Mornings can be hectic, right? Between packing lunches, getting everyone ready, and trying to sneak in a cup of coffee, breakfast often gets the short end of the stick. But what if I told you there’s a dish that combines the heartiness of a Texas breakfast with the ease of a make-ahead meal? Enter my Cheesy Sausage Breakfast Casserole! It’s a crowd-pleaser that’s perfect for busy weekdays or lazy weekend brunches. Ready to ditch the morning rush?
Top Reasons To Make It
This casserole isn’t just delicious; it’s practical too! You can prep it the night before, so breakfast is ready when you are. It’s also incredibly versatile – you can use whatever veggies or cheese you have on hand. Plus, who doesn’t love a warm, cheesy, and savory breakfast that feeds a crowd? Big win!
Ingredients
- Breakfast Sausage: For that savory, satisfying base.
- Hash Browns: Adds texture and heartiness to the casserole.
- Shredded Cheddar Cheese: Who doesn’t love cheesy goodness?
- Eggs: Binds the dish together and adds protein
- Milk and heavy cream: for the perfect consistency.
- Onion and Bell Pepper: For flavor and a touch of sweetness.
- Seasonings (salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and a pinch of cayenne): To elevate the flavors.
You’ll find the exact measurements below, in the simple recipe card. Let’s get cooking!
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
- Brown the sausage in a skillet over medium heat. Drain off any excess grease.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, and heavy cream. Season with salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and a pinch of cayenne. Honestly, if you hate heat, skip the cayenne.
- Spread the hash browns evenly in the prepared baking dish. Top with the cooked sausage, chopped onion, bell pepper, and shredded cheese.
- Pour the egg mixture over the hash browns and other ingredients. Make sure everything is evenly coated.
- Bake for 45-50 minutes, or until the casserole is set and golden brown. You’ll know it’s done when a knife inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Let the casserole rest for a few minutes before serving.
Variations & Substitutions
Feel free to get creative! You can swap the cheddar for other cheeses like Colby Jack or Monterey Jack. Add in diced tomatoes, spinach, or mushrooms. Want a bit of heat? Add a few dashes of your favorite hot sauce to the egg mixture. For a Healthy Hash Brown Breakfast Casserole, you can use sweet potatoes instead of regular potatoes. So many possibilities.
Serving Ideas & Pairings
This Cheesy Sausage Breakfast Casserole is delicious on its own, but you can also pair it with a side of fresh fruit, yogurt, or biscuits. It’s a perfect complement to a breakfast casserole with biscuits and hash browns! And it’s so, so flavorful.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. You can also freeze the casserole for up to 2 months – so convenient!. Reheat individual portions in the microwave or oven. But be careful not to overheat, as this can dry out the casserole.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this ahead of time? Yes, indeed! This is a great make-ahead breakfast hash brown casserole recipe for busy mornings. You can assemble it the night before and bake it in the morning. Just add about 10-15 minutes to the baking time if baking from cold. You can also look for an overnight breakfast casserole hash brown version if you wish.
What if I don’t have hash browns? No problem! The best breakfast casserole always allow for flexibility! You can use diced potatoes, tater tots, or even frozen southern-style hash brown patties. You could give sausage hash brown breakfast casserole a try.
So, there you have it. My take on the Cheesy Sausage Breakfast Casserole. It’s an easy egg bake for any occasion. With a simple baked eggs recipe at its core, it is sure to become a breakfast staple in your house – just like it is in mine. Give it a try, and let me know what you think!
Print
Cheesy Sausage Breakfast Casserole
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
Description
This Cheesy Sausage Breakfast Casserole is a hearty and crowd-pleasing make-ahead breakfast that’s perfect for holidays, weekends, or feeding a hungry crew. Packed with savory sausage, hash browns, and lots of cheese!
Ingredients
1 pound breakfast sausage
3 cups frozen hash browns, thawed
1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
8 large eggs
¾ cup milk
¼ cup heavy cream
1 small onion, diced
1 bell pepper, diced
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
½ teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon onion powder
½ teaspoon paprika
Pinch of cayenne pepper (optional)
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
2. Brown the sausage in a skillet over medium heat. Drain any excess grease.
3. In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, and heavy cream. Season with salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and cayenne (if using).
4. Spread the hash browns evenly in the prepared baking dish.
5. Top with the cooked sausage, diced onion, bell pepper, and shredded cheese.
6. Pour the egg mixture over everything, making sure it’s evenly coated.
7. Bake for 45–50 minutes or until the center is set and golden brown. A knife inserted should come out clean.
8. Let the casserole rest for 5–10 minutes before slicing and serving.
Notes
You can prep this casserole the night before and bake in the morning.
Swap cheddar with Monterey Jack or pepper jack for a twist.
Add spinach or mushrooms for extra veggies.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 370
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 720mg
- Fat: 29g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 8g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 17g
- Cholesterol: 230mg
Keywords: breakfast casserole, cheesy sausage bake, make-ahead breakfast, holiday brunch