Name: Christmas Breakfast Casserole with Sausage and Cheese Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 1 h
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 lb ground pork sausage; 6 large eggs; 1 cup whole milk; 1 teaspoon dry mustard; 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt; 1/4 teaspoon black pepper; 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese shredded; 6 slices day-old bread cubed

There’s just something so cozy about waking up to a warm, comforting dish that fills the kitchen with mouthwatering aromas. This Christmas Breakfast Casserole with Sausage and Cheese Recipe is exactly that kind of meal—rich, cheesy, and hearty, perfect to share with family on chilly holiday mornings. Trust me, once you try it, this casserole might just become your new Christmas tradition.

The image shows a close-up of a baked dish in a clear glass pan on a white marbled surface, with a wooden spatula holding a portion of it. The dish has three main layers: a bottom layer of light golden bread pieces that look soft and fluffy with slight crisp edges, a middle layer of brown, cooked sausage chunks scattered unevenly, and a top layer of melted yellow cheese that melts into the bread and sausage, with some parts crisped and browned. The background is softly blurred, showing hints of a white plate with dark blueberries and a glass of orange juice. The photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Christmas Breakfast Casserole with Sausage and Cheese Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Christmas Breakfast Casserole with Sausage and Cheese Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Christmas Breakfast Casserole with Sausage and Cheese Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I’ve made this Christmas Breakfast Casserole with Sausage and Cheese Recipe a handful of times, and it always delivers that perfect balance of savory sausage, melty cheese, and custardy soaked bread. It feels like a warm hug in breakfast form, so I highly recommend having this on your holiday menu.

Make-Ahead Magic: It’s designed to be prepared the night before, so your morning is stress-free and full of anticipation.
Simple Ingredients: No fancy or hard-to-find items here — basic pantry staples that taste incredible when combined.
Perfect for a Crowd: This casserole serves about eight people, making it ideal for family gatherings and holiday brunches.
Customizable Comfort: While I love the classic sausage and cheddar, there’s plenty of room to tweak it to your taste or dietary needs.

The image shows a clear rectangular glass baking dish filled with a layered breakfast casserole. The top layer is golden melted cheddar cheese mixed with browned sausage pieces and chunks of toasted bread. The casserole has an uneven surface with crispy browned bits around the edges, and the bread inside looks soft with some toasted spots. The baking dish sits on a wooden cutting board on a white marbled surface. Around it, there is a white bowl of blueberries on the left, a glass of orange juice above, two brown eggs in a white container to the right, a salt and pepper shaker on the bottom left, a green, white, and red checkered cloth underneath the baking dish at the bottom, and a wooden spatula on the right. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient plays a crucial role in this Christmas Breakfast Casserole with Sausage and Cheese Recipe, blending to create layers of flavor and texture. From the savory sausage to the sharp cheddar, it's a combo that sings together. A quick tip: day-old bread works best so it soaks up the egg mixture without turning mushy.

Flat lay of a mound of fresh ground pork sausage, six whole uncracked brown eggs, a small white bowl of whole milk, a small white bowl with dry yellow mustard powder, a small white bowl with coarse kosher salt crystals, a small white bowl with freshly ground black pepper, six thick slices of rustic day-old bread cubed, and a small white bowl filled with shredded sharp cheddar cheese, all arranged in perfect symmetry on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Ground pork sausage: Brings rich, meaty flavor and some delicious seasoning—choose one with your favorite spice level.
Large eggs: They create that custardy binding texture when mixed with milk.
Whole milk: Adds creaminess and helps the casserole set without drying out.
Dry mustard: A subtle kick that enhances the sausage and cheese flavors.
Kosher salt: Essential for seasoning everything just right.
Black pepper: Adds a bit of warmth and depth.
Day-old bread: Cubed, it soaks up the custard mixture perfectly for a tender but structured casserole.
Sharp cheddar cheese: Melts beautifully and adds that tangy, savory punch that makes each bite satisfying.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

One of my favorite things about this Christmas Breakfast Casserole with Sausage and Cheese Recipe is how easy it is to make your own. I often swap the bread for brioche when I’m feeling indulgent or toss in some sautéed veggies for extra color and nutrition. Feel free to get creative—you can’t go wrong.

Variation: I once added chopped bell peppers and green onions for a brighter, fresher bite that my family loved – a great way to sneak in some veggies without sacrificing that classic flavor.
Make it gluten-free: Use gluten-free bread and double-check your sausage ingredients, and you’ve got a holiday-friendly meal for everyone.
Swap the meat: Turkey or chicken sausage work beautifully if you want a leaner option.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Christmas Breakfast Casserole with Sausage and Cheese Recipe

Step 1: Prep Your Base

First things first: grease a 9×13 inch baking dish to keep everything from sticking, then evenly spread your cubed day-old bread across the bottom. This little step is key to ensuring the bread soaks up all the flavors instead of drying out.

Step 2: Brown the Sausage

Cook the ground pork sausage in a skillet over medium heat until it's nicely browned and cooked through. Be sure to drain off any excess grease—too much fat can make the casserole soggy rather than rich. Once done, spread that savory sausage evenly over the bread cubes.

Step 3: Whisk the Custard

In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, whole milk, dry mustard, kosher salt, and black pepper until smooth. Then stir in the shredded sharp cheddar cheese. This custard mixture is what magically transforms the bread and sausage into a luscious, bake-worthy casserole.

Step 4: Assemble and Soak

Pour the egg and cheese mixture over the sausage and bread in the baking dish. Use a fork to press down gently, making sure the bread soaks up the custard mixture evenly. Cover with foil and pop it into the fridge overnight—or at least for a couple of hours. This step makes all the difference for that perfect texture.

Step 5: Bake to Golden Perfection

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the casserole covered for 30 minutes to let it cook through evenly. Then remove the foil and bake for another 15 minutes or so until the top turns a gorgeous golden color and the center is set. Let it rest for 10 minutes before serving—your patience will be rewarded!

Top Tip

From my experience making this Christmas Breakfast Casserole with Sausage and Cheese Recipe, a few small tricks really make a world of difference. I’ve learned that prepping it the night before not only enhances flavor but also frees up your busy holiday morning. Plus, pressing the bread into the egg mixture helps create that dreamy, custardy texture.

Use Day-Old Bread: Fresh bread can soak up too much liquid and become mushy. Day-old bread gives you the best texture.
Don’t Skip Draining Sausage: Excess grease can weigh down the casserole and make it greasy.
Cover While Baking: Keeping the casserole covered for the first part of baking keeps it moist and helps the custard set evenly.
Rest Before Serving: Letting the casserole sit for 10 minutes after baking makes slicing tidy and flavors meld beautifully.

How to Serve Christmas Breakfast Casserole with Sausage and Cheese Recipe

Christmas breakfast casserole - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I love topping this casserole with freshly chopped parsley or some sliced green onions—they add a bright splash of color and freshness that balances the richness. You could also sprinkle a little extra shredded sharp cheddar just before serving for an extra cheesy finish.

Side Dishes

This casserole pairs so well with classic breakfast sides—think a light fruit salad to cut through the richness, or some crispy bacon strips if you want even more indulgence. I’ve also served it alongside simple roasted potatoes seasoned with herbs, and that combo was a hit every time.

Creative Ways to Present

For a special Christmas morning, I’ve used decorative holiday-themed bakeware or even sprinkled festive edible gold dust on top. Arranging mini cinnamon sticks or fresh holly sprigs (non-edible) around the serving platter adds a charming touch that your guests will notice. It’s those little touches that turn a delicious meal into a memorable event.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I recommend storing leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It keeps nicely for about three days. When I reheat, I slice individual portions and warm them gently in the oven or microwave to keep everything nice and tender.

Freezing

This casserole freezes surprisingly well. I usually prepare and bake it fully, then cool completely and slice it into portions before freezing in freezer-safe containers. When the holidays roll around, it’s like having a ready-to-go breakfast waiting in your freezer—talk about convenient!

Reheating

To reheat, I pop a portion in the oven at 350°F, covered with foil, for about 15-20 minutes until warmed through. This way, the edges stay soft and the cheese melts back into gooey perfection rather than drying out.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I prepare the Christmas Breakfast Casserole with Sausage and Cheese Recipe entirely on the morning of serving?

While you can assemble and bake the casserole the same morning, preparing it the night before improves flavor and texture dramatically since the bread has time to soak up the custard mixture.

What type of cheese works best for this casserole?

Sharp cheddar is a classic choice because it melts well and has a robust flavor. However, you can experiment with other cheeses like Monterey Jack or Gruyère for different flavor profiles.

Can I use fresh bread instead of day-old bread?

Fresh bread tends to absorb too much of the custard and can become overly soggy. Day-old or slightly stale bread holds up better and creates a more structured casserole.

How long does leftovers stay good in the fridge?

Leftovers stored in an airtight container will stay fresh for about three days. For best taste and safety, be sure to reheat thoroughly before eating.

Final Thoughts

This Christmas Breakfast Casserole with Sausage and Cheese Recipe has become my go-to for cozy holiday mornings. It’s reliably delicious, easy to prep ahead, and always brings smiles to the table. I hope you enjoy making (and eating!) it as much as I do—there’s nothing like gathering around a warm dish like this to kick off a joyful Christmas day.