This Christmas Breakfast Casserole is the ultimate make-ahead solution for joyous holiday mornings, transforming your festive gatherings from chaotic to calm. Its simplicity and deliciousness make it a standout dish, perfect for feeding a crowd without the pre-dawn prep stress.
Key Ingredients for Christmas Breakfast Casserole
- 1 pound breakfast sausage, browned and crumbled
- 1 loaf (1 pound) French bread, cubed into 1-inch pieces
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese, divided
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 1 green bell pepper, finely chopped
- 8 large eggs
- 2 cups milk
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- Optional: 1/2 cup diced ham or cooked bacon
How to Make Christmas Breakfast Casserole
This Christmas Breakfast Casserole is incredibly easy to assemble, promising a delicious and satisfying start to your holiday festivities. The combination of savory sausage, tender bread, and creamy custard creates a comforting and flavorful dish that’s a breeze to prepare. Plus, with a hands-on time of just 20 minutes, you’ll have plenty of time to enjoy the magic of Christmas morning.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Prepare the Bread: In a large bowl, combine the 1-inch cubes of French bread.
- Brown the Sausage: In a skillet over medium heat, cook the breakfast sausage until browned and cooked through. Drain off any excess grease and add the crumbled sausage to the bowl with the bread. If using, add the optional diced ham or cooked bacon at this stage.
- Sauté the Vegetables: In the same skillet (no need to wash), add a splash of oil if needed and sauté the finely chopped onion and green bell pepper over medium heat until softened, about 5-7 minutes. Add these sautéed vegetables to the bread and sausage mixture.
- Add Half the Cheese: Sprinkle 1/2 cup of the shredded sharp cheddar cheese over the bread, sausage, and vegetable mixture. Toss gently to combine.
- Whisk the Custard: In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the 8 large eggs, 2 cups of milk, 1 teaspoon of Dijon mustard, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, and 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper until well combined and slightly frothy.
- Assemble the Casserole: Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish. Pour the egg and milk mixture evenly over the bread, sausage, and vegetable mixture in the baking dish. Gently press down on the bread cubes to ensure they are mostly submerged in the liquid.
- Chill (Optional but Recommended): For best results and a more infused flavor, cover the baking dish tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerating it overnight. This allows the bread to soak up the custard mixture thoroughly.
- Bake the Casserole: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). If you chilled the casserole overnight, remove it from the refrigerator about 30 minutes before baking to bring it closer to room temperature.
- Top with Remaining Cheese: Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of shredded sharp cheddar cheese evenly over the top of the casserole.
- Bake Until Golden: Bake for 45-55 minutes, or until the casserole is set in the center and the top is golden brown and puffed. A knife inserted into the center should come out clean.
- Rest and Serve: Let the Christmas Breakfast Casserole rest for about 5-10 minutes before slicing and serving. This allows it to set completely.
Why You’ll Love This Christmas Breakfast Casserole
You’ll adore this Christmas Breakfast Casserole for its incredibly satisfying blend of savory breakfast sausage, tender bread, and a rich, creamy egg custard that bakes into a golden, irresistible delight. Unlike a hasty scramble tossed together last minute, this casserole offers a substantial and comforting meal that feels truly special, all while being remarkably budget-friendly. The melty cheddar cheese and the savory notes from the sausage and vegetables create layers of flavor that are simply divine, making it a favorite compared to simpler eggy dishes.
Imagine waking up on Christmas morning, the house filled with warmth and the scent of a delicious meal already prepared. This Christmas Breakfast Casserole makes that dream a reality, saving you precious time and energy so you can focus on what truly matters. It’s the perfect way to kick off a magical day, proving that a little bit of planning can lead to a lot of holiday cheer. Don’t wait to make your holiday mornings easier and more delicious – give this incredible casserole a try!
Storing and Reheating Tips
Storing Leftovers:
- Once cooled, cover your Christmas Breakfast Casserole tightly with plastic wrap or transfer it to an airtight container.
- Refrigerate for up to 3-4 days.
Freezing:
- To freeze, let the casserole cool completely. You can freeze it as a whole or in individual portions in freezer-safe containers.
- For best quality, wrap tightly in plastic wrap and then in aluminum foil or place in a freezer bag.
- Frozen casserole will last for 1-2 months.
Reheating:
- From Refrigerated: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the casserole in a baking dish (if not already in one) and cover loosely with foil. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until heated through. Remove the foil for the last 5 minutes if you want to re-crisp the top.
- From Frozen: Thaw overnight in the refrigerator if possible. Then, reheat as directed for refrigerated leftovers. If reheating directly from frozen, it will take longer, approximately 45-60 minutes, covered with foil for most of the baking time.
Final Thoughts
This Christmas Breakfast Casserole is more than just a meal; it’s a stress-free way to savor the magic of the holiday season. Give it a try this year, and discover how simple and delicious your Christmas mornings can be!
try also :
Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Bake
Cheesy Pumpkin Stuffed Pretzel Bites
Find more in Pinterest
Christmas Breakfast Casserole
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- In a large bowl, combine the 1-inch cubes of French bread.1 loaf (1 pound) French bread
- In a skillet over medium heat, cook the breakfast sausage until browned and cooked through. Drain off any excess grease and add the crumbled sausage to the bowl with the bread. If using, add the optional diced ham or cooked bacon at this stage.1 pound breakfast sausage, 1/2 cup diced ham or cooked bacon, 1 loaf (1 pound) French bread
- In the same skillet (no need to wash), add a splash of oil if needed and sauté the finely chopped onion and green bell pepper over medium heat until softened, about 5-7 minutes. Add these sautéed vegetables to the bread and sausage mixture.1 medium onion, 1 pound breakfast sausage, 1/2 cup diced ham or cooked bacon, 1 loaf (1 pound) French bread
- Sprinkle 1/2 cup of the shredded sharp cheddar cheese over the bread, sausage, and vegetable mixture. Toss gently to combine.1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese, 1 pound breakfast sausage, 1 medium onion, 1 loaf (1 pound) French bread
- In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the 8 large eggs, 2 cups of milk, 1 teaspoon of Dijon mustard, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, and 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper until well combined and slightly frothy.8 large eggs, 2 cups milk, 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish. Pour the egg and milk mixture evenly over the bread, sausage, and vegetable mixture in the baking dish. Gently press down on the bread cubes to ensure they are mostly submerged in the liquid.8 large eggs, 2 cups milk, 1 pound breakfast sausage, 1 medium onion, 1 loaf (1 pound) French bread
- For best results and a more infused flavor, cover the baking dish tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerating it overnight. This allows the bread to soak up the custard mixture thoroughly.
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). If you chilled the casserole overnight, remove it from the refrigerator about 30 minutes before baking to bring it closer to room temperature.
- Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of shredded sharp cheddar cheese evenly over the top of the casserole.1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- Bake for 45-55 minutes, or until the casserole is set in the center and the top is golden brown and puffed. A knife inserted into the center should come out clean.
- Let the Christmas Breakfast Casserole rest for about 5-10 minutes before slicing and serving. This allows it to set completely.