Easy Paula Deen Breakfast Casserole Recipe for Lazy Mornings

Paula Deen’s breakfast casserole represents the ultimate comfort food that transforms ordinary morning ingredients into a mouthwatering experience.

Southern cooking traditions shine through this hearty dish packed with rich, satisfying flavors.

Creamy textures and savory elements blend seamlessly, creating a delightful breakfast sensation that promises to energize your day.

Home cooks appreciate how simple ingredients can come together with minimal preparation and maximum deliciousness.

Weekend brunches and family gatherings welcome this crowd-pleasing meal that feels simultaneously indulgent and familiar.

Each bite offers a perfect balance of protein, cheese, and soft bread that melts together beautifully.

breakfast enthusiasts will appreciate the effortless way this casserole brings warmth and joy to the morning table: prepare to be impressed.

Tips for Paula Deen’s Breakfast Casserole

• Rescue Stale Bread: Transform day-old bread into a crispy, flavor-packed casserole base that soaks up eggs like a sponge.
• Master Sausage Perfection: Brown meat completely to lock in rich flavors and prevent unwanted sogginess in your final dish.
• Cheese Explosion Strategy: Sprinkle cheese strategically, creating pockets of melty goodness throughout every delicious bite.
• Overnight Magic Trick: Letting the casserole rest in the refrigerator allows ingredients to mingle and develop deep, complex flavors.
• Golden Brown Triumph: Watch for that perfect crispy top, signaling a beautifully cooked breakfast masterpiece ready to impress.

How to Store Paula Deen’s Breakfast Casserole

• Cool Down Quickly: Spread the casserole in a shallow dish to help it cool faster, preventing bacterial growth and maintaining food safety. Transfer to a container within two hours of cooking.
• Vacuum Seal for Longevity: Pack individual portions in vacuum-sealed bags to extend freezer storage up to 3 months. Remove excess air to prevent freezer burn and preserve texture and flavor.
• Strategic Layering: Store casserole in glass containers with tight-fitting lids, placing parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking and maintain structural integrity. Stack carefully to maximize refrigerator space and protect delicate casserole edges.

Creative Twists for Paula Deen’s Breakfast Casserole

• Spicy Southwest Breakfast Bake: Replace pork sausage with spicy chorizo, add diced green chiles, swap cheddar for pepper jack cheese, and sprinkle fresh cilantro on top after baking for a zesty Mexican-inspired version.
• Vegetarian Morning Casserole: Substitute sausage with sautéed mushrooms, spinach, and roasted bell peppers, use plant-based cheese alternatives, and add nutritional yeast for extra flavor depth.
• Mediterranean Morning Feast: Use crumbled feta cheese, swap sausage for lamb or turkey sausage, incorporate sun-dried tomatoes, add fresh oregano, and finish with a drizzle of olive oil for a Greek-inspired breakfast experience.
• Low-Carb Protein Power: Replace bread cubes with cauliflower rice, use lean turkey sausage, add extra protein with cottage cheese, and include chopped kale for added nutrition and texture.

Paula Deen’s Breakfast Casserole: A Perfect Start to Your Day

Southern comfort meets breakfast brilliance in Paula Deen’s legendary casserole.

Hearty sausage, melted cheeses, and perfectly seasoned eggs create a morning masterpiece that speaks directly to hunger’s heart.

Sage-infused pork sausage adds unexpected depth to each delectable bite.

Weekend brunch gatherings will never be the same after introducing this irresistible dish.

Family members and friends will sing praises of this breakfast sensation.

Classic Southern flavors dance across taste buds, promising memorable mornings filled with pure deliciousness – go ahead, share this recipe, drop a comment below, and spread breakfast joy with those culinary souls craving authentic comfort.

Why Paula Deen’s Breakfast Casserole is the Ultimate Morning Treat

• Savor Overnight Convenience: Prepare this delightful breakfast casserole the night before, allowing flavors to meld and saving precious morning time. Wake up to a ready-to-bake dish that transforms your breakfast routine with minimal morning effort.
• Celebrate Flavor-Packed Layers: Experience a mouthwatering combination of crispy bread, savory sausage, and melted cheese that creates a perfect texture symphony. Each bite delivers a harmonious blend of creamy eggs, spicy cayenne, and rich, crumbly sausage that tantalizes your taste buds.
• Master Easy One-Dish Wonder: Simplify your breakfast with a foolproof recipe that requires minimal cooking skills and maximum deliciousness. This casserole eliminates multiple pans and complicated techniques, making it perfect for weekend gatherings, holiday mornings, or lazy weekend brunches.
• Enjoy Customizable Comfort: Easily adapt the recipe by switching sausage types, adding vegetables, or experimenting with different cheese combinations. The flexible nature of this dish ensures you can personalize it to match your family's preferences while maintaining its comforting core.

What You’ll Need for Paula Deen’s Breakfast Casserole

• Bread Cubes: Soft white bread that provides a hearty foundation for the casserole, best when slightly stale for better absorption.
• Butter: Adds rich flavor and helps crisp the bread edges during baking.

• Pork Sausage: Loose ground sausage that brings savory depth and meaty texture to the dish, preferably fresh and high-quality.
• Sage: Fresh herb that enhances the sausage's earthy flavor and adds aromatic complexity.
• Cheddar Cheese: Sharp cheese that melts beautifully and provides tangy richness.
• Monterey Jack Cheese: Mild cheese that creates a creamy, smooth texture when melted.

• Eggs: Primary binding ingredient that gives structure and richness to the casserole.
• Milk: Adds moisture and helps create a soft, custardy texture.
• Cayenne Pepper: Provides subtle heat and warming background spice.
• Dry Mustard: Adds a subtle tangy kick to enhance overall flavor profile.
• Salt: Essential seasoning that balances and elevates other ingredients.
• Black Pepper: Adds gentle warmth and traditional seasoning depth.

How to Make Paula Deen’s Breakfast Casserole

Step 1: Prepare Your Baking Vessel

Grab a 9×13 inch baking dish and generously coat it with non-stick cooking spray to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Sizzle the Sausage

Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Crumble the pork sausage into the pan, breaking it down with a wooden spoon. Cook for 5-10 minutes until the meat turns a beautiful golden brown. Sprinkle in chopped sage for an extra flavor boost.

Step 3: Build Your Casserole Base

• Shredded cheddar cheese
• Shredded monterey jack cheese

Step 4: Create the Creamy Egg Mixture

• 6 large eggs
• Whole milk
• Cayenne pepper
• Dry mustard
• Salt
• Black pepper

Pour this silky mixture evenly over the bread, sausage, and cheese layers.

Step 5: Let the Flavors Mingle

Cover the dish tightly with plastic wrap and let it rest in the refrigerator overnight. This allows all the delicious flavors to blend and marry together.

Step 6: Bake to Perfection

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Remove the casserole from the refrigerator and place it directly in the oven. Bake for 1 hour, or until the top is golden and the casserole is bubbling with excitement. The center should be set and the edges slightly crispy.

Step 7: Serve and Enjoy

Pull the casserole out of the oven and let it cool for 5-10 minutes. Serve warm with a dash of hot sauce if you’re feeling adventurous. This breakfast masterpiece serves 8-10 hungry breakfast lovers.

Paula Deen Breakfast Casserole Recipe

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4.8 from 33 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Paula Deen’s breakfast casserole blends hearty Southern comfort with classic morning flavors. Layers of crispy bread, savory sausage, and melted cheese create a satisfying morning meal you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 1 lb loose pork breakfast sausage
• 7 eggs
• 3 cups milk (720 milliliters)
• 8 thick slices of country white bread, buttered and cubed

Cheese:

• 1 cup shredded white cheddar cheese (240 grams)
• 1 cup shredded sharp yellow cheddar cheese (240 grams)

Seasonings and Optional Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh sage
• ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
• ½ teaspoon dry mustard
• Salt, to taste
• Black pepper, to taste
• Paula Deen’s Hot Sauce (optional)

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Instructions

1. Coat a 9×13 inches (23×33 centimeters) baking dish thoroughly with non-stick cooking spray, ensuring complete coverage to prevent sticking.
2. Heat a large skillet over medium-high temperature and cook ground pork sausage, systematically breaking it into small, uniform crumbles using a wooden spoon. Continue cooking for 6-8 minutes until the meat achieves a rich, golden-brown color.
3. Incorporate freshly chopped sage into the sausage, stirring gently to distribute the herb’s aromatic flavors evenly throughout the meat.
4. Layer buttered bread cubes across the bottom of the prepared baking dish, creating a uniform foundation for the casserole.
5. Distribute the sautéed sausage mixture uniformly over the bread layer, ensuring balanced coverage.
6. Sprinkle shredded cheddar and monterey jack cheeses across the sausage, creating a complete and even cheese blanket.
7. In a separate mixing bowl, vigorously whisk eggs, whole milk, cayenne pepper, dry mustard, kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper until the mixture becomes smooth and well-integrated.
8. Carefully pour the seasoned egg mixture over the layered bread, sausage, and cheese, allowing it to seep into all underlying ingredients.
9. Securely cover the casserole with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight, enabling flavors to meld and ingredients to absorb the egg mixture.
10. The following morning, remove the casserole from the refrigerator and let it rest at room temperature while preheating the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius).
11. Uncover the casserole and bake for 50-60 minutes, or until the top turns golden brown and the center becomes firm and bubbling.
12. Remove from the oven and allow the casserole to rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. Optionally, accompany with hot sauce for added zest.

Notes

• Day-old bread works best, soaking up eggs like a sponge and creating a rich, dense texture throughout the casserole.
• Brown sausage completely before mixing, preventing unwanted moisture and ensuring a crisp, flavorful base.
• Grate cheese freshly to guarantee smooth melting and even distribution across every delicious layer.
• Letting the casserole rest in the refrigerator overnight allows ingredients to mingle and develop deeper, more complex flavors.
• Watch for a golden-brown, crispy top that signals perfect doneness and promises a delightful, crunchy exterior.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour
• Category: Breakfast
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 350
• Sugar: 3g
• Fat: 25g
• Carbohydrates: 15g
• Protein: 18g