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A delicious, prepared stress-free overnight breakfast casserole ready to bake.

Classic Stress-Free Overnight Breakfast Casserole

Enjoy a delicious and easy morning with this classic make-ahead breakfast casserole, loaded with savory flavors and cheesy goodness.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 50 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 400
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Bread
  • 6-8 slices day-old bread (sourdough, French bread, or sandwich bread)
Egg Mixture
  • 8 large eggs
  • 1 ½ cups milk (whole, 2%, or unsweetened almond milk for dairy-free)
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • garlic powder or paprika Pinch of
Fillings
  • 1 cup cooked breakfast meat crumbled (sausage, bacon, ham, or plant-based alternative)
  • 1 ½ cups shredded cheese (cheddar, Monterey Jack, or blend)
  • ½ cup bell pepper and/or onion (optional)
For Greasing
  • 1 tablespoon softened butter

Equipment

  • 9x13 inch baking dish
  • large bowl
  • whisk

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Tear or cut bread into 1-inch cubes and spread evenly in a buttered 9x13 inch baking dish.
  2. Sprinkle cooked breakfast meat, cheese, and desired chopped vegetables evenly over the bread cubes.
Assemble
  1. In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, salt, pepper, and seasonings until well combined.
  2. Pour the egg mixture over the bread and fillings, ensuring the bread is fully saturated; gently press down to help absorb the liquid.
  3. Cover the baking dish tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or ideally overnight (up to 12-18 hours).
Bake and Serve
  1. In the morning, preheat oven to 375°F (190°C); remove casserole from the refrigerator and let it sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes.
  2. Uncover and bake for 45-55 minutes, or until puffed, golden brown, and a knife inserted into the center comes out clean.
  3. Let the casserole rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing and serving.

Notes

For extra flavor, you can add a dash of hot sauce to the egg mixture or top with fresh herbs before serving. This casserole is great for meal prep; simply store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.