Christmas Breakfast Casserole

4.85 from 20 votes

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Christmas breakfast is not usually the first thing on everyone’s mind when the holiday rolls around. That all changes very quickly on Christmas morning when this overnight breakfast casserole is about to come out of the oven.

Read on and we will show you exactly how to put it together in just 10 minutes. Add another 50 minutes for baking time and you will be ready to feed a holiday crowd!

You’re also going to want to see all of our different egg recipes!

Cutting a portion of breakfast casserole in a green baking dish.
Save time and make this overnight breakfast casserole on Christmas Eve and then bake it on Christmas morning.

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What is this?

This Christmas breakfast casserole is a make-ahead casserole that can be served any day of the year. It’s not just for Christmas morning!

Close-up view of breakfast casserole in a green baking dish.

A cubed layer of Italian bread is coated with a butter and garlic mixture and then buried under a pound of sausage, eggs, and sharp cheddar cheese. It’s is basically a jazzed-up version of our cheese strata recipe.

If I don’t have your attention yet, I guarantee that will change as this breakfast casserole bakes and fills the air on Christmas morning. Unless you want half the neighborhood knocking on your door, you may want to close the windows as this bakes. It’s that good!

Ingredients and notes

Ingredients for an egg and sausage Christmas breakfast casserole.
For the best breakfast, always use high quality ingredients.

The main ingredients in this Cowboy Christmas breakfast include:

  • Bread – Buy a loaf of Italian bread in the store or make your own crusty bread with our number one recipe! This make-ahead breakfast idea is also a great way to use leftover bread.
  • Sausage – You’ll need bulk sausage (not links) for this recipe. Use your favorite sausage for this Christmas breakfast. You can add some chopped baking (fried or baked first) for some extra flavor. Or, trim it up a bit by using lower-fat turkey sausage.
  • Eggs – I recommend large eggs and always try to use cage-free organic eggs if you can find them. To cut back on the cholesterol and fat, substitute half the eggs with egg whites. You won’t miss any of the flavor and the fluffy, hearty body of this breakfast casserole is still there.
  • Milk – We use whole milk in this recipe but you can substitute 2% for a little less fat. I don’t recommend 1% or skin in this dish.

How to make it

(See full the full recipe at the end of this post.)

We’ll show you how to make this easy Christmas breakfast by using just a few ordinary kitchen tools.

Browning sausage and slicing bread and layering it in a casserole pan.
Use balk sausage for this breakfast casserole.
  1. Brown the sausage, drain the fat, then cool to room temperature.
  2. Slice the bread and then brush with a mixture of fresh garlic and butter. Or, you can melt the butter and then add crushed garlic and pour that combination over the bread.
  3. Place the bread in a single layer, using a 9×13-inch casserole pan.
  4. Evenly sprinkle the sausage on top of the bread layer.
Mixing eggs and and adding to an overnight breakfast casserole.
Use a spatula to push the bread down as it floats to the top.

5. Whisk the eggs and milk together, along with some salt and pepper.

6. Stir in chopped scallions and half of the cheese.

7. Pour the mixture over the sausage and bread, using a spatula to push the slices of bread as they float to the top.

8. Sprinkle the remaining cheese over the top, then freeze or bake as directed below.

Overhead view of a breakfast casserole in a green baking dish.
This Christmas breakfast casserole will give you 8 very large servings.

Variations

Mexican Breakfast Casserole – Use chorizo and black beans instead of sausage. Then, substitute chopped cilantro for the scallions. Serve with a side of your favorite salsa.

Vegetarian Breakfast Casserole– Substitute your favorite non-meat protein.

Ham and Cheese Breakfast Casserole – Use slices of deli ham or chopped-up leftover ham, instead of sausage.

Save time by using store-bought garlic bread. This combines the bread, butter, and garlic!

A plate of egg and sausage casserole.

Common recipe questions

Can you freeze breakfast casserole?

Absolutely! Just take the following steps:

  1. Prepare the recipe as directed.
  2. Wrap and seal in air-tight kitchen wrap. Then wrap in a layer of foil. Use some tape to date it.
  3. Freeze for up to 2 months.
  4. Allow to thaw overnight in the refrigerator.
  5. Bake as directed.

More Christmas breakfast ideas

If you’re looking for more Christmas breakfast ideas, we have something for every taste. Many of these are make-ahead casseroles and can be enjoyed as a festive Christmas breakfast.

For the breast breakfast on Christmas morning (or any morning,) sink your teeth into one of these!

Christmas Breakfast Casserole

4.85 from 20 votes
This sausage breakfast casserole is an easy overnight breakfast casserole and great for this holiday season or any large family gathering!
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 50 minutes
Total: 1 hour
Yield: 8 servings

Ingredients 

  • 1/2 stick, 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened, plus additional for greasing baking dish
  • 1 lb breakfast sausage, bulk not links
  • 1 loaf 15-inch-long loaf Italian bread (about 4 inches wide)
  • 1 garlic clove, chopped
  • 24 eggs, large
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 large bunch scallions, chopped (1 1/4 cups)
  • 1/4 lb sharp Cheddar, coarsely grated (1 cup)

Instructions 

  • Put oven rack in middle position and preheat oven to 375°F. Generously butter bottom and sides of a 13- by 9-inch baking dish.
  • Cook sausage in a 12-inch heavy skillet over moderately high heat, stirring frequently and breaking up any large lumps with a fork, until browned, about 10 minutes. Pour off fat from skillet, then cool sausage to room temperature.
  • Cut half of loaf into 1-inch-thick slices and reserve remaining half for another use. Pulse butter and garlic in a food processor until smooth. Spread a thin layer of garlic butter on both sides of each bread slice, arranging bread in 1 layer in bottom of baking dish. Sprinkle sausage on top.
  • Whisk together eggs, milk, salt, and pepper in a large bowl until frothy, then whisk in scallions and half of cheese. Pour egg mixture over sausage (bread will float to the top), pushing down on bread with a spatula to help it absorb liquid. Sprinkle with remaining cheese.
  • Bake, covered with a large sheet of buttered foil (buttered side down), 30 minutes, then carefully remove foil and bake until top is slightly puffed and eggs are cooked through in center, about 20 minutes more.
  • Let stand 10 minutes, then cut into 12 squares.

Video

Notes

  • Save time by using store-bought garlic bread.
  • Substitute ham for the sausage, if desired.
  • Prepare as directed and freeze for up to 2 months before baking.

Nutrition

Calories: 833kcal, Carbohydrates: 39g, Protein: 35g, Fat: 58g, Saturated Fat: 26g, Cholesterol: 549mg, Sodium: 1493mg, Potassium: 530mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 23g, Vitamin A: 945IU, Vitamin C: 0.5mg, Calcium: 216mg, Iron: 4.6mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Breakfast
Cuisine: Holiday
Tried this recipe?Mention @plattertalk or tag #plattertalk!

Meet the Platter Talk Guys

Dan & Scott split their time between Wisconsin and Southwest Florida and are dads to six boys. Good food runs through their veins, and they love showing others how to cook easy recipes.

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4.85 from 20 votes (6 ratings without comment)

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29 Comments

  1. Made this for our Christmas morning breakfast with s little bit of my own spin to it. I added green and red diced pepper, I also added diced sweet onions and some fresh green onions. For the bread I cubbed everything bagel seasoning bread. To milk mixture I added a teaspoon of dry mustard. We loved it.

  2. 5 stars
    I love breakfast casseroles. They are easy to make ahead and then bake in the morning. There is so much activity prior to Christmas that having a casserole prepared ahead of time is such a great idea. Epicurious has always been a favorite of mine for finding great recipes. This one is definitely a winner.

  3. 5 stars
    If this was my holiday breakfast I am not sure I would have room for my holiday dinner. I could eat the whole pan it looks so good!

  4. 5 stars
    I love breakfast casseroles and this looks like something I would love to make on Christmas morning. So simple and easy. Saving this for later.

  5. 5 stars
    What a perfectly delicious Christmas breakfast casserole. I know if I served this for our Christmas breakfast that everyone would love it.

  6. 5 stars
    We make a similar recipe for Christmas morning, and your recipe sounds wonderful as well! I love an egg casserole on Christmas morning- everything feels cozy and festive.

  7. 5 stars
    Wow, gorgeous pics! Gonna send this one off to my sister so she can make it for her family on Christmas day. Thanks for sharing.