Heavenly Southern Breakfast Bake
Celebrate your mornings with this delightful Southern Breakfast Bake, a cherished family recipe passed down from a dear friend. Perfect for holiday gatherings or cozy weekend brunches, this casserole features layers of hearty flavors—from savory sausage to tender hash browns and melted sharp cheddar. The creamy egg mixture binds it all together, providing a comforting, decadent dish that will leave everyone wanting more. Prepare it the night before for an effortless, crowd-pleasing breakfast that warms the soul and starts the day on a delicious note.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
10
Ingredients
Ingredients
Cooking spray
as needed (for greasing the dish)
White loaf bread
6 slices (cubed into 1/2 inch pieces)
Large eggs
8 (beaten)
Evaporated milk
2/3 cup (none)
Whole milk
1 1/3 cups (none)
Breakfast sausage
1 lb (hot or mild, crumbled and browned)
Frozen hash brown potatoes
30 ounces (thawed and excess water absorbed)
Sharp cheddar cheese
3 cups (shredded)
Salt
1/2 teaspoon (none)
Fresh ground pepper
1/2 teaspoon (none)
Instructions
1
Start by absorbing excess moisture from the thawed hash browns by placing them between several layers of paper towels and pressing gently.
2
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly spray a 9x13-inch glass casserole dish with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
3
Cube the bread into half-inch pieces and distribute them evenly in the bottom of the prepared casserole dish.
4
Sprinkle 1 ½ cups of the shredded sharp cheddar cheese over the bread layer, ensuring an even coverage.
5
In a mixing bowl, beat the eggs together with evaporated milk and whole milk until well combined, then set the mixture aside.
6
In a large deep skillet, brown the breakfast sausage over medium heat, crumbling it with a spatula as it cooks. Once browned, drain excess fat from the skillet.
7
Add the prepared hash browns to the skillet, stirring to combine them with the sausage until everything is warmed through.
8
Spread the sausage and hash brown mixture evenly over the cheese and bread layer in the casserole dish.
9
Season with salt and freshly ground pepper, distributing evenly.
10
Top with the remaining 1 ½ cups of shredded sharp cheddar cheese for added richness.
11
Carefully pour the egg and milk mixture over the entire casserole, ensuring even saturation.
12
Cover the dish tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil and refrigerate overnight to allow flavors to meld.
13
On baking day, remove the casserole from the refrigerator and allow it to sit at room temperature for about 10 minutes.
14
Bake uncovered in the preheated oven for 45 to 50 minutes, or until the casserole is set and golden brown on top.
15
Allow the casserole to stand for 10 minutes before slicing and serving to ensure it's easy to serve.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Heavenly Southern Breakfast Bake?
It is a savory Southern breakfast casserole featuring layers of sausage, hash browns, bread, and melted sharp cheddar cheese bound by a creamy egg mixture.
How many eggs are needed for this recipe?
The recipe requires 8 large eggs, which should be beaten before mixing with the other ingredients.
What type of bread should I use for the base?
You should use 6 slices of white loaf bread, cubed into half-inch pieces.
Do I need to cook the sausage before adding it to the casserole?
Yes, the breakfast sausage should be browned in a skillet and drained of excess fat before assembly.
What kind of cheese is recommended for this dish?
The recipe calls for 3 cups of shredded sharp cheddar cheese for a rich and savory flavor.
Can I use frozen hash browns directly from the freezer?
The hash browns should be thawed and then pressed with paper towels to remove excess moisture before use.
How much cheese is used in the layers?
The 3 cups of shredded sharp cheddar are divided into two 1.5-cup layers.
What temperature should the oven be for baking?
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit or 175 degrees Celsius.
How long does the casserole take to bake?
The casserole should be baked uncovered for 45 to 50 minutes until set and golden brown.
Is overnight refrigeration required?
Yes, the instructions recommend covering the dish and refrigerating it overnight to allow the flavors to meld.
What size baking dish should be used?
A 9x13-inch glass casserole dish is recommended for this recipe.
Why is it important to dry the hash browns?
Drying the hash browns with paper towels prevents the casserole from becoming watery or soggy.
What types of milk are included in the egg mixture?
The recipe uses a combination of 2/3 cup evaporated milk and 1 1/3 cups whole milk.
Is this recipe good for holiday gatherings?
Yes, it is described as a perfect, crowd-pleasing dish for holiday brunches and cozy weekends.
Should the breakfast bake be covered while in the oven?
No, you should bake it uncovered to ensure the top becomes golden brown.
How long should the dish rest after baking?
Allow the casserole to stand for 10 minutes after baking to make it easier to slice and serve.
Can I use hot breakfast sausage instead of mild?
Yes, you can use either hot or mild breakfast sausage depending on your preference.
What is the first step in preparing the ingredients?
The first step is to absorb moisture from the thawed hash browns using paper towels.
How do I prepare the casserole dish to prevent sticking?
Lightly spray the glass casserole dish with cooking spray before adding the bread cubes.
Can this be prepared on the same day?
While overnight is best, you can bake it after the bread has had a few hours to absorb the egg mixture.
What seasonings are used in this recipe?
The dish is seasoned with 1/2 teaspoon of salt and 1/2 teaspoon of fresh ground pepper.
How are the ingredients layered?
The layers consist of bread cubes, cheese, a sausage and hash brown mixture, more cheese, and the egg mixture.
Can I substitute whole milk with another type?
You can use other milks, but whole milk and evaporated milk are used here to create a more decadent texture.
How many slices of white bread are needed?
The recipe specifically calls for 6 slices of white loaf bread.
What is the role of the bread in this casserole?
The cubed bread acts as a base layer that absorbs the egg and milk mixture to give the dish structure.
What is the origin of this recipe?
It is a cherished Southern family recipe that was passed down from a dear friend.
Can I add extra vegetables like peppers or onions?
Yes, although not in the original list, you can sauté vegetables with the sausage for added flavor.
What should I do after taking the dish out of the fridge on baking day?
Allow the casserole to sit at room temperature for about 10 minutes before placing it in the oven.
Is the casserole easy to serve?
Yes, the 10-minute resting period after baking ensures it holds its shape for easier serving.
Can I use pre-shredded cheese?
Yes, pre-shredded sharp cheddar cheese works perfectly for the two layers in this recipe.