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Cozy Make-Ahead Cheesy Easter Breakfast Casserole

make-ahead cheesy Easter breakfast casserole - featured image
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A comforting and easy make-ahead breakfast casserole featuring layers of bread, eggs, cheese, and sausage, perfect for holiday mornings like Easter.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 6 cups cubed day-old French bread
  • 1 pound breakfast sausage, browned and drained (or diced ham as alternative)
  • 8 large eggs, room temperature
  • 2 cups whole milk (or half-and-half for extra creaminess)
  • 1 cup sour cream
  • 1 tsp Dijon mustard (optional)
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 2 green onions, thinly sliced
  • 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
  • Fresh parsley, chopped (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Cook the sausage in a skillet over medium heat until browned and fully cooked, about 8 minutes. Drain excess fat and set aside to cool.
  3. Cube the day-old French bread into roughly 1-inch pieces. Place half the bread cubes evenly in the bottom of a 9×13 inch baking dish.
  4. Spread the browned sausage evenly over the bread layer. Sprinkle half of the shredded cheddar and mozzarella on top.
  5. Layer the remaining bread cubes over the sausage and cheese.
  6. In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, sour cream, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper until smooth. Do not overbeat.
  7. Slowly pour the custard mixture evenly over the layered casserole. Press down gently with a spatula to help the bread soak up the custard.
  8. Top with the remaining cheddar and mozzarella cheese, sliced green onions, and dust with smoked paprika.
  9. Cover the dish tightly with foil or plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight.
  10. Remove the casserole from the fridge and let it sit at room temperature for 20 minutes before baking.
  11. Bake uncovered for 45-50 minutes or until the top is golden brown and a knife inserted in the center comes out clean.
  12. Let the casserole rest for 10 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired.

Notes

Use day-old bread for best texture. Allow casserole to soak overnight for optimal flavor and custard absorption. Brown sausage well and drain fat to avoid greasiness. Tent with foil if top browns too quickly. Vegetarian and dairy-free substitutions are possible.

Nutrition

Keywords: breakfast casserole, make-ahead breakfast, cheesy casserole, Easter brunch, holiday breakfast, sausage casserole, easy breakfast

Find it online: https://gleefulfork.com/cozy-make-ahead-cheesy-easter-breakfast-casserole-easy-recipe-for-perfect-holiday-mornings/