If there's one dish that screams Christmas morning, it's this Sausage Breakfast Casserole. It is warm, cheesy, and easy to prep ahead, so you can spend more time with family and less time in the kitchen. We call it our Christmas Casserole because it has been a staple in our holiday traditions for years.
Whether you are hosting guests or feeding a hungry crowd after presents, this hearty breakfast bake delivers big flavor with little fuss!
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Why you'll love this Sausage Breakfast Casserole
- Perfect for Christmas & Holidays - the aroma fills your home while gifts are being unwrapped.
- You can prep the night before - I love to assemble the night before, so it is ready to bake in the morning!
- Feeds a crowd - This is perfect for a big family or a holiday brunch
- Customizable - You can suit your taste by swapping some ingredients.
Ingredients
To make your Christmas Casserole, you will need:
- Breakfast Sausage - Savory, hearty, and the star of the casserole
- White Bread - soft cubes that will soak up all the goodness
- Whole Milk - Makes the Casserole rich, creamy, and comforting
- White Pepper - Mild heat
- Mustard Powder - A subtle ingredient that really boosts the flavor
- Cheddar Cheese - Melty, cheesy magic in every bite
ProTip: Freshly grated cheese melts so much better, and it is more cost-efficient!!
Serving Ideas
How to serve Sausage Breakfast Casserole
Keep It Simple
Sometimes classic is best. Serve this casserole warm with:
- Fresh Fruit or a Fruit Salad on the side
- Toast, Biscuits, or crescent rolls
- Coffee, juice, or hot cocoa
Creative ways to Serve it
- Salsa or hot sauce on top for a little kick
- Cinnamon rolls for a sweet and savory combo
- Roasted breakfast potatoes or crispy hashbrowns
- Serve our Biscuit and Gravy Casserole alongside it!
Instructions
Let's make Sausage Breakfast Casserole!
Before we begin: This casserole recipe was designed to be prepped the night before you eat. That way, you can wake up and toss it in the oven, and focus more on who you are sharing the meal with than being stuck in the kitchen.
- Brown and drain breakfast sausage, and let it cool once the meat is cooked.
- Spray a 9 x 13 baking dish with oil. Cut the crust off the white bread with a serrated-edge knife. Cube up bread or tear apart into 2-inch cubes and spread around your oiled baking dish.
- Crack eggs and whisk them well. Mix in milk, white pepper, and mustard powder. Set aside.
- Spread out cooked sausage over your bread in the baking dish. Top this with cheese. Pour egg mixture over the whole baking dish, cover, and place in the refrigerator overnight.
- Cook the casserole (uncovered) the next day for 45 minutes at 325℉ in the oven.
Equipment and Supplies
This recipe is easy to make with just the right tools! Here are some items I use and trust.
- 9 x 13 baking dish - where all the breakfast magic comes together
- Cheese Grater - For fresh, melty cheese
- Measuring Cups - to keep everything balanced
- Meat Chopper -makes breaking up the sausage quick and easy
- Serrated Edge Knife - for slicing right through that bread
- Whisk - brings the eggs and milk together
Substitutions & Additions
This sausage breakfast casserole is easy to customize based on what you already have on hand.
Substitutions
- Sausage - you could swap breakfast sausage for turkey sausage, ham, or cooked bacon
- Bread - use sourdough, leftover dinner rolls, or crescents
- Milk - whole milk works best, but 2% or half-and-half can be used.
- Cheese - try Colby Jack, Monterey Jack, or Pepper Jack (for some spice)
Add-ins
- Veggies - bell peppers, onions, spinach, or mushrooms
- Heat - red pepper flakes, jalapeños, or hot sausage
- Extra flavor - Garlic powder, onion powder, or a pinch of paprika
Storing Leftovers
In the fridge
Let the casserole cool completely, then store leftovers in an airtight container. You can keep it refrigerated for up to 4 days.
Freezing Instructions
To freeze, wrap individual portions or the entire casserole tightly with plastic wrap and foil. Freeze for up to 3 months. For best results, thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Reheating for best results
- Oven - Reheat covered at 325°F until warmed through
- Microwave - Heat individual portions in 30 -60 second intervals.
ProTip: For best results, avoid overheating and add a light cover to keep it from drying out.
Video of Recipe
Recipe
Sausage Breakfast Casserole
Equipment
- 1 Oven
- 1 9 x 13 Baking Dish
- 1 Skillet
Ingredients
- 2 lbs Breakfast Sausage
- 15 Slices White Bread
- 6 Eggs
- 3 Cups Whole Milk or 2%
- 1 teaspoon White Pepper
- 1 teaspoon Mustard Powder
- 4 Cups Cheddar Cheese shredded
Instructions
- Brown and drain breakfast sausage and let cool once the meat cooked.
- Spray 9 x 13 baking dish with oil. Cut crust off the white bread with a serrated edge knife. Cube up bread or tear apart into 2 inch size cubes and spread around your oiled baking dish.
- Crack eggs and whisk them well. Mix in milk, white pepper, and mustard powder. Set aside.
- Spread out cooked sausage over your bread in the baking dish. Top this with cheese. Pour egg mixture over the whole baking dish, cover and place in refrigerator over night.
- Cook casserole (uncovered) the next day for 45 minutes at 325℉ in the oven.
- Cut into squares. Serve and enjoy!
Video
Nutrition
Frequently Asked Questions
No, but I do recommend it. When you let it sit, it allows the bread to soak up all the egg mixture, giving you the best texture and flavor.
The center should be set and no longer jiggly, with a lightly golden top. When you insert a knife in the middle, the knife should come out mostly clean.
Do not let the casserole sit out longer than 2 hours if indoors. Play it safe and stick the casserole in the fridge when cooled to reheat each serving.
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Todd Baker says
This recipe is awesome and I know this because it’s almost identical (black pepper vs. white pepper) to my mother’s! We also had this every Christmas and Thanksgiving morning. I’ve made it a dozen times for friends as well. Thanks for adding it to your website and book!
Everyone should try this.
CookitwithTim says
Glad you love it and it brings back good memories! Let me know what other recipes you've tried.
Vicki Cotie says
I didn't try it yet but want to know why the recipe called for 6 eggs and you made it with 9.
CookitwithTim says
Hey Vicki! I added a little bit extra to feed more people that morning :). 6 works perfectly for this recipe.
CookitwithTim says
So sorry but the recipe has been correctly updated. Thanks again for stopping by my new site.
Kyle Kay says
This Sausage Breakfast Casserole was a total hit in our house! Super easy to prep, packed with flavor, and perfect for busy mornings. The cheese and sausage combo comes out perfectly creamy and hearty every time.