Description
Succulent Chicken and Cheese Breakfast Casserole brings morning comfort with layers of hearty ingredients melding into a satisfying one-dish wonder. Savory protein and melted cheese create a delightful morning meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Proteins:
- 1 lb spicy Italian sausage, casings removed
- 1 cup part-skim ricotta cheese
- 2 ½ cups shredded low-moisture mozzarella
- 1 ½ cups freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Vegetables and Aromatics:
- 1 red onion, diced
- 1 clove garlic, chopped
- 1 (5 ounces / 142 grams) container baby spinach
- 1 teaspoon Calabrian chili paste (or ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes)
Liquids and Seasonings:
- 4 tablespoons olive oil, divided
- 4 cups jarred marinara sauce
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt (plus more for pasta water)
- 1 lb lasagna pasta, broken into 2-inch pieces (or taccole pasta)
Instructions
- Prepare the baking environment by heating the oven to 425°F (220°C) and coating a 12×17-inch baking sheet with olive oil.
- Create a flavor base by sautéing garlic and chili paste in a skillet until aromatic, then incorporate fresh spinach and gently wilt the leaves.
- Drain excess liquid from the spinach, chop finely, and blend thoroughly with ricotta cheese to create a creamy green mixture.
- In the same skillet, brown the sausage, breaking it into small crumbles while cooking to develop deep, rich flavors.
- Add diced onions to the sausage and continue cooking until the onions become translucent and slightly caramelized.
- Cook lasagna noodles in salted boiling water for approximately 4 minutes, ensuring they remain slightly firm, then drain while reserving a small amount of pasta water.
- Combine the cooked sausage mixture with marinara sauce, reserved pasta water, cooked lasagna noodles, and a generous portion of mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses.
- Distribute the saucy pasta mixture evenly across the prepared baking sheet, creating a uniform base.
- Strategically drop spoonfuls of the spinach-ricotta mixture over the pasta, ensuring even coverage.
- Sprinkle the remaining cheese varieties on top to create a golden, bubbling crust.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes, watching for a beautifully browned surface and bubbling edges.
- Allow the casserole to rest briefly before serving, which helps the layers settle and intensifies the flavors.
Notes
- Choose low-fat cheese options to reduce overall calorie content and make the dish healthier for weight-conscious individuals.
- Swap traditional sausage with turkey or plant-based sausage for a leaner protein alternative that maintains great flavor.
- Prepare components in advance by cooking spinach and sausage mixture the night before, which saves precious morning preparation time and streamlines the cooking process.
- Add extra vegetables like diced bell peppers or zuc
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg