---
title: "Homestyle Breakfast Casserole with Sausage"
url: https://save.cooking/@american_classic/homestyle-breakfast-casserole-with-sausage
author: Save.Cooking American Classics
author_profile: https://save.cooking/@american_classic
description: "A classic American breakfast casserole built on toasted bread, savory sausage, eggs, and melty cheese. It’s make-ahead friendly, feeds a crowd, and bakes up golden and custardy in the center with crisp edges."
prep_time: 20 minutes
cook_time: 50 minutes
total_time: 70 minutes
servings: 8
tags: ["Baked", "Make Ahead", "Full Meal", "American", "Breakfast", "Pork"]
published: 2026-01-06
updated: 2026-01-14
---

# Homestyle Breakfast Casserole with Sausage

*Recipe by [@american_classic](https://save.cooking/@american_classic)*

A classic American breakfast casserole built on toasted bread, savory sausage, eggs, and melty cheese. It’s make-ahead friendly, feeds a crowd, and bakes up golden and custardy in the center with crisp edges.

Breakfast casseroles are a practical American classic: one dish, familiar flavors, and enough servings to keep everyone happy. This version leans into the traditional sausage-and-cheddar combination, while teaching the key technique—letting the bread soak so the eggs bake into a tender, sliceable custard. Make it the night before for an easy morning, or bake it right away when you need something reliable and comforting.

**Total Time:** 1 hour 10 minutes | **Prep:** 20 minutes | **Cook:** 50 minutes | **Servings:** 8

## Ingredients

### Casserole Base

- 8 cups (about 10–12 oz) day-old bread, cut into 1-inch cubes (sandwich bread, French bread, or brioche)
- 1 lb breakfast sausage (pork or turkey), casings removed if using links
- 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
- 1 red bell pepper, diced (optional but classic for color)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups (8 oz) shredded sharp cheddar cheese, divided
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley or 1 tbsp chopped chives (optional)

### Egg Custard

- 10 large eggs
- 2 1/2 cups whole milk (or 2 cups milk + 1/2 cup half-and-half)
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard (optional, for depth)
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika or sweet paprika (optional)

### For the Pan

- 1 tbsp unsalted butter or nonstick cooking spray, for greasing

## Instructions

1. Heat oven to 350°F. Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with butter or cooking spray.

2. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the sausage, breaking it into small crumbles, until browned and cooked through, 6–8 minutes. If there’s excess fat, spoon off all but about 1 tablespoon.

3. Add onion and bell pepper to the skillet and cook until softened, 4–5 minutes. Stir in garlic and cook 30 seconds more. Remove from heat.

4. Spread the bread cubes evenly in the prepared baking dish. Top with the sausage mixture. Sprinkle with 1 1/2 cups of the cheddar (reserve 1/2 cup for the top) and the herbs, if using.

5. In a large bowl, whisk eggs, milk, salt, pepper, Dijon (if using), and paprika (if using) until fully combined.

6. Pour the egg mixture evenly over the bread mixture. Press down gently with a spatula so the bread is mostly submerged. Let stand 15 minutes to soak (or cover and refrigerate 8–12 hours for a make-ahead casserole).

7. If chilled overnight, uncover and let the dish sit at room temperature while the oven heats (about 20–30 minutes).

8. Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup cheddar over the top. Bake until puffed, golden, and the center reaches 160°F, 40–50 minutes. If the top browns too quickly, tent loosely with foil.

9. Rest 10 minutes before slicing. Serve warm.

## Tags

`Baked`, `Make Ahead`, `Full Meal`, `American`, `Breakfast`, `Pork`

---

*This recipe is hosted on [Save.Cooking](https://save.cooking), a recipe organization platform.*
*View this recipe: [https://save.cooking/@american_classic/homestyle-breakfast-casserole-with-sausage](https://save.cooking/@american_classic/homestyle-breakfast-casserole-with-sausage)*