Breakfast Sausage Cheddar Casserole

Breakfast sausage cheddar casserole is the make-ahead brunch dish that lets you sit down with company instead of standing at the stove. Cubed bread, browned breakfast sausage, and shredded cheddar layer in a baking dish overnight under a savory custard of eggs, milk, and dry mustard. By morning, the bread has soaked up every drop and just needs 45 minutes in the oven to puff up golden.

The overnight rest is the whole point. The bread fully absorbs the egg mixture so the casserole bakes into a custardy strata instead of a soggy bread layer floating in egg. Eight hours minimum is a must, longer is even better.

Dry mustard is the seasoning that makes this taste richer than its ingredients suggest. The sharp dry powder amplifies the cheese and cuts through the sausage fat.

Kitchen Tips

• Use day-old bread or stale slices. Fresh bread turns gummy under the egg.
• Brown the sausage hard and drain well. Undrained sausage pools grease in the bottom.
• Use sharp cheddar for more flavor punch. Mild cheddar disappears into the custard.
• Cover with foil if the top browns too fast at the 30-minute mark
• Let stand 5 minutes before slicing so the custard sets enough to hold its shape

Variations

• Swap sausage for diced ham or crumbled bacon
• Add 1 cup sauteed mushrooms or chopped spinach for vegetables in the layers
• Use Gruyere or pepper jack cheese for different flavor profiles