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Make-Ahead Breakfast Casserole

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Make-Ahead Breakfast Casserole is loaded with sausage, cheese and eggs. Assemble it the night before for a simple, delicious breakfast in no time!

Casserole dish of make-ahead breakfast casserole on a gray counter with bacon and orange juice in the background

Everyone should have those go-recipes in their recipe box that are tried and true and can be depended on time and time again.

This Make-Ahead Breakfast Casserole is just that.

It’s perfect for Christmas morning, Sunday brunch, or a pot-luck.

Slice of make-ahead breakfast casserole next to a slice of bacon and fresh berries on a white plate. A casserole dish of more breakfast casserole is in the background

THE BEST MAKE-AHEAD BREAKFAST CASSEROLE FOR A CROWD

I first stumbled upon this recipe from Jimmy Dean years ago and clipped it from a magazine for my recipe binder. (That sentence makes me feel old.)

10-plus years later, it’s still one of my favorite breakfasts to share with a crowd.

When I was teaching, we often had early morning, potluck-style breakfast meetings on teacher work days.

Side view of a slice of breakfast casserole next to bacon and fresh berries on a white plate with a casserole dish in the background

We’d all bring a dish to share and this casserole was my go-to because it’s so easy, but it was always one of the first things to disappear.

Okay, the bacon was always the first thing to disappear, but this casserole was a close second.

Even though there are a number of potato breakfast casserole recipes out there, my Make-Ahead Breakfast Casserole is made with bread as the base along with the eggs. 

The bread soaks up the eggs overnight and it almost ends up like a savory French toast casserole. 

Overhead view of the ingredients for make-ahead breakfast casserole arranged on a gray countertop

HOW TO MAKE THIS BREAKFAST CASSEROLE

Making this Make-Ahead Breakfast Casserole is so easy, you can practically do it in your sleep.

All you need to do is cook the sausage, and then layer it into a baking dish with the cubed bread, cheese and veggies. I like to toast my bread while the sausage is cooking, but that’s completely optional.

Baking dish of make-ahead breakfast casserole on a wooden trivet with a plate of cooked bacon in the background

From there, just whisk together eggs with some milk and seasoning, and pour them over the rest of the casserole. After a rest in the fridge, it’s ready to bake.

When I was taking this to work, I would prep everything the night before, refrigerate it overnight and then pop it into the oven while I got ready for work.

I’d cover it with foil and it would still be piping hot by the time our meeting started.

Overhead view of cubed bread, cooked sausage, and diced red pepper in a baking dish for breakfast casserole

HOW TO CUSTOMIZE THIS RECIPE

In addition to the bread and eggs, I like to load up this breakfast casserole with sausage, cheese, and red bell peppers.

But you can totally customize it by adding in all sorts of vegetables like mushrooms, onions, jalapeno peppers, or tomatoes to make it even more flavorful.

Don’t like sausage? No problem! Try frying up a pound of bacon and crumbling it into the casserole instead. 

Close-up of overnight breakfast casserole in a white baking dish on a gray countertop

MORE MAKE-AHEAD BREAKFAST RECIPES

If you’re looking for more delicious make-ahead breakfast ideas, I’ve got ya covered.

Be sure to check out this Make-Ahead Banana Bread Coffee Cake , Baked Eggs and these Cranberry Orange Scones.

Overhead view of a baking dish of make-ahead breakfast casserole surrounded by cooked bacon, orange juice and fresh berries

You can also try making cinnamon rolls ahead! I love Overnight Toffee Cinnamon Rolls and Overnight Chai Spice Sweet Rolls.

And of course, there’s always granola. Whip up some Salted Dark Chocolate Granola ahead of time, and serve with berries, milk or yogurt in the morning.

Serve any of these make-ahead breakfast recipes with Make-Ahead Breakfast Casserole and spend the morning enjoying a feast, instead of cooking away in the kitchen.

Overhead view of a slice of make-ahead breakfast casserole, a piece of bacon, and fresh berries on a white plate set next to a fork
Side view of a slice of breakfast casserole next to bacon and fresh berries on a white plate with a casserole dish in the background

Make-Ahead Breakfast Casserole

Yield: 8 servings
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 55 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes

Make-Ahead Breakfast Casserole is loaded with sausage, cheese and eggs. Assemble it the night before for a simple, delicious breakfast in no time!

Ingredients

  • 1 (16 ounce) package pork sausage
  • 10 eggs, lightly beaten
  • 3 cups milk
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 6 cups cubed bread*
  • 2 cups shredded sharp Cheddar cheese
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 cup diced red pepper, optional
  • sliced green onion, optional

Instructions

  1. Butter a 9 x 13 x 2 inch casserole dish.
  2. In large skillet, cook sausage over medium-high heat, stirring frequently until thoroughly cooked and no longer pink.
  3. In large bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, and salt until thoroughly combined.
  4. Evenly distribute half the bread into the prepared casserole dish. Sprinkle with half the cheese, half the black pepper, half the red pepper, and half the sausage. Repeat layers.
  5. Pour egg mixture evenly over casserole.
  6. Cover and refrigerate overnight, or bake immediately.
  7. When you're ready to bake the casserole, preheat oven to 325 F. Bake uncovered for 55-60 minutes, or until eggs are set. If the top begins to brown too quickly, loosely cover the casserole dish with foil.
  8. If desired, sprinkle the casserole with sliced green onions. Serve warm.

Notes

*I toast my bread before incorporating it into the casserole, but this step is optional.

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Nutrition Information
Yield 8
Amount Per Serving Calories 471Total Fat 29gSaturated Fat 15gTrans Fat 1gUnsaturated Fat 11gCholesterol 301mgSodium 960mgCarbohydrates 22gFiber 1gSugar 3gProtein 29g

Did you make this recipe?

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Crysy

Thursday 3rd of March 2022

My grandma always made this when I was little. It always has been one of my favorite recipes. Thank you so much for sharing! Also, I make it with keto bread— toasted, and fairlife milk. It is equally as good if you are looking for a lower carb option.

Jamie

Tuesday 8th of March 2022

Great to hear that this works well with keto bread! Thank you for stopping by and sharing your feedback! -Jamie

Lauren Ruppert

Saturday 18th of December 2021

This was delicious and super easy to make. Perfect for appetizers

Jamie

Wednesday 22nd of December 2021

So happy to hear you enjoyed the casserole, Lauren! Thanks so much for stopping by and leaving your feedback. -Jamie

Kendra

Saturday 31st of July 2021

I made this today for my in laws that are visiting. I prepped everything last night, popped it in the oven this morning, and it was delicious! Super simple and delicious! I will definitely be making this again. Thank you for the delicious recipe!

Jamie

Sunday 1st of August 2021

So happy to hear you enjoyed the recipe, Kendra! Thanks so much for stopping by and leaving your feedback. -Jamie

Reshma Thomas

Saturday 20th of March 2021

Hi! Can I make this and keep it uncooked in the fridge for two nights before?

Jamie

Monday 22nd of March 2021

Hello! I honestly would only recommend refrigerating for one night.

Ariel

Sunday 25th of October 2020

Great recipe! I was looking for a base to experiment with for a guest who's vegan and gluten free. Replaced the milk, eggs, and sausage with plant based alternatives, bread with hash brown patties, and added onion and jalapeno--turned out delicious :) Definitely pocketing this for future brunches!! Rave reviews.

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