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Sausage And Egg Breakfast Casserole: Classic Comfort Recipe - Easy, Cozy, Crowd-Pleasing

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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings 8 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pound (450 g) breakfast sausage (mild or spicy)
  • 8 large eggs
  • 2 cups (475 ml) milk (whole or 2% for best texture)
  • 1 cup (115 g) shredded cheddar cheese (or a blend like cheddar-jack)
  • 4 cups (about 8 oz/225 g) cubed bread (day-old is best; French or sourdough works well)
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped (optional but recommended)
  • 1 bell pepper, diced (optional)
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard (adds subtle depth)
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional, for warmth)
  • 2 tablespoons butter (for greasing the dish and flavor)
  • Chopped chives or parsley (for garnish)

Instructions
 

  • Prep the pan and oven: Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with butter. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) if baking right away.
  • Brown the sausage: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the sausage, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned and cooked through. Drain excess fat if needed.
  • Sauté aromatics: Add onion and bell pepper to the same skillet. Cook 3–4 minutes until softened. Stir in garlic for the last 30 seconds. Remove from heat.
  • Prepare the bread base: Spread the cubed bread evenly in the buttered baking dish. Scatter the sausage and sautéed vegetables over the bread.
  • Whisk the custard: In a large bowl, whisk eggs, milk, Dijon, salt, pepper, and smoked paprika until smooth. Stir in half the cheese.
  • Assemble: Pour the egg mixture evenly over the bread and sausage. Gently press with a spatula to help the bread soak it up. Sprinkle the remaining cheese on top.
  • Rest (optional but ideal): Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or up to overnight. This helps the casserole set and bake evenly.
  • Bake: Uncover and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 40–50 minutes, until the center is set and the top is golden. A knife inserted in the middle should come out mostly clean.
  • Finish and serve: Let it rest 10 minutes to firm up. Garnish with chopped chives or parsley. Slice and serve warm.