Description
Ina Garten’s Overnight Breakfast Casserole is a versatile dish that combines layers of bread, eggs, cheese, and savory ingredients like sausage and vegetables. By preparing it the night before, the bread soaks up the egg mixture, resulting in a rich and flavorful breakfast ready to pop in the oven when you wake up.
Ingredients
Breakfast Turkey Sausage:
- 1 pound breakfast turkey sausage
Vegetables:
- 1 onion, chopped
- 1 red bell pepper, chopped
- 1 green bell pepper, chopped
Egg Mixture:
- 8 large eggs
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon dried mustard
- 1 teaspoon paprika
Bread and Cheese:
- 6 cups cubed day-old bread (French bread or sourdough)
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Additional:
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Cook the Sausage: In a skillet, cook sausage until browned. Drain and set aside.
- Sauté the Vegetables: Sauté onion and bell peppers until softened.
- Prepare the Egg Mixture: Whisk together eggs, milk, salt, pepper, mustard, and paprika.
- Assemble the Casserole: Grease a baking dish, layer bread, sausage, vegetables, and 1 1/2 cups cheddar cheese.
- Pour the Egg Mixture: Pour over the casserole.
- Add Cheese and Parsley: Sprinkle remaining cheddar, Parmesan, and parsley.
- Cover and Refrigerate: Refrigerate overnight.
- Preheat and Bake: Preheat oven, let casserole sit, then bake.
- Let It Rest and Serve: Cool before slicing and serving.
Notes
- Bread Selection: Choose sturdy bread like French or sourdough.
- Meat Alternatives: Substitute with plant-based sausage.
- Vegetable Additions: Customize with mushrooms, spinach, or cherry tomatoes.
- Cheese Variety: Experiment with Gruyère, Swiss, or Monterey Jack.
- Spice it Up: Add cayenne pepper or jalapeños for heat.
- Overnight Rest: Essential for flavors to meld together.
- Baking Tip: Cover loosely with foil if browning too quickly.
- Testing for Doneness: Ensure center is set and reaches 165°F.
- Serving Suggestions: Garnish with fresh herbs like chives or parsley.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Breakfast/Brunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 870mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 210mg
