Start Your Christmas with This Comforting Breakfast Casserole

Start your Christmas morning with ease and joy. This delicious breakfast casserole brings together all your favorite savory flavors in one simple dish.

You can assemble it on Christmas Eve, so all you have to do in the morning is pop it in the oven. The creamy egg custard, savory sausage, melted cheeses, and a hint of holiday spice make it a comforting and festive meal for the whole family to enjoy.

Servings: 8–10

Prep Time: 25 minutes

Bake Time: 50–60 minutes

Pan Size: 9x13-inch baking dish

Ingredients

• 1 lb breakfast sausage

• 1 large yellow onion, chopped

• 1 red bell pepper, chopped

• 1 (1-lb) loaf of crusty bread (like sourdough or French bread), cut into 1-inch cubes (about 8–10 cups)

• 1 1/2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese

• 1 1/2 cups shredded Gruyère cheese

• 12 large eggs

• 2 1/2 cups whole milk

• 1/2 cup heavy cream

• 1 tsp Dijon mustard

• 1 tsp salt

• 1/2 tsp black pepper

• 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg

Directions

Make-Ahead (Christmas Eve):

1. Cook the Sausage & Veggies: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the breakfast sausage until browned, breaking it apart with a spoon. Drain off any excess grease, leaving about a tablespoon in the pan. Add the chopped onion and bell pepper to the skillet and sauté for 5–7 minutes, until softened.

2. Layer the Casserole: Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish. Spread half of the bread cubes in an even layer at the bottom. Top with half of the sausage and veggie mixture, followed by half of the cheddar and Gruyère cheeses. Repeat with the remaining bread cubes, sausage mixture, and cheeses.

3. Prepare the Custard: In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, whole milk, heavy cream, Dijon mustard, salt, pepper, and ground nutmeg until smooth and well combined.

4. Assemble: Pour the egg custard evenly over the layers in the baking dish. Gently press down on the bread with a spatula to help it absorb the liquid.

5. Chill Overnight: Cover the dish tightly with foil or plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 8 hours or overnight.

Baking (Christmas Morning):

1. Preheat Oven: Remove the casserole from the refrigerator and let it sit at room temperature for 30 minutes. Preheat your oven to 375°F.

2. Bake: Bake the casserole, covered with foil, for 30 minutes. Remove the foil and continue baking for another 20–30 minutes, or until the center is set (a knife inserted in the middle comes out clean) and the top is golden brown and puffy.

3. Rest and Serve: Let the casserole rest for 10 minutes before slicing and serving. This helps it hold its shape.

Helpful Tips

• Bread Choice: Slightly stale or day-old bread works best as it soaks up the custard without becoming too mushy.

• Gluten-Free Option: You can easily substitute your favorite gluten-free bread to make this recipe gluten-free.

• Avoid Soggy Casserole: Be sure to drain the sausage well and don’t skip letting the casserole rest before slicing.

Storage & Reheating

• Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

• Reheating: Reheat individual slices in the microwave for 1–2 minutes or in the oven at 350°F until warmed through.

Variations

• Meat Swaps: Instead of sausage, try using 1 lb of cooked and crumbled bacon or 2 cups of diced cooked ham.

• Vegetarian Version: Omit the sausage and sauté 8 oz of sliced cremini mushrooms and an extra bell pepper (any color) with the onions until tender.

• Spice It Up: Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or a dash of hot sauce to the egg mixture for a little kick.