The Ultimate Overnight Breakfast Casserole Recipe
This Ultimate Overnight Breakfast Casserole is a hearty and satisfying dish perfect for busy mornings or brunch gatherings. Made with layers of crispy hash browns, savory breakfast sausage, rich eggs, sour cream, and melted cheddar cheese, it’s prepped the night before and baked fresh in the morning for a warm, flavorful start to your day.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Total Time: 11 hours 30 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Breakfast Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Meat
- 1 pound breakfast sausage
Vegetables
- 1 package frozen hash browns (about 30 oz)
- 1/4 cup chopped green onions
Dairy & Eggs
- 8 large eggs
- 1 cup milk
- 1 cup sour cream
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
Spices
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Cook the Sausage: Heat a skillet over medium heat and cook the breakfast sausage until it is browned and cooked through. Once done, remove it from the skillet and set aside to cool.
- Mix the Egg Base: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, sour cream, salt, and black pepper until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
- Prepare the Baking Dish: Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish thoroughly to prevent sticking and for easy serving later.
- Layer Ingredients: Begin by layering half of the frozen hash browns evenly in the baking dish, followed by half of the cooked sausage, and then a layer of shredded cheddar cheese.
- Repeat Layers: Add the remaining hash browns, the rest of the sausage, and top again with the remaining shredded cheddar cheese, creating a second complete layer.
- Add Egg Mixture: Pour the egg, milk, and sour cream mixture evenly over the layered ingredients, ensuring it covers all the layers evenly.
- Refrigerate Overnight: Cover the casserole dish tightly with foil and place it in the refrigerator overnight to allow the flavors to meld and the casserole to set.
- Bake the Casserole: The next morning, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the covered casserole for 45 minutes.
- Finish Baking: After 45 minutes, carefully remove the foil and bake for an additional 20 to 25 minutes, or until the casserole is golden brown on top and fully set in the center.
- Garnish and Serve: Once baked, sprinkle chopped green onions over the top for a fresh, colorful finish. Serve the casserole warm and enjoy your delicious breakfast meal.
Notes
- Make sure the hash browns are fully thawed before layering to ensure even cooking.
- You can substitute the breakfast sausage with turkey sausage or a plant-based sausage alternative for a different twist.
- Feel free to add chopped bell peppers or mushrooms to the sausage layer for extra veggies.
- Covering the casserole tightly when refrigerating prevents it from drying out overnight.
- This casserole can be assembled and baked on the same day, but the flavor is enhanced with the overnight chilling.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.
Keywords: overnight breakfast casserole, breakfast casserole, hash browns casserole, sausage casserole, make-ahead breakfast, cheesy breakfast bake
