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A freshly baked easy breakfast casserole, golden brown and bubbly

Classic Easy Baked Breakfast Casserole

This classic baked breakfast casserole is perfect for a crowd or meal prep. It's packed with savory sausage, tender vegetables, cheesy bread, and a rich egg custard.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 50 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings 8 people
Calories 450 kcal

Equipment

  • large skillet
  • 9x13 inch baking dish
  • large bowl
  • whisk

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients

  • 6-8 slices day-old bread (white, wheat, or sourdough), 1-inch cubes
  • 1 pound ground breakfast sausage (mild or spicy)
  • 8 large eggs
  • 1.5 cups whole milk (or 2% milk)
  • 1.5 cups shredded cheese (cheddar, Monterey Jack, or blend)
  • 0.5 small onion finely chopped
  • 0.5 small green bell pepper finely chopped
  • Salt to taste
  • Black pepper to taste
  • garlic powder or paprika Pinch of, Optional

Instructions
 

Preparation

  • In a large skillet, cook the ground breakfast sausage until browned, breaking it up with a spoon, then drain excess fat.
  • Add chopped onion and green bell pepper to the skillet and sauté for 3-5 minutes until softened, then remove from heat.

Assembly

  • Lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.
  • Tear or cut bread into 1-inch cubes and scatter them evenly across the bottom of the prepared dish.
  • Sprinkle half of the shredded cheese over the bread cubes.
  • Evenly distribute the cooked sausage, onion, and bell pepper mixture over the cheese and bread.
  • Top with the remaining shredded cheese.
  • In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, salt, and pepper until well combined.
  • Carefully pour the egg mixture over the layers in the baking dish, ensuring the bread is mostly submerged; gently press down any floating bread pieces.

Chilling and Baking

  • Cover the dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or preferably overnight.
  • Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and uncover the casserole.
  • Bake for 45-55 minutes, or until the casserole is set, golden brown, and a knife inserted into the center comes out clean.
  • Let the casserole rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing and serving.

Notes

For best results, prepare the casserole the night before and let it chill overnight. This allows the bread to fully absorb the egg mixture, resulting in a more flavorful and cohesive casserole.