Breakfast Casserole or Breakfast Bake,

Great pick! A Breakfast Casserole (aka Breakfast Bake) is a hearty, make-ahead dish loaded with eggs, cheese, meat, and bread or potatoes — perfect for family breakfasts, brunches, or holidays. Here’s a classic detailed recipe for you:

🍳 Classic Breakfast Casserole Recipe

Ingredients

(Serves 6–8)

Base:

• 6 large eggs

• 2 cups milk (whole or 2%)

• 1 tsp salt

• ½ tsp black pepper

• ½ tsp garlic powder (optional)

• ½ tsp dry mustard (optional, for flavor boost)

Filling:

• 4 cups cubed bread (day-old French bread, sandwich bread, or brioche)

• 1 lb (450g) breakfast sausage (or bacon/ham), cooked & crumbled

• 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese (or a mix of mozzarella, Monterey Jack, Swiss)

• 1 cup vegetables, chopped (bell peppers, onions, spinach, or mushrooms)

• 2 tbsp butter, for greasing the dish

Instructions

Step 1: Prep the Dish

1. Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter or nonstick spray.

2. Spread the bread cubes evenly in the dish.

Step 2: Add Filling

1. Cook sausage (or bacon) until browned, drain excess fat.

2. Spread sausage evenly over bread cubes.

3. Add chopped vegetables on top.

4. Sprinkle with shredded cheese.

Step 3: Make the Egg Mixture

1. In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and dry mustard.

2. Pour evenly over the bread, meat, and cheese mixture.

3. Gently press bread down so it soaks in the egg mixture.

Step 4: Rest (Optional but Recommended)

• For best results, cover with foil and refrigerate overnight (this lets bread absorb the egg mixture).

• If baking right away, let it sit for 20–30 minutes before baking.

Step 5: Bake

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).

2. Bake, uncovered, for 45–55 minutes, until casserole is puffed, golden, and center is set (a knife inserted should come out clean).

3. Let rest for 10 minutes before serving.

Variations

• Potato Base → Replace bread with frozen hash browns for a hash brown breakfast casserole.

• Meat Lovers → Add a mix of sausage, ham, and bacon.

• Veggie Lovers → Use spinach, zucchini, mushrooms, and tomatoes.

• Southwest Style → Add green chilies, pepper jack cheese, and serve with salsa.

Serving Suggestions

• Serve warm with fruit salad, toast, or biscuits.

• Pairs well with hot sauce, salsa, or hollandaise sauce on top.

• Great for meal prep — leftovers reheat beautifully.