Make Ahead Awesome Breakfast Casserole

I know a lot of people may be planning a Mother's Day Brunch, and a breakfast casserole is perfect for that. It's also great for 'brinner' a.k.a. breakfast for dinner. Or, you know, you could actually eat a breakfast casserole for....breakfast. This casserole is made ahead of time, and then can be baked when ready, so if you have young kids that really want to make mom breakfast in bed this Mother's Day, you could actually do all the "real" work the night before, then they could pop this in the oven (maybe with Dad's help) in the morning and serve it to you in bed! No burnt toast, runny eggs or kitchen mess to deal with. Sounds like a plan to me!

I know breakfast casseroles are pretty basic, and there are a ton of recipes for them online. However, I thought this one was pretty awesome...hence the title, due to some easy changes to the ingredients - starting with the bread. I used a cheese bread (store bought, but of course, homemade would be awesome) instead of regular loaf bread or Italian.  I also think using a cinnamon raisin bread for a sweet and savory combo would be good. I know my kids wouldn't go for that, but it sounds good to me. I also swapped out my usual cheddar for combo of smoked Gouda and extra sharp white cheddar. Then I added in some spices to my eggs, - sage, salt and pepper, a little dry mustard, to give it some extra flavor. You could also add in veggies - tomatoes, onions, peppers, mushrooms, spinach, etc. However, that would never fly around here!

Awesome Breakfast Casserole

• One loaf of day-old bread (approx. 6 cups) {I used a cheese bread}
• 1 lb. sausage - cooked and crumpled {Use your favorite - pork, turkey, chicken; I used turkey}
• 1/4 - 1/2 cup bacon pieces, cooked {I used the real bacon pieces in a bag - could also use ham}
• 1 1/2 cups shredded cheese (divided)
• 8 eggs (I used 6 extra large eggs)
• 1 cup milk
• 1 cup half and half
• salt, pepper, desired spices (too taste) 

Spray or butter a 9 x 12 casserole dish.
Cube bread in 1 inch cubes and spread evenly in bottom of casserole dish.
Sprinkle sausage and bacon over bread.
Sprinkle 1 cup of the cheese over the meat.
In a medium bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, half and half, seasonings/spices.
Pour egg mixture over top of cheese/meat/bread.
Lightly press bread down into egg mixture.
Add remaining 1/2 cup cheese to top of casserole.
Cover with saran wrap and place in refrigerator overnight.
When ready to bake, uncover casserole and place in cold oven.
Turn oven to 350 degrees and bake for approx 1 hour or until nicely browned and set.

Recipe adapted from Fifteen Spatulas

If you like breakfast casseroles, another favorite is this Biscuit Breakfast Casserole


(Wednesday) The Newlyweds Pilgrimage, Fluster Buster, Mostly Homemade Mom, Adorned from Above, Lady Behind the Curtain,Ginger Snap Crafts, Naptime is My Time, Tessa the Domestic Diva (Thursday) Project Inspire,Joyful Homemaking, Designed Decor, Miz Helen's Country Cottage, Lamberts Lately (Friday) Foodtastic Fridays, Simple Living and Eating, Just Us Four, Bacon Time with the Hungry Hungry Hypo, Diana Rambles, The Better Baker,Craftionary, The Best Blog Recipes,Close to Home, 30 Handmade Days, A Peek Into My Paradise,The Jenny Evolution , Walking on Sunshine, Vintage Chic (Saturday) Six Sisters' Stuff, Made from Pinterest