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A full pan of make ahead breakfast casserole for a crowd, ready to serve

Classic Make Ahead Breakfast Casserole for a Crowd

This classic make-ahead breakfast casserole is perfect for feeding a crowd with minimal effort on the morning of. Prepare it the night before and bake it fresh for a hearty and satisfying meal.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 55 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Servings: 8 people
Calories: 450
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 8-10 slices day-old bread sourdough, challah, or basic white, torn or cut into 1-inch cubes
  • 1 lb cooked breakfast meat crumbled sausage, chopped crispy bacon, or diced ham
  • 2 cups shredded cheese cheddar, Monterey Jack, or a mix
  • 10-12 large eggs
  • 2 cups whole milk or half-and-half
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 0.5 tsp black pepper
  • 0.5 tsp garlic powder
  • paprika Pinch
  • Butter for greasing
  • 1 cup chopped bell peppers, onions, or spinach Optional, sautéed if preferred

Equipment

  • 9x13 inch baking dish
  • large bowl
  • whisk
  • plastic wrap
  • oven

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Tear or cut bread into 1-inch cubes and spread evenly in a lightly buttered 9x13 inch baking dish.
  2. Sprinkle cooked breakfast meat over the bread, followed by optional sautéed vegetables and shredded cheese.
  3. Whisk together eggs, milk, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika in a large bowl until well combined.
  4. Pour the egg mixture over the layers in the baking dish, ensuring the bread is soaked, then gently press down.
  5. Cover the baking dish tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or ideally overnight (up to 24 hours).
Baking
  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and let the casserole sit at room temperature for 20-30 minutes while the oven preheats, then remove plastic wrap.
  2. Bake for 45-60 minutes until golden brown, puffed, and a knife inserted comes out clean; tent with foil if browning too quickly.
  3. Let the casserole rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing and serving.

Notes

For extra flavor, consider adding a dash of hot sauce to the egg mixture. You can also experiment with different cheese blends to suit your taste.