Imagine waking up to the most mouthwatering breakfast that combines the savory crunch of sausage, the gooey richness of cheddar cheese, and the comforting warmth of French toast - all in one incredible casserole! This Sausage Cheddar French Toast Casserole is the ultimate breakfast game-changer that will transform your morning routine from boring to absolutely spectacular. Perfect for weekend brunches, holiday mornings, or when you want to impress your family with a restaurant-worthy breakfast that's surprisingly easy to make.
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 40 mins
Total Time: 55 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 8 servings
Ingredients
- 1 pound breakfast sausage
- 8 slices of bread, cubed
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 6 large eggs
- 2 cups milk
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9x13 inch baking dish thoroughly with butter or cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the breakfast sausage, breaking it into small crumbles. Cook until the sausage is completely browned and no pink remains, about 8-10 minutes. Drain any excess grease on paper towels.
- Cut the bread slices into 1-inch cubes. Spread half of the bread cubes evenly across the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
- Sprinkle the cooked sausage crumbles over the bread cubes, creating an even layer.
- Distribute half of the shredded cheddar cheese over the sausage layer.
- Add the remaining bread cubes on top of the cheese layer.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, cinnamon, salt, and pepper until well combined and smooth.
- Slowly pour the egg mixture evenly over the bread, sausage, and cheese layers, ensuring all bread cubes are moistened.
- Sprinkle the remaining cheddar cheese on top of the casserole.
- Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and let it sit for 10 minutes to allow the bread to absorb the egg mixture.
- Bake covered for 25 minutes, then remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 15-20 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the center is set.
- Remove from the oven and let the casserole rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. This allows the casserole to set and makes it easier to slice.
- Serve warm, optionally garnished with chopped fresh parsley or a drizzle of maple syrup.
Tips
- Use day-old bread for best results - slightly stale bread absorbs the egg mixture more effectively and creates a better texture.
- For extra flavor, consider using a mix of breakfast sausage types like sage or spicy varieties to add more depth to the dish.
- Ensure you drain the sausage thoroughly to prevent excess grease from making the casserole soggy.
- Let the casserole sit for 10 minutes before baking to allow the bread to fully absorb the egg mixture - this creates a more custardy texture.
- For a crispy top, broil the casserole for 1-2 minutes at the end of cooking, watching carefully to prevent burning.
- Make this dish ahead of time by assembling it the night before and refrigerating. Just add an extra 10-15 minutes to the baking time if cooking from cold.
- Experiment with different cheese varieties like pepper jack or Swiss for unique flavor variations.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 450kcal
Carbohydrates: 25g
Protein: 25g
Fat: 30g
Saturated Fat: 12g
Cholesterol: 220mg
