There's something incredibly comforting about a warm, hearty breakfast casserole waiting for you in the morning. This Easy Sausage Breakfast Egg Bake Recipe is just that—a perfect blend of savory sausage, fresh veggies, and fluffy eggs that comes together effortlessly, whether you bake it right away or make it ahead for busy mornings.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
I’m genuinely excited to share this recipe because it makes weekday breakfasts feel like a cozy weekend treat. It’s straightforward, flavorful, and endlessly adaptable—trust me, you’ll want to keep this one in your rotation.
- Make-Ahead Friendly: You can prep this casserole the night before, so mornings are less hectic.
- Loaded with Veggies: Fresh spinach, peppers, and onions add color, nutrition, and great taste.
- Customizable Cheese: Use your favorite cheese type to match your mood or what you have on hand.
- Feeds a Crowd: It’s perfect for family breakfasts or brunches with friends—everyone will ask for seconds.
Ingredients & Why They Work
All the ingredients in this Easy Sausage Breakfast Egg Bake Recipe come together harmoniously, creating layers of flavor and texture. Here’s a little insight into each one and why I love them in this bake.
- Sausage: Adds rich, savory flavor and protein, plus a little grease that helps cook the veggies.
- Olive oil: Used for sautéing if you want extra flavor or your sausage isn’t too greasy.
- Garlic: Just two cloves impart a subtle depth without overpowering the dish.
- Spinach: Wilts down nicely and adds a fresh, green element that balances the richness.
- Bell peppers: Provide sweetness and a bit of crunch, I prefer red or yellow for a pop of color.
- Yellow onion: Brings natural sweetness and a gentle bite when sautéed.
- Salt and pepper: Simple seasonings to enhance all the flavors.
- Large eggs: The heart of the bake, binding everything together with a custardy texture.
- Milk: Keeps the eggs tender and creamy—any kind works.
- Shredded cheese: I divide it between the egg mixture and the topping for melty richness and a slightly crisp crust.
Make It Your Way
One of the coolest things about this Easy Sausage Breakfast Egg Bake Recipe is how flexible it is. I often swap veggies or cheese depending on what’s in my fridge, and you can make it gluten-free, low-carb, or even vegetarian with a few tweaks.
- Variation: I’ve tried swapping sausage for chorizo for a spicy kick that’s out of this world—give it a shot if you like bold flavors.
- Make it vegetarian: Substitute sausage with sautéed mushrooms or seasoned tofu crumbles, and you won’t miss the meat at all.
- Dairy-free option: Use a plant-based milk and skip or use a dairy-free cheese to suit your needs.
- Extra veggies: Feel free to add mushrooms, zucchini, or even some cherry tomatoes for color and moisture.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Easy Sausage Breakfast Egg Bake Recipe
Step 1: Get the base ready with sausage
First things first—brown your sausage in a skillet over medium heat. Even if you have pre-cooked sausage, I like to give it a little sizzle to deepen the flavor and render some grease for the veggies. Once browned, spoon the sausage evenly into your greased casserole dish. This creates a savory, meaty foundation that everything else builds on.
Step 2: Sauté your veggies till tender
Next, toss minced garlic into the same skillet (adding a splash of olive oil if the pan’s dry) and cook briefly till fragrant. Add in spinach, diced bell peppers, and onion, stirring until the veggies are soft and the spinach has wilted—that usually takes about 6 or 7 minutes. Season with salt and pepper right at the end to enhance their natural flavors.
Step 3: Combine your layers
Take the cooked vegetables off the heat and mix them gently but evenly with the sausage in the casserole dish. This is the colorful, flavorful filling that will be enveloped by the egg.
Step 4: Whisk up the eggs and cheese
In a medium bowl, whisk together the large eggs, milk, and half of your shredded cheese—this mixture turns into that custardy, rich texture that makes this bake so irresistible. Pour this egg mixture evenly over the sausage and veggie combo, then sprinkle the remaining cheese on top for a bubbly, golden finish.
Step 5: Bake and enjoy—or refrigerate till morning
If you’re ready to eat right away, pop the casserole in a preheated 375°F oven and bake until the edges are golden and the middle is just set—usually around 45 minutes. If you’re prepping ahead, cover it tightly and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking. Either way, let it cool 15 minutes before slicing—that step makes serving so much easier.
Top Tip
Having made this recipe dozens of times, I’ve learned that a few small touches make a world of difference. This isn’t just about cooking, it’s about making your mornings smooth and tasty.
- Pre-bake oil: If your sausage is low-fat, add a teaspoon of olive oil before sautéing veggies to avoid dry bites.
- Don’t skip the rest: Letting the casserole cool after baking helps it set and makes clean slices, plus keeps it from falling apart.
- Cheese timing: Dividing the cheese between the mix and topping gives you that custardy melt inside AND a beautifully browned top crust.
- Veggie prep: Dice peppers and onions evenly for balanced cooking and flavor distribution throughout the casserole.
How to Serve Easy Sausage Breakfast Egg Bake Recipe
Garnishes
I love adding a sprinkle of fresh chopped parsley or green onions right before serving—this adds a fresh punch and a nice pop of color. Sometimes, a dollop of sour cream or hot sauce kicks it up a notch for those mornings I’m craving a little extra zing.
Side Dishes
This bake pairs wonderfully with simple sides like crispy hash browns, fresh fruit salad, or toasted sourdough bread. If you’re feeling fancy, a side of roasted potatoes or baked avocado slices makes the meal even more filling and satisfying.
Creative Ways to Present
For brunches, I sometimes assemble mini individual ramekins instead of one big casserole—perfect for gifting or easy portion control. I’ve also seen people load this into hollowed-out mini bell peppers or bake it inside large portobello mushrooms for a fun twist.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
After baking, let the casserole cool completely and store leftovers in an airtight container or cover the dish with foil. It keeps beautifully in the fridge for up to 5 days, making it a lifesaver for breakfast or even a quick dinner.
Freezing
I often freeze the whole unbaked casserole for up to 2 months. Just wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and foil to keep freezer burn away. When you’re ready, thaw it overnight in the fridge and bake as usual—the texture and taste hold up great!
Reheating
Reheat individual slices in the microwave for about 60 seconds or until warmed through. If you want a crispy top again, a quick 5-minute pop in a 350ºF oven does wonders without drying it out.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Absolutely! Turkey sausage works perfectly in this Easy Sausage Breakfast Egg Bake Recipe. Just brown it the same way you would pork sausage for flavorful results.
Yes! Feel free to add mushrooms, zucchini, or cherry tomatoes. Just keep in mind that extra moisture-heavy veggies might slightly increase your baking time.
While fully cooked sausage can be used, I recommend browning it briefly to bring out deeper flavors and a better texture in the bake.
Yes, you can substitute the milk with any plant-based milk and either omit the cheese or use a dairy-free alternative to keep it dairy-free and delicious.
Final Thoughts
This Easy Sausage Breakfast Egg Bake Recipe has quickly become a go-to for me because it feels like a hug on a plate—simple, satisfying, and easy to make ahead so mornings aren’t stressful. I hope you try it out and find it just as comforting and flexible in your kitchen as I have in mine.
Print
Easy Sausage Breakfast Egg Bake Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 65 minutes
- Yield: 10 servings
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Lactose
Description
This Egg Bake Overnight Breakfast Casserole is a hearty and customizable dish featuring sausage, fresh vegetables, eggs, and cheese. Perfect for busy mornings or feeding a crowd, it can be baked immediately or prepared ahead of time and refrigerated or frozen for convenience.
Ingredients
Meat
- 10 to 12 ounces sausage (casing removed)
Vegetables
- 2 cloves of garlic (minced)
- 3 cups fresh spinach
- 2 large bell peppers (diced)
- ½ medium yellow onion (diced)
Dairy & Others
- Olive oil (for sautéing)
- Salt and pepper (to taste)
- 12 large eggs
- ½ cup milk (any type)
- ½ cup shredded cheese (any flavor; divided)
Instructions
- Prepare the Casserole Dish: Spray a 7 x 11 or 9 x 13 inch casserole dish with non-stick spray and set it aside. If baking immediately, preheat the oven to 375ºF (191ºC).
- Brown the Sausage: In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the sausage until cooked through. For fully cooked sausage, browning is optional but recommended for extra flavor. Transfer the browned sausage evenly into the prepared casserole dish and set aside.
- Sauté the Vegetables: Add a little olive oil to the skillet if needed. Sauté the minced garlic, fresh spinach, diced bell peppers, and diced onion over medium heat until the vegetables are tender and the spinach is wilted, about 6 to 7 minutes. Season with salt and pepper during the last minute of cooking. Remove from heat.
- Combine Sausage and Vegetables: Add the cooked vegetable mixture to the sausage in the casserole dish and stir roughly to distribute the mixture evenly. Set aside.
- Prepare the Egg Mixture: In a medium bowl, whisk together the 12 large eggs, ½ cup milk, and ¼ cup shredded cheese. Pour this egg mixture evenly over the sausage and vegetable mixture in the casserole dish. Sprinkle the remaining ¼ cup shredded cheese on top and add a little more salt and pepper to taste.
- Bake the Casserole: If you haven't preheated the oven, set it to 375ºF (191ºC). Bake the casserole for approximately 45 minutes or until the edges start to brown and the center is set. Allow the casserole to cool for at least 15 minutes before serving.
- Store and Reheat: Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Reheat individual servings in the microwave as needed. The baked casserole can be frozen for up to 2 months; thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat at 350ºF (177ºC) for about 20 minutes or until heated through.
- Freezing Before Baking: To freeze unbaked casserole, cover tightly with plastic wrap and foil and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and proceed with the baking step.
Notes
- This casserole is fully customizable with your preferred vegetables and cheese varieties.
- You can prepare the casserole the night before and refrigerate it overnight for a quick morning bake.
- For added flavor, consider adding herbs like thyme or parsley to the vegetable mix.
- If using fully cooked sausage, browning is optional but adds texture and flavor.
- Use any type of milk you prefer, including dairy-free alternatives.
- Leftover casserole can be frozen and reheated without losing texture or flavor.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 197 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 303 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0.1 g
- Carbohydrates: 4 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 13 g
- Cholesterol: 223 mg
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