Print

Perfect Cozy Cheesy Baked Breakfast Casserole with Sausage

breakfast casserole with sausage - featured image
Print Recipe

A creamy, custardy breakfast casserole with sausage, three types of cheese, and day-old bread, baked to golden perfection. Perfect for holiday mornings, brunch with friends, or any day you want to start with something memorable.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound breakfast sausage
  • 10 large eggs, room temperature
  • 2 cups whole milk
  • 1 cup cottage cheese, blended until smooth
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)
  • 6 cups cubed day-old bread (brioche, challah, sourdough, or French bread)
  • 2 tablespoons melted butter
  • 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella or Monterey Jack cheese
  • ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • ½ cup diced bell peppers (optional)
  • ¼ cup chopped green onions (optional)
  • ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)

Instructions

  1. Brown the sausage in a large skillet over medium-high heat, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, until browned and cooked through (6 to 8 minutes). Drain excess fat, leaving a little for flavor. Set aside to cool slightly.
  2. Brush the bottom and sides of a 9×13-inch baking dish with melted butter.
  3. Spread the cubed bread evenly across the bottom of the prepared dish. If using bell peppers, scatter them over the bread.
  4. In a large mixing bowl, whisk the eggs until uniform in color. Add milk, blended cottage cheese, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and smoked paprika. Whisk until fully combined.
  5. Sprinkle half of the shredded cheddar and mozzarella over the bread. Scatter the cooked sausage evenly over the cheese. Pour the egg mixture slowly and evenly over the entire dish, pressing down gently with a spatula to help the bread absorb the liquid.
  6. Sprinkle the remaining cheddar and mozzarella over the top, then finish with grated Parmesan.
  7. Cover the dish with plastic wrap or aluminum foil and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or up to overnight.
  8. When ready to bake, preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Remove casserole from fridge and let sit on counter for 15 minutes. Bake covered with foil for 30 minutes, then remove foil and bake for another 20 to 25 minutes, until top is golden brown and center is set (a knife inserted in the center comes out clean).
  9. Let the casserole rest for 10 minutes before serving. Sprinkle with chopped green onions if desired.

Notes

For best texture, use day-old bread and let the assembled casserole rest in the fridge for at least 1 hour. Room temperature eggs incorporate more smoothly. Blend cottage cheese until smooth for a creamy custard. Do not overbake; the center should be just set with a slight jiggle. Leftovers keep in the refrigerator for up to 4 days and freeze well for up to 2 months.

Nutrition

Keywords: breakfast casserole, sausage casserole, cheesy breakfast bake, overnight breakfast casserole, holiday breakfast, brunch recipe

Find it online: https://perkypan.com/perfect-cozy-cheesy-baked-breakfast-casserole-with-sausage/