Christmas Morning Breakfast Casserole with Sausage and Ham
The last thing anyone wants on Christmas morning is to spend hours in the kitchen while everyone else is enjoying the festivities. That’s where this Christmas Morning Breakfast Casserole comes in handy. With sausage, ham, eggs, bread, and plenty of cheddar cheese, it’s a hearty breakfast that will keep everyone happy and full. You can even put it together the night before and pop it in the oven the next morning.
Looking for more holiday breakfast ideas? Check out these easy Christmas Breakfast Recipes for more delicious ways to start your morning.
How to Make Christmas Morning Breakfast Casserole
Here are the ingredients you need to make this Christmas Morning Breakfast Casserole recipe, plus step by step instructions for how to make it.
Ingredients
- 1 pound breakfast sausage
- 1 cup diced ham
- 6 cups cubed French bread or Italian bread
- 8 large eggs
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley, optional
Step by Step Instructions
1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly coat a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray to prevent the casserole from sticking.
2. Add the breakfast sausage to a large skillet over medium heat. Cook for 7-10 minutes, breaking it into small crumbles with a spatula as it browns. Once the sausage is fully cooked and no pink remains, drain off any excess grease.
3. Spread the cubed French or Italian bread evenly across the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Scatter the cooked sausage and diced ham over the bread, making sure they’re evenly distributed. Sprinkle 1½ cups of shredded cheddar cheese over the top.
4. Crack the eggs into a large mixing bowl. Add the milk, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Whisk everything together until the eggs are fully beaten and the seasonings are evenly mixed in. Slowly pour the mixture over the bread, sausage, ham, and cheese.
5. Using the back of a spoon or spatula, gently press down on the bread cubes so they absorb some of the egg mixture. Sprinkle the remaining ½ cup of cheddar cheese evenly over the casserole.
6. Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake uncovered for 40-45 minutes, or until the center is set, the eggs are fully cooked, and the top is lightly golden. If the center still looks wet, continue baking for a few more minutes, checking frequently.
7. Remove from the oven and let the casserole rest for 5-10 minutes before cutting into squares. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley, if desired, and serve warm.
Notes
- Storing leftovers: Keep any leftover casserole in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days. Reheat individual portions before serving.
- Make it ahead: Save time on Christmas morning by assembling the casserole the night before. Cover the baking dish tightly and refrigerate overnight until you’re ready to bake.
- Adjust the baking time: If the casserole goes straight from the fridge into the oven, it may need an additional 5-10 minutes to cook through. Check that the center is fully set before removing it.
- Try maple sausage: For a slightly sweet twist, use maple-flavored breakfast sausage. It adds a lovely hint of sweetness that works especially well for Christmas breakfast.
- Add a little heat: Swap regular breakfast sausage for hot breakfast sausage if you prefer a spicier casserole with a little extra kick.
There’s something nice about having a warm, homemade breakfast ready for everyone on Christmas morning. This casserole is filling enough to serve on its own, but you can always add fresh fruit or something sweet on the side. It’s an easy way to start the holiday without making breakfast more work than it needs to be.
More Breakfast Recipes You Might Enjoy
Christmas Morning Breakfast Casserole
Ingredients
- 1 pound breakfast sausage
- 1 cup diced ham
- 6 cups cubed French bread or Italian bread
- 8 large eggs
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley, optional
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly coat a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray to prevent the casserole from sticking.
- Add the breakfast sausage to a large skillet over medium heat. Cook for 7-10 minutes, breaking it into small crumbles with a spatula as it browns. Once the sausage is fully cooked and no pink remains, drain off any excess grease.
- Spread the cubed French or Italian bread evenly across the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Scatter the cooked sausage and diced ham over the bread, making sure they’re evenly distributed. Sprinkle 1½ cups of shredded cheddar cheese over the top.
- Crack the eggs into a large mixing bowl. Add the milk, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Whisk everything together until the eggs are fully beaten and the seasonings are evenly mixed in. Slowly pour the mixture over the bread, sausage, ham, and cheese.
- Using the back of a spoon or spatula, gently press down on the bread cubes so they absorb some of the egg mixture. Sprinkle the remaining ½ cup of cheddar cheese evenly over the casserole.
- Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake uncovered for 40-45 minutes, or until the center is set, the eggs are fully cooked, and the top is lightly golden. If the center still looks wet, continue baking for a few more minutes, checking frequently.
- Remove from the oven and let the casserole rest for 5-10 minutes before cutting into squares. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley, if desired, and serve warm.
