Delectable Crack Breakfast Casserole Recipe for Morning Bliss

Mornings shine brighter with a delectable crack breakfast casserole that promises pure comfort and zero compromise.

Crispy edges and melted cheese create an irresistible morning melody for hungry souls.

Layers of savory ingredients dance together, promising a breakfast experience beyond ordinary expectations.

Simple ingredients merge into a stunning ensemble that feels both familiar and exciting.

Hearty and satisfying, this casserole delivers maximum flavor with minimal kitchen effort.

Packed with protein and warmth, each bite tells a delicious story you’ll want to savor.

Gather your skillet and appetite – this recipe is about to become your new breakfast champion.

Crack Breakfast Casserole FAQ Roundup

• How do I know if the sausage is fully cooked?

Cook the sausage until no pink remains and it’s broken into small crumbles. Use a meat thermometer to ensure internal temperature reaches 160°F for safe consumption.

• Can I use a different type of bread?

Yes, use day-old bread or slightly stale bread for better absorption of the egg mixture. Brioche, white bread, or sourdough work well in this casserole.

• What if I want to make this ahead of time?

Prepare the casserole the night before, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate. When ready to bake, remove from the refrigerator 30 minutes before cooking and add an extra 10-15 minutes to baking time.

Why Crack Breakfast Casserole Is Perfect For Mornings

• Crowd-Pleasing Comfort: A hearty breakfast casserole that brings everyone together with its delicious blend of sausage, cheese, and bread.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the entire dish in advance, refrigerate overnight, and bake fresh in the morning for a stress-free breakfast solution.
• Versatile Crowd-Feeder: Perfect for feeding a large group, this casserole easily serves multiple people with its generous 9×13-inch baking dish size.
• Customization Potential: Swap ingredients, add vegetables, or experiment with different cheeses to make this recipe uniquely yours and keep things exciting.

Ingredients For Crack Breakfast Casserole You’ll Need

• Breakfast Sausage: A flavorful meat that adds a hearty and savory element to the breakfast casserole.
• Eggs: The binding agent that creates a rich, creamy texture and provides structure to the dish.

• Whole Milk, Heavy Cream: Ingredients that contribute to a luxurious and smooth custard base.
• Cheddar Cheese: A sharp and melty cheese that adds depth of flavor and creates a golden, gooey top layer.

• Bread Cubes: The foundation of the casserole that absorbs the egg mixture and creates a satisfying texture.
• Salt, Black Pepper, Garlic Powder: Seasonings that enhance the overall flavor profile of the dish.
• Green Onions, Fresh Parsley: Garnishes that provide a fresh, bright finish and additional color to the casserole.

Steps To Make Crack Breakfast Casserole Easily

Step 1: Warm Up The Oven

Heat your oven to 350°F and coat a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray or butter to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Cook The Meat

Brown the breakfast sausage in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Break the meat into small crumbles, cooking until no pink remains.

Step 3: Create A Creamy Mixture

• Whole milk
• Heavy cream
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Garlic powder

Blend these ingredients into a rich, flavorful custard base.

Step 4: Build The Base Layer

Spread bread cubes evenly across the bottom of the prepared baking dish, creating a sturdy foundation for the casserole.

Step 5: Add Meat Layer

Scatter the cooked sausage crumbles uniformly over the bread cubes, ensuring consistent meat distribution.

Step 6: Cheese It Up

Shower shredded cheddar cheese across the sausage layer, completely covering the surface.

Step 7: Pour The Liquid

Gently pour the egg and cream mixture over the layered ingredients, allowing it to seep between bread cubes and fill all spaces.

Step 8: Press And Soak

Use a spatula to softly press down on the top layer, helping the bread absorb the liquid mixture completely.

Step 9: Bake To Perfection

Slide the dish into the preheated oven and bake for 45-50 minutes. Look for a golden brown top and a center that’s set with no liquid movement.

Step 10: Rest And Settle

Remove the casserole from the oven and let it rest for 10 minutes, allowing it to firm up and cool slightly.

Step 11: Add Fresh Touches

Sprinkle chopped green onions and fresh parsley on top for a burst of color and extra flavor.

Step 12: Serve And Enjoy

Slice the casserole and serve warm, savoring the rich layers and delicious breakfast combination.

Smart Tips For Crack Breakfast Casserole Success

• Prep Ahead: Cube bread the night before and let it sit out to slightly dry, which helps absorb the egg mixture more effectively.
• Cheese Swap: Experiment with different cheese varieties like pepper jack, gruyere, or monterey jack for unique flavor profiles.
• Make It Lighter: Replace whole milk with skim milk and use turkey sausage to reduce overall fat content without sacrificing taste.
• Freeze-Friendly Trick: Assemble the casserole, cover tightly with plastic wrap, and freeze for up to 3 months before baking for convenient meal prep.
• Vegetarian Option: Substitute sausage with sautéed mushrooms, spinach, or roasted bell peppers for a meat-free alternative.

Fun Mix-Ins For Crack Breakfast Casserole

• Vegetarian Breakfast Casserole: Replace sausage with sautéed mushrooms, spinach, and bell peppers for a plant-based alternative packed with nutrients and flavor.
• Gluten-Free Option: Swap regular bread cubes with gluten-free bread or cauliflower rice to accommodate dietary restrictions while maintaining the casserole's core texture.
• Low-Carb Keto Version: Use almond flour bread or crumbled pork rinds instead of traditional bread, and add extra cheese and bacon for a high-fat, low-carb breakfast option.
• Mexican-Inspired Variation: Incorporate chorizo, pepper jack cheese, jalapeños, and top with salsa for a spicy southwestern breakfast casserole that brings bold regional flavors.

Top Pairings With Crack Breakfast Casserole

• Elevate Breakfast Pairing Adventures
• Brew Bold Morning Coffee: Dark roast or espresso cuts through the casserole's richness, balancing creamy textures with robust caffeine depth and complementing the sausage's savory profile.
• Match Crisp Apple Salad: Fresh, tangy green apple slices with light vinaigrette provide bright contrast against the heavy, cheesy breakfast casserole, creating palate-cleansing moments between bites.
• Recommend Fresh Orange Juice: Citrusy, slightly acidic juice helps cut through the dish's dense proteins and cheese, refreshing taste buds while adding nutritional vitamin boost to the morning meal.
• Suggest Light Herb Garnish: Sprinkle extra chopped chives or parsley on top to introduce fresh, green notes that lighten the overall hearty dish and provide subtle aromatic complexity.

How To Store Crack Breakfast Casserole Right

• Seal cooled casserole in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days, maintaining freshness and preventing bacterial growth.
• Wrap tightly with plastic wrap and aluminum foil, then freeze for maximum 2 months; place in freezer-safe container to prevent freezer burn and preserve texture.
• Place individual portion on microwave-safe plate, cover with damp paper towel, and heat at 50% power for 1-2 minutes, stirring midway to ensure even warming and prevent dryness.

Crack Breakfast Casserole Recipe

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4.6 from 32 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Hearty Crack Breakfast Casserole delivers pure morning comfort with layers of cheesy, savory goodness. Southern-style ingredients blend seamlessly, promising a delightful start that will make you crave another slice.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 8 eggs
• 1 lb breakfast sausage
• 4 cups bread cubes
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

Dairy and Seasonings:

• 2 cups whole milk
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder

Optional Toppings:

• 2 green onions, chopped
• 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F and generously grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
2. Brown the breakfast sausage in a large skillet over medium-high heat, breaking it into small crumbles until fully cooked and no pink remains.
3. Whisk eggs in a large mixing bowl until smooth and well-combined, then incorporate whole milk, heavy cream, salt, black pepper, and garlic powder to create a rich, seasoned custard base.
4. Layer bread cubes evenly across the bottom of the prepared baking dish, creating a foundational texture for the casserole.
5. Distribute the cooked sausage crumbles uniformly over the bread cubes, ensuring an even meat distribution.
6. Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese generously across the sausage layer, covering the entire surface.
7. Carefully pour the egg and cream mixture over the layered ingredients, allowing it to seep between the bread cubes and fill all gaps.
8. Gently press down on the top layer with a spatula to help the bread absorb the liquid mixture thoroughly.
9. Bake in the preheated oven for 45-50 minutes, or until the casserole is golden brown and the center is set with no liquid jiggle.
10. Remove from the oven and let rest for 10 minutes to allow the casserole to firm up and cool slightly.
11. Garnish with chopped green onions and fresh parsley before serving for added color and fresh flavor.
12. Slice and serve warm, enjoying the rich, layered textures and savory breakfast combination.

Notes

• Customize the casserole by swapping breakfast sausage with turkey sausage or vegetarian plant-based crumbles for a lighter protein option.
• Prep the dish ahead of time by assembling the entire casserole the night before and refrigerating, then bake in the morning for a stress-free breakfast.
• Enhance nutritional value by adding sautéed spinach, diced bell peppers, or mushrooms between bread and sausage layers for extra vegetables and nutrients.
• Create a gluten-free version by using gluten-free bread cubes and checking that sausage and cheese are certified gluten-free for those with dietary restrictions.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 50 minutes
• Category: Breakfast, Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 453
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 741 mg
• Fat: 34 g
• Saturated Fat: 15 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 19 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 21 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 22 g
• Cholesterol: 326 mg