Ina Garten’s Easy Sausage Breakfast Casserole Recipe

Sausage breakfast casseroles transform ordinary mornings into extraordinary culinary adventures, blending hearty ingredients that dance together with remarkable harmony.

Complex flavors mingle beneath golden, puffy surfaces promising comfort and satisfaction.

Weekend gatherings spark with anticipation when this rich dish arrives steaming at the table.

breakfast traditions come alive through carefully layered ingredients that create depth and warmth.

Weekday meal planning becomes delightful when preparing something substantial and delicious the night before.

Families gather eagerly around tables where this protein-packed meal provides nourishment and joy.

Home cooks appreciate simple techniques that yield impressive results without complicated steps.

You will love how effortlessly this recipe becomes a crowd-pleasing morning masterpiece: prepare to be amazed!

Why Ina Garten’s Sausage Breakfast Casserole Fits Any Morning

• Make-Ahead Morning Magic: Prepare this casserole the night before, allowing you to enjoy a stress-free breakfast without early morning kitchen chaos.
• Flavor-Packed Breakfast Powerhouse: Combines savory sausage, sharp cheddar cheese, and soft bread into a mouthwatering one-dish meal that satisfies hearty appetites.
• Effortless Entertaining Delight: Perfect for weekend gatherings, holiday brunches, or feeding a crowd with minimal prep time and maximum deliciousness.
• Textural Breakfast Bliss: Delivers a perfect balance of crispy bread edges, creamy egg custard, and juicy sausage crumbles in every single bite.

Everything You Need for Ina Garten Sausage Breakfast Casserole

• Bread: Sturdy white bread that holds structure well, ideal for absorbing egg mixture.
• Sausage: Flavorful protein that adds rich, savory taste to the breakfast casserole.
• Sharp Cheddar Cheese: Provides sharp, tangy flavor and melts beautifully over casserole.

• Half-and-Half, Eggs: Creates rich, creamy custard base that binds all ingredients together.
• Dry Mustard: Adds subtle, warm background flavor to enhance overall taste.

• Salt: Essential for balancing and enhancing all other flavors in the dish.

How to Make Ina Garten Sausage Breakfast Casserole

Step 1: Prepare Bread Base

Cut a loaf of bread into 1-inch cubes and spread evenly in a greased 9x13x2-inch baking dish. Make sure the cubes are spread out to create a uniform layer.

• Bread loaf
• Baking spray or butter for greasing

Step 2: Cook and Distribute Sausage

Heat a medium skillet over medium heat. Brown the sausage completely, breaking it into small pieces while cooking. Drain excess fat using a paper towel. Scatter the cooked sausage evenly over the bread cubes.

• Breakfast sausage
• Skillet
• Paper towels

Step 3: Add Cheese Layer

Generously sprinkle grated sharp Cheddar cheese over the sausage and bread layer, covering the entire surface.

• Sharp Cheddar cheese (, grated)

Step 4: Create Egg Mixture

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together half-and-half, dry mustard, salt, and lightly beaten eggs until well combined and smooth.

Step 5: Assemble and Chill Casserole

Slowly pour the egg mixture over the cheese layer, ensuring even distribution. Cover the dish with aluminum foil and refrigerate for 8 hours or overnight to allow flavors to meld.

Step 6: Bake and Serve

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Remove the casserole from the refrigerator and let it sit at room temperature for 15 minutes. Bake uncovered for 50 minutes until golden and puffy. Allow the casserole to rest for 15 minutes before serving to set the texture.

Tips for a Great Ina Garten Sausage Breakfast Casserole

• Preserve Casserole Perfection: Wrap tightly with foil during refrigeration to prevent flavor absorption from other foods and maintain moisture.
• Reheat with Care: Warm leftovers gently in the oven at 350°F, covering with foil to prevent drying out and preserve the original creamy texture.
• Balance Your Plate: Complement the rich casserole with crisp mixed greens or bright citrus fruits to cut through the hearty flavors.
• Elevate Cheese Performance: Freshly grate sharp Cheddar moments before mixing, capturing maximum flavor and preventing moisture loss.
• Soak and Transform: Let bread cubes rest overnight in egg mixture, allowing deep flavor penetration and creating a supremely tender breakfast centerpiece.

Storing Ina Garten Sausage Breakfast Casserole

• Refrigerate Promptly: Cool the casserole completely at room temperature within two hours of cooking. Transfer to an airtight glass container with a secure, tight-fitting lid to maintain freshness and prevent bacterial growth. Glass containers help preserve flavor and prevent odor absorption from other refrigerated foods.
• Freeze for Later: Wrap the casserole tightly in heavy-duty aluminum foil or freezer-safe plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Label with the date and contents to track storage time. Frozen casserole stays delicious for up to 3 months, providing a convenient make-ahead breakfast option for busy mornings.
• Reheating Tips: Thaw refrigerated or frozen casserole in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.

Variations on Ina Garten Sausage Breakfast Casserole

• Vegetarian Veggie Blend: Replace sausage with a colorful mix of sautéed bell peppers, spinach, and mushrooms for a nutrient-packed breakfast option that's meat-free and delicious.
• Spicy Chorizo Kick: Swap traditional sausage with spicy chorizo to add a bold, zesty flavor profile that'll wake up your taste buds and bring excitement to the morning meal.
• Mediterranean Morning: Substitute Cheddar with crumbled feta cheese and add chopped sun-dried tomatoes and fresh herbs like oregano and basil for a Mediterranean-inspired breakfast casserole that transports you to sunny coastal regions.
• Low-Carb Cauliflower Base: Replace bread cubes with cauliflower rice or riced cauliflower to create a lighter, lower-carb version that still maintains the casserole's rich, satisfying texture and flavor.

Reflections on Ina Garten Sausage Breakfast Casserole

Hearty breakfast casseroles connect generations through comforting flavors and shared moments.

Ina Garten’s signature recipe delivers a symphony of textures and tastes that elevate morning meals.

Savory sausage mingles with sharp cheddar, creating a harmonious blend that satisfies deep hunger.

Sophisticated yet simple, this dish promises warmth and nostalgia with each delectable bite.

Kitchen memories emerge from layers of bread, eggs, and perfectly seasoned ingredients.

Culinary magic awaits when you gather friends, break bread together, and savor this irresistible morning masterpiece – so snap a photo, share the recipe, and spread delicious joy with those closest to your heart.

Ina Garten Sausage Breakfast Casserole Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.9 from 28 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Ina Garten’s sausage breakfast casserole brings Italian sausage, eggs, and cheese together in a comforting morning masterpiece. Hearty layers of crusty bread, savory meat, and melted cheese create a satisfying breakfast that will delight breakfast lovers and weekend brunch enthusiasts.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

main ingredients:

• 1 pound fresh bulk pork sausage with sage
• 10 ounces sharp cheddar cheese
• 5 large eggs

supporting ingredients:

• 2 cups half-and-half
• ½ loaf sliced white bread
• 1 teaspoon dry mustard
• 1 teaspoon salt

preparation ingredient:

• butter (for greasing)

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Meticulously dice the bread into precise 1-inch (2.5 centimeters) cubes, ensuring uniform size, and distribute evenly across a thoroughly greased 9x13x2-inch (23x33x5 centimeters) ceramic baking dish.
2. Heat a medium-sized skillet over medium temperature, thoroughly brown the sausage until completely cooked, carefully draining excess fat to prevent sogginess.
3. Generously scatter the crumbled, cooked sausage directly over the arranged bread cubes, creating an even, substantial layer.
4. Liberally sprinkle freshly grated sharp Cheddar cheese across the sausage, allowing complete coverage and potential melting potential.
5. In a separate mixing bowl, whisk together half-and-half cream, ground dry mustard, kosher salt, and lightly beaten eggs until perfectly integrated and smooth.
6. Gently pour the egg mixture over the cheese layer, ensuring comprehensive and uniform distribution throughout the casserole.
7. Carefully cover the entire dish with aluminum foil, then refrigerate for a minimum of 8 hours or preferably overnight to allow flavors to thoroughly meld and develop.
8. Remove the casserole from refrigerator approximately 30 minutes prior to baking to reduce temperature shock.
9. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C), positioning the rack in the center for consistent heating.
10. Uncover the casserole and bake for 50-55 minutes, or until the center is set and the edges display a golden-brown, slightly crispy texture.
11. Remove from oven and allow the casserole to rest for 15 minutes, enabling the ingredients to stabilize and making serving easier.

Notes

• Cold refrigeration helps the bread absorb the egg mixture, creating a silky, custardy texture.
• Aluminum foil during refrigeration prevents unwanted moisture and helps ingredients meld together.
• Drain sausage fat completely to prevent a greasy final dish and ensure crisp, delicious results.
• Room temperature ingredients blend more smoothly and create a more consistent egg mixture.
• Half-and-half provides a luxurious creaminess that elevates this classic breakfast casserole.
• Sharp Cheddar cheese adds a rich, tangy flavor that perfectly complements the savory sausage.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour
• Category: Breakfast
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 400 kcal
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 30 g
• Saturated Fat: 15 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 18 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 20 g
• Cholesterol: 200 mg