Description
This Christmas Breakfast Casserole is a hearty and savory dish perfect for holiday mornings or special family breakfasts. It features a delicious combination of ground pork sausage, eggs, fresh milk, and sharp cheddar cheese, layered with cubed day-old bread that soaks up the flavorful egg mixture. Prepared the night before and baked to golden perfection, it's an easy make-ahead meal that warms the kitchen with festive comfort.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat
- 1 lb ground pork sausage
Dairy
- 6 large eggs
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese shredded
Dry Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon dry mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Bread
- 6 slices day-old bread cubed
Instructions
- Prepare the Baking Dish: Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish thoroughly, then evenly spread the cubed day-old bread across the bottom of the dish to form a base layer.
- Cook the Sausage: In a skillet over medium heat, cook the ground pork sausage until it is fully browned and no longer pink. Drain off any excess fat. Spread the cooked sausage evenly over the bread cubes in the baking dish.
- Mix the Egg Mixture: In a medium bowl, whisk together the eggs, whole milk, dry mustard, kosher salt, and black pepper until well combined. Stir in the shredded sharp cheddar cheese thoroughly.
- Combine and Soak: Pour the egg and cheese mixture evenly over the sausage and bread in the baking dish. Press down gently with a fork to help the bread absorb the egg mixture fully.
- Chill Overnight: Cover the casserole tightly with foil and refrigerate it overnight or for at least 2 hours to allow the flavors to meld and the bread to soak well.
- Bake Covered: Preheat your oven to 350°F. Bake the casserole covered with foil for 30 minutes to start the cooking process gently.
- Bake Uncovered: Remove the foil cover and continue baking for an additional 15 minutes or until the top turns golden brown and the center is set, indicating it is fully cooked.
- Rest Before Serving: Allow the casserole to rest for 10 minutes after baking to let it set and cool slightly for easier serving.
Notes
- Using day-old bread helps the casserole hold together better and absorb the egg mixture more fully.
- You can substitute the ground pork sausage with turkey sausage for a leaner option.
- For extra flavor, consider adding sautéed onions or bell peppers to the sausage before assembling.
- Covering the casserole while baking keeps it moist; removing the cover at the end crisps the top.
- This casserole can be made up to 24 hours ahead for convenience and to enhance the flavors.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 550 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 15 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 18 g
- Cholesterol: 210 mg
