Breakfast Casserole

This is the casserole that I make when I have special guests in for occasions (like my parents). So yummy for them to wake up, smell the coffee, make their way downstairs and get hit with the aroma of this casserole, some creamy grits, and maybe some fruit salad... Mmmm... starts the day off right!  With Spring break and the Easter holidays coming up, I have a feeling that many of you will start compiling your lists of special breakfast and brunch items as you anticipate having guests in for the holidays.

It's so super simple that it really doesn't necessitate having step-by-step photos.  You brown the sausage, tear the bread, cook the veggies in the microwave, then layer it all together the night before.  That's it.  The next morning, you just pop it into the oven and get to be a superstar.  

Print this Recipe!

Ingredients:

• 3 slices white or wheat bread, crusts removed
• 1½ Tbsp melted butter
• ¾ cup extra sharp cheddar cheese
• 4 large eggs (well beaten)
• 1 cup heavy whipping cream
• ¾ lb breakfast sausage*
• ½ tsp salt
• ½ tsp dry mustard
• To taste  black pepper
• To taste  dried dill
• ¼ cup   red bell pepper, diced small
• ¼ cup   green bell pepper, diced small
• ¼ cup   yellow bell pepper, diced small
• ¼ cup   sweet onion, diced small

*For even easier prep, the sausage is available as precooked breakfast 'crumbles' in both pork and turkey varieties.  That cuts out the largest portion of the prep in one big swoop!  Whoop Whoop!!

Method:

As mentioned above.... this is super simple.

Tear your bread into pieces.  Put them into the casserole dish on top of the melted butter (a 9"x9" casserole dish works well).  Chop the veggies and throw them into the microwave with a bit of butter for about 2 minutes to "saute" until soft.  Add the veggies to the cooked breakfast sausage and sprinkle that on top of the bread.  (If you are using raw breakfast sausage, you will need to brown it first, and drain it on some papertowels.)  Top with the cheese.

Mix the eggs, cream and seasonings together and pour over the cheese.  It will all soak down.

Chill for 8 hours or overnight in refrigerator.  Bake at 350 F for 40 - 50 minutes - covered with foil for the first 30 minutes, uncovered for the final 10 minutes.  Garnish with a bit of fresh chopped parsley.

I hope you enjoyed this recipe!

There are hundreds more in my Recipe Index, just waiting to be chosen and cooked!  You can also visit my Film strips for pinning page, to see whole recipes at a glance, and to click-and-go right to the recipe.

Connect with me.    

If you are new to MenuMusings, click here to subscribe so you won't miss a thing!  I'll send you notifications of new posts to help you avoid that proverbial cooking rut.  You can also follow me on Pinterest and on the MenuMusings facebook page.

Order the MenuMusings Cookbook!

Here are some bonus breakfast and brunch recipes for you.
   
So cute and easy... The kids will love them!
Ham Cups

    My kids favorite... but all around crowd pleaser.
Andouille Breakfast Potatoes

   Perfect for a ladies brunch.. Grandma?  Aunts?  Ladies brunch?  Bridesmaids luncheon?
Ham, Caramelized Onion, and Gruyere Quiche

   Kids can't resist these!!!!  (Okay, grown ups have been known to sneak them, too.)
Bacon Pancakes

   A favorite of the guys!!!
Waffle Iron Tater Tot Hash Browns

   For the little princesses in your life.....
Strawberry Vanilla Bean Pancake Sauce

     

   Reminds your special girl of that exotic vacation getaway!!!
Cinnamon Spiced Banana Caramel Pancakes

   A favorite of the ladies!!!
Cranberry Orange Muffins with Brown Sugar Pecan Crumble Topping

Written Method:

Combine the onions and peppers into a microwave save bowl and cook them in the microwave about 2 minutes with a small pat of butter.  Cook sausage well and drain on a paper towel-lined plate.  Melt butter in glass casserole dish (a 9 x 9" square works well).  Tear bread in small pieces and sprinkle over butter.  Sprinkle the cooked vegetables and drained sausage over the bread.  Sprinkle the cheese over the sausage.  Beat eggs, cream, and seasoning ingredients together and pour over the casserole.

Chill for 8 hours or overnight in refrigerator.  Bake at 350 F oven for 40 – 50 min.  I like to leave it covered with aluminum foil for the first 40 minutes, then remove foil for the last 10 minutes.