Breakfast Casserole, an easy overnight breakfast recipe that’s perfect for make-ahead mornings, brunch gatherings, or holiday breakfasts! This simple egg casserole is loaded with bread, sausage, and cheese for a cozy, crowd-pleasing dish.
If you love waking up to a breakfast that’s basically ready to go, this Breakfast Casserole is going to be your new favorite. It’s one of those recipes you prep the night before, pop in the fridge, and then bake in the morning with minimal effort.
This casserole is hearty, comforting, and endlessly customizable depending on what you have on hand. Whether you’re feeding your family on a weekend or hosting brunch, this casserole is always a hit. Great for Christmas, Easter, or a lazy Sunday morning.
What I Love About This Recipe
- I love that this is a true from-scratch make-ahead breakfast that takes all the stress out of busy mornings. You do all the prep the night before, which means no scrambling around half awake trying to cook. Just pop it in the oven and let it bake while you sip your coffee. It’s perfect for holidays, guests, or meal prep. It really doesn’t get easier than that.
- This casserole is the ultimate comfort food with simple, classic ingredients that always work together. The combination of soft bread, savory sausage, and melty cheese is just so satisfying. Every bite is warm, cheesy, and packed with flavor. It feels cozy and filling without being overly complicated. It’s one of those recipes everyone loves.
- I also love how flexible this recipe is, depending on your taste or what you have in your fridge. You can swap the sausage, change the cheese, or toss in veggies. It’s a great way to use up leftovers or customize for different diets. You can make it your own every single time. It never gets boring.
- It’s a great option for feeding a crowd without a ton of effort. Everything bakes in one dish, and it slices up easily for serving. Whether it’s brunch, a potluck, or a family breakfast, it works every time. Plus, it looks impressive even though it’s super simple to make.
Equipment You May Need
- 8×8-inch Square Baking Pan – The perfect size for even cooking and easy serving.
- Mixing Bowl – For whisking together the egg mixture.
- Whisk – Helps fully combine the eggs and milk for a smooth mixture.
- Spatula or Fork – Useful for pressing the bread down to soak up all that goodness.
(Full printable recipe card is at bottom of post.)
Breakfast Casserole Ingredients
- Butter – For greasing the pan so nothing sticks.
- Day-Old Bread – Cubed bread works best since it soaks up the egg mixture without getting soggy.
- Breakfast Sausage – Pre-cooked and crumbled for easy layering and flavor.
- Shredded Cheese – Cheddar or Swiss melt beautifully and add richness. American cheese or mozzarella would also be great.
- Eggs – The base of the casserole that holds everything together.
- Milk – Adds creaminess and helps create that soft, custardy texture.
- Dijon Mustard – A small amount adds a subtle depth of flavor.
- Salt – Enhances all the flavors.
- Black Pepper – Adds a light touch of spice.
How to Make Breakfast Casserole
Step One: Prepare the Pan
Lightly grease an 8-inch-by-8-inch square baking pan.
Step Two: Layer the Ingredients
Add half the bread cubes, then top with half the sausage and cheese. Repeat layers.
Step Three: Mix and Add Egg Mixture
Whisk eggs, milk, mustard, salt, and pepper. Pour over bread and gently press down.
Step Four: Chill the Casserole
Cover and refrigerate at least 4 hours or overnight. Let sit at room temperature 30 minutes before baking.
Step Five: Preheat the Oven
Preheat oven to 325˚F.
Step Six: Bake the Casserole
Bake 50 to 65 minutes until set, and a knife comes out clean. Cool slightly before serving.
(Full printable recipe card with full details is at bottom of post.)
Serving Suggestions
- Serve warm with fresh fruit or a light fruit salad for balance.
- Pair with coffee, tea, or fresh juice for a complete breakfast or brunch spread.
- Add a side of crispy bacon or hash browns for an extra hearty meal.
- Top with a little hot sauce or fresh herbs for extra flavor.
Quick Tips for Best Results
- Use full-fat cheese for the best melt and cheesy flavor.
- Day-old bread works best since it absorbs the liquid without falling apart.
- Let the casserole sit at room temperature before baking for even cooking.
- Don’t skip the chill time since it helps everything soak together perfectly.
- You can make this delicious casserole into mini individual casseroles in ramekins or small baking dishes. Just be sure to adjust the baking time.
Breakfast Casserole FAQ
How should I store the Breakfast Casserole?
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a few days. Reheat in the microwave or oven until warmed through.
Can I freeze the Breakfast Casserole?
Yes! Wrap tightly and freeze for up to a couple of months. Thaw in the refrigerator before reheating.
How long will the Breakfast Casserole last?
A few days in the fridge or a couple of months in the freezer.
Substitutions?
Instead of breakfast pork sausage, you can use any precooked meat (even chopped bacon, chorizo, andouille, turkey sausage, chicken sausage, or ham), a vegetarian alternative, or chopped, precooked vegetables. You can also swap cheeses depending on what you like.
Can I use low-fat ingredients?
You can use lower-fat milk or cheese, but full-fat versions will give the best texture and flavor.
What else can I add to this recipe?
Try adding a cup of chopped, precooked vegetables like peppers (green peppers or jalapenos work well), onions, potatoes, mushrooms, zucchini, or spinach for extra flavor and texture or keep the casserole as plain as you’d like. You can add your favorite spices to the egg filling like Italian seasoning, Cajun seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, etc.
Can I make this vegan/vegetarian/low carb/gluten-free?
Here are some suggestions, but I can’t guarantee results. Be sure as always to check particular brands and ingredients if you’re following a specific diet or have diet restrictions or allergies.
Vegan – This would be a tough one to make vegan, but you can try using egg substitutes.
Vegetarian – Use plant-based sausage or veggies instead.
Low-Carb – Swap bread for a lower-carb bread if desired.
Gluten-Free – Use gluten-free bread.
Other Breakfast Recipes You May Enjoy
- Cannoli Overnight French Toast Casserole – A decadent make-ahead breakfast with all the flavors of Italian cannoli.
- Mexican Cornbread & Sausage Strata – Similar to this breakfast casserole but with Mexican flavors and cornbread.
- Cinnamon Muffins – Simple muffins packed with lots of cinnamon flavor.
Hope you enjoy this tasty Breakfast Casserole recipe. Tell me in the comments what else you added to it!
If you love egg breakfasts, you may also enjoy these Breakfast Empanadas!
Breakfast Casserole
Ingredients
- Butter for greasing the pan
- 4 cups cubed day-old good-quality bread (4 or 5 slices)
- 1 cup breakfast sausage precooked crumbled or chopped
- 1 cup shredded cheese such as cheddar or Swiss
- 4 large eggs
- 1 cup milk
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ⅛ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Lightly grease an 8-inch-by-8-inch square baking pan.
- Add half the bread cubes to the pan. Sprinkle half the sausage and half the cheese on top. Repeat with another layer of bread, sausage, and cheese.
- In a large bowl, whisk the eggs until beaten. Whisk in the milk, mustard, salt, and pepper until well blended. Pour the mixture in the pan over the bread. Gently press down on the bread with the back of a fork or a spatula to help the bread absorb the liquid.
- Lightly cover the casserole, and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight. Remove the casserole from the refrigerator about 30 minutes before baking to come to room temperature.
- Preheat the oven to 325˚F.
- Bake the casserole for 50 to 65 minutes, or until the center appears set and a knife inserted into the center comes out clean. Cool 10 to 15 minutes before cutting and serving.
Notes
- Use a full-fat cheese for the best melting.
- Any kind of sausage will work, such as pork, turkey, or chicken
- You can also add a cup of chopped, precooked vegetables to the filling.
- Instead of sausage, you could use a vegetarian meat alternative or chopped, precooked vegetables.
Nutrition:
(Nutrition data is provided when available for informational purposes only and calculated using an online nutritional calculator. For the most accurate information please calculate based on specific ingredients and brands you use as well as any changes you made to the recipe. I am not a certified nutritionist or registered dietician and any nutritional information provided should only be used as a general guideline and estimate.)
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