Easy Breakfast Casserole with Bread Recipe

Introduction

This Easy Breakfast Casserole with Bread is a hearty, crowd-pleasing dish perfect for weekend mornings or brunch gatherings. Combining savory sausage, melted cheeses, and a creamy egg filling all baked inside a hollowed bread loaf, it’s both comforting and impressive without requiring hours in the kitchen.

A thick, square slice of baked egg dish sits on a white plate with a white marbled surface. The bottom layer is light yellow and fluffy, likely baked eggs, with crispy brown edges around the slice. Embedded in this base are browned sausage chunks, bright red bell pepper pieces, and melted orange cheddar cheese melted on top and partly throughout. The surface is sprinkled generously with chopped green onions, adding a fresh green color contrast. Scattered green onion pieces are also on the plate around the slice. The textures vary from soft and fluffy to crispy and melted, creating a colorful and inviting look. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

  • 16 oz. Italian bread (1 large loaf) (Substitute gluten-free or whole wheat bread if desired)
  • 3/4 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 3/4 cup sharp cheddar cheese
  • 1 lb. mild breakfast sausage (Substitute spicy sausage or turkey sausage for variations)
  • 1/2 cup chopped bell pepper (Red bell pepper adds nice color)
  • 4 large eggs
  • 1/3 cup heavy cream (Replace with unsweetened oat milk for dairy-free options)
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 cup chopped scallions
  • 2 tablespoons chopped parsley

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Cover a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. Step 2: Using a serrated knife, cut a wedge from the center of the bread loaf without piercing the bottom. Hollow out the loaf with your fingers, leaving about an inch of bread intact. Reserve scraps for breadcrumbs.
  3. Step 3: Sprinkle half of the mozzarella and cheddar cheese on the bottom of the hollowed bread.
  4. Step 4: In a large skillet, cook the sausage and chopped bell pepper for 7 minutes, until browned. Drain excess grease and layer the mixture over the cheese inside the bread.
  5. Step 5: In a mixing bowl, whisk together eggs, heavy cream, and salt. Pour it evenly over the sausage layer inside the bread.
  6. Step 6: Bake in the oven for 50–60 minutes or until the eggs are set and the cheese is bubbly. Tent the bread with foil if it starts to over-brown.
  7. Step 7: Let the casserole cool for 10 minutes before slicing. Top with scallions and parsley, and enjoy!

Tips & Variations

  • Use spicy sausage or add chopped jalapeños for a kick of heat.
  • For a vegetarian version, substitute sausage with sautéed mushrooms and extra bell peppers.
  • Prep in advance by assembling the casserole the night before and refrigerate; bake in the morning, adding a few extra minutes to the cooking time.

Storage

Store any leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat individual slices in the microwave or warm the entire casserole in a 350°F oven until heated through, about 15 minutes.

How to Serve

A close-up of a square slice of baked egg casserole on a white plate, showing several visible layers: a crispy golden brown and slightly charred crust on the edges, a soft yellow egg base mixed with white curds inside, and chunks of browned sausage and pieces of bright red bell pepper scattered throughout. The top layer is melted cheddar cheese with a rich golden color, sprinkled generously with fresh chopped green onions, which also scatter slightly on the plate. The plate rests on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use a different type of bread?

Yes, you can substitute Italian bread with gluten-free, whole wheat, or even sourdough loafs depending on your preference. Just ensure the loaf is large enough to hold the filling.

How do I know when the casserole is fully cooked?

The casserole is done when the egg mixture is set and no longer jiggly, the cheese is melted and bubbly, and a knife inserted in the center comes out clean.

Print

Easy Breakfast Casserole with Bread Recipe

This easy breakfast casserole with bread is a hearty and delicious morning dish perfect for family gatherings or a weekend brunch. It features a hollowed-out Italian bread loaf filled with a savory mixture of sausage, bell peppers, cheeses, and a rich egg custard, baked to golden perfection and garnished with fresh scallions and parsley.

  • Author: luca
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 1 hour
  • Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
  • Yield: 6 servings 1x
  • Category: Breakfast
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale

Bread and Cheese

  • 16 oz. Italian bread (1 large loaf) (Substitute gluten-free or whole wheat bread if desired)
  • 3/4 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 3/4 cup sharp cheddar cheese

Sausage and Vegetables

  • 1 lb. mild breakfast sausage (Substitute spicy sausage or turkey sausage for variations)
  • 1/2 cup chopped bell pepper (Red bell pepper adds nice color)

Egg Mixture

  • 4 large eggs
  • 1/3 cup heavy cream (Replace with unsweetened oat milk for dairy-free options)
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

Garnish

  • 1/4 cup chopped scallions
  • 2 tablespoons chopped parsley

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.
  2. Prepare Bread: Using a serrated knife, carefully cut a wedge from the center of the bread loaf without cutting through the bottom. Hollow out the inside of the loaf with your fingers, leaving about an inch of bread around the edges to maintain structure. Reserve the removed bread scraps for making breadcrumbs or another use.
  3. Add Cheese Layer: Sprinkle half of the shredded mozzarella and cheddar cheese evenly on the bottom inside the hollowed-out bread. This will create a cheesy base for the filling.
  4. Cook Sausage and Bell Peppers: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the breakfast sausage along with the chopped bell peppers for about 7 minutes until the sausage is fully browned and cooked through. Drain any excess grease carefully, then spoon the cooked sausage and pepper mixture over the cheese layer inside the bread.
  5. Mix Egg Custard: In a mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, heavy cream, and salt until well combined. Pour this egg mixture evenly over the sausage mixture inside the bread, allowing it to soak into the layers.
  6. Bake the Casserole: Place the filled bread on the prepared baking sheet. Bake in the preheated oven for 50 to 60 minutes or until the eggs are set, and the cheese is bubbly and slightly golden. If the bread or top starts browning too quickly, tent loosely with foil to prevent burning.
  7. Cool and Garnish: Remove the casserole from the oven and let it cool for about 10 minutes. This resting time helps the custard set further, making it easier to slice. Just before serving, sprinkle chopped scallions and parsley on top for a fresh burst of flavor and color. Slice and enjoy your hearty breakfast casserole!

Notes

  • You can substitute gluten-free or whole wheat bread depending on your dietary preference.
  • Try using spicy or turkey sausage for different flavor profiles.
  • For a dairy-free option, replace heavy cream with unsweetened oat milk.
  • Use red bell pepper for added color, but any bell pepper variety works.
  • Be careful not to pierce the bottom of the bread loaf when hollowing it out to avoid leaks during baking.
  • Tenting with foil halfway through baking helps prevent the crust from burning.

Keywords: breakfast casserole, sausage casserole, baked breakfast, savory breakfast, Italian bread recipe

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