Do Ahead Breakfast
A hearty make-ahead breakfast casserole combining bread, eggs, sausage, cheese, and vegetables, perfect for weekend brunch or holiday mornings. The dish offers savory flavors with hints of sweetness from cinnamon and strawberries, appealing to breakfast lovers and family gatherings alike.
Ingredients
- 1 lb. breakfast sausage ⓘ
- 12 slices bread ⓘ
- 9 eggs ⓘ
- 1/2 c. milk ⓘ
- 1 can cream of mushroom soup ⓘ
- 16 oz. sour cream ⓘ
- 8 oz. shredded Cheddar cheese ⓘ
- mushrooms (optional) ⓘ
- bell peppers (optional) ⓘ
- onions (optional) ⓘ
- 1 loaf French bread
- 6 eggs ⓘ
- 1 1/2 c. milk ⓘ
- 4 Tbsp. sugar ⓘ
- 1 tsp. vanilla ⓘ
- 1/8 tsp. salt ⓘ
- cinnamon ⓘ
- powdered sugar ⓘ
- 3 c. strawberries ⓘ
- 1/2 tsp. lemon zest ⓘ
- 1 tsp. lemon juice ⓘ
- 12 slices cinnamon bread ⓘ
- 1 pt. half and half or light cream ⓘ
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Lightly grease a 13 x 9-inch baking pan.
- Arrange bread slices in two layers in the prepared pan.
- In a large bowl, combine beaten eggs, milk, cream of mushroom soup, sour cream, shredded Cheddar cheese, and optional vegetables; mix well.
- Pour the mixture evenly over the bread slices in the pan.
- Bake uncovered for approximately 45 minutes until set and golden.
- For the French toast, whisk together eggs, milk, sugar, vanilla, salt, and cinnamon.
- Dip the cinnamon bread slices into the egg mixture, then cook on a buttered skillet until golden brown on both sides.
- Serve the casserole hot, topped with sliced strawberries, lemon zest, lemon juice, and powdered sugar as desired.
Tips & Substitutions
For added flavor, consider using spicy breakfast sausage or adding fresh herbs to the egg mixture. You can substitute the cream of mushroom soup with cream of chicken or vegetable soup if preferred. If you're short on time, prepare the casserole the night before and refrigerate overnight. This makes a wonderful make-ahead dish, similar to American recipes like Sausage Cheese Balls Or 1, 2, 3 Hors D'Oeuvres.
Serving Suggestions
Serve the casserole hot, garnished with fresh sliced strawberries, a sprinkle of powdered sugar, and a drizzle of lemon juice for brightness. This dish pairs beautifully with a side of crispy bacon or fresh fruit salad. For a brunch gathering, consider complementing it with beverages like a Frozen Strawberry Margarita Pie.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, place individual portions in the microwave for about 1-2 minutes or until heated through. You can also reheat the entire casserole in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 20-25 minutes until warmed thoroughly.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Do Ahead Breakfast contains roughly 1369 calories, with 13g protein, 181g carbohydrates, and 56g fat. It is an excellent source of iron (37% of the Daily Value), calcium (35% of the Daily Value), and protein (27% of the Daily Value), and a good source of potassium. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 799mg per serving (35% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this breakfast casserole ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the casserole the night before and refrigerate it. Just assemble it without baking, cover it tightly, and store it in the fridge. In the morning, simply bake it as directed, adding a few extra minutes to the cooking time if baking from cold.
What can I substitute for the sour cream?
You can use Greek yogurt or cottage cheese as a healthier alternative to sour cream. Both will provide a similar creamy texture and tangy flavor, enhancing the overall taste of the casserole.
Is it possible to freeze this dish?
Yes, you can freeze the baked casserole. Allow it to cool completely, then wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil. It can be frozen for up to 2 months. To reheat, bake from frozen at 350°F (175°C) for about 1 hour or until heated through.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).