Better Breakfast Casserole

(99)
  • Minutes to Prepare:
  • Minutes to Cook:
  • Number of Servings: 8
Ingredients
8 ounces (1 recipe) low-sodium breakfast sausage*1 bell pepper, chopped (about 1 cup)1 medium onion, chopped (about 1/2 cup)4 ounces mushrooms, sliced (about 1 cup) 1 garlic clove, minced1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes8 eggs3 cups skim milk5 cups whole-grain bakery-style bread, crusts removed and cubed**2/3 cup shredded low-fat pepper Jack or Cheddar cheese*We used Chef Meg's recipe for low-sodium sausage, but the dish will work with store-bought pork, turkey or even vegetarian sausage. You could also use bacon or turkey bacon.**Use a dense bakery-style bread rather than soft sandwich bread in this recipe. If you prefer the added texture, you can leave the crusts on the bread.5 slice Bread, mixed-grain (includes whole-grain, 7-grain)
Directions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F if you're making this in the morning rather than the night before.

Coat a 9"x13" baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.

Cook the sausage in a nonstick skillet over medium heat. Break up the meat into bite-size chunks as it cooks. When the meat is about halfway cooked, add the pepper and onions. Cook for three minutes, until the vegetables start to soften, then add the mushrooms and garlic. Cook another two minutes, until the mushrooms have started to brown. Add the red pepper flakes and remove from heat.
Transfer the veggies and meat to a medium bowl to speed up the cooling process.

While the meat and veggies are cooling, combine eggs with milk in a medium mixing bowl.

Layer three cups of the bread in the bottom of the baking dish. Spoon the veggies and sausage over the bread, then sprinkle on half the cheese.
Carefully pour the eggs and milk into the dish, then top with the remaining bread cubes and cheese.
Use the back of a serving spoon to press down on the layers to help the bread soak up the eggs.
Cover the dish and refrigerate for up to 24 hours.

When you're ready to bake the dish, preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
Bake the casserole 35-40 minutes, until the eggs are no longer runny and the bread is golden brown.

Serving Size: Makes 8 servings

Servings Per Recipe: 8
Nutritional Info Amount Per Serving
  • Calories: 249.3
  • Total Fat: 11.8 g
  • Cholesterol: 208.6 mg
  • Sodium: 247.8 mg
  • Total Carbs: 15.4 g
  • Dietary Fiber: 2.1 g
  • Protein: 19.5 g

Member Reviews
  • CD13356899
    A friend of mine made to suggestion.
    1. If your low sodium breakfast sausage is used,then don't add the 1/4tsp red pepper flakes to the casserole. They said it was very spicy.
    2. They suggested removing the top layer of bread entirely or drying the bread and chop it into very small crumbs. - 12/24/12
  • PATRICIAANN46
    I followed the recipe exactly and it was WONDERFUL!!! - 12/13/12
  • AUSFAM
    Amazing--not too eggy and super easy! I substituted ham and 1/2 egg whites. - 1/10/13
  • STRETCH64
    I used a veggie sausage and it made a tasty, one dish meal last night. And it looked pretty. Will try a more flavorful cheese next time, maybe chipotle cheddar. - 12/18/12
  • TORCH123
    I made mine with fresh onion rolls for the bread- for the added flavor - and cut out the green pepper. NO other changes. It was great :) - 12/18/12
  • CHERYLSBUTT
    sounds delightful and I bet you could pack in more veggies if you like!!! - 12/14/12
  • CMFARRELL36
    This sounds like a great evening meal for a night when time is short - prepared the previous evening and left in the fridge, taken out when I get home, and ready for the oven once that has pre-heated.
    It would have done me fine this evening! - 12/13/12
  • FIT_ARTIST
    I think this would be better is I omitted all that bread, replaced the skim milk and low fat cheese with real milk and full fat cheese and added some spinach and tomato slices :) - 12/13/12
  • CD6730519
    I made a variation of this the other night! I didn't put pepper in mine, but I did add spinach, and it was amazing!! - 1/27/13
  • NICKYCRANE
    Fantastic! I made it with meatballs, not having sausage, and chucked extra herbs in. You could take this to a party! I made it with too little milk and too much pepper, obviously being unable to read(!), but nit was good anyway. And full of protein! Instant lunch for busy days! - 1/8/13
  • CD5233545
    I make mine the night before - 12/8/12
  • CD13390129
    very yummy - 12/8/12
  • CD13666244
    This is a really good recipe! I will make this one again and again as you can reheat it in the microwave, and it is really easy to make! Thanks for the great meal!! - 5/29/13
  • MINDBATTLE
    I made this last night and had it for breakfast this morning. I used a 9 x 9 pan and cut it into 9 pieces. And for my bread I used left over bread I needed to use up like pitas, and multi-grain flatbread. And used roasted red peppers instead of just plain red peppers. It was really good! - 4/6/13
  • GRACE7383
    It had an ok taste except for the bread - didn't like the cubes of soggy bread in this. Think I'll try putting it in right before serving instead. - 2/17/13
  • BLUEJEAN99
    I make this without the bread, and it's really good without the bread also! - 9/5/18
  • VIKTORIALYN
    Yummy! Made the night before. Refrigerated. Stuck in oven this morning! Husband said it was delicious! Left the crusts on :) - 8/26/15
  • GREASE31
    i luv this recipe, it sounds just perfect. - 6/12/13
  • JANET7OF8
    Really flavorful, so nice to make the night before and just pop in the oven in the morning. - 5/13/13
  • KRISTINGETSFIT
    looks yummy. wil give it a try! - 1/6/13
  • CATANTIGO
    This sounds really yummy, and easy. - 1/6/13
  • CD6578660
    My familu justed loved it. - 12/30/12
  • CD13413738
    This just makes me hopeful that eating healthier need not mean less flavor. I love flavor. - 12/22/12
  • KAYYVAUGHN
    save - 12/18/12
  • CHERYLHURT
    Great - 7/3/21