sausage: The foundation of our savory flavor. Choose your preferred type, whether it’s mild, hot, or a sage variety.
- White onion, diced: Adds a sweet, aromatic base that complements the sausage and peppers beautifully.
- Red bell pepper, diced: (approximately ½ cup) Provides a touch of sweetness and vibrant color.
- Green bell pepper, diced: (approximately ½ cup) Contributes a fresh, slightly bitter note and more visual appeal.
- Large eggs: The star of any casserole, forming a fluffy, rich custard base.
- Kosher salt: Essential for seasoning and enhancing all the flavors.
- Ground black pepper: Adds a classic, warm spice.
- Crushed red pepper: Offers a subtle hint of heat, which you can adjust to your preference.
- Heavy cream: Ensures a wonderfully rich and creamy texture for the egg mixture, making the casserole extra decadent.
- Shredded cheddar cheese: Melts beautifully into the casserole, providing a sharp, savory, and incredibly satisfying cheesy layer.
Crafting Your Sausage Egg Casserole: A Simple Step-by-Step Guide
Preparing this breakfast casserole is straightforward, even for novice cooks. Follow these clear steps to create a hearty and delicious meal that will impress everyone at your breakfast or brunch table.
- Prepare your baking dish: Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures the oven is at the correct temperature for even baking. Next, generously butter a 9×13-inch baking dish or pan. This crucial step prevents sticking and helps create a beautiful golden crust. Set the prepared dish aside.
- Cook the sausage: Spray a large saucepan with nonstick cooking spray and heat it over medium-high heat. Add the bulk pork sausage to the hot pan and break it up with a wooden spoon as it cooks. Continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until the sausage is thoroughly browned and cooked through. Drain any excess grease to prevent the casserole from becoming oily.
- Sauté the vegetables: Transfer the cooked sausage from the skillet to your prepared baking dish, spreading it evenly across the bottom. Return the same skillet to the heat (no need to clean it) and add the diced white onion, red bell pepper, and green bell pepper. Sauté the vegetables until the onion becomes translucent and the bell peppers are tender-crisp, which usually takes about 5 minutes. This step softens the vegetables and brings out their natural sweetness. Add the sautéed vegetables to the baking dish with the sausage, distributing them evenly.
- Prepare the egg mixture: In a separate large mixing bowl, combine the large eggs, kosher salt, ground black pepper, crushed red pepper, and heavy cream. Using a whisk, beat the mixture vigorously until it becomes thick, foamy, and the eggs turn a pale yellow color. This incorporates air, ensuring a light and fluffy texture for your casserole. Gently stir in the shredded cheddar cheese until just combined.
- Assemble and bake: Pour the egg and cheese mixture evenly over the sausage, onions, and peppers in the baking dish. Use a fork to gently stir the ingredients, ensuring everything is well combined and the egg mixture is distributed throughout the casserole. This guarantees that every bite will have a perfect blend of flavors.
- Bake until golden: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 30-35 minutes. The casserole is ready when the center is firm and set, and the top is lightly golden brown. A knife inserted into the center should come out clean. Serve the Sausage Egg Casserole warm, straight from the oven, or allow it to cool completely before storing it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Tips for Success & Delicious Variations
To truly make this sausage egg casserole your own, consider these tips and variations.
- Cheese, please! While cheddar is a classic choice, feel free to experiment with other cheeses. Monterey Jack, Colby, or a Mexican blend can add a different flavor profile. For an extra kick, a sprinkle of pepper jack cheese would be fantastic.
- Veggie boost: This casserole is wonderfully versatile for adding more vegetables. Consider spinach (sautéed and squeezed dry), mushrooms, diced zucchini, or even roasted sweet potato cubes for extra nutrients and texture.
- Spice it up: If you love a bit of heat, increase the amount of crushed red pepper or add a dash of hot sauce to the egg mixture. For a milder flavor, you can omit the crushed red pepper entirely.
- Herb appeal: Fresh herbs like chives, parsley, or dill, chopped and stirred into the egg mixture, can elevate the flavor significantly.
- Meat alternatives: Not a fan of pork sausage? Ground turkey sausage, chicken sausage, or even crumbled bacon (cooked first) can be used as substitutes. For a vegetarian option, simply omit the meat and load up on extra vegetables or add plant-based sausage crumbles.
- Gluten-Free: This recipe is naturally gluten-free, making it an excellent choice for those with dietary restrictions.
More Delicious Make-Ahead Breakfast Recipes for Busy Days
Embrace the ease and satisfaction of make-ahead meals with these other fantastic breakfast recipes. Perfect for meal prep, they ensure you always have a wholesome and delicious option ready when time is short.
- Fuel your busiest days with quick and delicious No-Bake Energy Bites. With a delightful blend of peanut butter and irresistible bits of dark chocolate, you don’t have to sacrifice taste for healthy treats! They’re packed with wholesome ingredients to keep you energized.
- Packed with whole wheat, creamy peanut butter, and hearty oatmeal, these healthy Breakfast Cookies are loaded with shredded apples and mashed bananas. A truly delightful and nutritious breakfast treat that you’ll be proud to serve your entire family, especially your little ones!
- My 3-Ingredient Peanut Butter Honey Oat Bars are the ultimate simple and healthy snack or a super quick breakfast option. They are incredibly easy to bake, and you probably already have all the necessary ingredients on hand, making them perfect for spontaneous baking!
- Keep your fridge stocked with these savory Bacon, Spinach and Tomato Egg Bites for a fast, delicious, and protein-packed breakfast. Tangy feta cheese, juicy ripe tomatoes, and fresh spinach make these individual breakfast bites small in size but mighty in flavor and nutrition.
Make-Ahead Mastery: Storing and Reheating Your Sausage Egg Breakfast Casserole
One of the best features of this sausage egg casserole is its fantastic make-ahead and storage capabilities. Knowing how to properly store and reheat it ensures you can enjoy a delicious breakfast without any last-minute hassle.
Storing: To keep your cooked sausage egg casserole fresh, allow it to cool completely after baking. Then, wrap the entire casserole dish tightly in plastic wrap or transfer individual slices into an airtight container. Store it in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Reheating the whole casserole: For the best results, reheat the entire pan in a preheated 300°F (150°C) oven for about 20 minutes, or until it’s heated through to your desired temperature. Covering it loosely with foil can help prevent the top from browning too much.
Reheating individual servings: If you’re just heating a single portion, slice a square and place it on a microwave-safe plate. Reheat in the microwave on high for about 30 seconds. If it’s still cold, continue heating in 15-second intervals until warmed through.
To freeze: This casserole is also freezer-friendly! After it has cooled completely to room temperature, slice it into individual portions. Store these pieces in a plastic, freezer-safe container. For best results and to prevent sticking, place a small piece of parchment or wax paper between each slice. This makes it easy to grab just one portion at a time. The casserole can be stored in the freezer for up to 2-3 months.
Thawing and reheating from frozen: For optimal texture, thaw the frozen casserole slices completely in the refrigerator overnight before reheating. Once thawed, reheat them using the methods described above for refrigerated portions (either in the oven or microwave). This ensures even heating and prevents a rubbery texture.
Festive Feasts: Must-Make Ideas for Christmas Breakfast
Make Christmas morning truly special by transforming breakfast into its own memorable celebration. With these Must-Make Christmas Breakfast Ideas, you can ensure a festive, fun, and delicious start to your holiday. From sweet to savory, these go-to breakfast recipes are designed to have a little something for everyone, making your holiday morning as joyful as it is delicious. Many of these options can also be prepared in advance, allowing you more time to enjoy the magic of Christmas with loved ones, rather than being stuck in the kitchen.
I genuinely hope this Sausage Egg Casserole becomes a cherished recipe in your home, just as it is in ours. Its simplicity and incredible flavor make it a true winner for any meal, any day of the week. If you decide to make this delightful casserole, I would absolutely love to see your creations! Be sure to snap a picture and share it with me, or tag me on Instagram @thebakermama. It brings me so much joy to witness how inspired and creative you all get with the recipes I share. Enjoy every hearty bite!
xoxo,
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Sausage Egg Casserole
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Author:
The BakerMama -
Prep Time:
10 minutes -
Cook Time:
35 minutes -
Total Time:
45 minutes -
Yield:
12 servings
Description
This Sausage Egg Casserole is an easy make-ahead breakfast that reheats in a snap. Protein-packed with eggs, sausage and cheese and loaded with fresh peppers, it’s a delicious way to start the day!
Ingredients
- 1 (16 ounce) package bulk pork sausage
- 1 medium white onion, diced
- 1 medium red bell pepper, diced (about ½ cup)
- 1 medium green bell pepper, diced (about ½ cup)
- 12 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper
- ¼ cup heavy cream
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Butter a 9×13-inch baking dish or pan and set aside.
- Spray a large saucepan with nonstick cooking spray and heat over medium-high heat. Add the sausage and crumble with a wooden spoon. Cook until browned, then drain any excess grease.
- Remove the cooked sausage from the skillet to the prepared baking dish. Add the diced onion and diced bell peppers to the hot skillet. Sauté until onion is translucent and peppers are tender, about 5 minutes. Add to the baking dish with the sausage.
- In a large mixing bowl, add the eggs, salt, pepper, crushed red pepper, and heavy cream. Whisk until thick and the eggs are pale yellow. Stir in the shredded cheese.
- Pour the egg mixture over the sausage, onions, and peppers in the baking dish and gently stir with a fork to combine.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes or until firm in the center and lightly golden.
Notes
Reheat the whole pan at 300°F (150°C) for 20 minutes. Or, heat individual squares in the microwave on high for 30 seconds.