Imagine a Christmas morning free from kitchen stress, filled with cozy moments and the irresistible aroma of a perfectly baked breakfast. This ultimate Christmas Breakfast Casserole is the secret to a relaxed and delicious holiday celebration. It’s a savory, cheesy, and completely satisfying dish that you assemble the night before, so all you have to do in the morning is pop it in the oven. It’s the perfect solution for feeding a family, leaving you more time for opening presents and making memories.
This recipe combines savory sausage, fluffy eggs, sharp cheddar cheese, and hearty bread into one glorious dish. It’s incredibly simple to prepare but delivers a truly impressive result that will have everyone asking for the recipe. Let’s make this your new holiday tradition!
Why This Is the Perfect Christmas Morning Breakfast
There are countless reasons to love this Christmas Breakfast Casserole, but a few stand out. First and foremost is the make-ahead convenience. Preparing it on Christmas Eve takes all the pressure off your morning. Secondly, it’s a complete meal in one dish, packed with protein and carbs to fuel a full day of festivities. Finally, it’s endlessly customizable, so you can easily adapt it to your family’s preferences.
Assembled and ready for its overnight rest. The magic happens in the fridge!
Key Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe uses simple, easy-to-find ingredients to create a truly spectacular breakfast.
Sausage: A one-pound roll of breakfast sausage provides the savory, flavorful base.
Bread: Day-old bread is essential. Sourdough, French bread, or brioche works beautifully as it soaks up the egg mixture without becoming mushy.
Eggs: The foundation of our custard base. You’ll need a dozen large eggs.
Milk & Heavy Cream: A combination of whole milk and heavy cream creates a rich, tender custard.
Cheese: Sharp cheddar cheese is classic, but a mix of cheddar and Monterey Jack adds a wonderful meltiness.
Seasonings: Simple seasonings like dry mustard powder, salt, pepper, and a pinch of paprika are all you need to enhance the flavors.
Vegetables: Diced onion and bell peppers add flavor and texture, but are optional.
Step-by-Step Instructions For Christmas Breakfast Casserole
Follow these simple steps to assemble your casserole the night before for a stress-free Christmas morning.
Step 1: Prepare the Base
Start by browning the sausage in a large skillet over medium-high heat, breaking it apart with a spoon as it cooks. If you’re using onions or peppers, add them to the skillet with the sausage and cook until softened. Once the sausage is cooked through, drain any excess grease and set it aside.
Step 2: Layer the Ingredients
Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish. Arrange the cubed, day-old bread in an even layer across the bottom of the dish. Sprinkle the cooked sausage mixture evenly over the bread, followed by a generous, even layer of shredded cheddar cheese. This layering technique ensures every bite is packed with flavor.
Look at those fluffy, cheesy layers! Every bite is pure comfort.
Step 3: The Overnight Soak (The Secret to Success!)
In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, heavy cream, dry mustard, salt, pepper, and paprika until smooth and well combined. Pour this egg mixture evenly over the layers in the baking dish. Gently press down on the bread with a spatula to ensure it’s fully submerged and can absorb the custard. Cover the dish tightly with plastic wrap or foil and refrigerate for at least 8 hours, or overnight. This resting period is crucial for the best texture!
Step 4: Baking to Golden Perfection
The next morning, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Remove the casserole from the refrigerator and let it sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes. Bake, uncovered, for 50-60 minutes, or until the center is set (a knife inserted in the center comes out clean) and the top is golden brown and puffy. Let it rest for 10 minutes before slicing and serving.
Pro Tips for the Best Breakfast Casserole
Use Day-Old Bread: Stale, dry bread is key to avoiding a soggy casserole. It absorbs the egg mixture much better than fresh bread.
Don’t Skip the Rest: The overnight refrigeration is essential. It allows the bread to fully soak up the custard, resulting in a perfectly tender and cohesive casserole.
Bring to Room Temp: Letting the casserole sit on the counter for 30 minutes before baking helps it cook more evenly.
Cheese is Key: Grate your own cheese! Pre-shredded cheese is often coated in anti-caking agents that prevent it from melting as smoothly.
Fun Variations to Try
While this classic sausage version is a hit, feel free to get creative! Here are a few ideas:
Bacon & Swiss: Swap the sausage for crispy bacon and the cheddar for Swiss cheese.
Ham & Gruyere: Use diced ham and nutty Gruyere for a sophisticated twist.
Vegetarian: Omit the meat and load it up with sautéed mushrooms, spinach, and bell peppers.
Spicy Chorizo: For a kick of heat, use chorizo instead of breakfast sausage and add a pinch of chili powder to the egg mixture. Looking for another spicy recipe? Try these delicious pickled habanero peppers.
This Christmas Breakfast Casserole is a star on its own, but it also pairs wonderfully with fresh fruit, a dollop of sour cream, or a drizzle of maple syrup for a sweet and savory contrast. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Simply reheat individual slices in the microwave or oven for a quick and easy breakfast.
Absolutely! This recipe is specifically designed to be prepared the night before. Chilling it overnight allows the bread to soak up the egg custard, which results in a perfectly tender texture and is essential for the best flavor.
The key to preventing a soggy casserole is using day-old, dry bread. Stale bread has less moisture and can absorb the egg mixture without turning mushy. Also, ensure you’re using the right ratio of liquid to bread.
Sturdy, crusty breads like sourdough, French bread, or brioche are excellent choices. They hold their shape well after soaking in the egg mixture. Avoid standard soft sandwich bread, as it can become too soft.
Yes, you can freeze it. For best results, assemble the casserole but do not bake it. Cover it tightly with both plastic wrap and foil and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw it in the refrigerator overnight before baking as directed.
This casserole is a complete meal, but it pairs wonderfully with a fresh fruit salad, yogurt, or a side of crispy hash browns. For a festive touch, serve it with a glass of orange juice or a holiday mimosa.
More Holiday Recipes You’ll Love
We hope you love this easy Christmas Breakfast Casserole as much as we do. It’s a foolproof recipe that takes the stress out of holiday entertaining. If you make it, we’d love to see! Share your creations and be sure to follow us on Pinterest for more delicious inspiration. Happy holidays!
The secret to a perfect Christmas morning? This make-ahead breakfast casserole!
Christmas Breakfast Casserole Recipe
FL Recipes
Christmas Breakfast Casserole (The Ultimate Make-Ahead Recipe)
This Christmas Breakfast Casserole is the ultimate make-ahead holiday breakfast! Savory sausage, eggs, cheese, and bread are combined and chilled overnight for a stress-free and delicious Christmas morning meal that the whole family will love.
1loafday-old bread (sourdough or French bread recommended)cubed into 1-inch pieces
12large eggs
2cupswhole milk
1cupheavy cream
2cupsshredded sharp cheddar cheesedivided
1tspdry mustard powder
1tspsalt
1/2tspblack pepper
1/4tsppaprika
Equipment
1 9x13 inch Baking Dish
1 Large Skillet
1 Large Mixing Bowl
Method
In a large skillet, cook the breakfast sausage over medium-high heat until browned, breaking it apart with a spoon. Drain off any excess grease.
Grease a 9x13 inch baking dish. Spread the cubed bread in an even layer on the bottom. Top with the cooked sausage and 1 1/2 cups of the shredded cheddar cheese.
In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, heavy cream, dry mustard, salt, pepper, and paprika until well combined.
Pour the egg mixture evenly over the ingredients in the baking dish. Gently press down to ensure the bread is saturated. Cover and refrigerate for at least 8 hours or overnight.
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Remove the casserole from the fridge and let it stand for 30 minutes. Uncover and sprinkle with the remaining 1/2 cup of cheese. Bake for 50-60 minutes, until the center is set and the top is golden brown.
Let the casserole rest for 10 minutes before slicing and serving warm.
Nutrition
Calories: 450kcalProtein: 23gFat: 32gFiber: 1g
Notes
Tip 1: Using day-old, stale bread is the most important step to prevent a soggy casserole. Tip 2: Feel free to add 1 cup of sautéed onions and bell peppers with the sausage for extra flavor. Tip 3: Grate your own cheese for the best melting results.
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 »
