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This Overnight Breakfast Casserole made with brioche bread is so decadent and perfect for a holiday morning crowd. Make ahead the night before and breakfast will be a breeze. Make holiday mornings even more special by pairing this perfect Overnight Breakfast Casserole with Homemade Cinnamon Rolls and Crockpot Hot Chocolate. Talk about a delicious breakfast!
Hello Easy Holiday Breakfast
I have fallen in love with all-in-one breakfast casseroles and so has the entire family! Not only are they super simple to throw together, they are delicious and feed a crowd. Even the kiddos BEG for this easy breakfast casserole recipe. Whether you’re making a special treat for the holidays, a potluck, or just want a hearty breakfast with all the good stuff…this casserole checks all the boxes! If you’re looking for a breakfast casserole with hash browns, take a look at my Classic Breakfast Casserole.
How to Make Overnight Breakfast Casserole (with bread)
Making this Overnight Breakfast Casserole is super simple, but does require a little planning ahead. For full recipe details, including ingredients and measurements, see the printable recipe card down below. Here is what to expect and the time frame you’ll want to plan for when making this great recipe:
2 days before you want to cook your casserole
Cube up 6 cups of brioche bread or buns and place on large cookie sheet in open air to dry out.
If you need to skip this step, it is NOT a deal breaker. You can totally use fresh bread and it will turn out just fine if you don’t have the time or just forgot to plan ahead that far. The drier the bread, the more texture the finished casserole will have. Using fresh bread will just make it a bit softer (but not quite soggy, due to the eggs) so don’t worry and do NOT let that stop you from making this casserole.
The night before you want to cook your casserole
Brown Sausage + Onion
Brown diced onion and breakfast sausage in a skillet over medium/high heat until sausage has some crispy pieces and onion is almost caramelized. This goes quicker if you break into small pieces as you cook. I love using this meat chopping tool right at the end of the cooking process to get really small pieces.
Feel free to add any vegetables or other meat you’d like (mushrooms, spinach, red peppers, ham, bacon, etc.).
Prep Baking Dish + Add Cheese & Dried Bread Cubes to Dish
Prepare a 9×13 baking dish with butter or non-stick spray. Place crusty bread cubes in baking dish and sprinkle with 1 cup of the cheddar cheese.
Add Sausage/Onion Mixture to the Casserole Dish
Add sausage/onion mixture evenly to casserole dish.
Combine Remaining Ingredients Together (Minus the Cheese) + Pour Over Casserole
Combine eggs, half & half, dry mustard, onion powder, salt and pepper. Pour egg mixture evenly over other ingredients in dish. Top with remaining 1 cup of cheese.
Refrigerate Overnight
Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight.
The Next Morning
Preheat Oven + Allow Egg Casserole to Sit at Room Temperature
Preheat oven. Pull casserole dish out of refrigerator and let sit for 30-40 minutes on counter.
Bake
Remove plastic wrap and bake for 1 hour or until eggs are set. Serve hot and enjoy!
Storing Leftovers
Breakfast Casserole leftovers should be covered and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Oh, it’s even better the next day!
To Reheat. The best way to reheat this breakfast casserole is to simply pop a square into the microwave for 30 seconds to 1 minute or until heated through.
Freezing Instructions
If you REALLY want to a make-ahead breakfast casserole recipe ahead of time, you can freeze it!
To Freeze. Simply follow the instructions all the way through. Cool completely, then cover with foil and store in a freezer bag for up to 2 months.
To Reheat. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight. Then bake at 350 degrees until heated through. This takes about 20 minutes.
More Hearty Breakfast Recipes!
- Southwest Egg and Tater Tot Casserole
- Crockpot Smoked Sausage & Hashbrown Casserole
- Perfect French Toast Casserole
- Breakfast Tacos
- Breakfast Burritos
Be sure to save this best breakfast casserole recipe to refer back to later by printing, bookmarking, or sharing! It’s the perfect Christmas breakfast. Have a great week friends! 🙂
Overnight Breakfast Casserole (with bread)
Ingredients
- 6 cups brioche bread or buns cubed and air dried the night before
- 1 lb ground breakfast sausage
- 1 cup onion finely diced
- 10 eggs beaten
- 3 cups half & half
- 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese shredded
- 2 tsp dry mustard
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1 salt & pepper to taste
Instructions
2 days before you want to cook your casserole
- Cube up 6 cups of brioche bread or buns and place on large cookie sheet in open air to dry out.
the night before you want to cook your casserole
- Brown diced onion and sausage in a skillet over medium/high heat until sausage has some crispy pieces and onion is almost caramelized. This goes quicker if you break into small pieces as you cook.
- Prepare a 9×13 baking dish with butter or non-stick spray.
- Place crusty bread cubes in baking dish and sprinkle with 1 cup of the cheese.
- Add sausage/onion mixture evenly to casserole dish.
- Combine the remaining ingredients (except the last cup of cheese) and pour evenly over other ingredients in dish.
- Top with remaining cheese.
- Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight.
the morning of
- Preheat oven to 325° F.
- Pull casserole dish out of refrigerator and let sit for 30-40 minutes on counter.
- Remove plastic wrap and bake for 1 hour or until eggs are set.
- Serve hot and enjoy!
