There’s something about waking up to the warm, cozy aroma of baked sausage and cheese that just feels like Christmas morning. This Christmas Breakfast Casserole Recipe is my go-to for holiday mornings because it’s hearty, comforting, and honestly, a total crowd-pleaser. Trust me, once you try it, you’ll want to make it your own festive tradition.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
This Christmas Breakfast Casserole Recipe holds a special place in my heart because it blends simple ingredients into something surprisingly festive and filling. It’s the kind of dish that fills the house with warmth and gets everyone excited for the day.
- Make-ahead magic: Mix it up the night before, so you’ve got literally zero stress on Christmas morning.
- Simple ingredients: No fancy shopping required—just pantry staples that come together into something special.
- Family-friendly flavors: Mild but rich, it hits that sweet spot everyone enjoys from kids to grandparents.
- Versatile and forgiving: Don’t worry about exact measurements—there’s room to tweak it to your tastes and what you have around.
Ingredients & Why They Work
Each ingredient in this Christmas Breakfast Casserole Recipe plays a role in creating that perfect breakfast bake—rich, savory, and a little comforting in the best way. Here’s why these come together so nicely and a couple of tips when you’re shopping or prepping.
- Ground pork sausage: Gives a hearty, savory punch with just enough fat to keep the casserole moist and flavorful. I prefer bulk sausage without casings for easy browning.
- Eggs: The backbone of the custard that binds everything together—look for fresh, large eggs for a fluffy texture.
- Whole milk: Adds creaminess to the custard and helps it set just right without drying out.
- Dry mustard: Just a hint of tang that wakes up the flavors without overwhelming anything.
- Kosher salt & black pepper: Essential for bringing every component to life; taste your custard mixture before baking!
- Day-old bread: Cubed bread soaks up the egg mixture perfectly. Stale bread works best here—it won’t get soggy but will hold just enough moisture.
- Sharp cheddar cheese: Adds a sharp, melty richness that ties the sausage and custard together. I love using freshly shredded cheese for better melt and flavor.
Make It Your Way
I love how flexible this Christmas Breakfast Casserole Recipe is—you can tweak it based on what you have or how festive you want to get. Over the years, I’ve tried different add-ins and found some favorites that keep things interesting.
- Meat swaps: Sometimes I use breakfast sausage links or crumbled bacon instead of ground pork for a smokier taste — it’s just as delicious.
- Cheese variations: Switching cheddar for pepper jack or adding some mozzarella can change the vibe without losing the cheesy goodness.
- Veggie upgrades: For a pop of color, I toss in sautéed bell peppers or mushrooms—just cook them first to avoid extra moisture.
- Make it vegetarian: Leave out the sausage and use a bit of smoked paprika and extra cheese for flavor — just as tasty without the meat.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Christmas Breakfast Casserole Recipe
Step 1: Prep Your Base with Bread Cubes
Start by greasing a 9×13 inch baking dish really well—that way, nothing sticks and clean-up’s easy. Then spread your cubed, day-old bread evenly across the bottom. I like to use slightly stale sandwich bread, cubed into bite-sized pieces so it soaks up the egg mixture perfectly without turning mushy.
Step 2: Brown the Sausage
Cook the ground pork sausage in a skillet over medium heat until it’s fully browned, breaking it up into nice crumbles as you go. Once it’s browned, drain any excess fat—too much grease will weigh down your casserole and make it greasy. Spread the sausage over the bread layer in the baking dish evenly.
Step 3: Whisk the Egg Mixture
In a mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, whole milk, dry mustard, salt, and pepper until everything is combined and smooth. Stir in the shredded sharp cheddar cheese so it’s evenly distributed—this cheese loves to melt right into the custard as it bakes.
Step 4: Combine and Soak
Pour the egg and cheese mixture evenly over the sausage and bread. Use a fork to gently press down, making sure the bread cubes soak up the custard and sausage juices to create a cohesive bake. This step helps avoid dry edges and keeps every bite tender and flavorful.
Step 5: Chill Overnight (or At Least 2 Hours)
Cover your casserole with foil and pop it in the fridge overnight or for a minimum of 2 hours. This resting time lets the bread soak fully and the flavors mingle, which is a total game changer for texture and taste.
Step 6: Bake to Golden Perfection
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the casserole covered with foil for 30 minutes, then remove the foil and bake uncovered for another 15 minutes. The top should be golden and the center set—not wobbly. Let it sit 10 minutes after baking so it firms up a bit for perfect slicing.
Top Tip
Over the years, I’ve learned a few tricks to make this Christmas Breakfast Casserole Recipe truly shine. These tips save time and make sure your casserole comes out perfectly every time.
- Use stale bread: Fresh bread can make the casserole soggy; stale bread soaks just the right amount of custard and holds its shape.
- Don’t skip the rest time: Letting it chill overnight creates a creamier texture and enhances flavor meld—patience pays off!
- Drain cooked sausage well: This avoids excess grease pooling at the bottom and keeps your casserole rich but not oily.
- Cover with foil while baking: It traps moisture and ensures the casserole cooks evenly and gently, preventing the top from burning before the center is set.
How to Serve Christmas Breakfast Casserole Recipe
Garnishes
I usually sprinkle fresh chopped parsley or chives over the top just before serving—it brightens up the whole dish and adds a little color contrast that makes it pop on the plate. A light dollop of sour cream or a drizzle of hot sauce can be fun options too, depending on your crowd.
Side Dishes
This casserole pairs beautifully with fresh fruit salad to cut through the rich flavors, and sometimes we add a side of roasted breakfast potatoes or simple cinnamon-spiced apples for that festive touch. Hot coffee or spiced tea are a no-brainer to have on hand.
Creative Ways to Present
For holiday brunches, I sometimes bake this casserole in individual ramekins for pretty single servings or sprinkle some pomegranate seeds on top for a festive burst of color and flavor. You could also serve it buffet-style with small utensil tongs so guests can serve themselves easily.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once cooled, I cover leftover casserole tightly with plastic wrap or transfer to an airtight container and store it in the fridge. It’s great for up to 3 days and actually tastes even better the next day because the flavors continue to meld.
Freezing
I’ve frozen leftover portions successfully by wrapping them well in foil and then placing in a freezer-safe bag. When you’re ready, thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat gently—it’s a perfect surprise breakfast on a busy morning.
Reheating
I warm leftovers in a 350°F oven, covered loosely with foil, until heated through to avoid drying. Microwaving works in a pinch but can make it a bit rubbery—oven reheating keeps the texture closest to fresh-baked.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Absolutely! While day-old white sandwich bread is ideal because it soaks up the custard without getting soggy, you can experiment with whole wheat, sourdough, or even brioche for a richer flavor. Just make sure the bread is slightly stale so it holds up during baking.
You can prepare and bake it on the morning of, but it really shines when assembled the night before and allowed to soak overnight. This resting step makes the texture creamier and the flavors deeper, plus it cuts down on morning prep stress — a total win when you have guests.
The best method is reheating leftovers in a preheated oven at 350°F covered loosely with foil. This helps heat the casserole evenly and retains moisture. Microwaving works for quick reheats but can sometimes make the texture less ideal.
Yes! Adding sautéed vegetables like bell peppers, mushrooms, or spinach is a great way to sneak in some greens. Just be sure to cook them beforehand to remove excess moisture, so your casserole bakes up perfectly without getting watery.
Final Thoughts
This Christmas Breakfast Casserole Recipe has become my go-to for holiday mornings not just because it’s delicious, but because it brings the family together around a warm, newly baked dish with minimal morning fuss. I really hope you give it a try and it finds a cozy spot in your own holiday traditions—there’s something special about sharing a simple, hearty breakfast that tastes like comfort and celebration all at once.
Print
Christmas Breakfast Casserole Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
A hearty and comforting Christmas Breakfast Casserole featuring savory ground pork sausage, eggs, cheese, and bread. Perfect for preparing the night before and baking the next morning for a festive holiday breakfast.
Ingredients
Sausage Layer
- 1 lb ground pork sausage
Egg Mixture
- 6 large eggs
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1 teaspoon dry mustard
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese shredded
Base
- 6 slices day-old bread cubed
Instructions
- Prepare Baking Dish: Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish and evenly spread the bread cubes at the bottom.
- Cook Sausage: In a skillet over medium heat, cook the ground pork sausage until browned. Drain excess fat and spread the cooked sausage evenly over the bread cubes in the baking dish.
- Mix Egg Mixture: In a bowl, whisk together the eggs, whole milk, dry mustard, kosher salt, and black pepper until fully combined. Stir in the shredded sharp cheddar cheese.
- Assemble Casserole: Pour the egg mixture over the sausage and bread in the baking dish. Gently press down with a fork to ensure the bread soaks up the egg mixture thoroughly.
- Refrigerate Overnight: Cover the casserole dish with foil and refrigerate overnight or for at least 2 hours to allow flavors to meld and the bread to absorb the egg mixture.
- Bake Covered: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Bake the covered casserole for 30 minutes.
- Uncover and Finish Baking: Remove the foil and bake for an additional 15 minutes or until the top is golden brown and the center is set.
- Rest and Serve: Let the casserole sit for 10 minutes before slicing and serving to allow it to set properly.
Notes
- Using day-old bread helps the bread absorb the egg mixture better without becoming too soggy.
- Feel free to substitute sharp cheddar with your favorite cheese such as mozzarella or pepper jack for a different flavor.
- Make sure to drain the cooked sausage well to avoid excess grease in the casserole.
- This casserole can be prepared the night before and refrigerated making it perfect for busy holiday mornings.
- To keep kosher or halal, substitute the pork sausage with appropriate sausage alternatives.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 15 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 18 g
- Cholesterol: 220 mg

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