Description
Hearty crack breakfast casserole brings savory comfort to weekend mornings with its irresistible blend of cheesy goodness and crispy bacon. Breakfast enthusiasts will devour this crowd-pleasing dish that promises satisfaction in every delicious bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins:
- 1 lb ground breakfast sausage
- 6 large eggs
- 1 cup cooked bacon, crumbled
Dairy and Cheese:
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup sour cream
Bread and Seasonings:
- 4 cups cubed day-old bread
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and thoroughly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
- In a large skillet, brown the ground breakfast sausage over medium-high heat, breaking it into crumbly pieces until fully cooked and no pink remains, about 7-8 minutes.
- Drain excess grease from the sausage and transfer to a large mixing bowl.
- Whisk eggs in a separate bowl until well combined, then fold in heavy cream, sour cream, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and red pepper flakes.
- Add crumbled bacon and shredded cheddar cheese to the sausage, mixing thoroughly.
- Gently fold the cubed day-old bread into the meat and cheese mixture, ensuring even distribution.
- Pour the egg mixture over the bread and protein combination, carefully stirring to coat all ingredients evenly.
- Transfer the entire mixture to the prepared baking dish, spreading it out in a uniform layer.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 40-45 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the center is set and no longer jiggly.
- Remove from oven and let the casserole rest for 10 minutes before serving to allow it to firm up and cool slightly.
Notes
- Bread Selection Matters: Use slightly stale or day-old bread for better absorption of egg mixture and richer texture.
- Customize Protein Options: Swap breakfast sausage with turkey sausage, chorizo, or vegetarian sausage crumbles for diverse flavor profiles.
- Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the entire casserole the night before, refrigerate overnight, and bake fresh in the morning for effortless entertaining.
- Dietary Modifications: Replace heavy cream with whole milk or dairy-free alternatives for lighter versions, and use gluten-free bread for celiac-friendly adaptation.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 504
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 1086 mg
- Fat: 38 g
- Saturated Fat: 18 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 22 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 24 g
- Cholesterol: 240 mg