Homemade McDonald’s Sausage and Egg McMuffin recipe with sausage patties made from scratch! You will be amazed how similar this tastes to the real thing – but so much better because it tastes like REAL FOOD!!!
This is a great grab-and-go make-ahead breakfast. Plus, sharing a cheeky way to cook round eggs even if you don’t have egg rings! 😉
Copycat Sausage and Egg McMuffin recipe!
I have a secret list of Dirty Foods I Love.
KFC Popcorn chicken is on it. Pizza Hut is on it (double pepperoni thin and crispy with anchovies!). Crispy Kreme classic glazed doughnuts.
And yes, McDonald’s is on the list too. It doesn’t happen often, maybe 3 times a year. And when it does, I do the Drive-Through-of-Shame. I would never risk being seen inside McDonald’s!!!
I really wish I was the kind of person who never craved junk food. I’m sure if I really put my mind to it, I could live a whole-food life. But it would be an EFFORT!!!
So my compromise? Takeout copycats. Junk food made at home, a whole lot healthier.
Say HI to my McDonald’s Sausage and Egg McMuffins copycat!
Sausage Patties
This copycat is all about the copycat McDonald’s sausage patties. Tasty, juicy, well seasoned breakfast patties that we love!
You will be astonished how similar it tastes to the real thing. There’s not even that many spices in the seasoning – but the secret spice is sage. This is what gives these breakfast patties that extra little flavour edge that really makes it taste like the Maccers!
How to make Sausage and Egg McMuffins in your PJ’s
It’s terrifically easy – so you can manage this half asleep or even if you’re feeling sketchy after a few too many wines the night before (let’s all just admit that Maccers is excellent hangover food).
Though if the thought of handling raw meat first thin in the morning is too much for you, just make the patties the ahead – they will keep for days in the fridge and months in the freezer!
I do like to melt the cheese ON the pattie. This is not how Maccers does it….. but who can resist molten cheese draped over a breakfast sausage pattie? Not I!
Also, my sausage patties are thicker. Because this is the beauty of homemade – we can make things just the way we want!
Don’t have egg rings?
Don’t worry! Either just pan fry eggs and push the edges in as they cook, or cut both sides out of a tuna can then use that as an egg ring! This was a genius idea from a reader, the lovely Dorothy from Tennessee.
Great make ahead breakfast – on the go!
Sausage and Egg McMuffins are a terrific make ahead breakfast. They will last for 4 days in the fridge the just need a quick microwave to reheat.
If you want to freeze them – instead of of cooking eggs sunny side up, either scramble them or make a folded omelette (of sorts). Egg whites tend to go a bit rubbery when frozen (in my opinion), but if mixed up with the yolks then cooked, they freeze fine.
And in true McDonald’s form, these Sausage and Egg McMuffins are fab for food on the go. Wrap it up, shove it in a paper bag, grab a cup of coffee and scoff these down with one hand while driving.
Because if I do the actual McDonald’s drive through, that is exactly how I eat it. 😉
All jokes aside though, no matter what your position on McDonald’s is – and I’ve been very honest with mine (i.e. Love / Hate) – these are really tasty. Really, really scrumptious.
They’re also a terrific breakfast for large groups because it’s easy to make big batches, especially if you cook on the BBQ so you can cook loads of sausage patties at the same time.
And instead of individual eggs, just make a giant batch of scrambled eggs.
Happy weekend everyone!! – Nagi x
More Grab-and-Run Breakfasts!
-
Healthy Oatmeal Breakfast Cookies – it’s like a bowl of porridge, in cookie form!
And more eggs for breakfast
-
Frittata – the classic done right!
-
Shakshouka – baked eggs made exotic
Watch how to make it
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Homemade Sausage and Egg McMuffin
Ingredients
Sausage Patties
- 1 lb / 500g ground pork (juicier) OR beef (mince) (Note 1)
- 1/2 tsp dried ground sage
- 1/2 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tsp onion powder (or garlic powder)
- 3/4 tsp black pepper
- 3/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp sugar (any)
Muffins
- 2 tbsp oil
- 4 eggs
- 4 English muffins , cut in half
- 4 slices cheese (Note 3)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 130C/275F.
- Place muffins on a baking tray, cut side up, and top with cheese. (Alternative - melt cheese on sausage patties, see video)
Sausage Patties
- Mix Sausage Patty ingredients in a bowl - use your hands to mix it real good!
- Shape into 4 patties (thick ones, or 5 Maccers size patties). Make them slightly larger than the muffins because they will shrink when cooking.
- Heat oil in a large non stick skillet over high heat. Add patties (in batches if needed). Cook the first side for 2 - 3 minutes or until browned. Flip then cook the other side until browned. (Optional: After flipping, top with cheese, cover with lid to melt).
Egg
- Meanwhile, heat another pan over medium high heat with 1 tbsp oil. Spray egg rings with oil and place in the skillet. (Note 4 for other cook methods).
- Crack egg into the rings. Add around 2 tbsp water into the skillet then cover with a lid. Cook for 1 - 2 minutes or until egg is cooked to your liking (I like runny yolks).
Assemble
- Remove warm muffins from the oven. Top with sausage, then egg, the lid of muffin.
- Serve and enjoy!
Recipe Notes:
- tuna can: take both ends off, wash (well!) and use as the ring. GENIUS idea from Dorothy in Tennessee, a RecipeTin Eats regular reader!
- in a well sprayed muffin tin(baked); or
- in onion rings (just cut a 1/3" slice and use the outer ring). Otherwise, just crack the eggs into the skillet then as it starts to cook, fold the edges in to make a (albeit rough!) round shape. OR just scramble them, or make a large omelette and cut to fit onto each. 3. Cheese - I used processed cheese to mimic McDonald's. 4. MAKE AHEAD:
- Refrigerate up to 4 days, reheat on low in the microwave for a couple of minutes, or cover with foil and reheat in oven.
- Freezer - scramble eggs or make omelette and cut up into 4. Do not freeze sunny side up eggs - I find the whites can go rubbery.
Nutrition Information:
Originally published May 2016, updated with brand new video, fresh new photos and a new Life of Dozer!
Life of Dozer
Just having a sniff……
Very good. One pound I made 4 patties as instructed but IMHO I could have made 5 or 6 they were a bit too big. I ended up using a metal biscuit cutter for the egg. I used kraft singles for the cheese. I don’t like that kind and prefer Sargento sharp cheddar. I used the fake kraft cheese for this, came out great. Only thing I like from McDonald’s is the sausage Mcmuffin with egg. I also used walmart brand english muffins to get the full effect. Thanks for the recipe
I’m so pleased to hear that Evilkitty, thank you for letting me know! N xx
Does it have to be Ground Pork can I use Lean Pork
You can use lean pork if you want (ground though!)
If you can find Bays English Muffins, you’ll be even closer to the McDo McMuffin experience. It was the brand of muffin used in the original McMuffin in the 1970’s.
No way! Thanks for the tip EB!
WOW….there are not words on this earth to describe just how GOOD this sausage and egg muffin looks to me right now. I was diagnosed with Celiac disease almost 10 years ago and about 5 or 6 years ago I finally made the effort to seriously eat gluten free. It’s been, without question, one of the biggest nightmares and pains in my life. I just CANNOT adapt to it. But I’ve been SO good for the most part. I can’t tell you how long its been since I hate an Egg McMuffin or a Big Mac or a Crispy Chicken Sandwich. I write to McDonald’s and a few other of my favorite places a couple times a year BEGGING (I’m not proud) them to have at least their biggest sellers in a gluten free choice. Honestly, I should have NEVER opened the page that had this sandwich on because now I’m starving for one. I’ve been wanting to try making my own gf bread items, such as English muffins, sandwich bread, and so many others. After seeing this picture I guess I’m going to have to get myself in gear and just do it. I don’t know who does your photography but boy they do a fantastic job. I felt as though I could just reach in and grab that thing and dig in.
What a great thing to hear your inspiring a lot of people, thank you Nagi. Good luck on the bread I hope it turns out. If not keep trying !!!
Thanks Paul!!! N xx
ohhhhh Pamela! I feel so bad for you and I feel terrible that I had to giggle at you describing the annoyance of being Celiac! Can you make this with GF bread??? It is SO worth it!
Ok, don’t judge me – but that fake plastic cheese looks amazing! Where do you get slices that are that lovely fake Maccas yellow colour? I’m making this next week and I want the ‘real fake cheese’ experience! Thanks!
As if I would judge!!! ? I got it at Woolies or Coles, there is one that comes in plastic wrappers (you know the individual cheese slices) that is slightly more orange than the others like the Maccas colour, that’s what I used!
The only orangey one i could find is smoked flavor.. Is yours smoked?
Yup, same here 🙂 Thought I wrote that in the recipe! It adds a great flavour to it, I love it!
Thanks Nagi – I found the really fake orange one I wanted! And it made for a totally delicious breakfast muffin, Mr Beck and I loved them. Plus we have enough in the freezer for next weekend too, even better! Yum!
Yesssss!!! So happy to hear that Beck! N x
With the kids back in school, I’m always looking for breakfast ideas that will work during the week. These were perfect! I made the sausage patties last night and just warmed them up this morning to go with the freshly toasted English muffins and fried eggs. They were awesome! My youngest daughter said “these are really good” and she hardly ever says anything that early in the morning! I’m planning to keep a batch of the cooked sausage patties in the freezer for easy breakfasts. Thanks for another great recipe.
Wow your kids are SO LUCKY that they get these for breakfast during the week!! You’re the best mom ever! 🙂 N x
Great way to start a Sunday. Apart from ‘these are great’ my husband said these muffins should be called ‘Kenworth’ Sausage & Egg Muffins because they were too good to be Macks! (Please excuse the truckies humour ?)
BA HA HA!!! I love it! 🙂 Thank you for trying my recipe Belinda and for coming back to let me know you enjoyed it! N x
I just made them this morning. This is a(nother) great recipe!! Now I don’t have to be ashamed of my impulse to go out for breakfast first thing in the morning.
So glad J-Mom! Thank you for trying my recipe and for coming back to let me know you enjoyed it! N x
Can you freeze this recipe?
Not the whole thing unfortunately Sarah. Cooked egg whites become rubbery. However, if you whisk the eggs and make an omelette (you could fold a large one up to fit into the muffin) then yes you can freeze it!
Nagi – these were so good. I was going to make the sausage patties but forgot to take the pork mince out of the freezer in time. So made bacon & egg ones – with the US processed cheese. My son ate 3 – couldn’t believe that. Next time will make it with the sausage patties and after reading the comments will definitely do it for dinner. Your blog is a constant source of inspiration. Glad to hear that you didn’t get hit too badly with the weekend storm.
That’s so awesome Ann!!! He ate THREE??? How old is he????
22 🙂
WOW! That looks unbelievably better than the McDonald’s version (which I also have a penchant for)…. I need to try this.
I hate myself for loving it…..but I can’t HELP IT!!!!
I loved the pic where you crossed out Mc muffin part 🙂 , by the way I love Mc Muffin but I have a feeling I’ll love the homemade even more 🙂
BA HA HA! You’re the first person to notice that! 🙂
Yes and it IS real food! We all have our dirty food secrets and we need to indulge in them ocassionally. Everything in moderation, except for moderation! 🙂
Copycat recipes are the best. I myself am not a big McDonald’s fan but I do like this one item and your version, miles better for sure. Looks awesome. great tip on the tuna can!
It’s a legendary tip, isn’t it?? I actually opened a can of tuna the other day just to use it – ba ha ha!
They have sandwich makers that does the whole thing for you. They even have sausage patties in the freezer department that fit an English muffin. The sandwich maker makes 2 sandwiches at the same time and comes with two layers of rings. You start by plugging it in to heat up. While it heats up, you take out the sausage (2) and nuke it for 1 min. At the same time you get out the eggs, cheese, and bread. By this time the maker is heated up and you’re ready to go. Lift up the lid and one layer of rings. Place in muffin bottom, cheese, sausage. Lower the second layer ring. This second layer has a removable bottom to it that keeps the two halves of the sandwich separate while the egg cooks. Crack the egg into the ring and break the yoke if desired. Top the raw egg with muffin top. Close maker lid and set the timer for 4 min. Once the timer rings your done. You just lift the lid, swing the removable bottom out of the way from the second ring. This drops the top layer down to the bottom layer. Remove sandwich and enjoy. You can of course use other things. Canadian bacon is awesome. I also heard of someone simply cooking eggs in it too. I used artichoke spinach dip once that was amazing!
Woah! A sandwich maker that does everything for you?? A lot fancier than what I’ve seen! 🙂
Those look so yummy! Better than McDonalds, I reckon! I haven’t eaten Maccas in years, but when I did I enjoyed a sausage and egg mc muffin! Now my secret shame is KFC. Wicked Wings!
Don’t talk to me about KFC!!!! I WISH I didn’t love it! 🙁
Love love loved this recipe. I missed the mcmuffins I use to get in oz.the kiwi version doesn’t taste as spicey.
Made this recipe this morning, won’t be having lunch I’m so full.
Might add some white pepper to ingredients next time.
Thanks so much and my Rudy ( boxer pup ) says hi to Dozer.
WOO HOO!!!! So glad you enjoyed this Penne!!! And Dozer says WOOF to Rudy! N x
A real cook’s version of a fast food “baddie.” These look very tempting. And I can tell from Dozer’s expression that he would like one as well.
Well, he was begging me for Kiwi fruit SKIN on the weekend, so yes, I would say he is desperate for this!!! 🙂
Hi wonderful Nagi lady can u please tell how much oil u use to fry the patties
You’re kidding!! I didn’t put that in the recipe?? Just checked – I did 🙂 1/2 tbsp oil for cooking the sausage, then use the oil from the sausage to cook the eggs!
Hi Nagi – Thanks so much for the recipe! I often feed a crowd, would love to try this. When you said this can be made hours ahead, do you mean the sausage only? If you make the whole thing ahead, how do you keep the sandwich warm w/o the eggs turning green? Thanks so much again!
Hi Sophia! I make a whole tray of this (because even when I am making this for a few people, everyone eats TWO!!) and cover with foil. Then when I’m ready to serve, I just pop the tray in a low oven – say 150C/300F – with the foil still on, until warmed through. 🙂 If making these the day before – or up to 2 days before, I cover then in stacks of 2 or 3 with cling wrap, refrigerate them, then reheat them covered in foil (stops the muffins going overly crispy). Thanks for the question, I will update the recipe!