This easy Breakfast Casserole recipe is the ultimate solution for a stress-free, crowd-pleasing morning meal. Forget juggling multiple pans and complicated timings; this all-in-one dish combines savory sausage, fluffy eggs, sharp cheddar cheese, and hearty bread into a single, delicious bake. It’s the perfect make-ahead meal for holidays, family gatherings, or a simple, satisfying weekend brunch. If you’re searching for a reliable and incredibly tasty Breakfast Casserole, you’ve found it.
Why This Will Be Your Go-To Breakfast Casserole
We designed this recipe to be foolproof and endlessly customizable. It strikes the perfect balance of textures and flavors—crispy on top, custardy in the center, and packed with savory goodness. It’s a complete meal that comes together with minimal effort, freeing up your morning to enjoy a cup of coffee and the company of your loved ones.
Make-Ahead Friendly: Assemble it the night before and simply bake it in the morning.
Feeds a Crowd: Easily serves 8-10 people, making it perfect for guests.
Completely Customizable: Swap out the meat, cheese, or bread to make it your own.
Simple Ingredients: Made with easy-to-find pantry and refrigerator staples.
The Core Ingredients for Success
The beauty of this cheesy Breakfast Casserole lies in its simplicity. You only need a handful of basic ingredients to create a truly spectacular dish.
Key Components:
Sausage: A one-pound roll of ground breakfast sausage provides the savory, flavorful base.
Eggs: The heart of the casserole, creating a rich, fluffy, and custardy texture.
Bread: Use day-old, sturdy bread like sourdough or French bread. This prevents the casserole from becoming soggy. If you love baking, a homemade loaf like our Amish White Bread is a fantastic option.
Cheese: Sharp cheddar cheese provides the best flavor, but feel free to use a mix of your favorites.
Milk & Seasonings: Whole milk creates a richer custard, while simple seasonings like dry mustard, salt, and pepper elevate the flavors.
Perfectly baked and ready to serve.
How to Make the Perfect Breakfast Casserole: A Step-by-Step Guide
Making this dish is as simple as browning, mixing, and baking. Follow these steps for guaranteed success.
Cook the Sausage: In a large skillet, cook the ground sausage over medium-high heat until it’s browned and crumbled. Drain off any excess grease.
Prepare the Base: Spread the cubed bread evenly in the bottom of a greased 9×13 inch baking dish. Top with the cooked sausage and half of the shredded cheese.
Mix the Egg Custard: In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, dry mustard, salt, and pepper until smooth and well-combined.
Combine and Chill (Optional): Pour the egg mixture evenly over the bread and sausage. Sprinkle the remaining cheese on top. For the best results, cover the dish and refrigerate it overnight. This allows the bread to fully absorb the custard.
Bake to Perfection: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the casserole uncovered for 45-55 minutes, or until the center is set (a knife inserted comes out clean) and the top is golden brown and bubbly. Let it rest for 10 minutes before slicing and serving.
Pro Tips for a Flawless Casserole
Want to avoid common pitfalls? These expert tips ensure your Breakfast Casserole turns out perfectly every single time.
Use Dry Bread: Stale, day-old bread is crucial. It absorbs the egg mixture without turning mushy, providing the perfect structure. If your bread is fresh, cube it and toast it lightly in the oven for 10-15 minutes.
Don’t Skip the Rest: Letting the casserole rest for 10 minutes after baking allows it to set, making it much easier to slice and serve clean portions.
Bring to Room Temp: If you’re baking it straight from the fridge, let it sit on the counter for 20-30 minutes while the oven preheats. This ensures more even baking.
Look at those fluffy, cheesy layers!
Easy Breakfast Casserole Variations
This recipe is a fantastic template. Use it as a starting point and get creative with different flavor combinations.
Different Meats: Try cooked and crumbled bacon, diced ham, or even chorizo for a spicy kick. For a unique twist, consider using the sausage from these cinnamon roll sausage wraps.
Change the Cheese: A mix of Monterey Jack and cheddar adds a nice melt, while Gruyère or Swiss can lend a nutty, sophisticated flavor.
Potato Base: For a different texture, substitute the bread with a layer of frozen hashbrowns or tater tots, similar to a classic Tater Tot Casserole.
Make-Ahead, Storage, and Freezing Instructions
Make-Ahead (Overnight)
This is the ideal overnight breakfast casserole. Simply assemble the entire dish as directed, cover it tightly with plastic wrap or foil, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. The next morning, just pop it in the preheated oven. You may need to add 5-10 minutes to the baking time.
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftover casserole in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat individual slices in the microwave or in the oven until warmed through.
Freezing Instructions
This casserole freezes beautifully! You can freeze it baked or unbaked.
Unbaked: Assemble the casserole in a freezer-safe dish, cover it tightly with layers of plastic wrap and foil, and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw it overnight in the refrigerator before baking as directed.
Baked: Let the baked casserole cool completely. You can freeze the entire dish or individual portions. Wrap tightly and freeze for up to 3 months. Reheat from frozen in a 350°F oven until hot and bubbly.
The key is to use day-old, stale bread. The dry bread soaks up the egg mixture without becoming mushy. If your bread is fresh, cube it and toast it in a 350°F oven for 10-15 minutes to dry it out before assembling.
Absolutely! This recipe is perfect for making ahead. Assemble the entire casserole, cover it tightly, and refrigerate it overnight. This allows the bread to fully absorb the custard, resulting in a better texture. Simply bake it in the morning.
If you want a bread-free option, you can substitute the bread with a layer of frozen hashbrowns, tater tots, or even cooked sweet potatoes. This creates a delicious, gluten-free alternative with a different texture.
The casserole is done when the top is golden brown and bubbly, and the center is set. To check for doneness, insert a knife into the center of the casserole. If it comes out clean, it’s ready. If it comes out wet, it needs a few more minutes in the oven.
A breakfast casserole is a hearty meal on its own, but it pairs wonderfully with fresh fruit salad, yogurt, or a simple green salad with a light vinaigrette. For a larger brunch, you could also serve it alongside muffins or scones.
The Perfect Start to Any Day
This simple, delicious Breakfast Casserole is more than just a recipe—it’s a tradition in the making. It’s the perfect dish for creating warm memories around the breakfast table. Give it a try, and don’t forget to share your creations and save the recipe to your favorite board on Pinterest!
The only Breakfast Casserole recipe you'll ever need!
Breakfast Casserole Recipe
FL Recipes
Breakfast Casserole: The Ultimate Easy & Cheesy Recipe
The ultimate Breakfast Casserole recipe! This make-ahead dish is packed with savory sausage, eggs, and cheese. It's the perfect easy, crowd-pleasing breakfast for holidays or lazy weekends. Foolproof, customizable, and absolutely delicious every time.
6cupsday-old bread, cubedSturdy bread like sourdough or French bread works best
10large eggs
3cupswhole milk
2cupsshredded sharp cheddar cheese, divided
1tspdry mustard powder
1tspsalt
1/2tspblack pepper
Equipment
1 9x13 inch Baking Dish
1 Large Skillet
1 Large Mixing Bowl
Method
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9x13 inch baking dish. In a large skillet, cook the ground sausage over medium-high heat until browned. Drain excess grease.
Place the cubed bread in an even layer in the prepared baking dish. Top with the cooked sausage and 1 cup of the shredded cheese.
In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, dry mustard powder, salt, and pepper until fully combined.
Pour the egg mixture evenly over the layers in the baking dish. Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of cheese on top. For best results, cover and refrigerate overnight, or for at least 4 hours.
If refrigerated, let the dish sit at room temperature for 20 minutes before baking. Bake uncovered for 45-55 minutes, until the center is set and the top is golden brown.
Let the casserole rest for 10 minutes before slicing and serving warm.
Hi, I’m Emily Carter, and welcome to FL Recipes! I share simple, healthy recipes that make cooking easy, fun, and delicious for everyone. more about me »
