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.
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.
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.
- 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.
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
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:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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Christmas Breakfast Casserole with Sausage and Cheese Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
A hearty and comforting Christmas Breakfast Casserole featuring savory sausage, eggs, cheese, and bread, perfect for holiday mornings or weekend brunch.
Ingredients
Meat
- 1 lb ground pork sausage
Egg Mixture
- 6 large eggs
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1 teaspoon dry mustard
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Other
- 6 slices day-old bread, cubed
- 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
Instructions
- Prepare the baking dish. Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish and evenly spread the cubed day-old bread at the bottom to create a base for the casserole.
- Cook the sausage. In a skillet over medium heat, brown the ground pork sausage thoroughly. Drain any excess grease and spread the cooked sausage evenly over the bread cubes in the baking dish.
- Mix the eggs and cheese. In a bowl, whisk together the eggs, whole milk, dry mustard, kosher salt, and black pepper until well combined. Stir in the shredded sharp cheddar cheese.
- Combine and soak. Pour the egg and cheese mixture evenly over the sausage and bread layers in the baking dish. Press down gently with a fork to help the bread soak up the egg mixture for even flavor and texture.
- Refrigerate overnight. Cover the casserole dish with foil and refrigerate overnight or for at least 2 hours to allow the flavors to meld and the bread to absorb the custard.
- Bake the casserole. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Bake the covered casserole for 30 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 15 minutes, until the top is golden brown and the center is set.
- Rest before serving. Let the casserole sit for 10 minutes after baking to allow it to set, then serve warm to enjoy a delicious breakfast treat.
Notes
- Day-old bread works best as it absorbs the custard without becoming too mushy.
- You can substitute the pork sausage with turkey sausage for a leaner option.
- Adding diced vegetables such as bell peppers or onions can add extra flavor and nutrition.
- For convenience, prepare and refrigerate overnight to save time in the morning.
- Use sharp cheddar cheese for a bold flavor, or swap with mozzarella for a milder taste.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 12 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 18 g
- Cholesterol: 220 mg
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