Best Sausage Egg Breakfast Casserole: 12 Eggs

If you’re anything like me, those Saturday mornings after a super busy week just beg for something warm, hearty, and incredibly easy. Forget scrambling eggs one by one; we need something substantial that we can prepare ahead of time. That’s where this magic sausage egg breakfast casserole comes in! I remember the mornings after a long week of coaching football when I needed something quick yet filling to fuel my day. One Sunday, I decided to experiment with a mix of sausage and eggs, throwing together leftovers and a handful of spices. What emerged from the oven was a warm, bubbling Best Sausage Egg Breakfast Casserole that not only satisfied my hunger but became a family favorite. Each bite was a reminder of how simple ingredients can come together to create a meal that brings us around the table on hectic mornings, making our busy lives just a bit more joyful. As Sarah Johnson, The Keto Performance Chef, I promise you this recipe is hearty, totally make-ahead friendly, and fits perfectly into a ketogenic lifestyle!

Why This is the Best Sausage Egg Breakfast Casserole for Meal Prep

Look, I get it. Mornings are chaos. That’s why this recipe isn’t just good; it’s strategic! If you are looking for true Easy Prep success, this dish is your new best friend. The genius of this structure is that the active work—frying sausage and tearing bread—takes barely 15 minutes. Everything else is just pouring and waiting. This keeps your Weekend Breakfast prep manageable, whether you’re feeding a crowd or just trying to get ahead for the next few days.

As a performance chef, I design meals that deliver fuel without demanding all your time. This casserole stands up perfectly to sitting overnight in the fridge, which is huge for time management. Unlike some thin stratas, the bread soaks up just enough liquid that it sets beautifully without dissolving. Check out some of my other make-ahead tips here: meal prep strategies.

Quick Assembly for Weekend Breakfast

Seriously, grab a 9×13 pan and you are almost done. I can get the sausage browned, the bread torn, and the eggs whisked in less time than it takes to brew a decent pot of coffee. This isn’t fussy baking; it’s assembly line efficiency. You’re not rolling dough or fussing with delicate layers. You are just layering hearty ingredients, which is exactly what you need when you want to sleep in instead of stand over a stove.

Keto-Friendly Comfort Food

Here is where we make a little adjustment, but keep all the cozy vibes! This dish is naturally rich in protein and fat, making it fantastic Comfort Food that keeps you satisfied until lunch. For those following a strict keto plan, you just swap out that standard sandwich bread for your favorite low-carb loaf. Honestly, the sausage and cheese flavors shine through so strongly that you won’t miss anything. When you bake it right, this Best Sausage Egg Breakfast Casserole is pure fuel!

Gathering Ingredients for the Best Sausage Egg Breakfast Casserole

Okay, let’s talk fuel! The quality of this Best Sausage Egg Breakfast Casserole entirely depends on what you start with. I always tell folks, if you use boring ingredients, you get a boring bake. Since this recipe relies on just a few core components, we want to make sure we pick the good stuff—that’s where the real flavor comes from when you’re skipping heavy sauces!

Since I focus on performance and low-carb eating, I always keep a well-stocked pantry. You can check out my must-have list for low-carb staples here: 27 essential keto pantry items. Here is what you need to grab for this hearty bake:

• For the Casserole
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 14 to 16 ounces uncooked pork breakfast sausage
  • 12 large eggs
  • 2 cups half-and-half
  • 2 teaspoons dry mustard
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 8 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, shredded (preferably white, about 2 cups)
  • 6 slices hearty white sandwich bread (about 8 to 9 ounces)

Ingredient Notes and Substitutions for Your Sausage Egg Casserole

Let’s talk bread first. If you aren’t going keto, using slightly stale white bread is perfect—it keeps its structure better when soaked. If you are sticking strictly to keto, grab your favorite low-carb sandwich bread brand; just make sure it’s sturdy. For the sausage, use a good quality pork breakfast sausage, maybe even one with a bit of fennel or sage for extra flavor!

I always recommend grating your cheddar yourself, too. Pre-shredded cheese has anti-caking agents that make it melt a little less smoothly. And don’t skip the dry mustard; it’s subtle, but that tiny kick stops the whole rich egg mixture from tasting flat. Trust me on the mustard!

Step-by-Step Instructions for the Best Sausage Egg Breakfast Casserole

This is where the magic happens, and honestly, it’s mostly assembly! Don’t let the number of steps intimidate you; most of this is just putting things where they need to go. We want this Breakfast Bake to come out sturdy, golden, and ready for those hectic mornings. It really comes together fast. If you want to see another foolproof assembly method, check out my guide on foolproof dinner ideas.

Preparing the Base and Sausage Layer

First things first, let’s get the heat going! Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) and take a second to grease up that 9×13 baking dish really well. I usually use a little cooking spray, but a dab of oil works too if you’re out of spray.

Now, grab your skillet. Over medium heat, toss in that olive oil and the sausage. You need to cook this until it’s totally browned, and you have to break it up into crumbles as you go with your spoon. This is important: once it’s done, drain off every bit of excess grease. Soggy sausage equals a soggy bottom layer, and we absolutely don’t want that!

While the sausage cools slightly, tear up those six slices of bread into good, bite-sized pieces. You want irregular sizes so they nestle together nicely. Spread those ripped bread pieces right across the bottom of your prepared dish. Then, pile that cooked, drained sausage right on top of the bread. Give it a little shake to distribute it evenly.

Mixing the Custard and Assembling the Best Sausage Egg Breakfast Casserole

Time for the binder! Grab your biggest mixing bowl. You’re going to whisk those 12 eggs hard, almost until they get a bit foamy. Then slowly stream in the half-and-half while you keep whisking. Don’t forget the seasonings: the dry mustard, salt, and pepper need to go in now—make sure everything is incorporated; we don’t want pockets of salt!

Pour this creamy egg mixture gently and evenly over the sausage and bread layer in your baking dish. Take your time here so it seeps down into all the little gaps. Finally, you get the best part: sprinkle that shredded sharp cheddar cheese all over the top. Make sure you cover every surface! This creates that gorgeous, bubbly crust on your finished Best Sausage Egg Breakfast Casserole. For another helpful take on this kind of bake, The Kitchn has a great article too!

Baking Time and Resting for Perfect Texture

Now slide that pan into the preheated oven. It usually takes about 45 to 55 minutes, depending on your oven, but you are looking for that golden-brown top. How do you know it’s done? Stick a thin knife right into the center. If it comes out clean, you are golden, literally! If it looks wet, give it another five minutes.

Resist the urge to cut into it immediately! This is crucial for structure. Let the casserole rest on the counter for a full 10 minutes. This resting time lets the liquid fully set and keeps your slices tidy when serving. Ten minutes is all you need before slicing and enjoying!

Tips for Success with Your Sausage Egg Casserole

Everyone wants that perfect, firm slice, right? The key to avoiding a watery mess is making sure you drain that sausage grease really well—I mean, really well! Also, use room temperature eggs and half-and-half if you can manage it; they whisk up much fluffier, giving our custard better body. Don’t crowd the pan when tearing the bread either; we want surfaces exposed to the egg mix.

Making the Best Sausage Egg Breakfast Casserole Ahead of Time

I love assembling this the night before because it makes Sunday morning instantaneous! After you assemble everything—sausage down, bread, egg mixture poured, cheese on top—just cover that 9×13 dish tightly with plastic wrap. Pop it straight into the fridge. It’s perfectly fine for up to 24 hours.

Now, here’s the one change you must make when baking from cold: Add about 5 to 10 extra minutes to the total baking time. Since the ingredients start colder, that heat takes a little longer to penetrate to the center and set that custard. Pull the cover off about 15 minutes before it’s done, though, so that beautiful cheese topping can get nice and brown. Enjoy your extra sleep!

Serving Suggestions for This Breakfast Bake

Now that you have pulled that sizzling, perfect Breakfast Bake out of the oven after its 10-minute rest, you need things to go alongside it! This casserole is incredibly hearty, so you don’t need much heavy filler, which is perfect for keeping things quick.

My go-to pairing is something bright and acidic to cut through the rich sausage and cheese. If you’re not worried about keto timing, a side of fresh berries—strawberries or maybe some sliced cantaloupe—is just lovely. If we’re keeping it low-carb, a simple side of avocado slices sprinkled with everything bagel seasoning is fantastic!

Don’t forget the heat element! A little dash of your favorite hot sauce really wakes up the flavor of the eggs and cheese. For a slightly greener addition that still feels easy, try a tiny bowl of mixed greens tossed with a very light lemon vinaigrette. It’s a great way to sneak in some freshness. If you want ideas for easy green sides, I’ve got some great one-pan salad inspiration that would work great here!

Storage and Reheating the Best Sausage Egg Breakfast Casserole

Even though this casserole is so amazing you might not have leftovers, life happens! The great news is that the Best Sausage Egg Breakfast Casserole reheats like a dream, which is exactly what we want for quick weekday breakfasts when we don’t have time to cook.

When setting aside leftovers, make sure you keep the slices in an airtight container. They hold up beautifully in the refrigerator for about three to four days. I’ve tested this repeatedly! For longer storage, you can absolutely freeze them, which is perfect for those moments when you need instant comfort food for breakfast without starting from scratch. You can see my general tips on freezer-friendly meals here: freezer-friendly waffle recipes, though the principles apply here!

If you are just reheating a single slice or two, the microwave is your fastest friend. Pop a slice onto a microwave-safe plate and heat it for about 45 seconds to one minute, depending on how hot you like it. It’ll warm up fast, although the edges might lose a tiny bit of their initial crispness.

For the best texture, especially if you are warming up a larger batch or if you want that cheese topping to feel freshly baked, use the oven. Wrap your slices loosely in foil—this helps keep them from drying out—and place them in a 350°F oven for about 12 to 15 minutes until they are piping hot all the way through. The foil traps the steam just enough to keep that egg custard wonderfully soft!

Frequently Asked Questions About Sausage Egg Casserole

It is completely normal to have questions when you’re trying a new recipe, especially one you want to make a weekday staple! I get asked all the time about how to tweak this specific Sausage Egg Casserole to fit different needs, or how to handle the prep when life gets really busy. I hope answering these helps you get started!

Can I make this Best Sausage Egg Breakfast Casserole completely dairy-free?

That’s a great question for folks managing sensitivities! Yes, you totally can adapt this! Since the Best Sausage Egg Breakfast Casserole relies on the half-and-half for richness, you’ll want a good substitute. I recommend using unsweetened almond milk or cashew milk—just make sure it’s unsweetened so you don’t throw off the savory flavor profile. Use about the same amount, but taste it first! For the sharp cheddar, there are some phenomenal dairy-free shreds now that melt beautifully. If you are worried about melt, try blending about half a cup of your dairy-free cheese with a tablespoon of coconut cream to mimic that dairy richness before sprinkling it on top.

What is the best way to freeze this Breakfast Bake?

For freezing, I actually prefer freezing the Breakfast Bake *after* it’s cooked and cooled. It reheats so much cleaner that way! Once it’s completely cool, cover the entire dish tightly with plastic wrap, followed by a layer of aluminum foil to prevent freezer burn. It lasts great for up to three months in the freezer.

If you want to freeze it *unbaked*, that works too, as confirmed by my own prep sessions! Assemble the entire dish in a freezer-safe 9×13 pan, cover tightly, and freeze. When you are ready to bake, you must let it thaw in the fridge overnight first. Then, bake it as normal, but add that extra 5 to 10 minutes to the cook time we talked about before, just to be sure that center gets hot!

If you want to see more of my tested recipes that are great for batch cooking, take a peek at my main recipe index here: Keto Comfort Kitchen Recipes.

Estimated Nutrition for the Best Sausage Egg Breakfast Casserole

Now, listen up, because this is a hearty meal, and when you’re eating something this rich, it’s smart to have a ballpark idea of what you’re taking in. Since this recipe uses whole ingredients—sausage and eggs—it’s naturally higher in protein and fat, which is exactly what we want for sustained energy, especially if you’re sticking to keto principles!

Please remember these numbers are just general estimates based on the ingredient list provided, assuming standard portions of sausage and full-fat dairy. If you use low-carb bread or leaner sausage, your numbers will definitely shift. If you’re tracking closely, you might want to plug all the specifics into your favorite tracking app, but here is a good, quick reference for one slice of the Best Sausage Egg Breakfast Casserole:

• Estimated Calories: 450-500 kcal
• Estimated Protein: 25-30g
• Estimated Fat: 35-40g
• Estimated Net Carbs: 8-12g (Highly dependent on the type of bread used!)

This is why this dish is such great fuel for a busy morning or right after a workout session. It delivers on protein and keeps you feeling full, cutting down on those mid-morning snack temptations. The carb count is really the variable here, so if you’re making strict keto swaps, be sure to verify your bread choice!

Share Your Weekend Breakfast Creations

That’s it, my friends! You have the blueprint for the Best Sausage Egg Breakfast Casserole, and honestly, now the fun part begins—eating it! I truly hope this bake becomes as much of a staple on your table as it is on mine during football season prep.

I am dying to know how this Weekend Breakfast turned out for you. Did you use white cheddar or yellow? Did you add a secret herb to the sausage? Don’t be shy! Please take a moment to leave a star rating right below this section. Your feedback helps other busy cooks find this great recipe, and it totally fuels my drive to share more easy, comforting food.

When you pull that dish out, golden brown and bubbling, snap a picture! Tag me on social media using your favorite tags like #BreakfastBake or #KetoBreakfast. I love seeing my recipes adopted into your own kitchens. If you have any questions while you’re prepping or reheating, don’t hesitate to reach out to me directly via my contact page. Happy eating!