Prepare to revolutionize your mornings with the Best Overnight Breakfast Casserole. This incredibly versatile and delicious dish is designed for busy individuals and families seeking a truly effortless yet deeply satisfying breakfast. By prepping it the night before, you can wake up to a warm, comforting meal ready to be savored, making frantic rushed mornings a thing of the past.
Key Ingredients for the Best Overnight Breakfast Casserole
- 1 pound breakfast sausage (pork or turkey), casings removed
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 1-1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
- 8 large eggs
- 2 cups milk (whole or 2%, dairy or non-dairy)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon paprika
- 1 loaf day-old bread (about 10-12 cups cubed), cut into 1-inch cubes
- Optional additions: 1 cup chopped bell peppers, 1/2 cup chopped mushrooms, 8 ounces cream cheese cut into small cubes
How to Make the Best Overnight Breakfast Casserole
This recipe is remarkably easy to assemble, promising a delicious and satisfying breakfast without the morning rush. With a preparation time of just 20 minutes, you can whip up a dish that boasts a rich, creamy texture and a perfectly balanced flavor profile, ensuring a delightful start to your day.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Cook the Sausage and Onion: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the breakfast sausage, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned and cooked through. Add the chopped onion and cook until softened, about 5-7 minutes. Drain off any excess grease and set aside.
- Prepare the Bread: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cubed day-old bread. If using, add any optional chopped vegetables like bell peppers or mushrooms along with the cooked sausage and onion mixture.
- Whisk the Egg Mixture: In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and paprika until well combined and frothy.
- Assemble the Casserole: Pour the egg mixture evenly over the bread and sausage mixture in the large bowl. Gently stir everything together to ensure the bread cubes are well coated.
- Add Cheese and Cream Cheese (if using): Sprinkle about 1 cup of the shredded cheddar cheese over the mixture and gently fold it in. If you are using cream cheese, tear the small cubes into smaller pieces and scatter them throughout the mixture.
- Layer into Baking Dish: Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish. Pour the entire contents of the mixing bowl into the prepared baking dish, spreading it out evenly. Top with the remaining 1/2 cup of shredded cheddar cheese.
- Chill Overnight: Cover the baking dish tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil. Refrigerate for at least 8 hours, or preferably overnight, to allow the flavors to meld and the bread to absorb the liquid.
- Bake: When ready to serve, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Remove the plastic wrap or foil and bake for 40-50 minutes, or until the casserole is golden brown, puffed up, and a knife inserted into the center comes out clean. Let it stand for 5-10 minutes before serving.
Why You’ll Love This Best Overnight Breakfast Casserole
The absolute best part of this Best Overnight Breakfast Casserole is its incredible make-ahead convenience, transforming your hectic mornings into peaceful, delicious experiences. Unlike a hastily prepared bowl of cereal, this casserole offers a hearty and satisfying meal that feels like a weekend treat, all without the early morning effort. The combination of savory sausage, fluffy bread, and melty cheese, elevated by subtle spices, creates a flavor sensation that rivals any brunch destination.
Making this breakfast casserole at home is a smart move for your wallet, saving you significantly compared to frequenting cafes for similar dishes. It’s a budget-friendly hero that delivers maximum flavor and satisfaction. The adaptable nature of this recipe means you can customize it with your favorite additions, from crisp vegetables to different cheeses, ensuring every bite is a delightful discovery. Don’t just dream of stress-free mornings; make them a reality by trying this incredible casserole today!
Storing and Reheating Tips
- Refrigeration: Once baked, allow the Best Overnight Breakfast Casserole to cool completely. Cover the baking dish tightly with plastic wrap or foil, or transfer individual portions to airtight containers. It will stay fresh in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
- Reheating: For reheating a whole casserole, cover it with foil and bake in a preheated oven at 325°F (160°C) for 20-30 minutes, or until heated through. For individual portions, microwave on medium power for 1-2 minutes, checking for desired warmth. You can also reheat slices in a toaster oven or skillet for a slightly crisped texture.
- Freezing: To freeze, bake the casserole and let it cool completely. Cover tightly with plastic wrap, then with a layer of aluminum foil. You can also freeze individual portions in freezer-safe containers or by wrapping portions tightly in plastic wrap and then aluminum foil. Frozen casserole will keep for up to 2-3 months. To reheat from frozen, thaw overnight in the refrigerator and then follow the reheating instructions for refrigerated casserole, or bake directly from frozen at 325°F (160°C) for a longer period (approximately 45-60 minutes), covered with foil.
Final Thoughts
The Best Overnight Breakfast Casserole is more than just a recipe; it’s a pathway to smoother, more enjoyable mornings. Give this effortless yet incredibly rewarding dish a try – your future self, and your taste buds, will thank you!
try also :
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- Crockpot Beef Fajitas
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- Cheesy Pumpkin Stuffed Pretzel Bites
- Find more in Pinterest
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Best Overnight Breakfast Casserole
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the breakfast sausage, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned and cooked through. Add the chopped onion and cook until softened, about 5-7 minutes. Drain off any excess grease and set aside.1 pound breakfast sausage (pork or turkey), casings removed, 1 medium onion, chopped
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the cubed day-old bread. If using, add any optional chopped vegetables like bell peppers or mushrooms along with the cooked sausage and onion mixture.1 loaf day-old bread (about 10-12 cups cubed), cut into 1-inch cubes, 1 cup chopped bell peppers, 1/2 cup chopped mushrooms, 1 pound breakfast sausage (pork or turkey), casings removed, 1 medium onion, chopped
- In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and paprika until well combined and frothy.8 large eggs, 2 cups milk (whole or 2%, dairy or non-dairy), 1 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/4 teaspoon paprika
- Pour the egg mixture evenly over the bread and sausage mixture in the large bowl. Gently stir everything together to ensure the bread cubes are well coated.
- Sprinkle about 1 cup of the shredded cheddar cheese over the mixture and gently fold it in. If you are using cream cheese, tear the small cubes into smaller pieces and scatter them throughout the mixture.1-1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided, 8 ounces cream cheese cut into small cubes
- Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish. Pour the entire contents of the mixing bowl into the prepared baking dish, spreading it out evenly. Top with the remaining 1/2 cup of shredded cheddar cheese.1-1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
- Cover the baking dish tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil. Refrigerate for at least 8 hours, or preferably overnight, to allow the flavors to meld and the bread to absorb the liquid.
- When ready to serve, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Remove the plastic wrap or foil and bake for 40-50 minutes, or until the casserole is golden brown, puffed up, and a knife inserted into the center comes out clean. Let it stand for 5-10 minutes before serving.