Easy Make-Ahead Breakfast Casserole: Perfect for Brunch & Meal Prep
Hey Y’all! Julia here, and lemme tell ya, mornings can be a little hectic! But that does mean that we have to
skimp on a warm, hearty, and downright delicious breakfast. That is why I love this easy make-ahead breakfast casserole recipe that I am sharing with y’all in this post. Yes, it is that breakfast bake that everyone loves! You will too!
This dish is perfect for busy mornings, lazy weekends, or when you have got a house full of hungry folks to feed. This casserole is also perfect for Easter brunch or Christmas morning. It is a favorite for those of us who host guests during the holiday season.
It’s rich, creamy, cheesy, and oh so comforting…just like a big ole Southern hug in a casserole dish.
Now, for the best part? You can whip it up the night before, let all of those flavors mingle and get happy in the fridge, then pop it in the oven come morning. The breakfast casserole bakes to perfection while you enjoy your morning coffee.
No stress, no mess-just a golden, bubbly breakfast ready to serve with a smile. Doesn’t that just give you the feels y’all, just thinking about it?
Grab your whisk and follow me into the kitchen and let’s whip up this sausage breakfast casserole!
Make-Ahead Breakfast Casserole
Does that look delicious, my friend, or what? That ooey gooey cheese and savory fillings is the perfect way to start the day.
We love this breakfast casserole garnished with some thinly sliced green onions and a few dashes of our favorite hot sauce when served. It is so good!
Why You’ll Love This Make-Ahead Breakfast Casserole
Y’all, the biggest reason why you will love this make-ahead casserole for breakfast, is because it is a top favorite! Most everyone loves this and considers it to be among the favorite breakfast casseroles of all time.
There are a few more reasons to love it though, especially if you’re the cook.
- It is easy prep to get this casserole ready.
- It is perfect for busy mornings
- It is great for feeding a crowd – whether family weekend breakfast and brunch meals, Christmas morning, Easter brunch, or when you’re hosting company. This casserole seems to be especially loved during the holiday season, but y’all be sure to enjoy it all year long! A ready to pop in the oven make-ahead breakfast casserole recipe is always appreciated.
Tips and Tools for this Recipe
Kitchen Tools Needed to Make a Make-Ahead Breakfast Casserole
These are only suggested and by no means required. You use what you’ve got to get the job done.
- Large Skillet – to cook the sausage, or breakfast meat of your choice, and any veggies for the casserole.
- Mixing Bowl – you’ll need a large bowl that is big enough to hold the egg mixture.
- Whisk – to beat up the egg mixture, but a handy fork will work too.
- Measuring Cup and Measuring Spoons – to measure out your liquid and seasonings. Or, shakey shakey from the heart.
- Cutting Board and Knife – to cut the crust off of the light bread and dice any veggies you might want to include in your casserole.
- 9 X 13 Baking Dish – your standard rectangle casserole dish is perfect for this recipe.
- Plastic Wrap or Aluminum Foil – to cover the casserole for storing in the refrigerator
- Cheese Grater – to freshly grate that cheddar because y’all know I am all about grating your own cheese. I love my handy box grater for jobs like this.
- Oven Mitts – to carefully remove that hot casserole from the oven. Y’all knew that right?
- Spatula – for serving.
Can I prep the breakfast casserole and freeze before baking? Yes, cover the casserole very well and freeze up to two months. Thaw in the fridge overnight for baking and you may want to add an extra 15 minutes to the baking time.
How to store and reheat the leftovers? leftover breakfast casserole can be covered with plastic wrap, or stored in an airtight container, in the fridge up to three days. Servings can be reheated easily in the microwave.
Variations & Customization Ideas: Prepare this casserole the classic way, as I am sharing, but you can and should try it with different ingredients that you and your family will love too. Besides sausage, bacon, ham, turkey sausage, chorizo, or chicken sausage would be great meat options. Throw in some veggies if you like! Green pepper, or colored sweet peppers of your choice, diced red onions or sweet onions, mushrooms, or chopped spinach (sauté spinach first to remove excess water) would be great. Finally, you don’t have to use sharp cheddar cheese, use other favorites you like…maybe zesty pepper jack.
How to Make the Best Breakfast Casserole (Step-by-Step Guide)
Here is what you’ll need to make this overnight breakfast casserole:
- White Bread – also referred to as light bread in the South.
- Melted Butter – to grease the casserole dish.
- Pork Sausage – breakfast style pork sausage. I used Jimmy Dean “hot”, but your favorite sausage will work best in your casserole.
- Sharp Cheddar Cheese – freshly grated.
- Eggs
- Half and Half
- Kosher Salt
- Cracked Black Pepper
- Mustard Powder – optional
In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the breakfast sausage until browned and crumbled. Drain any excess grease and set aside.
Next, brush the baking dish with melted butter. Trim the crust off of the bread slices and arrange the slices of bread to form the bottom layer of the breakfast casserole in the baking dish.
Sprinkle the cooked sausage over the bread layer.
Easy Breakfast Casserole Recipe
Now, for what might be my favorite step, top with the shredded cheese, covering the surface well.
The Egg Mixture
The next step is to prepare the egg mixture. In a mixing bowl; whisk together the eggs and half and half. Add the seasonings to the egg mixture and whisk to combine.
Then, pour the egg mixture over the casserole layers.
Cover the casserole with plastic wrap or foil and place it in the fridge overnight (or for at least 4 hours). This allows the bread to soak up all that flavorful egg mixture.
First thing the next morning, take the casserole out of the refrigerator and allow it to sit out for half an hour to come to room temperature.
Bake the casserole, uncovered, in a preheated oven until the eggs are set and the top is golden and bubbly. Allow the casserole to rest and cool before slicing to serve.
Best Breakfast Casserole Recipe
What to serve with this make ahead breakfast casserole?
This delicious breakfast casserole is a lovely meal all on its own, but I do have some suggestions on what you might like to serve alongside it.
- Grits
- Fresh Fruit or Fruit Salad
- Hash Browns or Fried Breakfast Potatoes
- Fresh Baked Buttermilk Biscuits or Toast. If you’re feeling fancy then bakery croissants.
- Side of Bacon or Sausage Links
- Macaroni Salad
And don’t forget the breakfast drinks. Coffee, water, orange juice, mimosas, or sweet tea.
Printable Recipe Card
Below you will find the printable recipe card. This is a keeper for your go to recipes in your collection of delicious eats!
Easy Make-Ahead Breakfast Casserole Recipe
Ingredients
- 6 Slices White Bread
- 2 Tablespoons Butter melted
- 1 pound Pork Breakfast Sausage I used Jimmy Dean’s “Hot”
- 2 cups Sharp Cheddar Cheese freshly grated
- 6 Large Eggs
- 2 cups Half and Half
- ½ teaspoon Salt
- ¼ teaspoon Black Pepper
- ¼ teaspoon Mustard Powder optional
Instructions
- Prepare the baking dish: brush the bottom and sides of a 9×13 casserole dish with melted butter. Next, use a knife to remove the crust from the bread slices and arrange the bread slices in a single layer on the bottom of the baking dish.
Cook the Meat
- In a skillet over medium heat, cook the breakfast sausage until browned and crumbled. Drain any excess grease.
Assemble the Casserole
- Sprinkle the cooked sausage over the bread layer in the baking dish.
- Next, sprinkle over the grated cheddar cheese.
Prepare the Egg Mixture
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together eggs, half and half, salt, pepper, and mustard powder until well combined. Pour the egg mixture evenly over the other ingredient layers in the baking dish.
Cover and Refrigerate
- Cover the casserole with plastic wrap or foil and place it in the fridge overnight (or for at least 4 hours). This allows the bread to soak up all that flavorful egg mixture.
Bake the Next Morning
- Remove the casserole from the fridge and allow it to sit at room temperature for 30 minutes.
- Preheat your oven to 350°F.
- Bake uncovered for 45-50 minutes, or until the eggs are set and the top is golden and bubbly. If it starts browning too quickly, loosely cover with foil.
Let it Rest and Serve
- Let the casserole sit for about 5-10 minutes before slicing. Serve warm with fresh fruit, biscuits, a side of grits, or other favorite breakfast and brunch sides!
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Notes
Nutrition
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Easy Make-Ahead Breakfast Casserole: Perfect for Brunch & Meal Prep
Well, y’all, there you have it—one easy, delicious, and downright comforting Make-Ahead Breakfast Casserole! Whether you’re fixin’ this up for a special occasion or just want to make mornings a little easier, this dish is sure to be a hit with family and friends.
You get to wake up knowing breakfast is already taken care of—just pop it in the oven, pour yourself a cup of coffee, and let that warm, cheesy goodness bake to perfection.
So go ahead, give this recipe a try, and don’t forget to share it with your loved ones. After all, good food is meant to be enjoyed together! Thanks for stopping by, y’all—I can’t wait to hear how much you love it.
Happy cooking!
About Julia
Hey Y’all! I’m Julia, the cook and writer behind the recipes here at Julia’s Simply Southern. I began my website so that I could share easy to follow recipes that anyone can use to put a home cooked meal on the dinner table. Thanks so much for stopping by!
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