Paprika: Offers gentle warmth and beautiful golden color.
Tools Required for Ina Garten Overnight Breakfast Casserole
9×13: Essential for layering and baking the entire casserole.
Large Skillet: Perfect for browning sausage and sautéing vegetables.
Medium Bowl: Ideal for whisking eggs and mixing the liquid ingredients.
Whisk: Crucial for blending eggs and creating a smooth mixture.
Cheese Grater: Needed to freshly grate the cheese for maximum flavor.
Cutting Board: Helps chop vegetables and prepare ingredients.
Chef's Knife: Sharp tool for precise vegetable and ingredient preparation.
Measuring Cups and Spoons: Ensures accurate ingredient measurements.
Directions for Preparing Ina Garten Overnight Breakfast Casserole
Breakfast Magic
Bread Foundation Layer casserole bottom with soft, trimmed bread slices creating a cozy base for delicious flavors.
Sausage Sizzle Brown savory sausage in skillet, releasing rich aromas and developing deep color.
Veggie Dance Gently sauté bell peppers, onions, and green chiles until they become tender and fragrant.
Cheese Blanket Generously sprinkle cheese across bread, creating a melty landscape for upcoming layers.
Seasoned Liquid Whisk eggs with milk and delicate spices, crafting a silky smooth foundation that will transform during cooking.
Overnight Rest Cover casserole and let ingredients mingle and develop complex flavors in refrigerator, allowing ingredients to become friends.
Oven Transformation Bake at steady temperature until edges turn golden and center becomes perfectly set, releasing incredible breakfast scents.
Serving Moment Allow casserole to rest briefly, then slice and serve warm, revealing layers of delectable ingredients.
Variations to Try with Ina Garten Overnight Breakfast Casserole
Swap out traditional pork sausage with turkey or chicken sausage for a leaner protein option that doesn't compromise on flavor.
Add a dash of hot sauce or sprinkle red pepper flakes into the egg mixture for those who love a morning kick of heat and excitement.
Experiment with different cheese combinations like sharp cheddar, pepper jack, or gruyère to create unique flavor profiles that will make your breakfast pop.
Assemble the casserole up to two days in advance, keeping it tightly covered in the refrigerator, which makes entertaining or busy mornings incredibly simple and stress-free.
Toss in additional vegetables like spinach, mushrooms, or diced zucchini to increase the nutritional value and add extra texture to your morning meal.
How to Serve Ina Garten Overnight Breakfast Casserole
Enhance with Fresh Herbs: Sprinkle chopped parsley or chives on top just before serving to add a burst of color and fresh flavor that complements the rich, savory casserole.
Pair with Breakfast Sides: Serve alongside crispy bacon strips, fresh fruit salad, or a light mixed green salad to balance the hearty casserole and create a complete morning meal.
Add Zesty Toppings: Offer sour cream, salsa, or hot sauce on the side, allowing guests to customize their plate and add an extra kick of flavor to each bite.
Create a Brunch Spread: Accompany the casserole with mimosas, fresh orange juice, or a light coffee cake to transform the dish into a delightful weekend brunch experience.
Storage Tips for Ina Garten Overnight Breakfast Casserole
Refrigerate Wisely: Store the prepared casserole tightly covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days before baking. Wrap the dish securely with plastic wrap or aluminum foil to maintain freshness and prevent absorbing other refrigerator odors.
Freeze for Later: Transfer cooled casserole portions to airtight freezer-safe containers. Freeze individual servings for maximum convenience, keeping them fresh for up to 1 month. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Reheat with Care: Warm refrigerated or thawed casserole portions in the oven at 350°F for 15-20 minutes. Cover with foil to prevent excessive browning and ensure the center heats evenly. Use a food thermometer to check internal temperature reaches 165°F for food safety.
Prep Ahead Strategy: Assemble the entire casserole up to 24 hours in advance. Keep unbaked casserole refrigerated until ready to bake. This make-ahead technique allows busy home cooks to enjoy a delicious breakfast without morning stress.
Ina Garten’s overnight breakfast casserole combines hearty ingredients for a delightful morning meal. Layers of bread, eggs, and cheese create a comforting dish perfect for weekend gatherings and family breakfasts.
Ingredients
Scale
12 oz (340 g) pork sausage
6 large eggs
4 cups (454 g) freshly shredded Colby jack cheese or cheddar cheese
2 cups (473 ml) milk
6–8 slices white bread, crust removed
¼ medium onion, chopped
½ red bell pepper, chopped
4 oz (113 g) can of diced green chiles
1 tsp Kosher salt
½ tsp paprika
½ tsp dried oregano leaves
½ tsp freshly ground black pepper
¼ tsp garlic powder
¼ tsp dry mustard
Instructions
Preparation: Methodically remove bread crusts and generously grease a 9×13 inch baking pan to prevent adhesion.
Sausage and Vegetable Medley: In a skillet, thoroughly brown sausage into fine crumbles, draining excess fat. Simultaneously sauté bell peppers, onions, and green chiles until vegetables develop a delicate caramelized essence.
Layering Foundation: Construct a strategic base by spreading grated cheese across bread, then meticulously distribute cooked sausage and sautéed vegetable mixture, ensuring uniform coverage.
Egg Custard Creation: Energetically whisk eggs until light and airy. Integrate milk and comprehensive seasonings – salt, oregano, black pepper, garlic powder, dry mustard, and paprika – creating a harmonious liquid mixture.
Flavor Infusion: Delicately cascade egg mixture over layered ingredients, guaranteeing complete penetration. Hermetically seal and refrigerate 6-8 hours, allowing flavors to harmonize and intensify.
Thermal Transformation: Position oven rack centrally and preheat to 350°F. Remove casserole, allowing 15-20 minutes of temperature equilibration. Bake uncovered for 50-60 minutes until center solidifies and edges achieve a golden-bronze perfection.
Resting and Serving: After removing from oven, permit casserole 10-15 minutes of stabilization, facilitating precise cutting and optimal flavor melding.
Notes
Trim Bread Carefully: Remove crusts completely for a smoother, more elegant texture and even layering in the casserole.
Drain Sausage Thoroughly: Remove excess grease to prevent a soggy, oily bottom and ensure crisp, clean flavors.
Layer Strategically: Spread cheese, sausage, and vegetables evenly to guarantee balanced taste in every single bite.
Rest Before Serving: Allow casserole to cool 10-15 minutes after baking to help ingredients set and make cutting easier.
Pastry Arts and Dessert Innovation, French and European Baking Techniques, Food Writing and Blogging, Culinary Event Planning
Education
Le Cordon Bleu Paris
Diploma: Grand Diplôme®
Focus: Intensive training in classic French cuisine and pastry techniques, combining the Diplôme de Cuisine and Diplôme de Pâtisserie.
Isabella Rodriguez is the co-founder and pastry chef at wd-50.com. She studied at Le Cordon Bleu in Paris, where she earned the Grand Diplôme®, a top award in both cooking and baking. After working in fancy bakeries and as a personal pastry chef, Isabella now shares her love for desserts in an easy way for home bakers to enjoy.
At wd-50.com, Isabella creates recipes for cookies, cakes, tarts, and more, always with clear steps and helpful tips. She believes baking should be fun, not stressful, and she hopes her recipes bring joy to your kitchen and smiles to your table.
Isabella Rodriguez
Co-Founder & Content Creator
Expertise
Pastry Arts and Dessert Innovation, French and European Baking Techniques, Food Writing and Blogging, Culinary Event Planning
Education
Le Cordon Bleu Paris
Isabella Rodriguez is the co-founder and pastry chef at wd-50.com. She studied at Le Cordon Bleu in Paris, where she earned the Grand Diplôme®, a top award in both cooking and baking. After working in fancy bakeries and as a personal pastry chef, Isabella now shares her love for desserts in an easy way for home bakers to enjoy.
At wd-50.com, Isabella creates recipes for cookies, cakes, tarts, and more, always with clear steps and helpful tips. She believes baking should be fun, not stressful, and she hopes her recipes bring joy to your kitchen and smiles to your table.