This easy breakfast casserole recipe with eggs, potatoes and sausage is a perfect dish to serve for any meal, even beyond breakfast and brunch. It combines nutrient-dense eggs with spiced Italian sausage, oozy mozzarella or cheddar cheese, and sweet bell peppers for a tasty, balanced meal.
Preparing the Perfect Breakfast Casserole
Breakfast casseroles require a fair amount of cook time. But once the eggs are cooked, you don’t want to leave them sitting in the oven until the meat and veggies are tender. This would cause the eggs to dry out.
For this reason, all the filling components for this sausage breakfast casserole are cooked in advance before hitting the baking dish. I pre-blanch the potatoes in boiling water. Then I sauté the vegetable mixture and spiced sausage in a skillet. That way all parts are cooked by the time the eggs are set. This is also a good idea for your favourite quiche recipes or frittata recipes.
Another excellent way of ensuring perfectly tender, custard-like eggs in your easy breakfast casserole is to incorporate fat. In the case of this breakfast casserole, shredded mozzarella or cheddar cheese and a ⅓ cup milk lighten up the egg mixture. They make the casserole delightfully fluffy.
Also, try not to overbake your eggs. A good rule of thumb is to cook the casserole until the middle has the slightest movement but is otherwise set. This casserole dish has a total time of 30 minutes for baking.
A Healthy Breakfast Casserole with Potatoes
I like to call this easy breakfast a healthy breakfast casserole because unlike most breakfast casserole recipes, it is made entirely from scratch and with only whole food ingredients. Instead of frozen hash browns, I make this breakfast casserole with fresh potatoes that are parboiled before baking.
I even make my potato breakfast casserole with sausage that I flavor myself by simply mixing ground pork with spices. Additionally, as with all shredded cheese recipes, I recommend shredding your own from a block of mozzarella or cheddar cheese to add to your egg mixture for this sausage egg potato casserole. It's so quick and easy to do (and cheaper), while you get to avoid all the added stuff (wood pulp etc.) in pre-shredded cheddar cheese.
A Clean-Out-the-Fridge Dish
Any egg recipe is excellent for using up leftovers in the refrigerator. An easy meal to prepare when you might be low on almost everything else. Generally, before a grocery shop, many people tend to have eggs, milk, blocks of mozzarella or cheddar cheese. And vegetables like broccoli and mushrooms, or greens like spinach that are just past their prime for fresh eating.
If you have some bacon or ham that need to be used, that works well in place of the sausage. This easy breakfast casserole is the place to use them whether you want to enjoy this baked casserole dish for breakfast or make breakfast for dinner. "Brinner" is a favorite around our house.
Substitutions for Restricted Diets
If you have a dietary restriction or are short on an ingredient, it is still possible to prepare this breakfast casserole recipe. For lactose-free diets, use your favourite lactose-free milk and cheese to make this a dairy-free egg recipe with excellent results.
For gluten-free, this casserole contains all traditionally gluten-free ingredients. However, you should always read cheese labels to make sure the cheese doesn’t contain wheat. Additionally, it is beneficial to ensure that the cheese wasn’t processed in a facility that also makes gluten-filled products.
Although cheddar cheese and mozzarella are recommended, you could really use anything that becomes similarly melty and stretchy. Swiss, Gruyere, and Gouda would all be excellent choices to add to your egg mixture. Don’t use drier cheeses like Parmesan or crumbly ones like goat cheese or feta. They won’t sufficiently melt into the egg mixture giving the breakfast casserole that creamy texture.
How Far in Advance Can you Prep an Egg Bake?
This egg casserole recipe can also easily be turned into a make-ahead breakfast casserole. Which is perfect to serve to guests who are staying overnight during the holidays or any other time of year. You can completely prepare everything the night before. In the morning, all you do is take the pan with the sausage egg casserole from the fridge and pop it in the oven.
Half an hour later a complete breakfast is ready to be served. Well, you should probably brew a pot of coffee (or tea) as well and some crusty bread with this casserole dish is never a bad idea either.
Tips for Preparing this Breakfast Casserole
- Don’t Overmix: When you mix the eggs with the milk, cheese, and black pepper, mix just until combined. If over combined, the egg mixture could souffle in the oven due to too much air.
- Rest the Casserole: Allow your casserole to rest for at least 10 minutes after coming out of the oven. This will make your egg bake easier to slice so that it comes out in clean, attractive pieces!
- Don’t Overbake: Just set, custardy eggs are heavenly. You can test whether the eggs are done by shaking the baking dish gently. If the eggs are completely set with just a slight jiggle in the middle, they will be perfect.
Storing Leftovers
You can store any leftovers of this egg casserole in an airtight container in the fridge. For food safety reasons, you shouldn’t keep cooked eggs in your fridge for longer than three or four days. But this overnight breakfast casserole likely isn’t going to last that long anyway.
The casserole can be frozen AFTER baking. Just wrap it well to prevent freezer burn or it taking on smells from the freezer. Then defrost in the fridge overnight and re-heat in the oven again. Or if you only want to reheat individual servings, be sure to cut up the casserole before freezing, and wrapping in smaller servings. Smaller servings can also be re-heated in the microwave or on the stovetop on low heat in a covered pan.
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Breakfast Casserole with Eggs, Potatoes and Sausage
Ingredients
- 20 ounces (600 g) potatoes peeled & cut into ½ inch cubes
- 1 pound Italian sausage*
- 1 onion diced
- 1 red pepper diced
- 3 garlic cloves minced
- 2 cups shredded mild cheese from a block of mozzarella or mild cheddar
- 6 large eggs
- ⅓ cup milk
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- sliced green onion
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Cook the potato dices in salted boiling water for about 5 minutes. Drain and let cool.
- Remove casings from sausage, unless you are making your own mix like me. Heat a large skillet to medium-high and cook the sausage until browned. Break it up in the process. Remove from skillet with a slotted spoon. Leave 1 tablespoon of grease.
- Cook the onion and red pepper in the sausage grease for about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook a couple more minutes. Fill into a large baking dish (9x13 inches) together with sausage and potato dices.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk and black pepper. Add 1.5 cups of the shredded cheese and stir to combine everything. Pour into the baking dish.
- Sprinkle the remaining cheese on top, cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Uncover and continue baking for 10-15 more minutes.
- Let the breakfast casserole rest for a few minutes. Add sliced green onion and serve hot.
Notes
Nutrition
Recipe inspired by Gimme Some Oven
Random Questions
A typical breakfast casserole comprises eggs, potatoes, and sausage, along with cheese and various vegetables for added flavor and texture.
Unlike a frittata, a breakfast casserole involves pre-cooked ingredients layered in a baking dish, while a frittata is cooked in a skillet and finished under the broiler, resulting in a different texture and cooking method.
To ensure food safety, the overnight breakfast casserole can be stored in the fridge for up to three or four days before it should be consumed or frozen.
To determine doneness, gently shake the baking dish; if the eggs are set with a slight jiggle in the middle, the casserole is perfectly cooked and ready to be served.
Angela O'Mahony
Hi Regina, I've been trying to figure out why you state that using the overnight option would make it gluten free. I've read and re-read your ingredients and instructions multiple times but I'm not seeing anything that would have made it NOT gluten free even if making it right before you served it. Thanks,
Regina
My apologies, Angela. My wording is a little confusing there. What I am trying to say is, that the recipe is entirely gluten free/clean eating and if you go with the overnight option, it will be perfect for Christmas morning 🙂
Heather goodwin
Do you have the nutritional value for this recipe?
Christina
Hi Regina,
I'd like to bake it, what is the temp I should set it too and how long is the baking time?
Thanks
Christina
Regina
Please check the recipe box above for the detailed instructions.
Sherry
I made this Christmas morning for five family members & it's supper good all gone
Regina
Awesome! No leftovers is one of the best compliments 🙂
teresa
I fix something similar to this but use French bread in mine, tear it up into pieces and pour everything else on top of it.
Regina
Love that idea of bread on top! Another component for a complete meal all in one dish
Janice
Would I need to defrost the frozen hash browns before using them? Thank you
Regina
Yes, I think thawing the hash browns would be best. I believe frozen ones would prolong the baking time a lot which would probably be weird for the eggs.
Melise
Anyone tried this with bacon instead of sausage?
Regina
I am sure it would taste just as well. I would also use 1 pound of bacon, I think and cook it ahead, then crumble before mixing with other ingredients.
Tina
Hello, I'd like to make the overnight version of this for tomorrow, Thanksgiving morning, but I do not see the instructions to do so. Please help. Thanks!
Regina
You can prepare it completely the night before. In the morning, all you do, is take it from the fridge and pop it in the oven.
Cristine
Hi Regina I just came cross this recipe and would like to try it this Thanksgiving.. Can you tell me what kind of cheese is best to use. Thanks. Hope I get a response in time.
Regina
Hi Cristine, for casseroles I use a mozzarella or mild cheddar. Those are always a safe bet.
Lorie
Regina, I'm planning to make this next weekend for a brunch. I see that this recipe serves 6 to 8, and there will be 10 of us. Does it work well to just throw in some extra eggs and maybe more meat? Maybe bake it 10 minutes longer? I don't want to double the recipe. I hope you can respond in time. Thanks!
Regina
Hi Lorie, yes you can totally stretch it with more eggs, meat etc. make a few more servings. It will be thicker, but as long as it fits your baking dish there should be no problem. And yes, cooking times will be longer. Just check to make sure the eggs are set.
Karen B
I'm in Texaa and I make something similar with breakfast sausage and include a can of green chiles for spunk. I have also substituted black beans for the sausage for the vegetarians.
Regina
Green chiles and black beans sound awesome!
wendy
Is it good reheated?
Regina
Hi Wendy, I have definitely reheated and enjoyed this casserole. Just keep in mind that reheated egg never is quite the same as freshly cooked.
wendy
Thank you!
karen propst
Can you make ahead /bake and put in freezer for a week or two ?
Regina
Hi Karen, I haven't tried it myself, but from what I've read many have success pre-baking, freezing and then reheating quiches. So I think it should also work fine for this egg based casserole.
chelsea
Who thinks this would work with ground turkey? Want to make a big batch to take to work but only have ground turkey.
Regina
I think it will be great with ground turkey as well 🙂
Danielle
How many potatoes is 20 ounces?
Regina
Potatoes come in many different sizes but I would say about 2 large or 3-4 medium ones.
Amanda
What can you use instead of fresh potatoes ? Trying to save time from having to peel and dice potatoes
Regina
I am sure frozen hashbrowns might work
Doris
I make a dish similar to this but I use frozen hash browns, and add what ever veggies I have on hand such as mushrooms, spinach, etc. I also serve with salsa for those that want a little kick.
Regina
Nice! I like a little kick and usually add some Sriracha to my eggs. Salsa sounds awesome too!
Becca
Instead of hash browns, how about O'Brian potatoes, which already have the onion and peppers? I like short cuts. Lol
k
I made this over the weekend. Hubby loved it, but I thought there was too much cheese. I only had chicken sausage in casing so I just chopped it up instead of crumbling. I think next time I would skip the cheese on top, add another egg or two, and definitely more veggies, but what a great starting point! Thank you!
Regina
Thank you for your feedback.
Ben Di Gaudio
Hi Kay.You can use any combination and any amount of any ingredient that suites you and your family"s taste. Don't mess with the wonderful lady's hard work of putting it together. If you don't like the recipe, move on. Personally I think that it's simply great. Go with flow and live longer. As for you Regina, thank you for a great and easy recipe.Ben
Melissa Belanger
This sounds so good! I'm just now getting into breakfast sausage (I've always been a bacon girl, but things change), and I have been looking for new ideas to use it! I love it 🙂 Pinned!
Regina
I haven't always been a breakfast sausage fan either. It wasn't until marrying my husband that I came to enjoy hearty breakfasts. I am still not fan of laboring in the kitchen before breakfast, so this make-ahead version is the only way I cook hearty breakfast 🙂
Amy
We make a a few pans for the holidays. It works really well for us since we have many guests and it is a great way to serve everyone at the same time.
Regina
Yes!! I am glad to hear this concept works well for your. Didn't even think of the benefit of serving everyone at once.
Jo
Can you freeze this sausage casserole?
Regina
I haven't tried freezing it, but I think you could freeze it after baking and cooling. Then thaw and reheat. Freezing it uncooked will give the eggs a weird texture, I think.