Magical Christmas Breakfast Casserole That Feeds 6 Effortlessly

Picture this: It’s Christmas morning, the tree lights are twinkling, kids are squealing over presents…and you’re still in your pajamas sipping coffee while breakfast magically bakes itself. That’s the beauty of this make-ahead Christmas breakfast casserole – it does all the work while you soak up the holiday magic! I swear by this recipe every year when my house fills with hungry relatives. Just toss everything together the night before (with maybe a glass of eggnog in hand), pop it in the fridge, and wake up to the most delicious savory breakfast smells filling your kitchen.

Why You’ll Love This Christmas Breakfast Casserole

Trust me, this isn’t just another breakfast dish – it’s your holiday morning lifesaver! Here’s why it’s become my absolute must-make every December:

• Sleep in while it bakes: All the prep happens the night before – just pop it in the oven Christmas morning
• Feeds a crowd effortlessly: No standing at the stove flipping pancakes for hours
• Customizable to please everyone: Picky kids? Vegetarians? Just swap the mix-ins
• Makes your kitchen smell amazing: That sizzling sausage and melted cheese aroma is basically holiday perfume
• Leftovers reheat beautifully: If there are any leftovers (big if!), they taste just as good next day

Seriously, this casserole turns you into the holiday host who somehow appears calm and put-together on Christmas morning. Magic!

Ingredients for Christmas Breakfast Casserole

Here’s everything you’ll need to make this holiday miracle happen – I’ve learned the hard way that measuring precisely makes all the difference with this recipe!

• 6 large eggs (trust me, large eggs give the perfect custardy texture)
• 2 cups whole milk (none of that skim milk business – we need richness!)
• 1 teaspoon salt + 1/2 teaspoon black pepper (freshly cracked if you’ve got it)
• 1 teaspoon dried mustard (my secret flavor booster!)
• 6 slices sturdy white bread, cubed (day-old works great)
• 1 pound cooked breakfast sausage, crumbled (I use mild but spicy would be delicious)
• 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese (buy the block and shred it yourself – melts better)
• 1/2 cup diced bell peppers (I use red and green for Christmas colors)
• 1/2 cup diced onions (yellow or sweet both work beautifully)

That’s it! Simple ingredients that transform into something magical overnight.

How to Make Christmas Breakfast Casserole

Okay, let me walk you through exactly how I put this beauty together – it’s so simple you’ll be shocked at how incredible it turns out! The magic really happens overnight, but here’s how we get there:

Preparing the Egg Mixture

First, grab your biggest mixing bowl – I use my grandma’s old yellow Pyrex one for good luck! Crack in those 6 large eggs and whisk them like you mean it until they’re completely smooth. Slowly pour in the 2 cups milk while whisking to create the perfect custard base. Now sprinkle in the salt, pepper, and dried mustard – that mustard is my secret weapon for depth of flavor! Keep whisking until everything is fully combined and you’ve got a pale yellow, slightly frothy mixture. Set this aside while we build our layers.

Layering the Casserole

Take your greased 9×13 baking dish and scatter the cubed bread evenly across the bottom – I like to leave some pieces sticking up for extra texture. Next comes the crumbled sausage (I sneak a few pieces because quality control is important!). Sprinkle the diced peppers and onions evenly over everything – the colors make it so festive! Finally, shower the whole thing with that shredded cheddar (no skimping!). Now slowly pour your egg mixture over everything, making sure to cover all the bread. I like to gently press down with a fork to help the bread soak up that custardy goodness.

Baking and Serving

Cover tightly with plastic wrap and tuck it into the fridge overnight – sweet dreams, little casserole! In the morning, take it out while you preheat the oven to 350°F (this takes the chill off for even baking). Bake uncovered for 45-50 minutes until the edges are golden and the center is set (no jiggling when you gently shake the pan!). Let it rest for 5 minutes before slicing – this keeps all those delicious layers intact. Serve with mimosas and watch your family’s faces light up!

Tips for the Best Christmas Breakfast Casserole

After making this casserole every Christmas for the past decade, I’ve picked up some tricks that take it from good to “can I get this recipe?” amazing:

• Crispy top lover? Pop it under the broiler for 2-3 minutes at the end – just watch it like a hawk!
• Say no to sogginess: Use slightly stale bread or toast the cubes lightly before layering
• Temperature matters: Let the casserole sit at room temp for 15 minutes before baking for even cooking
• Cheese strategy: Reserve 1/4 cup cheese to sprinkle on top 10 minutes before baking ends
• Make it pretty: Arrange some extra pepper strips on top before baking for holiday color

These little touches make all the difference between a good breakfast and a Christmas morning legend!

Ingredient Substitutions & Variations

This casserole is like your favorite Christmas sweater – totally customizable to fit just right! Here are my favorite swaps and add-ins:

• Meat lovers: Swap sausage for crispy bacon, diced ham, or even chorizo for a kick
• Vegetarian option: Skip the meat and load up on mushrooms, spinach, or sun-dried tomatoes
• Bread choices: Gluten-free bread works great, or try croissants for extra richness
• Cheese swaps: Pepper jack adds spice, Swiss makes it fancy, or use mozzarella for stretchy goodness
• Extra veggies: Zucchini, broccoli, or roasted red peppers all disappear happily in the bake

The beauty? You can make it different every year and it’s always delicious!

Storage and Reheating

Here’s the best part—this casserole actually gets better as leftovers! Store any extras (if you’re lucky enough to have them) in the fridge for 3-4 days—just cover tightly with foil or transfer to an airtight container. To freeze, wrap individual portions in plastic wrap, then foil, and stash for up to 2 months. Reheat in the oven at 350°F until warmed through (about 20 minutes from fridge, 40 from frozen) or microwave single servings in 30-second bursts. Pro tip: Sprinkle a little extra cheese before reheating to revive that fresh-baked magic!

Nutritional Information

Now, I’m no nutritionist, but I know you might be curious about what’s in this glorious Christmas morning feast! Keep in mind that these values can change depending on the exact ingredients you use – like if you go heavy on the cheese (no judgment here!) or swap in turkey sausage. The great thing about this casserole is that it packs plenty of protein to fuel present-opening marathons and keeps everyone full until that big holiday dinner. Just remember – it’s Christmas! A little indulgence with your family is what memories are made of.

FAQs About Christmas Breakfast Casserole

Can I use frozen veggies instead of fresh?
Absolutely! Frozen peppers and onions work great – just thaw and pat them dry before adding to avoid extra moisture. I actually keep a bag of frozen mixed peppers just for this recipe when fresh ones aren’t handy.

How long can the casserole chill before baking?
The sweet spot is 8-12 hours overnight, but I’ve pushed it to 24 hours with perfect results. Any longer and the bread might get too mushy. If you’re short on time, even 4 hours of soaking works in a pinch!

Can I make this vegetarian?
You bet! Skip the sausage and add sautéed mushrooms or spinach instead. For protein, I sometimes stir in a cup of cottage cheese to the egg mixture – sounds weird but makes it extra creamy!

Why is my casserole still runny in the middle?
Ah, the dreaded jiggle! This usually means either your oven runs cool (try baking 10 minutes longer) or you didn’t let the chilled dish sit at room temp before baking. Also, make sure you’re using large eggs – medium ones won’t set as firmly.

Can I assemble this ahead and freeze it?
Yes! Assemble completely but don’t bake. Wrap tightly in plastic then foil and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in fridge before baking as directed – you might need an extra 5-10 minutes baking time.

Share Your Holiday Breakfast

Made this casserole? I’d love to hear how it turned out! Leave a comment, snap a pic, or share your favorite twist. Let’s spread the Christmas breakfast joy together!

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