Easy Make-Ahead Breakfast Casserole For Brunch

Introduction

An Easy Make-Ahead Breakfast Casserole is the ultimate dish for brunch gatherings, holiday mornings, or any time you want a hearty, hands-off breakfast. With customizable ingredients and simple prep steps, it lets you serve up a warm and satisfying meal with minimal morning effort—simply bake and enjoy! Perfect for feeding a crowd or prepping weekday breakfasts, this casserole is a surefire way to start the day on a delicious note.

Why This Breakfast Casserole Is a Brunch Game-Changer

This breakfast casserole stands out for its irresistible combination of flavors and textures: savory sausage or ham, fluffy eggs, gooey cheese, and crisp bread all baked into one satisfying dish. The beauty? You prepare everything the night before, allowing the flavors to meld together and freeing up your morning for coffee—and better company. It’s endlessly adaptable to suit every palate, making it a go-to for all occasions.

Customizing Your Perfect Brunch Casserole

The foundation is simple: bread, eggs, milk, cheese, and your choice of proteins and veggies. Use any bread (French, sourdough, or sandwich) and layer it with cooked sausage, ham, or bacon. Add sautéed vegetables like spinach, peppers, or mushrooms for freshness and extra nutrition. The overnight soak means every bite is rich with flavor, while a sprinkle of cheese on top delivers golden, melty goodness.

Casserole Assembly Tips

To assemble, grease a baking dish and layer in cubes of day-old bread. Top evenly with cooked meat and your chosen vegetables, then sprinkle with shredded cheese. In a separate bowl, whisk eggs, milk, salt, and pepper until well combined. Pour the egg mixture over your layers, pressing gently so the bread soaks it up. Cover and refrigerate overnight, or for at least 4 hours for the best results.

Serving Suggestions

For a brunch spread, serve this casserole with a simple green salad, fresh fruit, or roasted potatoes. It’s perfect for buffets since it stays warm and delicious for a while. Add a splash of hot sauce or a dollop of sour cream for a flavor boost. This versatile casserole is an all-in-one meal but can easily be dressed up with your favorite sides and beverages.

Nutritional Information and Serving Size

A typical 9×13-inch casserole yields about 8 generous servings. Each serving contains approximately 320–380 calories, depending on your choice of ingredients such as cheese, meats, and bread. It provides a balanced mix of protein, carbs, and fats—perfect for a filling start to any day.

Easy Make-Ahead Breakfast Casserole (Recap)

No other brunch dish combines flavor, versatility, and convenience like this make-ahead breakfast casserole. Prepare it in advance, pop it in the oven, and reward yourself and your guests with a crowd-pleasing, satisfying meal—great for both celebrations and everyday mornings.

💡Meal Planning Tip: Save this recipe to instantly generate a sorted shopping list with all ingredients organized by store section. Make meal planning and grocery runs faster and more efficient with CookifyAI!

Instructions

1. Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. Layer the bread cubes evenly in the bottom.
2. Sprinkle cooked meat, bell pepper, onion, and spinach (if using) over the bread. Top with half of the shredded cheese.
3. In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Pour this mixture evenly over the bread and fillings, ensuring the bread is soaked through.
4. Top with remaining cheese and fresh herbs, if desired. Cover tightly with foil and refrigerate overnight (or for at least 4 hours).
5. When ready to bake, preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Remove casserole from the refrigerator and let it sit at room temperature while the oven heats.
6. Bake covered for 35 minutes. Remove foil and bake an additional 15–20 minutes, until the top is golden and the casserole is set in the middle.
7. Let cool for 10 minutes before slicing. Serve with desired toppings and enjoy!

Weekly Meal Planning

This breakfast casserole is a standout for weekly meal prep—make it on Sunday and enjoy quick, delicious breakfasts all week! Save and schedule this recipe in CookifyAI to streamline your weekly menu, automatically calculate ingredient totals, and keep your grocery list organized by store section.

Planning Benefits:

• Combines ingredients from all planned meals for accurate, efficient shopping
• Sorts your shopping list by grocery area to save you time
• Reduces food waste by preventing duplicate or forgotten items
• Makes it easy to adjust serving sizes for families or gatherings

Pro tip: When you plan multiple recipes (like this casserole and a lunch salad), CookifyAI will consolidate shared ingredients—like eggs, cheese, or vegetables—so you buy just the right amount, simplifying your meal prep even more.

Cook and Prep Times

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 50–55 minutes
Total Time: about 1 hour 15 minutes (includes overnight chilling)