Breakfast

Christmas Breakfast Casserole (Make-Ahead Sausage and Cheese Bake)

A make-ahead Christmas breakfast casserole layered with beef or chicken breakfast sausage, bread cubes, cheddar cheese, red bell pepper, and spinach in a savory egg custard, assembled the night before and baked fresh on Christmas morning.

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A slice of beef sausage and cheese breakfast casserole on a plate beside the baking dish on a wooden table.

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Christmas Breakfast Casserole (Make-Ahead Sausage and Cheese Bake)

Ingredients

Servings
8

Nutrition per serving

Serving size
1 serving
Calories
527 kcal
Protein
27.00 g
Carbohydrates
30.00 g
Fat
33.00 g
Sodium
1007.00 mg
Cholesterol
264.00 mg
Fiber
1.90 g
Saturated fat
15.00 g
Sugar
8.00 g
Unsaturated fat
14.00 g

Instructions

0 of 8 steps done
01Step

Cook the sausage

In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the beef or chicken breakfast sausage, breaking it into crumbles, until no longer pink and it reaches an internal temperature of 160°F (71°C) for beef sausage or 165°F (74°C) for chicken sausage. Drain any excess fat and set aside.
In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the beef or chicken breakfast sausage, breaking it into crumbles, until no longer pink and it reaches an internal temperature of 160°F (71°C) for beef sausage or 165°F (74°C) for chicken sausage
02Step

Sauté the vegetables

In the same skillet, cook the onion and red bell pepper over medium heat for 4-5 minutes until softened. Add the spinach and stir just until wilted, about 1 minute. Remove from heat.
In the same skillet, cook the onion and red bell pepper over medium heat for 4-5 minutes until softened. Add the spinach and stir just until wilted, about 1 minute. Remove from heat
03Step

Prepare the baking dish

Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with the butter, then spread the cubed bread evenly across the bottom.
Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with the butter, then spread the cubed bread evenly across the bottom
04Step

Whisk the custard

In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, dried mustard, salt, and pepper until fully combined.
In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, dried mustard, salt, and pepper until fully combined
05Step

Layer the casserole

Scatter the cooked sausage, sautéed vegetables, and shredded cheese over the bread cubes. Pour the egg mixture evenly over the top, pressing down gently so the bread absorbs the custard.
Scatter the cooked sausage, sautéed vegetables, and shredded cheese over the bread cubes. Pour the egg mixture evenly over the top, pressing down gently so the bread absorbs the custard
06Step

Refrigerate overnight

Cover the dish tightly and refrigerate for at least 8 hours and up to 24 hours before baking.
Cover the dish tightly and refrigerate for at least 8 hours and up to 24 hours before baking
07Step

Bake

Remove the casserole from the refrigerator and let it sit at room temperature for 15 minutes while preheating the oven to 350°F (177°C). Bake covered for 35 minutes, then uncover and bake for another 20-25 minutes until the center reaches 160°F (71°C) on an instant-read thermometer and the top is golden.
Remove the casserole from the refrigerator and let it sit at room temperature for 15 minutes while preheating the oven to 350°F (177°C)
08Step

Rest and serve

Let the casserole rest for 10 minutes before slicing and serving warm.
Let the casserole rest for 10 minutes before slicing and serving warm

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Cooking guide

Cooking tips and techniques

A christmas breakfast casserole is an overnight-assembled bake of bread cubes, sausage, cheese, and eggs that you refrigerate the night before and bake fresh on Christmas morning, so you get a hot, savory, crowd-feeding breakfast without any early-morning prep. It serves 8 and holds up well for a houseful of guests.

Explore more practical ideas in our complete recipe collection.

What Makes This Christmas Breakfast Casserole Different

This version leans into the holiday with red bell pepper and spinach folded through the layers for natural red-and-green color, plus a mustard-spiked custard that keeps the bread from turning soggy.

Choosing the Best Bread and Sausage for Christmas Breakfast Casserole

Day-old or slightly stale bread is essential because fresh, soft bread turns mushy once it soaks up the egg custard overnight; French bread, challah, or a hearty sandwich loaf cut into one-inch cubes all work well. For the sausage, choose a well-seasoned beef or chicken breakfast sausage and break it into small crumbles while cooking so it distributes evenly through every bite instead of settling at the bottom of the dish.

Make-Ahead Timing for Christmas Morning

This casserole is built to be assembled the night before: you layer the bread, cooked sausage, sautéed vegetables, and cheese in the baking dish, pour the egg mixture over the top, press it down so the bread soaks evenly, then cover and refrigerate for at least 8 hours and up to 24 hours. On Christmas morning, you simply uncover the dish, let it sit at room temperature for about 15 minutes while the oven preheats, and bake. This hands-off approach is exactly why a christmas morning breakfast casserole recipe works so well for a house full of family opening gifts.

Storing and Reheating Christmas Breakfast Casserole

Leftover christmas breakfast casserole keeps well covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat individual portions in the microwave or a covered oven-safe dish until the center reaches 165°F (74°C) on an instant-read thermometer, which keeps the eggs and sausage food-safe to eat. This casserole is not recommended for freezing after baking, since the egg custard and bread texture can become watery once thawed.

Ingredient Swaps for Christmas Breakfast Casserole Recipes

Swap the bell pepper and spinach for diced tomatoes, mushrooms, or broccoli if you prefer different vegetables, and swap cheddar for a Monterey Jack, Swiss, or a cheddar-Jack blend for a milder flavor. If you want more variety among christmas breakfast casserole recipes for a buffet-style brunch, consider baking this recipe alongside a sweeter option like a cinnamon-roll or French toast casserole so guests can choose between savory and sweet. For more variations and troubleshooting across styles of breakfast bakes, see the full Breakfast Casserole Recipes guide.

Safe internal temperatures in this recipe follow the FoodSafety.gov safe minimum internal temperature chart.

Helpful answers

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I assemble this Christmas breakfast casserole the night before?

Yes, this casserole is designed to be assembled the night before, covered, and refrigerated for at least 8 hours and up to 24 hours, then baked fresh on Christmas morning.

What is the best bread for a christmas morning breakfast casserole recipe?

Day-old or slightly stale French bread, challah, or a hearty sandwich loaf cut into one-inch cubes works best, since it absorbs the egg custard without becoming overly soggy.

Can I freeze Christmas breakfast casserole?

This recipe is not recommended for freezing after baking, as the egg custard and bread texture can become watery once thawed; it is best stored in the refrigerator and eaten within 4 days.

How do I reheat leftover Christmas breakfast casserole?

Reheat portions in the microwave or a covered oven-safe dish until the center reaches 165°F (74°C) on an instant-read thermometer.

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