Irresistible Overnight Croissant Breakfast Casserole Recipe
This Irresistible Overnight Croissant Breakfast Casserole is a savory, comforting dish perfect for a leisurely morning. Layers of buttery croissants soaked in an egg and milk mixture, combined with flavorful cooked sausage and melted cheddar cheese, come together after an overnight soak and a morning bake to deliver a golden, custardy breakfast casserole that’s both hearty and satisfying.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 6 hours 60 minutes (including overnight refrigeration)
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Breakfast Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Base
- 5 large croissants (preferably a day or two old), torn into large chunks
Protein
- 1 pound (450g) ground sausage, cooked and drained
Cheese
- 1 cup (120g) shredded cheddar cheese
Egg Mixture
- 6 large eggs
- 2 cups (475ml) whole milk
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
Garnish
- Fresh parsley (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare the dish: Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish thoroughly with cooking spray or butter to prevent sticking.
- Layer croissants: Evenly distribute the torn croissant chunks in the greased baking dish to create the base layer.
- Add sausage: Sprinkle the cooked and drained ground sausage over the croissant pieces, ensuring an even layer.
- Sprinkle cheese: Distribute the shredded cheddar cheese evenly on top of the sausage layer to add richness and flavor.
- Make egg mixture: In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, whole milk, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder until fully combined and smooth.
- Combine: Slowly pour the egg mixture over the croissant, sausage, and cheese layers, covering all pieces completely.
- Press down: Gently press down the croissants with a spatula so they can absorb the liquid well, ensuring the casserole will be custardy.
- Refrigerate overnight: Cover the baking dish tightly with foil and refrigerate for at least 6 hours or overnight to let the flavors meld and croissants soak up the egg mixture.
- Preheat oven: The next morning, remove the dish from the refrigerator and preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Bake: Remove foil and bake the casserole, uncovered, for 40–45 minutes until the top is golden brown and the center is set and no longer jiggly.
- Cool and serve: Let the casserole cool for about 10 minutes before garnishing with fresh parsley if desired. Serve warm and enjoy a delicious, hearty breakfast.
Notes
- Use day-old croissants for better texture absorption; fresh croissants might turn soggy.
- You can substitute sausage with bacon or ham if preferred.
- Feel free to use other cheese types like Swiss or Monterey Jack to vary flavors.
- Advance preparation saves time on busy mornings and enhances flavor melding.
- If you like a spicier casserole, add a pinch of red pepper flakes or cayenne to the egg mixture.
- This dish can be frozen after baking; reheat covered with foil at 350°F until warmed through.
Keywords: overnight breakfast casserole, croissant casserole, breakfast bake, sausage casserole, make-ahead breakfast, cheesy breakfast casserole
