Easy Cheesy Sausage Breakfast Casserole: Best Kid-Friendly Recipe
This Easy Cheesy Sausage Breakfast Casserole is a hearty, kid-friendly dish that comes together in under 15 minutes of prep. Perfect for busy mornings, lazy weekends, or holiday brunches, it features savory sausage, melted cheese, and soft custard-like eggs in every bite.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Breakfast
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound ground breakfast sausage
- 8 large eggs
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon paprika
- 4 cups cubed day-old bread
- 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese, divided
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease your 9×13 baking dish with the melted butter.
- Brown the sausage in a skillet over medium-high heat for 6-8 minutes, until browned and no longer pink. Leave about a tablespoon of fat for flavor. Set aside to cool slightly.
- Cube the day-old bread into 1-inch cubes (about 4 cups). Spread them evenly in the greased baking dish.
- In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika until well combined and slightly frothy (about 30 seconds).
- Sprinkle the cooked sausage evenly over the bread cubes. Add 1 1/2 cups of the shredded cheddar cheese (reserve 1/2 cup for topping). If using Parmesan, sprinkle it over now.
- Slowly pour the egg mixture over the entire dish, pressing down gently with a fork to help the bread absorb the liquid. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes.
- Sprinkle the reserved 1/2 cup of cheddar over the top.
- Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes.
- Remove the foil and bake for another 15-20 minutes, until the top is golden brown and the center is set (a knife inserted in the middle comes out clean).
- Let the casserole rest for 5-10 minutes before serving.
Notes
You can assemble the casserole the night before and refrigerate. Add 10-15 minutes to the baking time if starting from cold. For a gluten-free version, use gluten-free bread. For dairy-free, use plant-based milk and cheese alternatives. For a vegetarian twist, replace the sausage with sautéed mushrooms and spinach.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 square
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 4
- Sodium: 780
- Fat: 26
- Saturated Fat: 12
- Carbohydrates: 14
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 24
Keywords: breakfast casserole, sausage casserole, easy breakfast, kid-friendly, cheesy casserole, brunch recipe