Grilled Cheese Sausage & Egg Breakfast Casserole Recipe

Introduction

This Grilled Cheese Sausage & Egg Breakfast Casserole is a hearty and comforting way to start your day. Combining crispy grilled cheese sandwiches with savory breakfast sausage and a rich egg custard, it’s perfect for feeding a crowd or meal prepping. Easy to assemble and full of flavor, it’s a breakfast everyone will love.

A close-up of a stacked sandwich showing two thick slices of golden-brown toasted bread with a crispy, textured crust. Between the bread layers, there is a thick, melted bright orange cheddar cheese that oozes out, surrounding small, browned sausage pieces scattered across the sandwich. There are also visible sections of white cooked egg with a soft texture underneath the cheese. The sandwich sits on a white plate with a light sprinkling of red and green seasoning around it, set against a white marbled surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

  • 1 lb (450 g) breakfast sausage
  • 8 large eggs
  • 2 cups whole milk
  • ½ cup heavy cream
  • 8 slices sandwich bread
  • 3 tablespoons butter, softened
  • 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley or green onions

Optional Add-Ins:

  • ½ cup diced bell peppers
  • ½ cup diced onion
  • ½ cup cooked and crumbled bacon
  • ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • ½ cup sliced mushrooms
  • 1 small jalapeño, finely chopped

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease a 9 × 13-inch baking dish with butter or nonstick cooking spray. Set aside.
  2. Step 2: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the breakfast sausage for 7–9 minutes, breaking it into small pieces. Cook until browned and fully cooked. If using, add onions, peppers, or mushrooms during the last few minutes to sauté. Drain excess grease and set aside.
  3. Step 3: Spread softened butter on bread slices. Heat a skillet over medium heat, place bread butter-side down, sprinkle with cheddar and mozzarella, then top with another buttered slice. Cook 2–3 minutes per side until golden and cheese begins to melt. Let cool and cut into 1-inch cubes.
  4. Step 4: In the baking dish, layer half of the grilled cheese cubes, half the cooked sausage, and a light layer of shredded cheddar. Repeat layers and finish with a generous handful of cheese, distributing evenly.
  5. Step 5: In a large bowl, whisk eggs, milk, heavy cream, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper until combined. Pour evenly over the casserole, pressing the bread gently into the liquid. Let rest 10–15 minutes to absorb.
  6. Step 6: Sprinkle remaining cheddar and mozzarella over the top. Add an extra ½ cup cheddar for more cheesiness if desired.
  7. Step 7: Cover the dish loosely with foil and bake for 25–30 minutes. Remove foil and bake an additional 15–20 minutes until the center is set and the top is golden. Check doneness by inserting a knife—it should come out clean.
  8. Step 8: Let the casserole rest for 10 minutes before slicing. Garnish with chopped parsley or green onions and serve warm.

Tips & Variations

  • For extra flavor, sauté optional vegetables like bell peppers or mushrooms with the sausage to remove moisture and enhance taste.
  • Try adding cooked bacon or jalapeño for a smoky or spicy kick.
  • Use your favorite bread, such as sourdough or whole wheat, to change the texture and flavor.
  • Make it vegetarian by omitting sausage and adding more vegetables or plant-based sausage alternatives.
  • Leftover casserole can be reheated in the oven or microwave for a quick breakfast.

Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat individual servings in the microwave or warm the entire casserole covered with foil in a 350°F (175°C) oven until heated through. For longer storage, freeze portions wrapped tightly for up to 1 month; thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

How to Serve

A close-up of a grilled cheese sandwich with two thick slices of golden-brown toasted bread, stuffed with bright orange melted cheddar cheese dripping out and slices of cooked sausage pieces scattered on the cheese. Between the bread layers, there is a visible layer of white melted egg, slightly creamy and soft. The sandwich rests on a white plate with a sprinkle of red seasoning and green herbs around it, and the whole scene is set against a white marbled background. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I prepare this casserole the night before?

Yes, assemble the casserole and refrigerate it covered overnight. Let it sit at room temperature for 10–15 minutes before baking the next morning.

Can I use other types of cheese?

Absolutely! Cheddar and mozzarella provide great flavor and melt, but try mixing in pepper jack, Monterey jack, or Swiss for different tastes and textures.

Print
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Grilled Cheese Sausage & Egg Breakfast Casserole Recipe


  • Author: Mariam
  • Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
  • Yield: 8 servings 1x

Description

A hearty and comforting Grilled Cheese Sausage & Egg Breakfast Casserole combining crispy grilled cheese sandwiches, savory breakfast sausage, fluffy eggs, and melted cheddar and mozzarella cheese. Perfect for a crowd-pleasing breakfast or brunch, this casserole offers flavorful layers with optional vegetable add-ins to suit your taste.


Ingredients

Scale

For the Casserole

  • 1 lb (450 g) breakfast sausage
  • 8 large eggs
  • 2 cups whole milk
  • ½ cup heavy cream
  • 8 slices sandwich bread
  • 3 tablespoons butter, softened
  • 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley or green onions

Optional Add-Ins

  • ½ cup diced bell peppers
  • ½ cup diced onion
  • ½ cup cooked and crumbled bacon
  • ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • ½ cup sliced mushrooms
  • 1 small jalapeño, finely chopped

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Baking Dish: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9 × 13-inch baking dish with butter or nonstick cooking spray. Set it aside while preparing the sausage.
  2. Cook the Breakfast Sausage: Place a large skillet over medium heat. Add the breakfast sausage and cook for approximately 7–9 minutes, breaking it into small pieces with a wooden spoon as it cooks. Continue cooking until the sausage is browned and completely cooked through. Drain excess grease from the skillet and set the sausage aside. If you’re adding onions, peppers, or mushrooms, sauté them with the sausage during the final few minutes of cooking to add flavor and reduce excess moisture.
  3. Prepare the Grilled Cheese Bread: Spread a thin layer of softened butter over the bread slices. Heat a skillet or griddle over medium heat. Place several bread slices butter-side down. Sprinkle cheddar and mozzarella over the bread, then top with another bread slice, butter-side facing upward. Cook about 2–3 minutes per side or until golden brown and cheese begins to melt. Repeat with remaining bread. Allow sandwiches to cool, then cut into approximately 1-inch cubes to form the casserole base.
  4. Assemble the Casserole: Arrange half of the grilled cheese cubes evenly across the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Scatter half of the cooked sausage on top, then add a light layer of shredded cheddar. Repeat with remaining grilled cheese pieces and sausage. Finish with a generous handful of cheese distributed evenly for balanced flavor and texture.
  5. Prepare the Egg Mixture: In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, whole milk, heavy cream, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper until smooth. Pour this mixture slowly and evenly over the casserole. Use a spoon or spatula to gently press the bread into the egg liquid. Allow the assembled casserole to rest for 10–15 minutes to let the bread absorb the mixture.
  6. Add the Cheese: Sprinkle the remaining cheddar and mozzarella cheese generously over the top of the casserole. For extra cheesiness, add an additional ½ cup of cheddar cheese to enhance flavor and texture.
  7. Bake: Cover the baking dish loosely with aluminum foil. Bake in the preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 25–30 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 15–20 minutes until the center is set, cheese is melted, and the top is lightly golden. Verify doneness by inserting a knife into the center; the eggs should be firm, not runny.
  8. Rest Before Serving: Remove casserole from oven and let it rest for approximately 10 minutes. This final step allows the eggs to finish setting and makes slicing easier. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley or green onions before serving.

Notes

  • This casserole is great for meal prepping or feeding a crowd at brunch or breakfast gatherings.
  • Optional add-ins such as bell peppers, onions, mushrooms, bacon, jalapeño, and red pepper flakes can be added for extra flavor and texture.
  • Use a sturdy bread like sandwich or Texas toast for best texture; stale bread can work well to absorb the egg mixture.
  • For a lighter version, substitute whole milk and heavy cream with lower fat options, but expect slight changes in richness.
  • Make sure to allow the casserole to rest after baking for easier slicing and better texture.
  • Check the casserole’s center before removing from oven to avoid undercooked eggs.
  • Prep Time: 25 minutes
  • Cook Time: 50 minutes
  • Category: Breakfast Casserole
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Keywords: breakfast casserole, grilled cheese casserole, sausage egg casserole, brunch recipe, cheesy breakfast bake

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