All the breakfast essentials, in one golden cheesy bake! This Breakfast Casserole tastes just like a country breakfast fry up – hence the name. Perfect for feeding a crowd AND it can be made ahead!
Breakfast Casserole
Bacon + sausage + egg + milk + cheese + potatoes + bread does not = nutritious low fat energy breakfast for every day.
But it DOES equal DELICIOUS!!!
This is my “make-ahead-feed-an-army” version of a country breakfast fry up that is one of my favourite things to order when I go out for brunch (especially if I had a few too many champers the night before). A ginormous plate loaded with eggs, sausage, bacon, potatoes and toast on the side.
Hold the greens thanks!
Oh wait. I felt so guilty about not even adding some cherry tomatoes or bell peppers (capsicums), I decided I better add some greens.
So I sprinkled parsley on. See? There’s your greens for the morning! 😉
What this breakfast casserole tastes like
It has all the flavours of a country breakfast fry up, in casserole form. The bread under the surface is custardy and tastes like a savoury French Toast. Almost like an Omelette.
And the bread poking out on the surface is buttery, crispy and golden.
Combine that with the tasty browned sausage, BACON, potato and cheese, and it’s a fully loaded breakfast for champions!
The lovely golden, buttery surface
My way of making breakfast casserole is a little different to the usual where the bread is torn into chunks and soaked in egg mixture.
What I like to do is use slices of baguette, soak in egg mixture and stand them upright in the baking dish, then drizzle with butter so the top gets lovely and golden.
But you know what? This will shock you! This breakfast bake serves 8 and each serving has 645 calories. Compared to a breakfast fry up which typically has over 1,000 calories per serving for 2 eggs, 2 rashers of bacon, 2 sausages, some potatoes and toast. Did you know that?
Wait a second. Did I just convince myself this is healthy?? 😉
– Nagi x
More breakfast and brunch recipes
Nowadays, I put on brunches more than I do lunches! Here are some of my favourites to make for a crowd:
-
Shakshuka – Middle Eastern baked eggs in a spiced tomato broth
-
Frittata and Frittata Egg Muffins – terrific big batch make ahead food
-
Homemade Sausage and Egg McMuffins – the sausage patties taste just like Maccers!!
-
Ham, Egg and Cheese Pockets or Bread Bowls – no washing up!
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Sausage & Bacon Country Breakfast Casserole
Ingredients
- 2.5 ft / 80 cm baguette (french stick), preferably slightly stale
- 7 eggs
- 1 1/2 cups milk (full fat) or half and half (I use milk)
- 10 oz / 300 g potatoes , peeled and diced into 1/2" / 1.2cm cubes
- 10 oz / 300 g bacon , roughly chopped
- 1 lb / 500 g sausage , removed from casing (use good quality - Note 1)
- 1 cup grated cheddar cheese
- 1 tbsp butter , melted (optional)
- Finely chopped parsley (optional)
Instructions
- Slice the baguette into 2cm / 0.8" thick slices and place in a baking dish.
- Whisk the eggs and milk together. Pour 2/3 of the egg mixture over the bread. Turn the bread to make sure both sides of every piece is soaked in egg mixture. Set aside to soak while you cook the bacon and sausage.
- Cook potatoes in boiling water for 2 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 180C/350F.
- Heat skillet over high heat. Add bacon and cook until very lightly cooked. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels.
- Pour off excess fat. Add sausage and cook, breaking it up as you go, until lightly browned. Remove from the skillet and drain on paper towels.
- By now, most of the egg mixture should be soaked up by the bread. Stand the bread upright in the baking dish.
- Distribute half the potato between the bread, then top with half the sausage, half the bacon and half the cheese. Repeat with remaining potato, sausage, bacon and cheese (finish with cheese).
- Pour remaining egg mixture over everything.
- Cover loosely with foil and bake for 30 minutes.
- Remove foil and drizzle butter over the bread.
- Bake for a further 10 minutes until the bread is golden. Serve, garnished with parsley if using.
Recipe Notes:
Nutrition Information:
This made such a delicious brunch. I added spinach, broccoli and green pepper to mine and omitted the potatoes and it was so delicious and everyone loved it! Also the idea of standing the breads up so the top is crunchy is awesome! Thanks for another fantastic recipe!!
This is the best breakfast casserole I have made. I was a little worried there were no spices, I thought it may be bland. I used breakfast sausage, Snake River Farms bacon, and sharp cheddar cheese. I also halved the recipe, and left it in the fridge overnight. It was simply delicious! Thank you Nagi, I have learned to trust this site more and more.
This recipe sounds sooo delicious and I would love to make it. What size casserole do you recommend using ?
The one I used is 9 x 13 – anything similar to that size would work! N x
This looks amazing! Do you think it would work with gluten free bread?
Just made this for a family brunch, what a hit! I’ll be making this again for sure
Hi Nagi!
First of all, absolutely love your recipes!! This will be my first breakfast recipe that I try, and was wondering if I could use brioche instead of the baguette?
xx Michelle
Hi Michelle, you can – as long as it’s not fresh as it wont hold up. Brioche will give this a slightly sweet edge. N x
The curried sausages were just like my mother used to make.
That’s great to hear Coral ❤️
Nagi, What else would you serve with this casserole? I am hosting brunch for Mother’s day for 10 people. This recipe covers almost everything; bacon, eggs, potatoes….I feel like I need another dish or two?
Thanks,
Jeanie
P.S. Can’t wait to try
Hi Jeanmarie, maybe do something sweet on the side like scones or muffins? – N x
This is beautiful! Perfect for mothers day
Yes!!!! 🙂 💐
Made this today for brunch… it was delicious! this is now my go to casserole recipe. Thank you.😊
That’s so terrific to hear Yvette!!!! Thank you were sharing your feedback – N x ❤️
Is it made in a 9×13 baking dish?
This looks fab and I’ll definitely be making it for our belated Christmas breakfast!
One question – if making the night before, do you pour the egg over when assembling? Or wait till you are about to pop it in the oven?
Thanks! 🙂
Hi Terri! Yep pour the egg over the night before. 🙂 N x
Skipped the cheese as I can’t digest it : ( But man was this amazing…Fed my girlfriend and I for a week. Your recipes are my jam Nagi!!
BA HA HA!! What a compliment “Your recipes are my jam!” 🙂 Please may I quote you on that in my next newsletter? You crack me up!!
This looks incredible. And you’re right it’s the perfect breakfast / brunch dish for the holidays! Can’t wait to give it a try 🙂
Thank you so much Fida!! N x
Yum, what a wonderful, decadent breakfast! This would be great for a weekend brunch 🙂
Thanks so much Sabrina!! N x
I’ve been making variations of this for almost 40 years, Nagi! The first one I made was called 24-hour wine and cheese casserole. (Now, how do I remember that?!) These stratas are among my favorite brunch dishes. I’ve never seen one with the bread done like that, however: genius! Love the presentation. Can’t wait for an opportunity to make it your way.
NO!!!! This is why we get along so well Marlene, our taste in GOOD FOOD is so similar! You ROCK!!! N x
Well, I’ve been cooking since before you were born, so I’ve had lots of time to perfect my craft! ?Meanwhile, I’ve been working on my photos and cooking/baking up a storm, so watch for new posts at last.
This is my kind of breakfast casserole! Beautiful photos and this casserole looks amazing! 🙂
Thanks so much Amy!! N x
Oh yum! I am very on a similar breakfast casserole to post as a holiday breakfast. I love that yours also has bread slices in it. Looks soo good.
Ooh COOL! Have you posted it yet? I’d love to see it!!
Oh my gosh! Luckily we stopped counting calories until new year’s. Haha! But honestly, if I cannot have stuff like this anymore, I’d rather stay fat.
That’s right!!! The whole month of December, everyone should be on a BREAK from calorie counting!! N x
My friend made something very similar when we stayed with them a few months ago. It was delicious and FILLING! This is definitely a dish to feed hungry guests. And thank you for adding parsley…now it’s a healthy meal. 😉
Thank you for agreeing that the smidgen of parsley in this rounds it out to be a completely meal. You’re the best Maureen! 😉 N x
I have got to make this for Christmas morning!!! It’s sounds to die for! 🙂
What a way to start Christmas day!!! N x