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.
Ingredients
Scale
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
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and generously grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
- Brown the breakfast sausage in a large skillet over medium-high heat, breaking it into small crumbles until fully cooked and no pink remains.
- 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.
- Layer bread cubes evenly across the bottom of the prepared baking dish, creating a foundational texture for the casserole.
- Distribute the cooked sausage crumbles uniformly over the bread cubes, ensuring an even meat distribution.
- Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese generously across the sausage layer, covering the entire surface.
- Carefully pour the egg and cream mixture over the layered ingredients, allowing it to seep between the bread cubes and fill all gaps.
- Gently press down on the top layer with a spatula to help the bread absorb the liquid mixture thoroughly.
- 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.
- Remove from the oven and let rest for 10 minutes to allow the casserole to firm up and cool slightly.
- Garnish with chopped green onions and fresh parsley before serving for added color and fresh flavor.
- 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