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Cheesy Sausage Breakfast Casserole
Ingredients
- 2 tbspextra-virgin olive oil
plus more as needed
- 12 ozbulk sweet or hot italian sausage
optional
- 5 ozthinly sliced fresh mushrooms
such as shiitake, cremini, or oyster, 2 cups sliced
- 1 smallred onion
thinly sliced, 6 ounces; 170g
- 1 ½ tspdiamond crystal kosher salt
divided; for table salt use half as much by volume
- ½ cdrained and chopped sundried tomatoes in oil
3 ounces; 85g
- 3 mediumgarlic cloves
minced
- 5 ozfresh baby spinach
5 cups
- 6 ozshredded gouda or cheddar cheese
1 1/2 cups
- 10 largeeggs
- ⅓ csour cream or plain
whole-milk strained yogurt, greek-style
- 1 ½ chalf-and-half or whole milk
- 1 tbspdijon mustard
Directions
- 1
Adjust oven rack to middle position and preheat oven to 350°F (175℃). Lightly grease a 9- x 13-inch baking dish with oil; set aside. If using sausage, in a 12-inch skillet, heat 1 tablespoon oil over medium-high until shimmering. Add sausage and using a wooden spoon, break it into large clumps. Continue to cook without moving until browned on bottom, about 4 minutes. Use wooden spoon to break up meat into smaller pieces and continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until sausage is just cooked through, about 3 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer sausage to a paper towel–lined plate. Reserve 2 tablespoons rendered fat in skillet to cook mushrooms.
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- 2
Heat rendered fat in skillet (or if omitting sausage, heat 2 tablespoons oil in 12-inch skillet) over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add mushrooms, stir to coat in oil, and spread in an even layer. Cook without moving until bottoms of mushrooms are browned, about 4 minutes. Reduce heat to medium. Add onion, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1 tablespoon oil. Cook, stirring occasionally, until onions soften and mushrooms are browned all over, about 8 minutes.
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- 3
Add sundried tomatoes and garlic; cook, stirring often, until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add spinach in 2 additions, stirring often and letting spinach completely wilt before adding more. Transfer vegetable mixture, and sausage (if using), to prepared baking dish. Stir in cheese until combined, and spread mixture in an even layer.
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- 4
In a large bowl, whisk eggs until no streaks remain. Whisk in sour cream in 3 additions until no lumps remain. Whisk in half-and-half, mustard, and remaining 1 teaspoon salt until combined. Pour egg mixture over mushroom mixture in baking dish; gently stir until egg mixture is evenly distributed.
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- 5
Bake, uncovered, until cooked through, puffed and set, about 35 minutes. Let cool 10 minutes. Slice and serve.
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Cheesy Sausage Breakfast Casserole
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Ratings & Reviews
Based on 2 ratings
Rating Breakdown
About this Recipe
Craving a hearty, comforting breakfast that practically makes itself? This Cheesy Sausage Breakfast Casserole is your answer, offering a delightful start to any day with minimal fuss.
What makes this breakfast casserole truly special is its perfect balance: a rich custard base made with eggs, sour cream, and half-and-half, generously studded with savory bulk sausage, earthy mushrooms, tender spinach, and bright sundried tomatoes. This careful combination ensures every bite is flavorful and satisfying, never dry or overwhelming. Plus, the convenience of preparing it up to 24 hours in advance means you can enjoy a leisurely morning without the rush.
Expect a deeply savory and wonderfully cheesy dish with a pleasing texture that holds together beautifully. The eggs bake up light and fluffy, complemented by the juicy sausage and the subtle sweetness of caramelized onions and sundried tomatoes. A touch of Dijon mustard adds a mild tang, perfectly cutting through the richness. It’s a substantial casserole designed to feed a crowd or provide delicious leftovers for busy weekdays, delivering comfort in every forkful.
Feel free to customize this versatile casserole to your liking. For the sausage, you can choose sweet Italian sausage for a milder flavor or hot Italian sausage if you prefer a bit of a kick. If you're looking to keep it vegetarian, simply omit the sausage and add extra vegetables like bell peppers or zucchini. You can also experiment with different types of shredded cheese—while Gouda or cheddar are excellent choices, provolone or Monterey Jack would also be delicious alternatives. If shiitake, cremini, or oyster mushrooms aren't readily available, standard button mushrooms will work perfectly well.
This Cheesy Sausage Breakfast Casserole is ideal for weekend brunches, holiday gatherings, or any morning when you want a substantial and flavorful meal without having to stand over the stove. Serve it simply on its own, or alongside a fresh fruit salad and a cup of hot coffee.