Hearty Easy Breakfast Casserole: A Weekend Delight (Print Version)

Whip up this comforting Easy Breakfast Casserole! Simple ingredients, minimal fuss, and perfect for relaxed mornings or brunch gatherings.

# Recipe Info:

Prep Time: 15 Minutes minutes
Cook Time: 50 Minutes minutes
Total Time: 65 minutes
Servings: 8 Servings
Difficulty: Beginner
Cuisine: American
Dietary: Meat-Eater

# Ingredients:

→ Foundation Ingredients

01 - 8 cups stale bread, torn into 1-inch pieces
02 - 1 lb breakfast sausage, crumbled
03 - 1 large onion, chopped
04 - 1 bell pepper (any color), chopped

→ Egg & Dairy Mixture

05 - 12 large eggs
06 - 2 cups whole milk
07 - 1 tsp garlic powder
08 - 1 tsp onion powder

→ Cheesy Goodness

09 - 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, freshly grated, divided

→ Seasonings & Finish

10 - 1 tsp salt
11 - 1/2 tsp black pepper
12 - Optional: Fresh chives or parsley for garnish

# Instructions:

01 - First things first, grab your stale bread and tear or cut it into roughly 1-inch pieces. I usually just use my hands; it’s quicker and less precise, which is totally fine for this dish. Spread the bread evenly into a greased 9x13 inch baking dish. This is where the foundation for your delicious Easy Breakfast Casserole begins, honestly, it sets the stage for all that eggy goodness. I always make sure to grease the dish really well, because nobody wants stuck-on casserole!
02 - Next, in a large skillet over medium heat, crumble and cook your breakfast sausage until it's nicely browned. Drain off any excess grease – this is important, you don't want a greasy casserole! Then, add your chopped onion and bell pepper to the skillet and cook until softened, about 5-7 minutes. I sometimes add a pinch of red pepper flakes here for a little kick, because, why not? The smells starting to fill my kitchen at this point are just heavenly.
03 - In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Whisk until it’s all combined and a little frothy, but don't overdo it, or your eggs can get tough. This step is where all the flavors come together for your Easy Breakfast Casserole. I always give it a good sniff; you can already tell it's going to be good. Make sure there are no streaks of egg white left, that’s key!
04 - Sprinkle the cooked sausage and veggie mixture over the bread in the baking dish. Then, evenly sprinkle about half of your freshly grated cheddar cheese over the sausage and veggies. Finally, carefully pour the egg mixture over everything, making sure to get it as evenly distributed as possible. I usually press down gently with a spatula to ensure the bread soaks up all that lovely liquid. This is crucial for a moist and flavorful Easy Breakfast Casserole.
05 - Now, you have a choice! You can either cover the dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate it for at least 4 hours, or even overnight, which is what I usually do for a stress-free morning. Or, if you're like me and sometimes make spontaneous decisions, you can bake it right away! If chilling, let it sit out for about 20-30 minutes before baking. I always forget this step, oops, but it still turns out great.
06 - Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Uncover the casserole, sprinkle the remaining cheddar cheese over the top, and bake for 45-55 minutes, or until it's golden brown and puffed up, and a knife inserted into the center comes out clean. Oh, the smell of it baking is just incredible! Let it rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing and serving. This resting time is important, it helps the casserole set and makes for cleaner slices. This Easy Breakfast Casserole is worth the wait!

# Notes:

01 - Always use stale bread; fresh bread will make your casserole mushy—I learned that the hard way!
02 - Don't over-mix the eggs, just whisk until combined to keep the casserole tender.
03 - Letting it sit overnight in the fridge really allows the flavors to meld beautifully.
04 - A sprinkle of fresh chives makes it look fancy without effort.

# Equipment Needed:

01 - 9x13 inch baking dish
02 - large skillet
03 - large mixing bowl
04 - whisk

# Nutrition (Per Serving):

Calories: 450
Total Fat: 30g
Total Carbohydrate: 25g
Protein: 25g

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