Christmas Breakfast Casserole is the ultimate make-ahead dish, perfect for busy mornings!
I’ve always loved Christmas, and now that I have my own kids, I enjoy the holiday even more. Christmas cookies, absurd amounts of gaudy decorations, ugly sweaters, Home Alone movie marathons—I’m all in. Though, for me, the best part is the food. There’s the standard dinner fare like your turkey, roasted potatoes, and whatnot. But my absolute favorite part of the menu is what I make for my kids after Santa comes to town—the Christmas breakfast casserole.
Christmas morning undeniably calls for something special, but I also don’t want to spend hours in the kitchen. After all, we have presents to unwrap, hot cocoa to sip, and a dinner to prep! I want my morning to be stress-free and family-centric. That’s where this casserole shines. I can prepare everything the night before, so when Christmas morning rolls around, all I need to do is pop it in the oven and enjoy time with the kiddos.
The Christmas breakfast casserole is a hearty, savory dish packed with savory sausage, eggs, and cheese—all layered over cubes of bread that soak up the flavors overnight. And I love how the breading stays soft while the top gets a little crunch. It’s such a dang cozy dish, perfect for slow mornings in my thickest robe—you know, to hide the holiday-ten I gained since Thanksgiving.
Is Christmas Breakfast Casserole Healthy?
This casserole brings a lot to the table, including protein from the eggs and sausage. But I’m not delusional. It’s not the healthiest casserole I’ve made. However, you can make some quick tweaks if you’re counting the calories. For starters, you could swap the ground pork sausage for chicken or turkey sausage. Even a plant-based sausage works. Also, using whole-grain bread instead of white bread is an easy way to up the fiber content. If you want to cut down on even more fat, try reducing the cheese or opting for a lower-fat variety.
A Touch of Sweetness—Adding Maple Syrup
I’m a maple syrup addict. It’s seriously good stuff, and not just on pancakes. Have you ever tried maple syrup on something savory? It’s incredible. You’ll feel like Remy from Ratatouille when he paired a strawberry with a piece of Gruyère cheese. A drizzle of maple syrup on this Christmas breakfast casserole can do wonders. Not only does it complement the savory elements like sausage and cheese, but it also adds that perfect holiday touch. You don’t need much—a little goes a long way.
If you’re like me and can’t resist a sweet-and-savory combo, serve the casserole with warm maple syrup on the side or even mixing a small amount into the egg mixture before baking. But make sure it’s real 100% maple syrup—not that goopy Hungry Jack stuff!
How to Make Ahead and Store
This casserole can be made ahead, covered, and stored in the fridge overnight. Once cooked, keep the casserole refrigerated and serve it within the next few days. Place in an oven-safe dish when reheating and bake at 375°F for 15-20 minutes.
Serving Suggestions
Christmas breakfast casserole is a filling dish, so you’ll probably be okay with just serving this. But if you’re making a full-on breakfast for the extended family, you can’t go wrong with a side of Breakfast Potatoes. Add an Asparagus Quiche for extra protein and maybe Cinnamon Rolls for something sweet. However, these Baked Donuts with Lemon and Poppy Seeds are equally delicious!
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground pork sausage
- 6 large eggs
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1 teaspoon dry mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 6 slices day-old bread cubed
- 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese shredded
Instructions
- Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish and evenly spread the bread cubes at the bottom.
- In a skillet over medium heat, cook the sausage until browned. Drain and spread over the bread cubes.
- In a bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, dry mustard, salt, and pepper. Stir in the cheese.
- Pour the egg mixture over the sausage and bread in the baking dish. Press down with a fork to ensure the bread soaks up the egg mixture.
- Cover with foil and refrigerate overnight, or at least 2 hours.
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Bake covered for 30 minutes. Uncover and bake for an additional 15 minutes, or until the top is golden and the center is set.
- Let the casserole sit for 10 minutes before serving.
Nutrition Info:
Nutrition information are estimates only and may vary based on the specific brands, ingredients, and portion sizes you use. This data is provided for informational purposes only.
My family loved this! Just like the one my mom always made on Christmas morning.