All the breakfast essentials, in one golden cheesy bake! This Breakfast Casserole tastes just like a country breakfast fry up โ hence the name.ย Perfect for feeding a crowd AND it can be made ahead!
Breakfast Casserole
Bacon + sausage + egg + milk + cheese + potatoes + breadย doesย not =ย nutritious low fat energy breakfast for every day.
But it DOES equal DELICIOUS!!!
This is my โmake-ahead-feed-an-armyโ version of a country breakfast fry up that is one of my favourite things to order when I go out for brunch (especially if I had a few too many champers the night before). A ginormous plate loaded with eggs, sausage, bacon, potatoes and toast on the side.
Hold the greens thanks!
Oh wait. I felt so guilty about not even addingย some cherry tomatoes or bell peppers (capsicums), I decided I better add some greens.
So I sprinkled parsley on. See? Thereโs your greens for the morning! ๐
What this breakfast casserole tastes like
It has all the flavours of a country breakfast fry up, in casserole form. The bread under the surface is custardy and tastes like a savoury French Toast. Almost like anย Omelette.
And the bread poking out on the surface is buttery, crispy and golden.
Combine that with the tasty browned sausage, BACON, potato and cheese, and itโs a fully loaded breakfast for champions!
The lovely golden, buttery surface
My way of making breakfast casserole is a little different to the usual where the bread is torn into chunks and soaked in egg mixture.
What I like to do is use slices of baguette, soak in egg mixture and stand themย upright in the baking dish, then drizzle with butter so the top gets lovely and golden.
But you know what? This will shock you! This breakfast bakeย serves 8 and each serving has 645ย calories. Compared to a breakfast fry up which typically has over 1,000ย calories per servingย for 2 eggs, 2 rashers of bacon, 2 sausages, some potatoes and toast. Did you know that?
Wait a second. Did I just convince myself this isย healthy?? ๐
โ Nagi x
More breakfast and brunch recipes
Nowadays, I put on brunches more than I do lunches! Here are some of my favourites to make for a crowd:
-
Shakshuka โย Middle Eastern baked eggs in a spiced tomato broth
-
Frittataย andย Frittata Egg Muffinsย โย terrific big batch make ahead food
-
Homemade Sausage and Egg McMuffins โ the sausage patties taste just like Maccers!!
-
Ham, Egg and Cheese Pockets or Bread Bowls โย no washing up!
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Sausage & Bacon Country Breakfast Casserole
Ingredients
- 2.5 ft / 80 cm baguette (french stick), preferably slightly stale
- 7 eggs
- 1 1/2 cups milk (full fat) or half and half (I use milk)
- 10 oz / 300 g potatoes , peeled and diced into 1/2" / 1.2cm cubes
- 10 oz / 300 g bacon , roughly chopped
- 1 lb / 500 g sausage , removed from casing (use good quality - Note 1)
- 1 cup grated cheddar cheese
- 1 tbsp butter , melted (optional)
- Finely chopped parsley (optional)
Instructions
- Slice the baguette into 2cm / 0.8" thick slices and place in a baking dish.
- Whisk the eggs and milk together. Pour 2/3 of the egg mixture over the bread. Turn the bread to make sure both sides of every piece is soaked in egg mixture. Set aside to soak while you cook the bacon and sausage.
- Cook potatoes in boiling water for 2 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 180C/350F.
- Heat skillet over high heat. Add bacon and cook until very lightly cooked. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels.
- Pour off excess fat. Add sausage and cook, breaking it up as you go, until lightly browned. Remove from the skillet and drain on paper towels.
- By now, most of the egg mixture should be soaked up by the bread. Stand the bread upright in the baking dish.
- Distribute half the potato between the bread, then top with half the sausage, half the bacon and half the cheese. Repeat with remaining potato, sausage, bacon and cheese (finish with cheese).
- Pour remaining egg mixture over everything.
- Cover loosely with foil and bake for 30 minutes.
- Remove foil and drizzle butter over the bread.
- Bake for a further 10 minutes until the bread is golden. Serve, garnished with parsley if using.
Recipe Notes:
Nutrition Information:
ย
My friend made something very similar when we stayed with them a few months ago. It was delicious and FILLING! This is definitely a dish to feed hungry guests. And thank you for adding parsleyโฆnow itโs a healthy meal. ๐
Thank you for agreeing that the smidgen of parsley in this rounds it out to be a completely meal. Youโre the best Maureen! ๐ N x
I have got to make this for Christmas morning!!! Itโs sounds to die for! ๐
What a way to start Christmas day!!! N x
Wow! I think this should be enjoyed at any time of the day. Seriously, why do lunch and dinner have to miss out on something this delicious!?!
I love that I can totally make this gluten free too โ my beautiful MIL is coeliac and is severely allergic to gluten; just a smidge consumed and she is cripplingly ill for 48 hours. I canโt wait to cook this for her and my gorgeous FIL when they come to visit! In the meantime, J Daddy wants me to perfect this dish, and he is totally with you on the whole greens thing โ you donโt make friends with salad, and this casserole is definitely not salad!
(PS โ Iโd probably serve some grilled tomatoes and buttered mushrooms on the side, but thatโs just me. :-p)
Youโre more sensible than meโฆ. <3 Somebody's special day tomorrow, am I correct? Hope you have a WONDERFUL DAY!!! N xx
Omg, this is like breakfast stuffing! I LOVE it! Heck, Iโd have this for dinner along with my turkey or ham on holidays ๐ This is definitely my kind of breakfast โ hearty with lots of bacon and sausage! Now all I need is nice, strong Bloody Mary.
OMG it is!!! I think subconsciously making your stuffing made me want to make this!!!
Well hello there deliciousness! Iโm not afraid, bring on the defibrillator!
BA HA HA!! You crack me up Kevin! N x
Thanks for reading my mind, Nagi. I was looking for a breakfast casserole to make for Christmas, and this is it!
Iโm so glad Barb! ๐ N x
Oh wow โ this is one decadent dish indeed and standing those baguette slices up makes for one pretty pretty casserole, Nagi! Your opening line reminded of this restaurant here called Heart Attack Grill โ I loved their website and thought Iโd share http://www.heartattackgrill.com/
Happy Friday xx
NO!!! Seriously?? I have to check it out!!
Hi Nagi! This is Hangover Heaven on a plate! Iโll be giving this recipe to my son who will be very grateful! ๐
BA HA! I love your short succinct description of this. Why didnโt I think to ask you for a recipe name before posting this?? N x
What a Decadent breakfast casserole! Itโs been too long since Iโve made one, with the holidays coming up this would be great. Am thinkingโฆ maybe leftover bread rolls ?
Ooh yes definitely! This works great with any bread! N x
Hey! Parsley totally counts ๐ I couldnโt be more on the same page as you. I want breakfasts that encourage lingering. Savoring. And togetherness. Iโm hosting Christmas brunch and this is going on the list (along with my french toast!) My guests may never leave!!
THANK YOU Christine!!! N x
This is such awesome comfort food. I love the big pieces of bread in it.
Thanks so much Peter! N x
This looks really delicious, Nagi. I love your idea of placing the bread on end for more crispyness.
Thanks so much Pat! I love the crunch! ๐
Oh Iโm imagining this with American breakfast sausage. OMG this would be to die for!!! With American biscuits on the side, right?
Ohhhhhโฆ..can you imagine this with biscuits too?? Letโs add more calories โ yum! <3