Description
This savory Sausage Breakfast Casserole is a hearty and comforting dish featuring layers of flavorful pork sausage, sautéed vegetables, tender bread, creamy eggs, cheddar cheese, and crispy hash browns. It’s perfect for prepping ahead, making it an ideal breakfast or brunch option for feeding a crowd.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Meat & Vegetables
- 1 1/2 pounds pork sausage
- 1 cup chopped yellow onion
- 3/4 cup chopped red bell pepper
- 3/4 cup chopped green bell pepper
Seasonings
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1 tablespoon dry mustard
Egg Mixture
- 8 eggs
- 2 cups whole milk
Bread & Dairy
- 12 slices white bread
- 4 cups grated medium cheddar cheese
- 3 cups frozen shredded hash browns
Instructions
- Prepare the Baking Dish: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Spray a 9 x 13-inch casserole dish with cooking spray and set aside.
- Cook the Sausage and Vegetables: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add the sausage. Cook until mostly browned, about 5 minutes. Add the onion, red bell pepper, and green bell pepper, then season with kosher salt and black pepper. Reduce the heat to medium and continue cooking, stirring, until the vegetables are softened, about 5 minutes. Remove the mixture from the pan and transfer to a large bowl or baking sheet to cool.
- Prepare the Egg Mixture: In a 1-quart measuring cup, whisk together the eggs and milk until smooth. In a small bowl, combine 1 tablespoon of the egg and milk mixture with the dry mustard, mixing until smooth. Stir the mustard mixture back into the remaining egg mixture and blend well. Set aside.
- Assemble the Casserole: Tear the bread slices into 1-inch pieces and cover the bottom of the prepared baking dish, fitting the pieces tightly together. Sprinkle ¾ of the sausage and pepper mixture evenly over the bread. Gradually pour the egg mixture over the bread and sausage, making sure to evenly distribute it and fill in the edges of the casserole.
- Add Cheese and Hash Browns: Toss together the cheddar cheese and frozen hash browns in a bowl. Spread this mixture over the entire casserole. Sprinkle the remaining sausage mixture over the top.
- Bake: Bake the casserole for 60–70 minutes, or until the eggs are set in the center and bubbling at the edges. If the casserole begins to brown too much, loosely tent foil over the top and continue baking until set.
- Rest and Serve: Remove the casserole from the oven and let it rest for about 10 minutes before digging in. Cut into squares and serve warm.
Notes
- If making ahead as an overnight casserole, add the cheese and frozen hash browns just before baking for best results.
- Hash browns cook best from frozen for a crispier topping.
- Customize by adding other vegetables or swapping out cheeses to your liking.
- Ensure casserole is fully set in the center before serving for best texture.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 piece (approx. 1/12 of casserole)
- Calories: 410
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 850mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 21g
- Cholesterol: 220mg
