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Joanna Gaines Breakfast Casserole Recipe

Joanna Gaines Breakfast Casserole Recipe

This Joanna Gaines Breakfast Casserole Recipe is the best way to start a lazy weekend morning with family. It features savory sausage fluffy eggs and plenty of melted cheese for a very comforting and warm meal.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Course Breakfast, Brunch
Cuisine American Farmhouse
Servings 10
Calories 380 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pound ground breakfast sausage mild or spicy
  • 10 large eggs room temperature
  • 2 cups whole milk
  • 1 teaspoon dry mustard powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 6 cups cubed sourdough or French bread
  • 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • 1 cup fresh spinach chopped (optional)
  • 1/4 cup fresh chives finely sliced for garnish

Instructions
 

Brown the Sausage

  • Place the ground sausage in a large skillet over medium-high heat until it is fully cooked. Break the meat into small crumbles and drain the excess grease before setting the pan aside.
  • If you enjoy rich, savory sausage-forward breakfasts, you might also love this thick and creamy sausage gravy that pairs beautifully with biscuits.
  • Prepare the Dish Grease your 9x13 inch baking dish with butter or a light coating of non-stick cooking spray very well. This ensures the eggs do not stick to the sides and makes serving the squares much easier.

Layer the Bread

  • Spread the cubed sourdough bread evenly across the bottom of your greased ceramic baking dish to create a base. The bread will soak up the egg mixture and become very soft and fluffy during baking.

Add the Meat

  • Sprinkle the cooked sausage crumbles over the top of the bread cubes in an even and thick layer. Make sure the meat reaches the corners of the dish so every bite has plenty of savory flavor.

Whisk the Eggs

  • In a large mixing bowl, whisk the ten eggs, whole milk, dry mustard, salt, and black pepper together well. Continue whisking until the yellow yolks are fully blended and the liquid looks very smooth and light.

Combine with Spinach

  • If you are using fresh spinach, fold the chopped leaves into the egg mixture using a wooden spoon. The green leaves add a lovely color and a boost of healthy vitamins to your breakfast dish.

Pour the Liquid

  • Slowly pour the seasoned egg and milk mixture over the bread and sausage layers in the baking dish. Press down gently with a spatula to make sure the bread is completely soaked in the savory liquid.

Add the Cheese

  • Sprinkle the shredded sharp cheddar cheese generously over the top of the soaked bread and meat layers. The cheese will melt into a beautiful golden crust that tastes salty and very rich.

Bake the Casserole

  • Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F for forty-five minutes until the center is set and no longer jiggly. The top should be a beautiful golden brown and the cheese should be bubbling very happily.

Garnish and Rest

  • Remove the dish from the oven and let it rest for ten minutes before slicing it into squares. Sprinkle the fresh chives on top for a final pop of bright green color and herbal flavor.

Notes

  • Use spicy chorizo instead of breakfast sausage for a much bolder and hotter morning flavor today.
  • Add diced bell peppers or onions to the skillet while browning the meat for extra vegetable crunch.
  • Let the assembled dish sit in the fridge overnight to let the bread soak up more flavor.
  • Substitute cheddar with pepper jack cheese if you want a little bit of a spicy kick.
  • Use gluten-free bread cubes to make this recipe safe for friends with specific dietary needs or allergies.
  • Always use whole milk for the creamiest and most decadent egg texture in your finished breakfast bake.
Keyword Joanna Gaines Breakfast Casserole Recipe