Overnight Sausage and Cheese Breakfast Casserole

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A savory overnight breakfast casserole layered with browned sausage, sharp cheddar cheese, and a custardy egg mixture, perfect for a festive Christmas morning. This american-inspired christmas ready in about 65 minutes combines pound ground breakfast sausage, large eggs, whole milk into a breakfast that fuels the morning without the midday crash — make-ahead-friendly and balanced enough to anchor the first meal of the day. Each serving lands at about 390 calories and feeds 8, so it sits comfortably in a weekly breakfast rotation alongside fruit, yogurt, or coffee. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 50 min Serves 8 American cuisine 390 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F and butter a 9x13-inch baking dish with 1 tbsp butter to prevent sticking.
  2. Step 2: In a skillet over medium heat, cook 1 pound ground breakfast sausage, breaking it apart with a spoon, until browned and no longer pink, about 7 minutes; drain excess fat.
  3. Step 3: In a large bowl, whisk together 8 large eggs, 2 cups whole milk, 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, and 1 tbsp yellow mustard until smooth and combined.
  4. Step 4: Layer 6 cups sourdough bread cubes evenly in the prepared dish, then sprinkle the cooked sausage evenly over the bread.
  5. Step 5: Sprinkle 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese evenly on top of the sausage layer.
  6. Step 6: Pour the egg mixture evenly over the entire casserole, pressing down gently with a spatula to soak the bread.
  7. Step 7: Cover the dish tightly with foil and refrigerate overnight.
  8. Step 8: The next morning, remove foil and bake uncovered at 350°F for 45-50 minutes until the top is golden and the casserole is set in the center.
  9. Step 9: Let cool for 5 minutes before slicing and serving warm.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Overnight Sausage and Cheese Breakfast Casserole take to make?

Total time is about 65 minutes (15 min prep + 50 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a busy morning; prep components the night before to save active time.

How do I store leftover Overnight Sausage and Cheese Breakfast Casserole?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat in the microwave or oven; egg- or grain-based items may need a splash of milk or water to refresh texture. Cold-served items (overnight oats, smoothies) keep 2–3 days in the fridge.

Can I substitute ingredients in Overnight Sausage and Cheese Breakfast Casserole?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Overnight Sausage and Cheese Breakfast Casserole for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 8 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 8). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Overnight Sausage and Cheese Breakfast Casserole?

American christmas like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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