Southwest Sausage & Cheese Breakfast Casserole
Kickstart your day with this hearty Southwest Sausage & Cheese Breakfast Casserole, featuring buttery crescent rolls as a delicious base. This savory dish combines the zesty flavors of Jimmy Dean hot breakfast sausage, vibrant onions, and diced green chiles, all topped with a blend of two melt-in-your-mouth cheeses: Monterey Jack pepper cheese and sharp cheddar. Enhanced with fresh herbs and spices, this casserole can be prepared ahead of time and is perfect for both breakfast and brunch gatherings. Serve it warm or at room temperature alongside dollops of sour cream and your favorite salsa or picante sauce for a truly delightful meal!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
15
Ingredients
Ingredients
crescent rolls
1 (1 (8 ounce) can)
bulk pork sausage
1 lb (Jimmy Dean Hot Breakfast Sausage)
white onion
1/2 cup (chopped)
diced green chili peppers
2 (4 ounce) cans
salsa
1/4 cup
garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon
Monterey Jack pepper cheese
1 1/2 cups (grated)
sharp cheddar cheese
1 1/2 cups (grated)
green onion
1/4 cup (chopped)
cilantro
3 tablespoons (snipped)
salt
1/2 teaspoon
fresh ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon
eggs
6-8
sour cream
to serve
salsa or picante sauce
to serve
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2
Butter a 13 by 9-inch glass baking dish thoroughly to prevent sticking.
3
Unroll the crescent rolls and gently press them into the bottom of the prepared baking dish, ensuring to seal the perforations and stretch the dough halfway up the sides to create a crust.
4
In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the bulk sausage, breaking it up with a spatula until it is browned and fully cooked. Drain excess grease if necessary.
5
Add the chopped onions and both cans of diced green chiles to the skillet. Sauté for about 4 minutes until the onions are translucent and softened.
6
Stir in the salsa and garlic powder, cooking for an additional minute to heat through. Remove the skillet from the heat.
7
Carefully pour the sausage mixture over the prepared crescent roll crust, spreading it evenly.
8
In a separate large bowl, combine the Monterey Jack pepper cheese, sharp cheddar cheese, chopped green onions, and chopped cilantro. Mix well, then sprinkle this cheese mixture evenly over the sausage layer.
9
In another bowl, whisk together the eggs, salt, and fresh ground black pepper until well combined. Pour this egg mixture over the cheese and sausage layers in the casserole dish.
10
If desired, cover the dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight. Otherwise, proceed to bake immediately.
11
Cover the casserole with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes. After this time, remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 10 to 15 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and bubbly.
12
Once baked, allow the casserole to rest for 10 minutes before slicing. Cut into squares and serve warm or at room temperature, topped with sour cream and your choice of salsa or picante sauce.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Southwest Sausage & Cheese Breakfast Casserole?
This is a hearty breakfast dish that combines hot pork sausage, crescent rolls, green chiles, and a blend of Monterey Jack pepper and sharp cheddar cheeses.
What type of sausage is best for this recipe?
The recipe recommends using one pound of bulk pork sausage, specifically Jimmy Dean Hot Breakfast Sausage for a zesty flavor.
How do I prepare the crust for this casserole?
Unroll a can of crescent rolls and press them into the bottom of a buttered 13 by 9-inch dish, sealing the perforations and stretching the dough halfway up the sides.
Can I make this breakfast casserole ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the casserole, cover it with plastic wrap, and refrigerate it overnight before baking the next morning.
What temperature should I bake the casserole at?
The oven should be preheated and set to 350°F (175°C).
How long does the casserole need to bake?
It should be baked covered with foil for 30 minutes, and then uncovered for an additional 10 to 15 minutes until golden brown.
What type of cheeses are used in this recipe?
The dish uses a combination of 1.5 cups of grated Monterey Jack pepper cheese and 1.5 cups of grated sharp cheddar cheese.
How many eggs are required for the recipe?
The recipe calls for 6 to 8 eggs to be whisked and poured over the layers.
What vegetables are included in the sausage mixture?
The filling includes chopped white onion and two 4-ounce cans of diced green chili peppers.
How long should I sauté the onions and chiles?
Sauté the chopped onions and diced green chiles for about 4 minutes until the onions are translucent and softened.
Is there salsa inside the casserole?
Yes, 1/4 cup of salsa is stirred into the sausage mixture along with garlic powder before layering.
Do I need to grease the baking dish?
Yes, you should butter a 13 by 9-inch glass baking dish thoroughly to prevent the crescent rolls from sticking.
What fresh herbs are used in the Southwest Sausage & Cheese Breakfast Casserole?
The recipe includes 1/4 cup of chopped green onions and 3 tablespoons of snipped fresh cilantro.
Should I drain the grease from the sausage?
Yes, after browning the bulk sausage in the skillet, you should drain any excess grease if necessary.
How do I know when the casserole is finished baking?
The casserole is done when the top is golden brown and the cheese is bubbly.
Does the casserole need to rest after baking?
Yes, you should allow the casserole to rest for 10 minutes before slicing into squares.
What are the recommended toppings for serving?
It is best served with dollops of sour cream and your favorite salsa or picante sauce.
What size baking dish is needed?
The recipe is designed for a 13 by 9-inch glass baking dish.
How is the cheese layer prepared?
In a bowl, mix the Monterey Jack pepper cheese, sharp cheddar, green onions, and cilantro before sprinkling it over the sausage.
What seasonings are added to the eggs?
The eggs are whisked with 1/2 teaspoon of salt and 1/2 teaspoon of fresh ground black pepper.
Can I serve this at room temperature?
Yes, the casserole can be served warm or at room temperature, making it ideal for brunch.
What kind of onion is used in the sautéed mixture?
The recipe specifies using 1/2 cup of chopped white onion.
Is there garlic in this recipe?
Yes, 1/4 teaspoon of garlic powder is added to the sausage and chile mixture.
How should the crescent roll dough be positioned?
It should cover the bottom and be stretched halfway up the sides of the dish to create a crust.
Can I use mild sausage instead of hot?
While the recipe calls for hot sausage, you can substitute it with mild bulk pork sausage if you prefer less heat.
How do I store the leftovers?
Leftovers should be covered and stored in the refrigerator, though specific storage times aren't listed in the instructions.
Is this recipe considered spicy?
It has a zesty flavor profile due to the hot sausage, green chiles, and Monterey Jack pepper cheese.
Can I add more eggs?
The recipe allows for a range of 6 to 8 eggs depending on your preference for the egg-to-filling ratio.
What is the first step in the instructions?
The first step is to preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
What is the serving size for this recipe?
The recipe does not specify a serving size, but it is baked in a 13x9 inch dish and cut into squares.