Sausage and Egg Breakfast Casserole

This sausage and egg breakfast casserole is a hearty, cheesy, and comforting breakfast that’s easy to prepare for a family or weekend brunch. It combines savory breakfast sausage, fluffy eggs, melted cheddar cheese, and cubes of soft bread in one delicious baked casserole.

Everything comes together in a single baking dish, making this recipe especially convenient for busy mornings and holiday breakfasts. You can prepare it the night before, refrigerate it, and bake it the next morning.

Serve it with fresh fruit, coffee, or a simple green salad for a satisfying breakfast or brunch.

Why You’ll Love This Sausage and Egg Breakfast Casserole

Easy one-dish breakfast
Savory breakfast sausage
Fluffy baked eggs
Plenty of melted cheese
Great make-ahead recipe
Perfect for weekend brunch
Excellent for Christmas and holiday mornings
Family-friendly
Easy to customize
Great for meal prep

Ingredients

For the Breakfast Casserole

1 pound breakfast sausage
8 large eggs
2 cups whole milk
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
6 cups cubed day-old bread
2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

Optional Add-Ins

1/2 cup diced bell pepper
1/2 cup diced onion
1 cup fresh spinach
1/2 cup sliced mushrooms
Chopped green onions
Crumbled cooked bacon

How to Make Sausage and Egg Breakfast Casserole

1. Prepare the Oven

Preheat your oven to 350°F.

Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter or nonstick cooking spray.

2. Cook the Sausage

Heat a large skillet over medium heat.

Add the breakfast sausage and cook, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon.

Continue cooking until the sausage is browned and fully cooked.

Drain any excess grease.

Set the cooked sausage aside to cool slightly.

3. Prepare the Egg Mixture

Crack the eggs into a large mixing bowl.

Add the milk, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper.

Whisk until the eggs are completely combined and the mixture looks smooth.

4. Layer the Bread

Spread the cubed bread evenly across the bottom of the prepared baking dish.

Day-old bread works especially well because it absorbs the egg mixture without becoming overly mushy.

5. Add the Sausage

Scatter the cooked sausage evenly over the bread cubes.

Try to distribute it across the entire dish so every serving gets plenty of sausage.

6. Add the Cheese

Sprinkle the shredded cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese over the sausage.

You can reserve a small handful of cheese for the top.

7. Pour Over the Egg Mixture

Slowly pour the egg mixture evenly over the bread, sausage, and cheese.

Press a few pieces of bread gently into the liquid with the back of a spoon.

This helps the bread absorb the egg mixture.

8. Add Optional Vegetables

If using bell peppers, onions, spinach, or mushrooms, scatter them evenly over the casserole.

You can sauté firmer vegetables first for a softer texture.

9. Bake

Place the casserole in the preheated oven.

Bake uncovered for approximately 40 to 50 minutes.

The center should be set and the top should be golden brown.

If the top starts browning too quickly, loosely cover the casserole with foil during the final part of baking.

10. Rest Before Serving

Remove the casserole from the oven.

Allow it to rest for about 10 minutes before slicing.

This gives the eggs time to finish setting and makes the casserole easier to serve.

11. Garnish and Serve

Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley or green onions over the top.

Cut the casserole into squares and serve warm.

Can I Make This Breakfast Casserole the Night Before?

Yes.

This is one of the best features of this recipe.

Assemble the entire casserole, cover it tightly, and refrigerate overnight.

The bread will absorb the egg mixture while it rests.

In the morning, remove the casserole from the refrigerator while the oven preheats.

Because the casserole starts cold, it may require a few extra minutes in the oven.

What Kind of Sausage Should I Use?

Regular pork breakfast sausage works very well.

You can use mild, hot, or maple-flavored breakfast sausage depending on your preference.

Turkey or chicken breakfast sausage can also be used.

Can I Use Different Cheese?

Absolutely.

Cheddar is a classic choice, but you can also use:

Monterey Jack
Pepper Jack
Colby Jack
Swiss cheese
Mozzarella
Gruyère

For a little extra flavor, try combining sharp cheddar with Pepper Jack.

What Bread Is Best?

Day-old bread works best because it absorbs the egg mixture while maintaining some structure.

Good choices include:

French bread
Sourdough
Brioche
White sandwich bread
Italian bread
Texas toast

Avoid very fresh, soft bread because it can become too mushy.

Can I Add Vegetables?

Yes.

Vegetables are an easy way to customize this breakfast casserole.

Try:

Bell peppers
Onions
Spinach
Mushrooms
Broccoli
Tomatoes
Green onions

For vegetables that release a lot of moisture, sauté them first and drain excess liquid before adding them.

Easy Sausage and Egg Casserole Variations

Sausage and Pepper Breakfast Casserole

Add diced bell peppers and onions along with the sausage.

Spicy Sausage Breakfast Casserole

Use hot breakfast sausage and Pepper Jack cheese.

Bacon and Sausage Casserole

Add cooked crumbled bacon along with the sausage.

Sausage Spinach Breakfast Casserole

Add sautéed spinach for a simple vegetable variation.

Ham and Egg Breakfast Casserole

Replace the sausage with diced cooked ham.

Sausage Hash Brown Casserole

Replace the bread cubes with shredded hash browns for a different texture.

Western Breakfast Casserole

Add bell peppers, onions, cheddar cheese, and breakfast sausage.

How Do I Know When the Casserole Is Done?

The center should look set rather than liquid.

Gently shake the baking dish.

A properly baked casserole should have a slight movement but should not appear wet.

You can also insert a knife into the center. It should come out mostly clean.

Why Is My Breakfast Casserole Watery?

Excess moisture can come from vegetables, too much milk, or undercooking.

If you’re adding vegetables such as spinach, mushrooms, or peppers, cook them first and remove excess moisture.

Also allow the casserole to rest for several minutes after baking.

Can I Make This Without Bread?

Yes.

You can replace the bread with cooked hash browns or roasted potatoes.

For a low-carb version, simply add extra vegetables and sausage and omit the bread.

Can I Freeze Breakfast Casserole?

Yes.

Allow the baked casserole to cool completely.

Cut it into individual portions and wrap them tightly.

Place the portions in a freezer-safe container.

Freeze for up to 2 months.

Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat before serving.

How to Store Leftovers

Cover the casserole tightly and refrigerate.

Leftovers are best enjoyed within 3 to 4 days.

Reheat individual portions in the microwave or warm larger portions in a covered oven-safe dish.

What to Serve With Sausage and Egg Casserole

This casserole pairs well with:

Fresh strawberries
Blueberries
Orange slices
Fresh fruit salad
Avocado
Roasted potatoes
Green salad
Coffee
Orange juice

For a holiday brunch, serve it with fresh fruit and coffee for a simple complete meal.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use turkey sausage?

Yes. Turkey breakfast sausage is a good lighter alternative to pork sausage.

Can I use pre-cooked sausage?

Yes. Slice or crumble the cooked sausage and add it directly to the casserole.

Can I use frozen bread?

Thaw the bread completely before assembling the casserole.

Can I use half-and-half instead of milk?

Yes. Half-and-half will make the casserole richer and creamier.

Can I make this gluten-free?

Yes. Use your favorite gluten-free bread and check that all other ingredients are gluten-free.

Can I make individual breakfast casseroles?

Yes. Divide the ingredients among greased ramekins and reduce the baking time. Start checking them around 20–25 minutes.

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