Name: Christmas Breakfast Casserole with Sausage and Cheese Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 1 h
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 lb ground pork sausage; 6 large eggs; 1 cup whole milk; 1 teaspoon dry mustard; 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt; 1/4 teaspoon black pepper; 6 slices day-old bread, cubed; 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded

There’s nothing quite like waking up to the comforting aroma of a warm, cheesy bake on Christmas morning. This Christmas Breakfast Casserole with Sausage and Cheese Recipe turns your holiday breakfast into a festive, cozy celebration loaded with flavors that bring the family around the table.

A wooden spoon holds a thick slice of a layered baked dish with a golden crust. The top layer has browned, chunky pieces of sausage with a rough texture. Beneath this is a soft, yellow layer that looks like cooked egg mixed with chunks of fluffy bread, which are light brown on the edges and creamy inside. The slice is lifted above a glass baking dish filled with the same baked casserole, showing similar uneven layers of sausage, melted cheese, and bread pieces in a creamy yellow base. Everything sits on a white marbled surface, with a blurred glass of orange juice and some blueberries in the background. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Christmas Breakfast Casserole with Sausage and Cheese Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Christmas Breakfast Casserole with Sausage and Cheese Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Christmas Breakfast Casserole with Sausage and Cheese Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I remember the first time I made this casserole—how the combination of sausage and sharp cheddar filled the kitchen with smells that just screamed “holiday!” It’s the kind of recipe that’s easy to make ahead but feels special enough for Christmas morning. You’re going to love how simple ingredients come together to create something magical.

Make-Ahead Friendly: You prep it the night before, so Christmas morning is all about family, not cooking rush.
Hearty & Comforting: Ground sausage and melted cheddar bring warming, satisfying flavors everyone enjoys.
Simple Yet Impressive: Minimal ingredients, maximum deliciousness—ideal for cooks at any skill level.
Feeds a Crowd: Perfect for holiday gatherings, this casserole serves about 8, making your job easier.

A rectangular clear glass baking dish holds a layered casserole placed on a round wooden board over a white marbled surface. The casserole's top layer is a mix of melted yellow and light golden cheese with crispy, browned bits scattered evenly. Underneath, chunks of light golden toasted bread and browned sausage pieces are visible, creating a textured and uneven surface that hints at multiple layers of bread and cooked sausage inside. Near the dish, there is a glass of orange juice, a white bowl filled with blueberries, two eggs, salt and pepper shakers, and a wooden spatula resting on a checkered cloth with green, white, and red squares. The scene is bright and clean, showing a homemade breakfast dish ready to be served photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

This recipe shines because of its balance—savory sausage, fluffy eggs, the richness of cheese, and the hearty texture of bread cubes that soak up all those flavors. When shopping, I always grab good-quality sausage and day-old bread because both really elevate the final dish.

Flat lay of a mound of fresh raw ground pork sausage, six whole uncracked brown eggs, a small white ceramic bowl filled with whole milk, a small white bowl with bright yellow dry mustard powder, a small white bowl containing coarse kosher salt crystals, a small white bowl with cracked black pepper, six rustic day-old bread cubes arranged neatly, and a small white bowl heaped with shredded sharp cheddar cheese, all arranged with perfect symmetry on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Ground Pork Sausage: Adds savory depth and a satisfying meaty bite that's essential for a filling breakfast.
Eggs: Bind all the ingredients together, providing richness and fluffiness as the casserole bakes.
Whole Milk: Keeps the casserole moist and tender, balancing the richness of sausage and cheese.
Dry Mustard: Just a hint – this adds a subtle tang and complexity, lifting the flavors without overpowering.
Kosher Salt & Black Pepper: The fundamentals that bring out the best in every ingredient.
Day-Old Bread Cubes: Perfect for soaking up the egg mixture; avoid fresh bread that can get too soggy.
Sharp Cheddar Cheese: Offers a punchy, melty component that ties everything together.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

What’s great about this Christmas Breakfast Casserole with Sausage and Cheese Recipe is how adaptable it is. Personally, I love adding a touch of green with sliced scallions or swapping in spicy chorizo for the regular sausage when I want an extra kick.

Variation: Try swapping cheddar for pepper jack cheese for a smoky twist — I did this one year and it was a big hit with friends who enjoy a little heat.
Vegetarian option: Skip the sausage and add sautéed mushrooms and spinach instead for a veggie-forward version.
Make it gluten-free: Use gluten-free bread to keep it inclusive, without compromising flavor.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Christmas Breakfast Casserole with Sausage and Cheese Recipe

Step 1: Prep the Base with Bread Cubes

Start by greasing your 9x13 inch baking dish—I usually use a bit of butter or non-stick spray. Evenly spread the cubed day-old bread across the bottom. Using day-old bread is key here — it holds up well after soaking in the egg mixture without turning into mush.

Step 2: Brown the Sausage

In a skillet over medium heat, cook your ground pork sausage until it’s nicely browned and cooked through. Drain off the excess fat so the casserole isn’t greasy. Then, spread the sausage evenly over your bread cubes. This layer adds that lovely savory core.

Step 3: Whisk & Combine the Egg Mixture

In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, whole milk, dry mustard, kosher salt, and black pepper until smooth. Stir in the shredded sharp cheddar cheese so it’s well distributed and ready to melt.

Step 4: Assemble & Soak

Pour the egg and cheese mixture evenly over the sausage and bread base. Grab a fork to gently press down the mix, making sure the bread cubes soak up all that eggy goodness. Then cover with foil and refrigerate overnight or at least a couple of hours to allow everything to meld beautifully.

Step 5: Bake to Perfection

When you’re ready, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the covered casserole for 30 minutes, then remove the foil and bake for another 15 minutes until the top is golden and the center is set. Let it rest for about 10 minutes before serving to help it firm up.

Top Tip

Having made this casserole many times, I’ve found a few tricks that really bring it from good to unforgettable. They might seem small, but trust me—they make a big difference when you want to impress your guests and still keep things stress-free.

Use Day-Old Bread: Fresh bread tends to get soggy and fall apart. I always keep day-old bread on hand for the perfect texture.
Drain Sausage Fat: Too much grease pools in the casserole, so I drain the cooked sausage thoroughly to keep the dish balanced.
Press Gently: Don’t squish the casserole hard but a gentle press with a fork ensures the bread soaks up the egg mixture evenly.
Rest Before Serving: It’s tempting to dig in right away, but letting it sit for 10 minutes helps it set so slices hold together perfectly.

How to Serve Christmas Breakfast Casserole with Sausage and Cheese Recipe

Christmas breakfast casserole - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

For finishing touches, I like sprinkling fresh chopped parsley or green onions on top—they add a pop of color and freshness that balances the richness. A little dollop of sour cream or a spicy salsa on the side can also brighten the flavors nicely.

Side Dishes

We usually serve this casserole alongside fresh fruit salad and maybe some crispy roasted potatoes. A warm mug of coffee or hot cocoa rounds out the meal perfectly, making it feel like a real holiday feast.

Creative Ways to Present

One Christmas, I layered the casserole into individual ramekins for a quaint presentation. It made serving easier and felt super special for everyone. You could also garnish each portion with a sprig of thyme or mini Christmas-themed picks for festive charm.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

After serving, I store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge. It keeps well for 3 to 4 days. When you pull it out, you’ll notice the flavors have even mellowed a bit—just as delicious the next day!

Freezing

If you like to prep early, this casserole freezes beautifully. I assemble it, freeze before baking, then thaw overnight in the fridge before baking as usual. It’s a lifesaver for busy holiday mornings!

Reheating

To reheat, I recommend warming leftovers in the oven at 325°F (160°C) for about 15–20 minutes until heated through and cozy. Microwaving can get soggy on the edges, so the oven really preserves the texture best.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I make this Christmas Breakfast Casserole with Sausage and Cheese Recipe the morning of or does it need to be overnight?

You can bake it without the overnight soak, but allowing the casserole to chill covered in the fridge for a few hours or overnight really improves texture and flavor because the bread absorbs the egg mixture fully, creating a more cohesive dish.

What type of sausage works best for this casserole?

Classic ground pork sausage is great because it’s flavorful and juicy, but you can also use breakfast sausage links sliced up or even turkey sausage for a lighter twist. Just make sure it’s cooked and drained well before assembling.

Can I substitute the bread with something gluten-free?

Absolutely! Use your favorite gluten-free bread baked a day earlier just like the recipe states for regular bread. It should soak up the egg mixture the same way and keep the casserole delicious.

How long can I freeze the casserole?

The casserole can be frozen up to 2 months without a noticeable drop in quality. Be sure to wrap it tightly with plastic wrap and foil before freezing, and thaw it in the fridge before baking.

Final Thoughts

This Christmas Breakfast Casserole with Sausage and Cheese Recipe holds a special place on our holiday table year after year. It’s the warm, hearty hug you want on chilly mornings, and the best part? It frees you up to enjoy the festive day instead of spending hours in the kitchen. Trust me, once you try it, you’ll want this recipe as a new family tradition.