Breakfast Casserole

I think that breakfast casserole is the kind of thing that everyone and their mother has great recipe for. It seems like every family I know has their own version of it. This just happens to be the version that my family has always used (with a few slight modifications on my part). In fact, this casserole is a Christmas tradition for my family. It's not Christmas morning if we're not eating this casserole. I can even remember a late Christmas Eve when the entire family was worn out from the party that my parents had just hosted and my mom saying "Do we really need the casserole?" and everyone responding with a resounding "YES!"

This week I was invited to a brunch and I immediately thought of this casserole. I mean, I've had this blog for almost 2 (!!) years now and I have never blogged it. So last night I threw it all together and this morning I baked it and it was hot and delicious for the brunch.


My Families Breakfast Casserole

6 slices of bread torn into bite size chunks
1 tube of breakfast sausage (I used Jimmy Dean's Reduced Fat Pork Sausage)
8 eggs
1 cup milk
1 tsp dry mustard powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/4-1/2 tsp black pepper (depending on your own taste, I added this to the recipe that my mom uses because I LOVE pepper)
1/4 tsp garlic powder
1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided

Heat a skillet over medium-high heat and start to brown the sausage. While it is browning, in a large bowl, beat together the eggs, milk and spices. When the sausage is finished set aside to cool for a minute. Add the the torn bread pieces to the egg mixture and stir until moist. Next stir in the sausage and 1 cup of the cheese. Pour the egg mixture into a 9x13 pan. Top with the remaining 1/2 cup of cheese. Let it sit overnight in the refrigerator.

The next morning, bake at 350 degrees for 40-45 minutes or until the cheese on top starts to turn golden brown and bubbly. *I kept the foil over the top for the first 25 minutes. I'm not sure if my mom does that or not.