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A beginner-friendly breakfast casserole, golden brown and freshly baked.

Beginner-Friendly Sausage and Cheddar Breakfast Casserole

This easy, make-ahead breakfast casserole is perfect for entertaining or a relaxed weekend brunch. With simple ingredients and straightforward steps, it's a delicious way to feed a crowd.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 50 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Calories: 450
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 6-8 slices day-old bread white, sourdough, or whole wheat
  • 1 pound breakfast sausage crumbled (or bacon, ham, or vegetarian sausage alternative)
  • 8 large eggs
  • 1 ½ cups milk any kind, whole milk for richness
  • 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese divided (or Monterey Jack, Colby-Jack blend)
  • ½ small onion finely chopped
  • ½ bell pepper (any color), finely chopped
Seasonings
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
  • paprika A pinch of

Equipment

  • baking dish (9x13 inch)
  • large skillet
  • large bowl

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.
  2. Cook the breakfast sausage in a large skillet over medium heat until browned, then drain excess grease.
  3. Add chopped onion and bell pepper to the skillet with a tablespoon of sausage fat or olive oil, sautéing until softened (about 5-7 minutes).
Assembly and Chill
  1. Spread bread cubes in the baking dish, then layer with cooked sausage, sautéed vegetables, and 1 cup of shredded cheese.
  2. Whisk together eggs, milk, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika in a large bowl.
  3. Pour the egg mixture over the ingredients, pressing down on the bread to ensure it absorbs the liquid; cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or overnight.
Baking and Serving
  1. Remove the casserole from the refrigerator 15-20 minutes before baking and sprinkle with the remaining ½ cup of cheese.
  2. Bake for 45-55 minutes until golden brown and set; tent with foil if browning too quickly.
  3. Let the casserole rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing and serving.

Notes

For best results, prepare the casserole the night before and let it chill overnight in the refrigerator. This allows the bread to fully absorb the egg mixture, resulting in a more flavorful and cohesive casserole. If you prefer a vegetarian option, simply omit the sausage and add more vegetables or a plant-based alternative. Feel free to customize the vegetables based on your preferences – spinach, mushrooms, or kale would also be delicious additions.