The Ultimate Makeahead Sausage Cheddar Egg Casserole
Table of Contents
Recipe Introduction
Quick Hook
Fancy a proper make-ahead egg casserole ? Honestly, this one's a game changer. It has rich sausage and cheddar flavors. This means less stress and more time to enjoy your brekkie, innit?
Brief Overview
This sausage egg casserole recipe is proper British inspired comfort food. Think full English breakfast, but in a casserole! It’s easy to make and perfect for a crowd.
Prep time is 20 minutes, chilling 30 minutes and cook time is under an hour. This recipe yields 8 hearty servings.
Main Benefits
Easy breakfast casserole recipes are life savers. This casserole is loaded with protein. It is perfect for a weekend brunch or a make-ahead brunch recipe for the holidays.
What makes this overnight casserole special? It's the ability to have a hot, delicious meal ready with minimal effort.
Why This Egg Casserole Rocks
This ain't your nan's bland egg dish, mind. I remember one Christmas, my aunt tried making a casserole. Oh my gosh, it was drier than the Sahara! That's why I've tweaked this recipe to be extra moist.
It's got milk and cream. It also chills overnight, so the bread soaks up all that flavour! Trust me, this breakfast casserole with bread is a winner.
Ingredients You'll Need
Here’s what you'll need for this hash browns sausage breakfast casserole :
- 1 pound breakfast sausage, removed from casings
- 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
- 1 green bell pepper, chopped
- 12 large eggs
- 1 ½ cups whole milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon dry mustard
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese, divided
- 4 slices day-old bread, cubed
- 2 tablespoons melted butter, for greasing the dish
See? Nothing too fancy. You probably have half of it already. This sausage and cheddar breakfast casserole will soon become your go-to. Now, let's move on to the cooking.
Ingredients & Equipment
Right then, let's talk about what you'll need to whip up this make-ahead egg casserole . Honestly, it's not rocket science, but having the right bits and bobs makes all the difference.
This sausage egg casserole recipe is really adaptable. The exact quantities aren't as important as the quality of the ingredients.
Main Ingredients: The Stars of the Show
- Breakfast sausage: 1 pound (450g) , removed from casings. Good quality sausage is key for flavour. Seriously, don't skimp here!
- Yellow onion: 1 medium , chopped. About 1 cup (150g) .
- Green bell pepper: 1 medium , chopped. Again, about 1 cup (150g) .
- Large eggs: 12 . Free range if you can, they just taste better.
- Whole milk: 1 ½ cups (360ml) . It adds richness.
- Heavy cream: 1 cup (240ml) . Don’t be shy!
- Dry mustard: 1 teaspoon (5ml) . This adds a subtle tang.
- Garlic powder: ½ teaspoon (2.5ml) . You know?
- Onion powder: ½ teaspoon (2.5ml) . Yep, both!
- Salt and pepper: To taste. Freshly ground pepper, always.
- Sharp cheddar cheese: 2 cups (225g) shredded, divided. A good strong cheddar is essential!
- Day-old bread: 4 slices , cubed. Stale bread is best.
- Unsalted butter: 2 tablespoons (30g) , melted. For greasing.
Seasoning Notes: The Flavor Boosters
For me a good breakfast casserole with bread is all about balance. A dash of dry mustard balances the richness.
Feel free to sub garlic granules if you're out of powder. For extra flavour, add a pinch of red pepper flakes.
Honestly, these easy breakfast casserole recipes are easily altered to suit any taste.
Essential Equipment: Keep it Simple
You don’t need a fancy kit. This is home cooking!
- 9x13 inch (23x33 cm) baking dish: Essential, obviously.
- Large skillet: For browning the sausage and veggies.
- Whisk: To combine the egg mixture.
- Mixing bowl: A big one, for all those eggs.
- Measuring cups and spoons: Get the ratios right.
Got no whisk? A fork works. Don't have a fancy baking dish? As long it is oven safe, any dish will work.
The point is to just make the make-ahead breakfast bake and don't worry about fancy things, it is all about having a good time.
The Ultimate make-ahead Sausage & Cheddar Egg Casserole (Good on Ya!)
Fancy a proper breakfast, but can't be arsed in the morning? This make-ahead egg casserole is your new best mate.
It’s like a full English breakfast in one dish! Sausage, cheddar, eggs what's not to love? Plus, it's dead easy.
This recipe for the best Sausage egg casserole recipe is brilliant. Honestly, prepping it the night before is a game changer.
Perfect for a lazy Sunday brunch.
Prep Like a Pro: Your Mise en Place
First things first: get organized! Chop the onion and bell pepper. Dice your bread into cubes. Grate that cheddar! Make sure your 9x13 inch baking dish is greased up.
Melt 2 tablespoons of butter and slap it all over the inside of the dish. Nobody likes a stuck casserole! This is essential mise en place .
step-by-step to Casserole Bliss
Ready to get cooking? Here's how:
- Brown 1 pound of sausage. Break it up in a pan over medium heat. Drain that grease, nobody wants a soggy bottom!
- Sauté 1 chopped onion and 1 chopped green pepper with the sausage. Cook for 5- 7 minutes , until soft.
- Whisk 12 large eggs , 1 ½ cups milk , 1 cup cream , 1 teaspoon dry mustard , ½ teaspoon garlic powder , ½ teaspoon onion powder , salt, and pepper in a bowl.
- Layer 4 slices cubed bread , sausage mixture, and 1 ½ cups cheddar in the greased dish. Pour egg mixture over the top. This Breakfast Casserole With Bread is taking shape!
- Cover and chill for at least 30 minutes (or Overnight Casserole is even better!).
- Preheat oven to 350° F ( 175° C) . Sprinkle remaining ½ cup cheddar on top.
- Bake for 45- 55 minutes , until golden and set. A knife should come out clean.
Pro Tips for a Top-Notch Casserole
Want to elevate your Easy Breakfast Casserole Recipes ? Use day-old bread it soaks up the egg better. If the top is browning too fast, tent it with foil for the last 15 minutes .
Also, chilling is key! The longer it sits, the better it gets. You can prep this as a make-ahead breakfast bake the night before, giving all the flavours time to meld.
Speaking of flavours, you can easily adapt this into a Hash Brown Sausage Egg Casserole , just add hash browns to the base.
It's a great option if you are looking for make-ahead brunch recipes .
Recipe Notes
Right, before you get stuck in, here are a few extra bits and bobs to make your make-ahead egg casserole truly tip-top.
Think of these as little cheats to make your brekkie bake even better. Honestly, these tips have saved my bacon (pun intended!) more than once.
Plating Like a Pro & Perfect Pairings
Fancy it up, yeah? A dollop of sour cream and a sprinkle of fresh chives will do the trick. Serve each slice with a side of fresh fruit.
Berries are always a winner! Or a simple green salad cuts through the richness nicely. A glass of bubbly (Prosecco or Cava, if you're feeling flash) makes it a proper make-ahead brunch recipes affair.
A good strong cuppa never goes amiss, mind.
Storage Savvy: Keep It Fresh, Keep It Real
If you've got leftovers (unlikely, but stranger things have happened), bung them in the fridge. They'll keep for about 3 days in an airtight container.
Want to freeze it? Cut the cooled casserole into individual portions. Wrap them tightly in cling film, then foil. It’ll last for up to 2 months.
Defrost overnight in the fridge, and reheat in the oven at 300° F ( 150° C) until piping hot. Microwave works too, but the texture might be a tad rubbery.
Cracking Variations: Spice It Up, or Veg Out
Fancy a veggie version? No worries! Just ditch the sausage and load up on sautéed mushrooms, spinach, and roasted red peppers.
For a bit of a kick, add a pinch of red pepper flakes or use a spicy chorizo instead of breakfast sausage.
If you want a lighter egg casserole with vegetables, use skimmed milk. You can swap some of the cheese for extra veg.
The breakfast casserole with bread can easily becomes something for every taste.
Nutrition Nitty Gritty: Goodness Inside
This sausage egg casserole recipe is packed with protein and energy. This makes it ideal for a filling breakfast or brunch.
One serving clocks in at roughly 450 calories. It gives you 25g of protein, 30g of fat, and 15g of carbs.
Plus, you are getting calcium from the cheese and milk. This hash brown sausage egg casserole will keep you going for hours.
This make-ahead breakfast bake is dead easy to make, right? It’s the perfect overnight casserole that’ll impress your mates and family.
Give this hash browns sausage breakfast casserole a go. You'll wonder why you haven't made it sooner. Honestly!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I really make this make-ahead egg casserole the night before? Is it safe?
Absolutely! That's the beauty of it. The overnight chill allows the bread to soak up all that lovely egg custard, resulting in a richer, more flavourful bake. Just ensure it's properly covered and refrigerated, and it's perfectly safe to bake the next day.
Think of it as giving all those flavours a chance to properly get to know each other overnight.
What if I don't have day-old bread for my make-ahead egg casserole? Will fresh bread work?
While day-old bread is ideal because it soaks up the egg mixture without becoming soggy, fresh bread can work in a pinch. Consider lightly toasting the fresh bread cubes in the oven before adding them to the casserole. This will help them dry out slightly and prevent them from turning to mush.
It's a bit like giving your bread a quick "hardening off" period, just like you would when potting seedlings.
I'm not a fan of sausage, can I substitute it in this make-ahead egg casserole?
Of course, you can! This recipe is very flexible. Diced ham, crispy bacon, or even leftover roasted chicken would be excellent substitutes. If you're vegetarian, consider using plant based sausage or adding sautéed mushrooms, spinach, and roasted red peppers.
Think of it as putting your own "stamp" on the recipe, just like customising your own builder's tea.
How long does make-ahead egg casserole last in the fridge once baked, and how should I store it?
Once baked, your egg casserole will keep well in the fridge for 3-4 days. Allow it to cool completely before covering it tightly with foil or transferring it to an airtight container.
When reheating, you can microwave individual portions or warm it up in the oven at a low temperature (around 300°F/150°C) until heated through. This is a great way to make sure that nothing is going to waste - just like how nothing goes to waste in a proper Sunday Roast!
Can I freeze leftover make-ahead egg casserole?
Yes, you can freeze it! For best results, cut the cooled casserole into individual portions, wrap them tightly in plastic wrap, and then place them in a freezer bag. It can be stored for up to 2-3 months. When you're ready to enjoy it, thaw it overnight in the fridge and then reheat as mentioned above.
Think of it like saving a slice of Christmas cake for a rainy day!
The Ultimate Makeahead Sausage Cheddar Egg Casse
Ingredients:
Instructions:
Nutrition Facts:
| Calories | 450 calories |
|---|---|
| Fat | 30g |
| Fiber | 15g |