Sausage and Waffle Breakfast Casserole

What?! Another breakfast casserole? Yep. Another one. I can't help myself. I love breakfast food, and I love casseroles, so when I see a new recipe...well...I just have to make it. Not to mention I had bought this ginormous box of Eggo Waffles from Sam's Club (because they were on their "instant savings" and I'm such a sucker for a sale), thinking the kids would eat them up...and yes, you see where this is going. I have a bunch of waffles in my freezer.

This is a very good way to use up those frozen waffles! I love the slightly sweet maple flavor in this casserole, paired with the sausage, and I liked the texture of the waffles. This is more 'bread-y' than some of my other breakfast casseroles, but I liked it. My kids....one out of three. One of them doesn't like any egg-based casserole (it's a texture thing) and my youngest will not eat sausage or eggs...he had plain waffles. For dinner. Don't judge.

Sausage and Waffle Breakfast Casserole

8 frozen Eggo waffles, slightly thawed and cut into bite-sized cubes
1 pound (16 ounces) sausage, cooked and crumbled (I used homemade turkey sausage; can also use maple sausage for more maple flavor in the casserole)
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
6 large eggs
1-1/4 cups milk
1/4 cup maple syrup (I used this Quick and Easy Pancake Syrup)
salt and pepper, to taste

• Spray an 8-inch baking dish with cooking spray. Add half of the cubed waffles in a single layer. 
• Top waffles with half the sausage and half of the cheese. 
• Repeat layers: waffles, sausage, and remaining 1/2 cup cheese.
• In a separate bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, syrup, salt and pepper. Pour egg mixture over the layered ingredients in casserole.
• Cover casserole with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or overnight.
• Bake at 325 degrees 45 to 50 minutes. (If using a glass baking pan, place cold dish into cold oven and then turn oven on 325. This allows the glass dish to warm up slowly and avoid possible shattering.)

Recipe Source: Normal Cooking, originally from Plain Chicken

*In my opinion, this was better after it had a chance to cool, and the next day as well. The waffles had a better texture...I'm funny about textures...and I wonder where my kids get it from!

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