Easy Make-Ahead Breakfast Casserole

Get ready to simplify your mornings with this incredibly easy make-ahead breakfast casserole! This comforting dish combines fluffy eggs, savory sausage, and melty cheese, making it perfect for busy weekdays or relaxed weekend brunches. It’s wonderfully versatile, allowing you to customize ingredients to your family’s taste. Prepare it the night before and just bake it in the morning for a hearty, satisfying meal that everyone will love.

Why You’ll Love This Breakfast Casserole

This delicious breakfast casserole will quickly become a family favorite, offering incredible convenience and flavor.

• Effortless Preparation: Spend just a few minutes prepping the night before for a stress-free morning meal.
• Feeds a Crowd: It’s ideal for large families, potlucks, or holiday gatherings, ensuring everyone gets a hearty serving.
• Highly Customizable: Easily swap meats, cheeses, and vegetables to create new flavor combinations every time.
• Comforting & Hearty: This satisfying dish warms you from the inside out, perfect for any season.
• Time-Saving: Its make-ahead potential frees up your mornings, letting you enjoy breakfast without the rush.

Ingredients

Gather these simple ingredients to create your next favorite breakfast casserole:

• 2 pounds pork sausage
• 12 large eggs
• 1 cup sour cream (light or regular)
• ¼ cup milk
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
• 4 green onions, sliced
• ½ green bell pepper, diced
• ½ red bell pepper, diced
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

Notes & Substitutions

Feel free to customize your casserole! Try ground turkey, crumbled bacon, or diced ham in place of pork sausage. For cheeses, Monterey Jack, Swiss, Colby, or a blend all work beautifully. Boost nutrition with extra vegetables like spinach, mushrooms, or zucchini. For a dairy-free option, use unsweetened almond milk and a dairy-free sour cream alternative.

Equipment

You won’t need many specialized tools to make this delightful casserole. Just ensure you have these kitchen essentials ready to go.

• 9×13 inch baking dish
• Large skillet
• Large mixing bowl
• Whisk or electric mixer
• Cutting board and knife

Instructions

Follow these clear steps to prepare your amazing make-ahead breakfast casserole. This recipe ensures a delicious result every time.

Step 1: Prep Oven and Pan.

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish with cooking spray to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Combine Wet Ingredients.

In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, sour cream, milk, kosher salt, and ground black pepper. Use a whisk or electric mixer on low speed, mixing just until everything is combined. Avoid over-mixing the egg mixture.

Step 3: Cook the Sausage.

Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the pork sausage and cook until it is fully browned, breaking it into small pieces with a wooden spoon as it cooks. Drain most of the excess grease from the skillet to prevent your casserole from becoming oily. Add the cooked sausage to the egg mixture in the large bowl.

Step 4: Sauté Vegetables.

Using the same skillet (no need to clean it), add the diced bell peppers and sliced green onions. Sauté for 2-3 minutes, or until the vegetables have softened slightly. Transfer the sautéed vegetables to the bowl with the egg and sausage mixture. Stir everything gently to combine all ingredients evenly.

Step 5: Assemble and Bake.

Pour the entire mixture into your prepared 9×13 inch baking dish. Sprinkle the 2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese over the top. Bake the breakfast casserole for 35-50 minutes. The casserole is done when the edges are set and golden brown, and the center is mostly firm with only a slight jiggle.

Step 6: Cool and Serve.

Remove the casserole from the oven. Let it cool for 5-10 minutes before slicing and serving. This resting time allows the casserole to set fully, making for cleaner slices and a better texture. Enjoy your delicious homemade casserole!

Pro Tips for the Best Breakfast Casserole

Achieve perfect results every time with these helpful hints for your easy breakfast casserole.

• Don’t Overbake Eggs: Understanding the scientific principles behind cooking eggs can help prevent them from becoming dry and rubbery. Remove the casserole from the oven when the center still has a slight jiggle. Overbaking can result in dry, rubbery eggs.
• Properly Drain Grease: After cooking the sausage, thoroughly drain any excess grease. This prevents a greasy final casserole.
• Chop Veggies Finely: Ensure all vegetables are diced into small, uniform pieces. This guarantees even cooking and better distribution throughout the casserole.
• Use Freshly Shredded Cheese: Learning about the role of anti-caking agents in pre-shredded cheese can explain why freshly grated cheese offers a superior melt and flavor. Freshly shredded cheese melts more smoothly and has better flavor than pre-shredded varieties, which often contain anti-caking agents.
• Season Well: Taste the egg mixture before adding cheese, adjusting salt and pepper as needed. Proper seasoning enhances the overall flavor profile.

Serving Suggestions, Storage & Variations

This versatile breakfast casserole shines in many ways!

Serving Suggestions

• Serve slices of the casserole alongside a fresh fruit salad for a light, refreshing contrast.
• Pair it with warm toast, flaky muffins, or fluffy biscuits for a heartier breakfast spread.
• Offer hot sauce, salsa, or a dollop of extra sour cream on the side for added flavor.

Storage

• Refrigerate: Store any cooked leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Reheat individual portions easily in the microwave.
• Freeze (Unbaked): Assemble the casserole in the baking dish, cover it tightly with plastic wrap and then foil, and freeze for up to 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before baking as directed.
• Freeze (Cooked): Cool the baked casserole completely. Slice it into individual portions, wrap each piece tightly in plastic wrap, then foil, and freeze for up to 1 month. Reheat in the microwave or oven until warmed through.

Variations

• Meats: Experiment with spicy Italian sausage, ground beef, crumbled bacon bits, or diced ham.
• Cheeses: Try different cheeses like pepper jack for a kick, mozzarella, Gruyere, or a smoky Gouda.
• Vegetables: Add sautéed mushrooms, fresh spinach, diced jalapeños for heat, or finely diced cooked potatoes.
• Add Carbs: Incorporate cubed day-old bread, cooked hash browns, or mini tater tots into the egg mixture before baking for a more substantial breakfast casserole.

Nutrition Information

(Per serving, estimated for 12 servings)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

• Can I make breakfast casserole ahead of time? Yes, you can assemble the entire casserole the night before, cover it, and refrigerate overnight. Simply bake it in the morning as instructed.
• Can I freeze cooked breakfast casserole? Yes, once fully cooled, slice the cooked casserole into individual portions. Wrap these tightly and freeze for convenient reheating later.
• What other proteins can I use in this breakfast casserole? Cooked bacon, diced ham, ground turkey, or even vegetarian sausage crumbles are excellent alternatives to pork sausage.
• Can I add potatoes or bread to this breakfast casserole? Absolutely! Incorporate cooked hash browns, shredded potatoes, or cubed bread into the mixture before baking for extra texture and heartiness.
• How do I know when my breakfast casserole is fully cooked? The edges will appear set and golden brown, while the center should be mostly firm with just a slight jiggle when gently shaken.

Conclusion

This easy make-ahead breakfast casserole offers a perfect blend of comfort, convenience, and delicious flavor. It’s the ultimate solution for busy mornings or feeding a hungry crowd, delivering a hearty meal with minimal effort. We hope you and your family enjoy this simple, satisfying recipe. Give it a try soon and share your thoughts and ratings in the comments below!