Description

A practical, stress-free breakfast casserole that is assembled the night before and baked in the morning. It feeds a crowd, freezes well, and delivers a savory, custardy texture with sausage, cheese, and stale bread.

Ingredients

Scale

1 pound breakfast sausage (pork links or bulk)
1 loaf French bread or baguette (about 400g, torn into 1-inch chunks)
8–10 large eggs
2 cups heavy cream
1 cup whole milk
2 cups sharp cheddar cheese (shredded)
1 medium yellow onion (diced)
3 cloves garlic (minced)
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the sausage, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned and crispy. Drain excess grease if necessary.
Push sausage to the side and add diced onion to the skillet. Cook for 3-4 minutes until soft. Add minced garlic in the last minute. Remove from heat.
Tear the bread into 1-inch chunks and arrange them in a single layer in a 9×13 baking dish.
In a large bowl, whisk eggs, heavy cream, milk, Dijon mustard, thyme, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper until smooth.
Pour the egg mixture evenly over the bread, pressing down gently to ensure all pieces are soaked.
Spread the cooked sausage and onion mixture over the top, then sprinkle with shredded cheese.
Cover tightly with plastic wrap or foil and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight.
Remove from fridge and let sit on the counter for 20 minutes while oven heats.
Bake uncovered for 45-50 minutes, or until the center is set and top is golden brown. If browning too fast, cover with foil for the first 30 minutes.
Let rest for 10 minutes before slicing and serving.

Notes

Use stale bread for best texture; fresh bread will turn mushy. Ensure sausage grease is drained to prevent sogginess. For a crispy top, broil for the last 2-3 minutes. Can be frozen unbaked for up to 3 months.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Category: Breakfast
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 slice
Calories: 380
Sugar: 4
Sodium: 650
Fat: 22
Saturated Fat: 10
Carbohydrates: 28
Fiber: 1
Protein: 18

Keywords: breakfast casserole, make-ahead breakfast, sausage casserole, meal prep, overnight oats alternative, brunch recipe, easy breakfast