Easy Breakfast Casserole

Some people wake up bright-eyed and bushy-tailed and ready to greet the day while for others, the morning transition is… um, a little more difficult. For those of us who fit into the latter category, recipes that take the early morning work out of a big breakfast are a blessing and a half. Enter the oh-so-amazing overnight breakfast casserole.

This easy bake is cheesy, meaty, and full of comforting hash browns, and all of the work can be done ahead. That means that all you have to handle before your morning cup of coffee is preheating an oven. That, we can handle. You simply brown some of your favorite ground breakfast sausage with some onions before mixing it with some frozen hash browns, a whole lot of eggs, a bit of cream, shredded cheddar, and some earthy rosemary and thyme before letting the whole thing sit overnight in the fridge. It gives a chance for all the flavors to really come together and for you to get a little bit more shut-eye.

An overnight casserole is the perfect thing when you have a house full of company, so we love making this around the holidays. We also find it’s really handy to make up a batch and divide it into three or four little loaves to be baked up on any given busy morning. We’ve included baking times for each option below. When we make this up, we like to keep one loaf pan in the fridge to bake the next morning and freeze the rest for later. As long as they’re wrapped up tight, they freeze really well. If you’re baking from frozen, it will increase the baking time a little bit, so you’ll be looking at the longer end of those baking time ranges.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This breakfast casserole is a game-changer for anyone who loves a hearty morning meal without the hassle. It’s perfect for feeding a crowd, making it ideal for holiday gatherings or weekend brunches. Plus, you can prepare it the night before, so you wake up to a stress-free breakfast that’s ready to pop in the oven.

Kitchen Equipment You’ll Need

• Skillet
• 9×9 baking dish
• Whisk
• Microwave
• Knife

Ingredients:

• 1/2 lb. breakfast sausage
• 3 green onions, chopped (whites and greens)
• 4 eggs
• 1/2 cup milk
• 3 frozen shredded hash brown patties
• 1 1/4 cups shredded Colby Jack cheese

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Brown and crumble the sausage in a skillet. Drain off any grease.
2. Spoon the sausage into the bottom of a 9×9 baking dish.
3. Sprinkle half of the green onions over the sausage.
4. Whisk together the eggs and milk, and pour over the sausage.
5. Top with 1 cup of cheese.
6. Place the hash browns on a plate and microwave for 30 seconds to soften.
7. Cut each hash brown patty into 6 pieces and place on top of the cheese.
8. Bake in a 350-degree oven for 25 minutes.
9. Remove from oven, top with remaining cheese and green onions, and return to the oven for 5 minutes.

Tips for Success

• Make sure to drain the sausage well to avoid a greasy casserole.
• Mixing the eggs and milk thoroughly ensures a smooth custard base.
• For best results, let the casserole sit in the fridge overnight before baking.

Additional Tips and Variations

Feel free to experiment with different cheeses or add vegetables like bell peppers or mushrooms for extra flavor. You can also substitute the sausage with bacon or ham for a different twist.

Nutritional Highlights (Per Serving)

This casserole is a balanced meal with protein from the sausage and eggs, carbs from the hash browns, and a delicious dose of cheese.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

• Can I make this casserole ahead of time? Yes, preparing it the night before is recommended to enhance the flavors.
• How do I store leftovers? Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days.
• Can I freeze this casserole? Absolutely! Just make sure it’s tightly wrapped. When ready to bake, it may require a longer baking time.

Conclusion

We hope this Easy Breakfast Casserole becomes a staple in your morning routine, thanks to its simplicity and delightful flavors. Give it a try, and don’t forget to share your experience with us in the comments below. Happy breakfasting!