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Crispy Sausage Breakfast Casserole: Easy Cheddar & Veggie Recipe

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This crispy sausage breakfast casserole combines savory sausage, sharp cheddar cheese, and a medley of colorful veggies with a golden, crunchy topping. It’s a comforting, crowd-pleasing dish perfect for brunch, holidays, or breakfast-for-dinner cravings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 large eggs, room temperature
  • 2 cups whole milk (or 2% milk)
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried Italian herbs (optional)
  • 1 pound pork breakfast sausage, crumbled (or turkey/chicken sausage)
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced
  • 1 cup bell pepper, diced (red and green recommended)
  • 1 cup zucchini, diced
  • 1 cup baby spinach, chopped
  • 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (sharp or mild)
  • 1 cup day-old bread, cubed (or store-bought croutons)
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
  • 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter or nonstick spray.
  2. In a large nonstick skillet over medium heat, crumble and cook sausage until browned (6-8 minutes). Remove with a slotted spoon and set aside. Drain most fat, leaving about 1 tablespoon.
  3. In the same skillet, sauté diced onion, bell pepper, and zucchini until softened (about 5 minutes). Add chopped spinach and cook another 1-2 minutes until wilted. Season lightly with salt and pepper.
  4. In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and Italian herbs (if using) until smooth and slightly frothy.
  5. Spread half of the sautéed veggies across the base of the baking dish. Sprinkle half of the cooked sausage and half of the cheddar cheese. Repeat with remaining veggies, sausage, and cheese.
  6. Slowly pour the egg mixture over the layers, tilting the pan to ensure even coverage. Press down gently with a spatula.
  7. Toss bread cubes (or croutons) with melted butter and parmesan. Scatter evenly over the casserole.
  8. Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until the center is set and the topping is golden brown. If the top browns too quickly, loosely cover with foil after 25 minutes.
  9. Let the casserole rest for 10 minutes before slicing and serving.
  10. If casserole looks too wet after baking, return to oven for 5-10 more minutes. For extra crisp, broil for 2-3 minutes at the end, watching closely.

Notes

For gluten-free, skip the bread topping or use gluten-free croutons. For vegetarian, use plant-based sausage and extra cheese. You can prep the casserole the night before and bake in the morning. Add hot sauce or green chilies for a spicy kick. Let the casserole rest before slicing for clean pieces. Leftovers keep well in the fridge for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 2 months.

Nutrition

Keywords: breakfast casserole, sausage, cheddar, veggies, brunch, crispy topping, easy, comfort food, make ahead, crowd pleaser

Find it online: https://blipflavor.com/crispy-sausage-breakfast-casserole-easy-cheddar-and-veggie-recipe/