Start your morning right with the ultimate Bacon and Sausage Breakfast Casserole. This dish is the perfect solution for busy mornings, holiday gatherings, or a lazy weekend brunch. It’s packed with savory sausage, crispy bacon, fluffy eggs, and melted cheese, all layered over hearty bread. This recipe isn’t just delicious; it’s incredibly versatile and can be prepared the night before, making your morning completely stress-free. If you’re looking for a crowd-pleasing breakfast that’s both easy and satisfying, you’ve found it.
We designed this recipe to be foolproof, ensuring a perfect result every time. Whether you’re a seasoned home cook or just starting, our step-by-step instructions will guide you to creating a golden-brown, bubbly casserole that will have everyone asking for seconds. It’s the kind of comforting, stick-to-your-ribs meal that brings everyone to the table.
Why You’ll Love This Bacon and Sausage Breakfast Casserole
- Make-Ahead Friendly: Assemble it the night before and simply bake it in the morning. It’s a game-changer for holidays or hosting guests. For more make-ahead ideas, check out our Freezer-Friendly Breakfast Sandwiches.
- Crowd-Pleaser: The classic combination of bacon, sausage, egg, and cheese is universally loved. It’s a guaranteed hit for any occasion.
- Completely Customizable: Easily add your favorite vegetables, switch up the cheeses, or use different types of bread to make it your own.
- Hearty and Satisfying: This casserole is a complete meal, packed with protein to keep you full and energized throughout the day.
The Key Ingredients for the Perfect Casserole
The magic of this Bacon and Sausage Breakfast Casserole lies in its simple, high-quality ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need to create this masterpiece:
- Breakfast Sausage: Use a pound of your favorite bulk breakfast sausage. A mild or hot Italian sausage can also add a wonderful depth of flavor.
- Bacon: Thick-cut bacon works best as it holds its texture and flavor after baking.
- Bread: A sturdy, day-old bread like a baguette, sourdough, or challah is ideal. It soaks up the egg mixture without becoming soggy.
- Eggs: The foundation of our custard. Large, fresh eggs will create a light and fluffy texture.
- Milk & Heavy Cream: A combination of milk and heavy cream creates a rich, creamy custard that sets perfectly.
- Cheese: We love a mix of sharp cheddar and Monterey Jack for a balanced flavor and excellent meltability.
- Seasonings: Simple seasonings like dry mustard, onion powder, salt, and pepper are all you need to enhance the savory flavors.
How to Make the Best Bacon and Sausage Breakfast Casserole
Follow these simple steps for a flawless breakfast bake. The key is to prepare your ingredients properly before assembling.
Step 1: Prepare the Meats
First, cook the bacon in a large skillet over medium heat until it’s crispy. Remove it from the skillet with a slotted spoon and place it on a paper towel-lined plate to drain. Once cooled, crumble it into bite-sized pieces. Next, add the sausage to the same skillet and cook until browned, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks. Drain off any excess grease.
Step 2: Assemble the Casserole Layers
Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. Arrange the cubed bread in an even layer across the bottom. Sprinkle the cooked sausage and half of the crumbled bacon evenly over the bread. Top this with half of your shredded cheese.
Step 3: Mix the Egg Custard
In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, heavy cream, dry mustard, onion powder, salt, and pepper until well combined. You want to make sure the egg yolks are fully broken up and the mixture is uniform in color.
Step 4: Pour and Chill (The Make-Ahead Step)
Pour the egg mixture slowly and evenly over the layers in the baking dish. Gently press down on the bread with a spatula to ensure it’s submerged and can absorb the custard. Sprinkle the remaining cheese and bacon over the top. At this point, you can cover the dish tightly with foil and refrigerate it overnight. This allows the bread to soak up all that delicious custard, resulting in a more flavorful and cohesive casserole.
Step 5: Bake to Golden Perfection
When you’re ready to bake, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). If the casserole was refrigerated, let it sit at room temperature for about 20-30 minutes. Bake, covered with foil, for 30 minutes. Then, remove the foil and bake for another 25-30 minutes, or until the casserole is set, puffed up, and beautifully golden brown on top. The center should register 160°F on an instant-read thermometer.
Expert Tips and Variations
Want to take your Bacon and Sausage Breakfast Casserole to the next level? Here are some pro tips and fun variations to try.
Tips for Success
- Don’t Use Fresh Bread: Day-old bread is crucial! It’s drier and will absorb the custard much better without turning mushy. If you only have fresh bread, you can lightly toast the cubes in the oven first.
- Avoid Overbaking: Keep an eye on the casserole. Overbaking can lead to a dry, rubbery texture. The center should be just set, with a slight jiggle.
- Let it Rest: Allow the casserole to rest for at least 10 minutes after it comes out of the oven. This helps it firm up, making it much easier to slice and serve.
Easy Variations
- Add Veggies: Sautéed onions, bell peppers, or mushrooms can be added with the sausage for extra flavor and nutrients. You could also stir in some fresh spinach. For another great vegetable-packed dish, try our Hearty Vegetable Casserole.
- Change the Cheese: Feel free to experiment with different cheeses. Gruyère, Swiss, or a spicy pepper jack would all be fantastic additions.
- Spice it Up: Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or a dash of hot sauce to the egg mixture for a little kick.
Storage and Reheating Instructions
One of the best things about this casserole is how well it stores. It’s the perfect dish to make on Sunday and enjoy for breakfast throughout the week.
- Refrigeration: Store leftover casserole tightly covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat individual slices in the microwave for about 60-90 seconds or in the oven at 350°F until warmed through.
- Freezing: You can freeze the baked casserole for up to 3 months. Let it cool completely, then wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and foil. You can also freeze individual portions for quick grab-and-go breakfasts. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating. For another savory roll recipe, you might enjoy these Pepperoni Croissant Rolls.
What to Serve with Your Breakfast Casserole
This Bacon and Sausage Breakfast Casserole is a hearty meal on its own, but it also pairs wonderfully with a variety of side dishes. Consider serving it with a fresh fruit salad, roasted sweet potatoes, or a simple green salad with a light vinaigrette for a complete brunch spread. For a sweeter pairing, our Apple Fritter Bread is always a hit.
FAQs
Yes, it freezes beautifully. You can freeze it before or after baking. For an unbaked casserole, wrap it tightly and freeze. Thaw in the fridge overnight before baking as directed. For a baked casserole, let it cool completely, wrap it well, and freeze. Reheat in the oven until warmed through.
Yes, absolutely! This casserole is designed to be made ahead. You can assemble the entire dish, cover it tightly, and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours before baking. This allows the bread to soak up the custard, resulting in a more flavorful casserole.
The key to avoiding a soggy casserole is using day-old, stale bread. Dry bread absorbs the egg mixture much better without falling apart. If your bread is fresh, you can cut it into cubes and bake it at a low temperature for 15-20 minutes to dry it out before assembling.
The casserole is done when the top is golden brown and puffy, and the center is set. When you insert a knife into the center, it should come out clean. For a precise measurement, the internal temperature should be 160°F (71°C).
This recipe is very versatile! You can add sautéed vegetables like onions, bell peppers, and mushrooms. You can also swap the cheeses; Gruyère or pepper jack are great options. For a different flavor profile, try using Italian sausage instead of breakfast sausage.
The Perfect Breakfast Awaits
This Bacon and Sausage Breakfast Casserole is more than just a recipe; it’s a solution for effortless, delicious mornings. It’s a dish that brings comfort and joy, perfect for sharing with family and friends. Give it a try, and you’ll see why it’s a breakfast staple in our home. We hope you love it as much as we do! Don’t forget to save this recipe to your favorite board on Pinterest!
Bacon and Sausage Breakfast Casserole
Bacon and Sausage Breakfast Casserole: The Ultimate Make-Ahead Recipe
Equipment
- 1 9x13 inch baking dish
- 1 Large skillet
- 1 Large mixing bowl
Ingredients
- 1 pound bulk breakfast sausage
- 8 slices thick-cut bacon cooked and crumbled
- 6 cups day-old bread cubed into 1-inch pieces
- 10 large eggs
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon dry mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese divided
- 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese divided
Instructions
- Cook bacon in a large skillet over medium heat until crispy. Remove to a paper towel-lined plate, let cool, and crumble. Add sausage to the same skillet and cook until browned, breaking it up with a spoon. Drain excess grease.
- Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish. Spread the cubed bread evenly across the bottom. Top with the cooked sausage, half of the crumbled bacon, and half of the shredded cheeses.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, heavy cream, dry mustard, onion powder, salt, and pepper until smooth.
- Pour the egg mixture evenly over the bread and sausage in the baking dish. Press down gently to help the bread absorb the liquid. Sprinkle the remaining cheese and bacon on top.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or preferably overnight.
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Let the casserole sit at room temperature for 20-30 minutes before baking. Bake covered with foil for 30 minutes.
- Remove the foil and bake for an additional 25-30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the center is set. Let rest for 10 minutes before slicing and serving.
Notes
Rest is Best: Letting the casserole rest after baking helps it set, making for cleaner slices.
