A hearty breakfast doesn’t have to take a ton of time or wipe out your kitchen in the process. Overnight Breakfast Casserole is a delicious way to ensure a cheesy filling breakfast but the work happens the night before. It uses regular or gluten-free English muffins!
During the holidays when friends and family may be staying over, or your weekends are busier than leaves time for preparing much of anything for breakfast, Overnight Breakfast Casserole knocks it out of the park.
My son requests I make this (often) and we reheat it for all meals of the day.
It is packed with my breakfast favorites: eggs, cheese, cheese, sausage, gluten-free English muffins and cheese…..did I mention the cheese before?! It’s SO good.
Perfect for busy holiday weekends, when house guests are bunking in, or to give the day a filling head start!
My quest for good make-ahead breakfast recipes originates with a very specific Christmas morning ritual in my family.
When I was a child we would get up, open Christmas stockings while having coffee cake that my Grandmother made.
Once the often-multiple-hour long stockings were done we’d all get dressed and open the big gifts. Then would come breakfast, a hot, hearty breakfast.
Now that I’m the one who would have to prepare the hot meal I’ve come up with a perfect solution: Overnight Breakfast Casserole.
Everyone loves it. It’s hearty and delicious.
The only ‘work’ required the morning of serving it is turning on the oven and heating the casserole to golden perfection.
Overnight Breakfast Casserole Ingredients
- Unsalted Butter
- English Muffins (regular or gluten-free)
- bulk Breakfast Sausage
- grated Cheddar Cheese
- grated Mozzarella Cheese
- Eggs
- Half and Half
- Salt and Pepper
Prepare it and Cook the Next Morning
It’s all made the night before, covered and refrigerated.
The following morning, turn on the oven to preheat and pull the casserole out of the fridge (it needs to stand at room temperature for 30 minutes before cooking).
It comes out crisp and browned on the top, full of filling cheesy protein to keep your energy going all day.
It smells and tastes like breakfast should.
I’m thrilled to be able to use gluten-free English muffins too.
This casserole is not just a Christmas morning option.
If can be for a weekday or a weekend full of house guests.
Since the main effort is the night prior to cooking, it really fits with so many scenarios where you want a substantial, delicious hot breakfast but can’t make the time in the moment to prepare it all. Trust me, you’ll love this!
How to make Overnight Breakfast Casserole – Step-by-Step
STEP 1: In a large skillet (medium-high heat) brown the sausage. Drain any fat and allow to cool while preparing other ingredients.
STEP 2: Butter a 13-inch by 9-inch baking dish.
STEP 3: Cut English Muffins into 1-inch cubes. Spread evenly in the pan. Sprinkle half of the sausage on top. Sprinkle 1/2 cup of each cheese on top.
STEP 4: In a medium mixing bowl, combine the eggs, Half and Half, salt and pepper. Whisk to combine. Pour evenly over the casserole.
STEP 5: Evenly sprinkle remaining sausage, followed by the remaining cheese. Seal tightly and refrigerate overnight.
STEP 6: THE NEXT MORNING. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Remove casserole from refrigerator 30 minutes prior to cooking. Cook for 35 minutes. Allow to sit for 10 minutes before serving.
More Breakfast Recipes You’ll Love
- Chocolate Chip Muffins
- How to Make Sweet Potato Toast
Recipe
Overnight English Muffin Breakfast Casserole
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon Unsalted Butter
- 1 package English Muffins (6 English muffins; regular or gluten-free) (I used Udi’s Gluten Free White English Muffins)
- 1 pound bulk/loose Breakfast Sausage
- 1 cup grated Cheddar Cheese (mild or sharp)
- 1 cup grated Mozzarella Cheese
- 10 Eggs lightly beaten
- 2 cups Half and Half
- 1/2 teaspoon Kosher Salt
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground Black Pepper
Instructions
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat brown the sausage, breaking it into small pieces. Drain any excess fat and allow sausage to cool while preparing the remaining ingredients.
- Lightly grease a 13-inch by 9-inch baking dish with the butter. Cut the English muffins into 1-inch cubes and spread them evenly in the prepared pan.
- Spread half of the cooled sausage (it can be warm but not hot enough to begin to cook the other ingredients) evenly over the English muffin cubes. Sprinkle ½ cup of each type of cheese evenly on top.
- In a medium mixing bowl combine the eggs, Half and Half, salt and pepper; whisk to fully combine. Pour evenly over the top of the casserole.
- Sprinkle the remaining half of the sausage onto the casserole followed by the remaining cheese. Seal tightly and refrigerate overnight.
- The next morning: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Remove the casserole from the refrigerator 30 minutes prior to cooking. Cook for 35 minutes or until the casserole is lightly brown on top and set in the middle. Allow to sit for 10 minutes prior to slicing and serving.
Nutrition
Originally published: December 3, 2017. This post was originally sponsored by Udi’s Gluten Free.
Natalie says
I’ve made this every Christmas for the past 5 years and thought it was about time to leave a review! This is so easy to throw together (I’ve put it together 2-3 days in advance on some occasions and still turns out perfectly). I’ve always used gluten free English muffins and the result is loved by both GF and non-GF family members. Thank you for many years of happy Christmas brunches!
Beth says
We ended up making this for New Years brunch and it came out so good! Loved that there is a gluten free option!
Matt Taylor says
I love breakfast casseroles and this one is on point!! I love how easy it is to make. Thanks for sharing, Toni!