Hearty Ina Garten Sausage Breakfast Casserole Recipe

A sausage breakfast casserole can elevate mundane mornings into a flavor-packed symphony of deliciousness.

Hearty ingredients weave together like a culinary tapestry, creating magic on your plate.

Savory proteins and soft eggs blend seamlessly, promising a mouthwatering start to any day.

Weekend brunches come alive with this comforting dish that sparks conversation and connects people.

Layers of rich ingredients meld into a golden, puffy masterpiece that beckons hungry souls.

Weekday meal planning transforms from mundane to exciting when you can preassemble such a delectable breakfast.

Home cooks rejoice in a recipe that delivers maximum satisfaction with minimal effort.

One bite will transport you to breakfast bliss, making mornings something to genuinely anticipate.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour

Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes

Calories: 438 kcal

Servings: 8

What You’ll Use in Ina Garten Sausage Breakfast Casserole

• Bread Loaf: Choose day-old bread for better texture and absorption.
• Baking Spray or Butter: Select unsalted butter for controlled seasoning.

• Breakfast Sausage, Sharp Cheddar Cheese: Pick high-quality, freshly ground sausage with good fat content and aged cheddar for robust flavor.

• Half-and-Half, Eggs: Select farm-fresh eggs with bright yellow yolks and full-fat half-and-half for rich, creamy texture.
• Dry Mustard, Salt: Use freshly ground mustard powder for vibrant kick and kosher salt for balanced seasoning.

Prep Tools for Ina Garten Sausage Breakfast Casserole

• Baking dish (9x13x2-inch): Perfect for layering bread and creating a uniform base.
• Skillet (medium): Essential for browning sausage evenly and thoroughly.
• Paper towels: Great for draining excess fat from cooked sausage.
• Large mixing bowl: Ideal for whisking egg mixture smoothly.
• Whisk: Key tool for blending eggs and half-and-half until perfectly combined.
• Aluminum foil: Necessary for covering casserole during refrigeration.
• Measuring cups: Helpful for precise ingredient portions.
• Cheese grater: Useful for shredding sharp Cheddar cheese.
• Oven: Required for baking casserole to golden perfection.

How to Cook Ina Garten Sausage Breakfast Casserole

• Prepare Bread Foundation

Transform a bread loaf into bite-sized cubes and spread them evenly across a greased baking dish, creating a delectable base for your morning masterpiece.

• Craft Sausage Layer

Sizzle breakfast sausage in a skillet until perfectly browned, crumbling the meat into delightful morsels. Drain excess fat and sprinkle the savory goodness over the bread cubes.

• Blanket with Cheese

Shower the sausage and bread with a generous layer of sharp Cheddar, ensuring every inch is covered in cheesy potential.

• Whip Up Creamy Mixture

Blend half-and-half, dry mustard, salt, and eggs in a large bowl, whisking until the mixture transforms into a silky, smooth liquid that promises culinary magic.

• Assemble and Chill

Cascade the egg mixture over the cheese layer, making sure it seeps into every crevice. Wrap the dish and let it rest in the refrigerator overnight, allowing flavors to dance and mingle.

• Bake and Indulge

Heat the oven to 350°F. Remove the casserole and let it warm slightly. Bake uncovered until the top turns golden and puffy, creating a breakfast sensation that’ll make everyone swoon. Let it settle for a few minutes before serving up pure morning joy.

Flavorful Variations for Ina Garten Sausage Breakfast Casserole

Swap in different ingredients and experiment with flavors to make this dish uniquely yours.

Add red pepper flakes, chopped jalapeños, or a dash of hot sauce to give the casserole a zesty kick that will wake up your taste buds.

Replace sharp Cheddar with Gruyère, pepper jack, or a blend of cheeses to create a more complex and rich flavor profile that suits your cheese preferences.

Incorporate sautéed bell peppers, spinach, mushrooms, or caramelized onions between the bread and sausage layers to add extra nutrition and depth to the casserole.

How to Serve Ina Garten Sausage Breakfast Casserole Warm

• Brunch Party Centerpiece: Bring this hearty casserole to your next weekend gathering and watch friends devour every delicious bite.
• Customize with Extras: Sprinkle crispy bacon bits, diced green onions, or chopped bell peppers on top for added flavor and color.
• Perfect Weekend Meal Prep: Prepare the night before and bake fresh in the morning for an effortless, satisfying breakfast that feeds a crowd.
• Pair with Fresh Sides: Serve alongside a light mixed green salad, fresh fruit compote, or tangy citrus juice to balance the rich, savory casserole.

Storage Advice for Ina Garten Sausage Breakfast Casserole

• Optimize Meal Preparation
• Prep this hearty breakfast casserole the night before to save precious morning time. Overnight chilling allows bread to absorb rich egg mixture, creating a dreamy texture that'll make everyone excited for breakfast.
• Smart Refrigeration Strategy
• Store the assembled, unbaked casserole in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours before baking. Cover tightly with aluminum foil to prevent moisture loss and keep flavors locked in.
• Freezing and Reheating Wisdom
• Freeze the fully baked casserole in airtight containers for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then reheat in the oven at 350°F for 20-25 minutes until warmed through and crispy on top.
• Leftover Love
• Refrigerate any remaining casserole in sealed containers for 3-4 days. Quickly reheat individual portions in the microwave or oven, adding a sprinkle of fresh cheese to revive its delicious appeal.

Hearty Ina Garten Sausage Breakfast Casserole Recipe

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4.9 from 26 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Ina Garten’s sausage breakfast casserole combines hearty ingredients for a morning meal that comforts and satisfies. Layers of bread, eggs, cheese, and savory sausage create a delightful dish you’ll crave at weekend gatherings.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 lb (450 g) fresh bulk pork sausage with sage
• 10 oz (280 g) sharp cheddar cheese
• 5 large eggs
• 2 cups (480 ml) half-and-half
• ½ loaf sliced white bread
• 1 tsp dry mustard
• 1 tsp salt
• butter (for greasing)

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Meticulously cube bread into uniform 1-inch pieces and evenly spread across a greased 9x13x2-inch ceramic baking dish.
2. Sausage Layer: Brown sausage in a medium skillet over medium heat, draining excess fat, then distribute evenly over bread cubes.
3. Cheese Application: Generously cover sausage with freshly grated sharp Cheddar cheese, ensuring complete surface coverage.
4. Egg Mixture: Whisk half-and-half, ground dry mustard, kosher salt, and eggs in a mixing bowl until thoroughly combined and smooth.
5. Liquid Integration: Pour egg mixture uniformly over cheese layer, guaranteeing comprehensive distribution throughout the casserole.
6. Chilling Process: Cover dish with aluminum foil and refrigerate for 8-12 hours, allowing flavors to meld and develop completely.
7. Temperature Adjustment: Remove casserole from refrigerator 30 minutes before baking, letting ingredients reach near-room temperature.
8. Baking Sequence: Position oven rack in center, preheat to 350°F, then uncover casserole and bake for 50-55 minutes until center sets and edges turn golden-brown.
9. Resting Phase: Remove from oven and let casserole rest for 15 minutes, enabling ingredient stabilization and easier serving.

Notes

• Prep Ahead Strategy: Refrigerate the casserole overnight to enhance flavor infusion and allow ingredients to meld seamlessly, creating a more complex and delicious breakfast dish.
• Bread Cube Precision: Cut bread into uniform 1-inch cubes to ensure even cooking and consistent texture throughout the casserole.
• Fat Drainage Technique: Thoroughly drain sausage fat to prevent a greasy, soggy bottom and maintain the casserole’s ideal structural integrity.
• Temperature Balance: Let the casserole sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before baking to promote even cooking and prevent potential temperature shock to the dish.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour
• Category: Breakfast
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 438
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 1065 mg
• Fat: 31 g
• Saturated Fat: 15 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 18 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 22 g
• Cholesterol: 186 mg