Why You’ll Love this Make-Ahead Breakfast Casserole
Who doesn’t love waking up to a delicious breakfast that’s already prepared? This make-ahead breakfast casserole is about to become your new favorite morning tradition.
I’m talking about layers of soft bread cubes, melted cheddar cheese, and savory bacon and sausage—all soaked in a perfectly seasoned egg mixture.
What makes this recipe truly special is the prep-ahead factor. You’ll assemble everything the night before, let the flavors meld in the refrigerator overnight, and simply pop it in the oven while you’re brewing your morning coffee.
The aroma alone is worth getting out of bed for.
What Ingredients are in Make-Ahead Breakfast Casserole?
This breakfast casserole is all about combining simple, hearty ingredients that transform overnight into something magical.
What I love about this recipe is how it takes ordinary breakfast staples and turns them into a satisfying meal that feeds a crowd with minimal morning effort.
The combination of bread, cheese, eggs, and breakfast meats creates the perfect balance of flavors and textures.
- 7 slices white bread, crusts removed and cubed
- 8 ounces cheddar cheese, shredded
- 6 eggs
- 3 cups milk
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 1 teaspoon dry mustard
- 1/2 pound bacon, thinly diced and fried crisp
- 1/2 pound mild sausage, fried crisp
While the recipe calls for white bread, you could absolutely substitute wheat bread or even sourdough for a different flavor profile.
The dry mustard adds a subtle tang that complements the rich cheesiness, but if you don’t have it on hand, a bit of prepared mustard works in a pinch.
And here’s a little tip—pre-cooking the meats until truly crisp is essential, as it guarantees they’ll maintain their texture in the casserole rather than becoming soggy.
Oh, and feel free to experiment with different cheeses too; a sharp cheddar adds more punch, while a combination of cheddar and Monterey Jack creates a wonderfully melty texture.
How to Make this Make-Ahead Breakfast Casserole
Making this breakfast casserole couldn’t be simpler, and the best part? You do all the work the night before, which means your morning self will thank your evening self profusely.
Start by trimming the crusts from 7 slices of white bread and cutting them into cubes. Arrange these bread cubes to cover the bottom of a 12×7 casserole dish, then sprinkle 8 ounces of shredded cheddar cheese over the top.
In a large bowl, beat 6 eggs until well combined, then add 3 cups of milk, whisking everything together. Season the egg mixture with 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon pepper, and 1 teaspoon dry mustard, stirring until everything is thoroughly incorporated.
Now comes the good stuff—fold in your 1/2 pound of crispy fried bacon pieces and 1/2 pound of cooked sausage, making sure they’re evenly distributed throughout the egg mixture. Pour this savory concoction over the bread and cheese layers, taking care to guarantee everything gets evenly soaked. Using premium cookware sets will ensure even heat distribution while preparing the bacon and sausage components of this recipe.
Cover the dish with foil and pop it in the refrigerator overnight, where all those flavors will mingle and get to know each other quite intimately.
When morning arrives and coffee is brewing, simply preheat your oven to 350°F and place the casserole (straight from the fridge) into the oven. While your breakfast bakes, you could use that time to explore pasta maker appliances for future culinary projects. Bake for 50-55 minutes until the center is set and the top is golden brown.
You’ll know it’s done when a knife inserted in the center comes out clean—though with all that melted cheese, it might still look a bit moist. Let the casserole rest for about 5 minutes before serving, which gives it time to firm up slightly and makes it easier to portion out those beautiful, cheese-pulled slices.
And there you have it—a warm, hearty breakfast that required zero morning brain power!
Make-Ahead Breakfast Casserole Substitutions and Variations
While the classic version of this breakfast casserole is absolutely delicious, don’t feel like you’re locked into the exact ingredients list if you want to put your own spin on it.
You can easily swap white bread for sourdough, whole wheat, or even croissants for a richer texture. Not a fan of cheddar? Try Swiss, Gruyère, or pepper jack for a spicy kick.
The meat is totally customizable too. Ham, turkey sausage, or even vegetarian crumbles work beautifully.
For a veggie-forward version, I’d add sautéed mushrooms, spinach, and bell peppers. Can’t do dairy? Unsweetened almond milk is a decent substitute.
What to Serve with Make-Ahead Breakfast Casserole
When planning a breakfast spread with this hearty casserole as your centerpiece, you’ll want complementary sides that balance the rich, savory flavors.
I love adding a fresh fruit salad with berries and citrus to cut through the richness. A simple green salad with light vinaigrette works surprisingly well, too.
Don’t forget something sweet! Cinnamon rolls or quick bread (banana or zucchini) round out the meal nicely.
For beverages, offer both coffee and a revitalizing option like orange juice or a morning mocktail.
Need something extra? Roasted potatoes with herbs provide another texture contrast that guests appreciate.
Final Thoughts
After testing dozens of breakfast casserole recipes over the years, I’ve found this make-ahead version to be absolutely foolproof.
There’s something magical about assembling everything the night before and waking up to a nearly ready meal. Just pop it in the oven, go about your morning routine, and breakfast is served.
What I love most is how adaptable this recipe is to your preferences.
Don’t like bacon? Double the sausage. Prefer sourdough? Swap the white bread.
The overnight rest allows the flavors to meld beautifully, creating a harmonious dish that’ll have everyone asking for seconds.
Just like with chicken and rice recipes, proper browning of ingredients like sausage and vegetables creates deeper flavor development in your breakfast casserole.
Similar to a classic meatloaf recipe, adding finely chopped vegetables enhances both the flavor and nutritional value without changing the texture significantly.
