Christmas in July 2024 - Day 1

 

CIJ day 1

Week one will be breakfast ideas – with an emphasis on food that can be prepped or made ahead.

Loaded Overnight Breakfast Casserole - The Chunky Chef

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 40 minutes

Total Time: 55 minutes

Calories: 618

Servings:10

This easy to prepare breakfast casserole is made up the night before, so all you have to do in the morning is pop it in the oven and enjoy!

Ingredients

• 1 lb breakfast sausage

• 8-10 pieces bacon, cooked and crumbled

• 8 large eggs

• 2 2/3 cups whole milk

• 1 ½ tsp kosher salt

• 1 ½ tsp ground dry mustard

• 1 tsp dried parsley

• 1/4 tsp black pepper

• 1/4 tsp paprika

• 12 oz Italian bread, cubed into 1/2" pieces

• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

• 1/2 cup shredded Gruyere cheese

• minced fresh parsley, for garnish

• chopped fresh chives, for garnish

• dollop sour cream, for garnish

Instructions

• In a large skillet, brown and crumble sausage until cooked.  Drain and set aside.

• Use a bread knife to cube Italian bread into 1/2" pieces, then set aside.  Combine shredded cheddar and Gruyere cheeses, then set aside.

• To a large mixing bowl, add eggs, milk, salt, dry mustard, dried parsley, black pepper and paprika.  Whisk until combined.

• Add cubed bread pieces to bottom of 3 quart oven safe pot, or 9x13" baking pan.  Top with crumbled sausage, bacon, and 3/4 of the cheeses.  Pour egg custard over the top, using a wooden spoon to gently push any un-soaked bread down into the custard.  Sprinkle with remaining shredded cheeses.

• Cover pan with foil and refrigerate overnight.

• Remove from refrigerator, uncover, and let sit at room temperature while oven preheats to 350 degrees F.  Bake, uncovered, for 40-45 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

• Serve hot, topped with garnishes if desired.

Breakfast casseroles can be frozen for up to 2 months, then just thaw overnight and bake as directed.