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Easy Cheesy Sausage Breakfast Casserole – Best One-Pan Recipe

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This easy cheesy sausage breakfast casserole is the perfect one-pan recipe for holidays, lazy weekends, and feeding a crowd. With simple ingredients and a make-ahead option, it delivers a golden, custardy texture with stretchy cheese and savory sausage every time.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound breakfast sausage (bulk, not links)
  • 10 cups cubed day-old bread (about 1 loaf of French or Italian bread)
  • 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 8 large eggs (room temperature preferred)
  • 2 cups whole milk (2% works, but not skim)
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder (not garlic salt)
  • 1/2 teaspoon paprika (smoked paprika preferred)
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley (optional, for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F. Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter or cooking spray.
  2. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the sausage and cook, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, until nicely browned (about 6 to 8 minutes). Drain off excess fat, leaving a little for flavor. Set aside to cool slightly.
  3. Cut the bread into 1-inch cubes (about 10 cups). Spread them loosely in the greased baking dish.
  4. Sprinkle the cooked sausage evenly over the bread cubes. Then sprinkle both cheeses on top. Reserve about 1/2 cup of cheddar to add during the last 10 minutes of baking for a golden top.
  5. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika until fully combined (about 1 minute).
  6. Slowly pour the egg mixture evenly over the bread, sausage, and cheese. Use a fork to gently press down on the bread cubes so they all get soaked.
  7. Let the casserole rest for at least 15 minutes (or cover and refrigerate for up to 12 hours for an overnight version).
  8. Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes.
  9. Remove the foil and bake for another 20 to 25 minutes. If you reserved cheese, sprinkle it on now. The top should be golden brown and the center set (no jiggle when shaken).
  10. Let the casserole rest for 5 to 10 minutes before serving. Sprinkle with fresh parsley if desired.

Notes

For best results, use day-old sturdy bread (French, Italian, or sourdough) to avoid mushiness. If bread is fresh, cube and dry in a 300°F oven for 10 minutes. Shred cheese yourself for better melting. Let casserole rest after baking for clean slices. For overnight version, refrigerate assembled dish for up to 12 hours and add 5-10 minutes to baking time.

Nutrition

Keywords: breakfast casserole, sausage casserole, easy breakfast, cheesy casserole, one-pan breakfast, holiday brunch, make-ahead breakfast

Find it online: https://shimmersnack.com/easy-cheesy-sausage-breakfast-casserole-best-one-pan-recipe/