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Easy Overnight Breakfast Casserole: Best Game Day Recipe

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This easy overnight breakfast casserole is perfect for game day mornings. Prep it the night before, then bake it in the morning for a hearty, crowd-pleasing meal with a crispy top and tender, savory middle.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 cups (about 1 loaf) sturdy bread, cubed (sourdough or French loaf recommended)
  • 10 large eggs, lightly beaten
  • 2 cups whole milk or half-and-half
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder (optional)
  • 1 pound cooked breakfast sausage, crumbled (Johnsonville or Jimmy Dean recommended)
  • 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, sharp or mild
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • ½ cup green onions, sliced
  • ½ cup red bell pepper, diced
  • 2 tablespoons butter, melted (for topping, optional)
  • ¼ cup panko breadcrumbs (for topping, optional)
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish, optional)

Instructions

  1. The night before: Cook the sausage in a large skillet over medium heat until browned and crumbled, about 6-8 minutes. Drain excess fat and set aside to cool slightly.
  2. Cut the bread into 1-inch cubes. If using fresh bread, spread on a baking sheet and toast at 350°F for 5-7 minutes. Let cool.
  3. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, Dijon mustard, salt, pepper, and garlic powder until smooth.
  4. Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter or non-stick spray. Spread half of the bread cubes evenly in the bottom. Top with half of the cooked sausage, half of the bell pepper, half of the green onions, half of the cheddar, and half of the mozzarella. Repeat layers with remaining bread, sausage, bell pepper, green onions, and cheeses.
  5. Slowly pour the egg mixture evenly over the casserole. Gently press down with a spatula so the bread absorbs the liquid. Cover tightly with plastic wrap or foil and refrigerate for at least 6 hours, up to 24 hours.
  6. Game day morning: Remove casserole from fridge and let sit on counter while oven preheats to 350°F (175°C).
  7. Optional topping: In a small bowl, mix melted butter and panko breadcrumbs. Sprinkle evenly over the casserole.
  8. Cover dish with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove foil and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes, until top is golden brown and a knife inserted in the center comes out clean.
  9. Let casserole rest for 5-10 minutes before cutting. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired.

Notes

Use day-old bread for best texture. If using fresh bread, toast cubes before assembling. For a gluten-free version, use gluten-free bread and ensure sausage is gluten-free. For a vegetarian version, skip the meat and add sautéed mushrooms, spinach, and roasted red peppers. The casserole can be held in a warm oven (200°F) for up to 30 minutes after baking.

Nutrition

Keywords: overnight breakfast casserole, game day recipe, breakfast casserole, easy breakfast, crowd-pleaser, sausage casserole

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