Christmas morning has a special kind of magic, doesn’t it? The kids are racing downstairs, wrapping paper is about to fly everywhere, and somehow you’re supposed to feed everyone a proper breakfast. That’s exactly why I started making this breakfast casserole christmas morning years ago – it saves my sanity every single December 25th.
This recipe lets you do almost everything the night before. When morning comes, you just slide it into the oven, and 45 minutes later, everyone’s sitting down to a hot, satisfying meal. No stress, no scrambling, just good food and even better memories. It’s savory, cheesy, packed with eggs and sausage, and feeds a crowd without any fuss.
Perfect for: Holiday mornings, overnight guests, brunch gatherings Cooking time: 45-50 minutes (plus overnight refrigeration) Skill level: Beginner-friendly Taste profile: Savory, cheesy, hearty, with a slight buttery richness
Why This Christmas Morning Breakfast Casserole Works
The beauty of a christmas morning breakfast casserole overnight is that it actually tastes better after sitting in the fridge. The bread soaks up all that egg mixture, the flavors blend together, and you end up with something that’s almost like a savory bread pudding. I’ve tried making it fresh the same morning – it works, but it’s not quite the same.
You can customize it too. Swap the sausage for bacon or ham. Add vegetables like bell peppers or spinach. Use different cheeses. The base recipe is forgiving, which means you can make it work with whatever you have on hand or whatever your family prefers.
It also reheats beautifully. If you have leftovers (which honestly doesn’t happen often at my house), they’ll keep in the fridge for 3-4 days. Just warm them up in the microwave or oven, and you’ve got breakfast sorted for the days after Christmas too.
Ingredients You’ll Need
For the Casserole Base:
- 1 lb (450g) breakfast sausage (pork or turkey)
- 8 cups (about 12 slices) day-old bread, cubed into 1-inch pieces
- 2 cups (225g) shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup (115g) shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup (75g) diced onion
- 1/2 cup (75g) diced bell pepper (red or green)
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
For the Egg Mixture:
- 10 large eggs
- 2 1/2 cups (600ml) whole milk
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp paprika
- 1/4 tsp dried thyme (or 1 tsp fresh thyme)
Optional Toppings:
- Fresh parsley or chives, chopped
- Extra shredded cheese for topping
- Hot sauce for serving
Substitutions:
- Use gluten-free bread if needed
- Swap regular milk for almond milk or oat milk
- Replace sausage with crumbled bacon, diced ham, or plant-based sausage
- Use all cheddar or all mozzarella if you don’t have both
Step-by-Step Instructions
Preparing the Casserole (Night Before):
1. Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish with butter or cooking spray. Set aside.
2. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the breakfast sausage.
3. Cook the sausage for 6-8 minutes, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon, until browned and fully cooked. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate.
4. In the same skillet, melt 2 tbsp butter over medium heat. Add diced onion and bell pepper.
5. Sauté for 4-5 minutes until vegetables are softened. Remove from heat.
6. Spread the cubed bread evenly across the bottom of your prepared baking dish.
7. Sprinkle the cooked sausage over the bread cubes.
8. Add the sautéed onion and pepper mixture on top.
9. Scatter 1 1/2 cups of the shredded cheddar and all the mozzarella cheese over everything. Save the remaining 1/2 cup cheddar for topping.
10. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, salt, pepper, garlic powder, paprika, and thyme until well combined.
11. Pour the egg mixture slowly and evenly over the entire casserole. Press down gently with a spatula to make sure all the bread cubes are soaked.
12. Cover the baking dish tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil.
13. Refrigerate overnight (or for at least 4 hours, though overnight is best).
Christmas Morning Baking:
14. Remove the casserole from the refrigerator 20-30 minutes before baking. This helps it bake more evenly.
15. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
16. Remove the plastic wrap or foil. Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup cheddar cheese on top.
17. Cover loosely with aluminum foil (this prevents over-browning).
18. Bake for 30 minutes covered.
19. Remove the foil. Bake for an additional 15-20 minutes uncovered, until the top is golden brown and the center is set. A knife inserted in the center should come out mostly clean.
20. Let the casserole rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing. This helps it hold together better.
21. Garnish with fresh parsley or chives if desired. Serve hot with your favorite breakfast sides.
Tips for the Best Results
The type of bread matters more than you’d think. I prefer a sturdy bread like French bread, sourdough, or a crusty Italian loaf. Soft sandwich bread can get too mushy. If your bread is fresh, cube it and leave it out overnight or toast it lightly in the oven – this helps it absorb the egg mixture without falling apart.
Don’t skip the resting time before baking. When you pull the christmas morning casserole breakfast out of the fridge and let it sit at room temperature for 20-30 minutes, it bakes more evenly. The center won’t be cold while the edges are overdone.
Check for doneness by giving the dish a gentle shake. If the center still jiggles like liquid, it needs more time. It should have a slight jiggle (like set custard) but not be watery. You can also use an instant-read thermometer – the internal temperature should reach 160°F (71°C).
Serving Suggestions
This casserole is hearty enough to stand on its own, but I usually serve it with a few simple sides. Fresh fruit is always nice – a bowl of berries or sliced oranges adds brightness. Some people like toast or biscuits on the side, though honestly, there’s already bread in the casserole.
A light salad with mixed greens works well if you’re serving this for brunch rather than early morning. And don’t forget the condiments – hot sauce, salsa, or even a dollop of sour cream can take it up a notch.
If you’re looking for more quick and easy meals to round out your holiday menu, the site has plenty of options that won’t keep you stuck in the kitchen all day.
Make-Ahead and Storage Tips
You can prep this casserole up to 24 hours in advance. I wouldn’t go much longer than that because the bread can start breaking down too much. If you want to prep even earlier, you can cook the sausage and vegetables 2-3 days ahead and store them separately in the fridge. Then assemble everything the night before Christmas.
Leftovers keep well in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Reheat individual portions in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, or warm the whole thing in a 300°F (150°C) oven for about 20 minutes.
You can also freeze this casserole. Assemble it completely but don’t bake it. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil, and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw it in the refrigerator overnight before baking as directed. The texture might be slightly different, but it still tastes great.
Variations to Try
Vegetarian Version: Skip the sausage and load up on vegetables. Mushrooms, zucchini, tomatoes, and spinach all work wonderfully. You might want to sauté the mushrooms first to release their moisture.
Southwestern Style: Use chorizo instead of regular sausage, add black beans, corn, diced green chiles, and pepper jack cheese. Serve with salsa and avocado.
Ham and Swiss: Replace sausage with diced ham and use Swiss cheese instead of cheddar. Add a pinch of nutmeg to the egg mixture for a classic flavor combination.
Healthier Option: Use turkey sausage, reduce the cheese by half, add more vegetables, and use whole wheat bread. You can also substitute some of the whole eggs with egg whites (use 6 whole eggs and 8 egg whites).
If you’re in the mood for other desserts and sweet treats to serve alongside breakfast, there are some festive options that pair beautifully with this savory dish.
Common Questions
Can I use frozen sausage? Yes, but thaw it completely first and drain any excess liquid after cooking. Frozen sausage can release more water, which might make your casserole soggy.
What if I don’t have day-old bread? Cut fresh bread into cubes and spread them on a baking sheet. Toast in a 300°F (150°C) oven for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally. This dries them out just enough.
Can I make individual portions? Absolutely. Use a muffin tin and reduce the baking time to about 20-25 minutes. These breakfast casserole muffins are great for meal prep too.
How do I know when it’s fully cooked? The center should be set (not jiggly like liquid), the edges should be pulling away slightly from the pan, and the top should be golden brown. An instant-read thermometer should read 160°F (71°C) in the center.
Why This Recipe Belongs on Your Christmas Table
There’s something comforting about sitting down together on Christmas morning with a meal that didn’t require any stress to make. This breakfast casserole lets you be present with your family instead of stuck in the kitchen flipping pancakes or scrambling eggs to order.
I’ve made this for Christmas morning for the past five years, and it’s become as much a tradition as the stockings and the tree. The kids know it’s coming, guests always ask for the recipe, and I love that I can pour my coffee and actually enjoy it while it’s still hot.
It’s not fancy, but it doesn’t need to be. Sometimes the best recipes are the ones that just work – the ones that let you focus on what really matters during the holidays.
For more inspiration on weeknight dinners that save time without sacrificing flavor, the collection on Tasty Dish Diary has become my go-to resource year-round.
Recipe Card
Christmas Morning Breakfast Casserole
Prep Time: 20 minutes (plus overnight refrigeration) Cook Time: 45-50 minutes Total Time: About 9 hours (including overnight rest) Servings: 8-10 people Difficulty: Easy Equipment Needed: 9×13 inch baking dish, large skillet, mixing bowl, whisk
This make-ahead breakfast casserole is perfect for busy Christmas mornings. Assemble it the night before and bake it fresh while opening presents.
Nutrition Information (per serving, approximate): Calories: 380 | Protein: 22g | Carbohydrates: 22g | Fat: 22g | Fiber: 1g | Sodium: 780mg
Note: Nutrition facts are estimates and will vary based on specific ingredients used.
Christmas morning should be magical, not stressful. This casserole gives you the gift of time – time to watch faces light up as presents are opened, time to enjoy that second cup of coffee, time to just be together. And honestly? That’s what the holidays are really about.
If you try this recipe, I’d love to hear how it turns out for your family. Does it become a new tradition at your house too?
