Go Back
A delicious holiday breakfast casserole that you can make ahead of time

Make-Ahead Holiday Breakfast Casserole with Cream of Mushroom

This hearty breakfast casserole is designed for stress-free holiday mornings. Prepare it the night before and simply bake in the morning for a delicious and satisfying start to your day.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 20 minutes
Servings 8 servings
Calories 450 kcal

Equipment

  • 9x13 inch baking dish
  • Large bowl
  • Whisk
  • Spatula

Ingredients
  

Casserole

  • 8-10 slices day-old bread (challah, brioche, or sourdough), cut into 1-inch cubes
  • 1 lb cooked and crumbled sausage (or bacon/diced ham)
  • 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
  • 8 large eggs
  • 2 cups whole milk (or 2% milk)
  • 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of mushroom soup (optional)
  • 1/2 small onion finely diced
  • 1/2 bell pepper (any color), diced
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • Pinch nutmeg
  • Butter for greasing the baking dish

Instructions
 

Prep

  • Cook the sausage thoroughly, drain, and crumble. Sauté the diced onion and bell pepper until soft, about 5-7 minutes.

Assemble

  • Grease a 9x13 inch baking dish and spread half of the bread cubes evenly over the bottom.
  • Layer half of the cooked meat, sautéed vegetables, and shredded cheese over the bread, then repeat with the remaining ingredients.

Egg Mixture

  • In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and nutmeg; optionally, whisk in the cream of mushroom soup.

Soak and Refrigerate

  • Pour the egg mixture over the casserole layers, pressing gently to ensure all bread is saturated.
  • Cover and refrigerate for at least 8 hours or overnight.

Bake

  • The next morning, preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and remove the casserole from the refrigerator 30 minutes before baking.
  • Bake covered for 30 minutes, then uncover and bake for an additional 20-30 minutes until golden, puffed, and set.
  • Let the casserole rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing and serving.

Notes

For an extra rich casserole, do not omit the cream of mushroom soup. You can customize this casserole with your favorite cooked breakfast meats and cheeses. Ensure the casserole is fully set in the center before removing from the oven to prevent a soggy interior.