Breakfast Casserole – The Forked Spoon

This Easy Breakfast Casserole is made with eggs, ground sausage, shredded cheese, and day-old bread. Comforting and so flavorful, it’s the perfect make-ahead breakfast or holiday brunch.

Piece of cheese and sausage breakfast sausage on a white plate with a glass od orange juice and bowl of fruit in the backgroud.

Super Easy Breakfast Casserole Recipe

Mornings welcomed with this best-ever breakfast casserole are guaranteed to be great. Hearty and delicious, but so easy to make, this amazing casserole is made with just seven main ingredients – yellow onion, ground sausage, eggs, milk, parmesan cheese, gouda cheese, and bread. The whole family will love this yummy recipe, it’s perfect for the holiday season or as a special weekend breakfast or brunch. Simply prepare ahead of time and bake the morning of – so easy!

Do I need to chill this breakfast casserole before baking it?

No. However, it is recommended. Chilling for at least 1 hour (up to overnight) in the refrigerator allows the milk and egg mixture to soak into the day-old bread making it nice and soggy perfect for baking. If you imagine French toast, the best recipes really allow the milk and eggs to soak into the slices of bread before cooking.

Ingredients on a white table required to make a baked egg and sausage breakfast casserole.

How to Make Breakfast Casserole

Start by spraying a large 9 x 13-inch casserole dish with non-stick cooking spray. If you plan to cook this breakfast casserole right away, preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit, otherwise you can skip this step.

The first step is to sauté the onions and sausage in a little olive oil until fully cooked. Once cooked remove from heat and allow them to cool slightly. Next, whisk together the eggs, milk, salt, black pepper, and garlic powder until fully combined. Once the sausage has cooled a little, add the sausage and the shredded cheese to the egg mixture. If you add hot sausage to uncooked eggs, it will start to cook the eggs.

Arrange the day-old bread in the bottom of your prepared baking dish then pour the egg and meat mixture over the top.

Cover with foil and refrigerate for up to 12 hours.

Bake in a preheated 350-degree Fahrenheit oven for 35 minutes (covered) followed by an additional 25 minutes (uncovered). You know your breakfast casserole is fully cooked when the outside edges are firm and golden, and the center isn’t jiggly anymore.

Collage of six images showing the steps involved in making a breakfast casserole.

Slow Cooker Breakfast Casserole

It’s easy to make this breakfast casserole in the crock pot. Simply prepare the night before, set your slow cooker to low, and let it cook as you sleep.

Spray the bowl of your slow cooker with non-stick olive oil or butter cooking spray.
Cook the onion and sausage in a large skillet over medium heat until cooked through. Transfer to the slow cooker with the day-old bread cubes.
Whisk together the eggs, milk, cheese, salt, black pepper, and garlic powder until fully combined, and pour over the sausage and bread. Mix to combine everything together.
Cook for a total of 7-8 hours, or until eggs are fully cooked. Do not cook on high heat.

Modifications and Substitutions

Sneak in some greens by adding baby spinach or kale. You can even add sliced mushrooms, bell peppers, or tomatoes. I like to sauté the veggies before mixing them with the egg and milk mixture.
Swap the sausage for diced ham or bacon.
Use whatever cheese is your favorite – cheddar cheese, goat cheese, feta cheese, mozzarella cheese, Swiss, pepper Jack, Colby Jack cheese, etc.
For a creamier, more luscious casserole, swap the whole milk for half-and-half. Or try some combination of milk plus heavy cream.
The best type of bread will vary from family to family. I don’t usually like making breakfast casseroles with any kind of wheat bread or whole grain bread. My favorite includes day-old French bread, sourdough bread, challah bread, or Brioche.

White baking dish filled with breakfast casserole made with eggs, cheese, sausage, and bread.

What to Serve with Breakfast Casserole

This sausage breakfast casserole is fantastic with a side of fruit or a fresh fruit salad. I always love to serve mine with a big glass of orange juice. When I make this recipe for Christmas morning I’ll add freshly baked cinnamon rolls or blueberry muffins and tater tots.

When serving as leftovers, sometimes I’ll serve it over a pile of fresh greens, or wrap it in a warm tortilla for an easy on-the-go breakfast.

More Breakfast Recipes,

If you try making this Breakfast Casserole Recipe, please leave me a comment below! I always love to read your thoughts and feedback!