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Make mornings easier with this sausage breakfast casserole! Prep it in under 40 minutes the night before, then bake it fresh for a warm, no-stress meal the whole family will love. Perfect for holidays, hosting, or lazy weekends!
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Casseroles are the best for feeding a hungry crowd! I'm a big fan of casseroles and have made plenty of them from tater tot casserole and corn casserole to tuna casserole, cowboy casserole and chicken casserole. Out of them all, my sausage breakfast casserole is my favorite!
Loaded with sausage, cheese, and buttery crescent rolls, my sausage breakfast casserole is hearty and oh-so delicious. And, let me tell you, this recipe is so easy to prepare! You only need a handful of ingredients and under 40 minutes to prep and bake it.
I love this easy breakfast casserole because you can make it the night before, then pop it in the oven the next morning. It makes an easy breakfast your family will practically beg you for, regularly. Trust me!
Ingredients in Breakfast Casserole with Sausage
- Breakfast Pork Sausage: You can use your favorite variety of breakfast sausage. I like sage breakfast sausage, hot breakfast sausage, and maple breakfast sausage. Go with what you like best!
- Eggs: Farm fresh eggs are always best, but if you can't get those I recommend looking for pasture raised cage-free eggs. They genuinely taste better.
- Heavy Whipping Cream: If you want to cut down on the fat content, you can use half and half or milk. Just keep in mind the texture won't be quite the same.
- Seasonings: For seasoning, you will need sea salt (or kosher salt), ground black pepper, onion powder, and regular paprika.
- Cheeses: I'm using both colby jack shredded cheese and mozzarella. You can use cheddar if you like, or experiment with cheeses like gruyere! I recommend shredding your own cheese with a grater if you can. It melts better than pre-shredded cheese, which has an anti-caking powder added to it when packaged.
- Crescent Rolls: Refrigerated tubes of crescent rolls. You'll need two tubes. They are so buttery, flaky, and delicious!
- Green Onions: Thinly sliced green onions add flavor and a pop of color to the dish.
Using Crescent Rolls for Breakfast Casserole
Most breakfast casserole recipes like this one use cubed-up bread. To make my sausage casserole as easy as it gets, I opted to use crescent rolls instead. The flavor is fantastic, and it's so easy, with no pre-baking required.
How to Make Breakfast Casserole with Sausage
- Preheat your oven to 375°F. Coat a 9-inch by 13-inch baking dish with non-stick cooking spray, and set the dish aside.
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add breakfast sausage and cook until browned through, about 6-8 minutes. Break up the sausage as it cooks. When done cooking, remove it from the heat and drain the grease, then set the sausage aside.
- Crack eggs into a large bowl, then add heavy cream, salt, pepper, onion powder, and paprika. Whisk together until combined.
- Add cheese and mix until completely combined. Set the bowl aside.
- Open your packages of crescent rolls and roll out according to package directions.
- Arrange 15 rolls in a prepared baking dish in three rows with 5 rolls in each row. You can also use crescent sheets; in which case, spread them out evenly on the bottom.
- Add sausage crumble over the rolls, spreading it out evenly.
- Pour the egg mixture over the sausage.
- Place in the preheated oven and bake for 25 minutes, uncovered. Carefully remove it from the oven once the cheese is bubbly and browned on top. Allow the casserole to sit for 5 minutes before serving.
- Sprinkle with green onions if desired, and serve!
Top Reviews
I followed the recipe exactly and the dish was great. Very hearty and filling. Great recipe for winter days. All family members agree that this dish is good enough to make again. - Brian
Quick and very easy, even for me! Super good, and very easy to add your own little touch! I've made this so many times now, and my family loves it. Thanks - Michael
Hello great recipe. I made it for Christmas last year. I added sun dried tomatoes and spinach and even my picky eaters gobbled it down. Gonna take one today to my woman's bible study. Thank you so much for this yummy recipe. - Elaine
This recipe was delicious! I halved the recipe since it’s just my husband and I. Next time I will try adding green pepper and onion to the sausage. - Michelle
See them all here→ or keep scrolling to the comments section below! I appreciate all of the amazing reviews on this recipe.
Isabel's Top Tips for Making Sausage Breakfast Casserole
- Use ground sausage or breakfast patties, not the links. Regular, hot, or sage sausage is perfect for this dish. I also like using maple sausage.
- If you like it spicy, this breakfast bake is great with a little hot sauce on it!
- You can use crescent sheets instead of crescent rolls if you prefer.
- Feel free to add your favorite veggies to this recipe, like broccoli.
Recipe Variations
- You can substitute bacon or ham for the sausage in this casserole.
- Peppers with onions are excellent, too!
- Add cooked spinach.
- It is delicious with onions and mushrooms.
- Kick it up by adding some jalapeno peppers.
What to Serve with a Breakfast Casserole
Storing Leftovers
- Refrigerating: Allow the casserole to cool down to room temperature after baking. This usually takes about 30 minutes. Cut the casserole into individual servings or slices. This makes it easier to reheat only the amount you need rather than the whole casserole. Then, add to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
- Freezing: If you plan to store the casserole for an extended period (more than a few days), place it in the freezer. Be sure to double-wrap it to prevent freezer burn. Breakfast casserole can typically be stored in the freezer for 2-3 months. Make sure to label with the date.
Reheating Leftovers
- Thawing (if frozen): If your casserole is frozen, transfer it to the refrigerator and allow it to thaw overnight.
- Oven Method:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Place the individual portions or the casserole (covered with foil) in the oven.
- Reheat for about 15-20 minutes or until it's heated through. If it was frozen, it will take a bit longer.
- Microwave Method:
- Place an individual portion on a microwave-safe plate and cover it with a microwave-safe lid.
- Microwave on medium power (50-70%) for 1-2 minutes, checking and stirring every 30 seconds until it's heated through. Cooking times may vary depending on your microwave's wattage.
FAQ
Yes, you can assemble the casserole the night before and refrigerate it until ready to cook. It can also be frozen.
You know the casserole is fully cooked when the cheese is browned and bubbly on top and a fork inserted into the dish comes out clean of any uncooked egg. 25 minutes is plenty of time for my oven, but all ovens vary, so check if you're unsure.
By leaving the casserole uncovered and baking it for approximately 25 minutes, it should be plenty browned on top. If you find it isn't browned to your liking, though, you can place the casserole under the oven broiler for just a couple of minutes. Make sure not to step away or to leave it under the broiler for too long, or it will burn.
If you find your crescent roll doughs to be soggy, either the casserole hasn't cooked for long enough, or you should pre-bake your crescent rolls before adding the egg mixture for a crisper texture.
Absolutely! I use a glass 9 by 13-inch baking dish, but you can use any baking dish you happen to have.
You should leave the casserole uncovered. However, if you find that it's browning too quickly in your oven before fully cooking through, feel free to cover the top with foil to prevent further browning.
Hot food can be left out for about 2 hours - and no more than that. Make sure not to leave this casserole out for longer than 2 hours after you serve it. You can keep it warm in a warming dish, the oven at a low temperature, or in a crockpot.
Yes! I love having kids help out in the kitchen, and this recipe is perfect for that. If they're very young and you don't want them touching the dough or adding the egg mixture, you can have them spread out the sausage in the pan and cover the dish with cheese. For older kids, they can help arrange the dough or beat together the egg mixture.
You sure can. Use your favorite hot sauce, add hot peppers, or simply sprinkle in some red pepper flakes or a hint of cayenne. All will work to add some spice to this dish.
Yes. This is honestly one of my favorite brunch and breakfast-for-dinner recipes. It's so easy and always tastes fantastic.
Yes, you can. Keep in mind that this will require using a smaller pan; if the mixture is spread out more thinly, it will take less time to cook, so keep an eye on it. You could use an 8 by 8-inch pan.
Did you enjoy the recipe? Leave a comment and a rating below to let me know what you think! This easy breakfast casserole is one of my family's favorites for Christmas. It's the perfect holiday morning breakfast or brunch, but you can make it any time of year and I guarantee everyone will love it.
Sausage Breakfast Casserole
Video
Equipment
- 9-inch by 13-inch baking dish
Ingredients
- 1 pound breakfast sausage - (not sausage links)
- 6 large eggs
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon paprika
- 1 cup colby jack cheese - shredded
- 1 cup mozzarella - shredded
- 16 ounces refrigerated crescent rolls - 2 tubes
- 1 to 2 green onions - thinly sliced
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F. Coat a 9-inch by 13-inch baking dish with non-stick cooking spray, and set the dish aside.
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add breakfast sausage and cook until browned through, about 6-8 minutes. Break up the sausage as it cooks. When done cooking, remove it from the heat and drain the grease, then set the sausage aside.1 pound breakfast sausage
- Crack eggs into a large bowl, then add heavy cream, salt, pepper, onion powder, and paprika. Whisk together until combined.1 cup heavy whipping cream,½ teaspoon salt,¼ teaspoon pepper,¼ teaspoon onion powder,¼ teaspoon paprika,6 large eggs
- Add cheese and mix until completely combined. Set the bowl aside.1 cup colby jack cheese,1 cup mozzarella
- Open your packages of crescent rolls and roll out according to package directions.16 ounces refrigerated crescent rolls
- Arrange 15 rolls in a prepared baking dish in three rows with 5 rolls in each row. You can also use crescent roll sheets; if using sheets, make sure they're evenly spread out on the bottom of the dish.
- Add sausage crumble over the rolls, spreading it out evenly.
- Pour the egg mixture over the sausage.
- Place in the preheated oven and bake for 25 minutes, uncovered. Carefully remove it from the oven once the cheese is bubbly and browned on top. Allow the casserole to sit for 5 minutes before serving.
- Sprinkle with green onions if desired, and serve!1 to 2 green onions
Notes
- Make sure to use ground sausage or breakfast patties, not the links. Regular, hot, or sage sausage is perfect for this dish.
- This crescent roll breakfast Casserole is great with a little hot sauce on it.
- You can substitute bacon or ham for the sausage in this casserole.
kudoskookies3 says
You can never go wrong with a breakfast casserole. Especially when there are crescent rolls in the mix!
thatskinnychickcanbake says
This is a must make recipe when Nick is home from college---he and my hubby will love it!!!
susan | the wimpy vegetarian says
My mouth is watering. Seriously. It looks fabulous and my family would love this. It will definitely be made during the holidays, if not before.
maryeaudet says
I love how easy breakfast casseroles are but sometimes they are bland - this is anything but bland! YUM
Wendy Klik says
I love this casserole. Perfect for the busy holidays.
Elizabeth Peterson says
Is this something I can make the night before? I'm looking for a Christmas morning brunch recipe that still allows me to enjoy my family 🙂
Marion Myers says
Hi Elizabeth, to make this ahead of time, we recommend preparing the sausage the night before and getting the egg mixture ready, then all you have to do is assemble in the morning and pop in the oven. I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as we do! Happy Holidays!
susanmp14 says
In step 3 you said add cheese and stir to combine. Which I did. Then in step 5 you say spread cheese over top. Which is it?
Marion Myers says
Sorry for that error, Susan. Adding the cheese and stirring is correct. I removed the incorrect info. Thanks for pointing that out! Happy holidays!
Cindy says
The recipe says to roll the crescents, but they don't look like rolls in your pictures. Do you roll and press them down or just press dough in the pan?
Em Beitel says
Hi there, Cindy! We rolled them out into the baking dish - just pressed the dough into the pan.
Rosalyn says
At this moment I am going to do my breakfast, after having my breakfast coming yet
again to read additional news.
Erma Beckford says
I made this for dinner and it is delicious!
Em Beitel says
Thank you so much, Erma! It's one of our favorites!