Sausage Breakfast Casserole

This sausage breakfast casserole is a warm and savory dish that brings together all your morning favorites in one pan. It features layers of bread, seasoned pork sausage, and sharp cheddar cheese, all held together by a creamy egg custard.

The best part is that you can assemble it the night before. This makes it a convenient choice for holiday mornings, weekend brunch, or any time you want a satisfying breakfast without a lot of early morning work. It bakes in about an hour, filling your kitchen with a wonderful aroma.

Why will you love Sausage Breakfast Casserole?

Layering the ingredients, starting with bread, ensures the base soaks up the rich egg mixture for a consistent, tender texture throughout.

Chilling the casserole for at least an hour (or overnight) is key. This step allows the bread to absorb the custard, preventing a dry bottom and a runny top.

Using condensed soup adds creaminess and a savory depth of flavor to the egg custard with minimal effort.

Sausage Breakfast Casserole Ingredients

• Pork Sausage: You can use mild or hot Italian sausage, or a classic breakfast sausage. If using links, remove the casings before cooking.

• Bread: A hearty white or sourdough bread works well. Day-old bread is ideal as it absorbs more liquid without becoming mushy.

• Cheese: Sharp Cheddar provides a nice flavor, but you can substitute it with Monterey Jack, Colby, or a Mexican cheese blend.

• Cream of Mushroom Soup: For a different flavor, try condensed cream of chicken or cream of celery soup.

Exact quantities are in the recipe card below.

How to Make Sausage Breakfast Casserole

Step 1: Prepare the Base and Filling

First, grease your baking dish and arrange the bread cubes inside. In a skillet, cook the ground sausage with the diced red bell pepper until the meat is browned. Drain the fat and spoon this mixture over the bread.

Step 2: Mix the Custard and Assemble

In a large bowl, whisk the eggs, milk, and condensed soup. Stir in most of the cheddar cheese and the black pepper. Pour this liquid mixture evenly over the layers in the baking dish and top with the last bit of cheese.

Step 3: Chill for the Best Texture

Cover the assembled casserole and place it in the refrigerator. Let it chill for at least one hour or, for best results, overnight. This step is important for allowing the bread to soak up the egg custard.

Step 4: Bake and Serve

When you are ready to eat, bake the uncovered casserole in a preheated oven until it’s puffed, golden, and set in the center. Let it rest for a few minutes before slicing to help it hold its shape.

What to Serve with Sausage Breakfast Casserole

This casserole is a complete meal on its own, but it also pairs nicely with a fresh fruit salad or a simple green salad with a light vinaigrette.

Helpful Tricks for Sausage Breakfast Casserole

Food Safety: Ensure the casserole is cooked to a safe internal temperature of 160°F (71°C) as it contains ground meat and eggs.

Make-Ahead: This dish is designed to be prepared in advance. Chilling it overnight allows the bread to fully absorb the egg custard, resulting in a better texture.

Bread Choice: Using slightly stale or toasted bread helps prevent the casserole from becoming soggy.

Variations: Feel free to add other cooked vegetables like sautéed onions or mushrooms with the sausage.

How to Store and Freeze Sausage Breakfast Casserole

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, place a slice in the microwave or in an oven-safe dish covered with foil and bake at 350°F (175°C) until warmed through. The casserole can also be frozen for up to 2 months.

Sausage Breakfast Casserole Recipe FAQs

Can I use different vegetables?

Yes, this recipe is very flexible. You can add about 1 cup of other cooked vegetables, such as sautéed mushrooms, onions, or well-drained spinach, along with the sausage.

Why was my breakfast casserole soggy?

A soggy casserole can happen if the bread was too fresh, or if the casserole wasn’t baked long enough for the egg custard to fully set. Using stale or lightly toasted bread and baking until a knife comes out clean will help.

Can I make this without condensed soup?

Yes. You can omit the soup and increase the milk to 2 1/2 cups. You may want to add more seasonings, like 1/2 teaspoon each of onion powder, garlic powder, and dry mustard, to make up for the lost flavor.

Sausage Breakfast Casserole

A savory make-ahead casserole with sausage, bread, and cheese baked in a creamy egg custard.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 1 hour hr 5 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr 25 minutes mins

Course Breakfast

Cuisine American

Servings 8

Ingredients

  

• 1 lb ground pork sausage 450 g
• 1 medium red bell pepper finely diced
• 8 slices hearty white bread cut into 1-inch cubes, about 6 cups
• 6 large eggs
• 1 1/2 cups whole milk 360 ml
• 1 can condensed cream of mushroom soup 10.5 oz / 298 g
• 1 1/2 cups shredded sharp Cheddar cheese divided, 170 g
• 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
• Butter or cooking spray for greasing the dish
• Chopped green onions for garnish, optional

Instructions

 

• Grease a 13x9-inch baking dish. Spread the bread cubes in an even layer on the bottom.
• In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the sausage and diced red bell pepper until the sausage is browned and cooked through, about 8-10 minutes. Use a spoon to break up the meat as it cooks. Drain off any excess fat.
• Spoon the cooked sausage and pepper mixture evenly over the bread cubes in the baking dish.
• In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, condensed soup, and black pepper until well combined. Stir in 1 cup of the shredded cheddar cheese.
• Pour the egg mixture evenly over the sausage and bread layers. Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of cheese on top.
• Cover the dish with plastic wrap or a lid and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or overnight.
• When ready to bake, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Remove the cover from the baking dish.
• Bake for 50-55 minutes, or until the center is set and the top is golden brown. The casserole is done when a knife inserted into the center comes out clean and the internal temperature reaches 160°F (71°C).
• Let the casserole rest for 10 minutes before slicing and serving. Garnish with chopped green onions, if desired.

Notes

Food Safety: Ensure the casserole is cooked to a safe internal temperature of 160°F (71°C) as it contains ground meat and eggs.

Make-Ahead: This dish is designed to be prepared in advance. Chilling it overnight allows the bread to fully absorb the egg custard, resulting in a better texture.

Bread Choice: Using slightly stale or toasted bread helps prevent the casserole from becoming soggy.

Variations: Feel free to add other cooked vegetables like sautéed onions or mushrooms with the sausage.

Keyword Brunch, Casserole, Make-ahead, sausage, sausage breakfast casserole