There’s something so comforting about waking up to a warm, satisfying breakfast you barely had to think about the night before. This Easy Sausage Egg Bake Recipe is exactly that—a cozy, hearty dish that blends savory sausage, fresh veggies, and fluffy eggs, perfect for busy mornings or feeding a crowd with minimal fuss.
Jump to:
Why You'll Love This Recipe
I’ve made this Easy Sausage Egg Bake Recipe a handful of times for weekend brunches and those rushed weekday mornings, and it always delivers comforting flavor with little stress. Plus, it’s super flexible, so you can easily tailor it to your taste and what’s in your fridge.
- Simplicity: Requires just one dish and straightforward steps, making cleanup a breeze.
- Customizable: You can swap veggies, cheeses, or sausage types to suit your preferences or dietary needs.
- Make-Ahead Friendly: Prep it the night before and bake in the morning for a stress-free start.
- Feeds a Crowd: Perfect for family breakfasts, brunch parties, or meal prep for busy weeks.
Ingredients & Why They Work
The ingredients in this Easy Sausage Egg Bake Recipe come together to balance savory, fresh, and creamy textures. The sausage brings that rich umami flavor, veggies keep it bright and light, and the eggs bind everything into a soft, fluffy bake.
- Sausage: Using fresh sausage with casing removed gives a nice meaty texture; browning it adds flavor and fat to cook the veggies in.
- Olive Oil: Adds just enough fat to sauté the veggies if needed; you can skip if there’s enough sausage grease.
- Garlic: A punch of aroma and savory depth to brighten the dish.
- Fresh Spinach: Wilts down to tender greens that add color and nutrition without overpowering.
- Bell Peppers: Adds sweetness and a pop of color — I like using red and yellow for vibrancy!
- Yellow Onion: Builds a subtle, mellow sweetness that complements the peppers and sausage.
- Salt and Pepper: Simple seasoning balances and brings out the flavors.
- Eggs: The star binder that creates a soft, custardy texture.
- Milk: Keeps the bake creamy and eggs tender; any kind works fine.
- Shredded Cheese: Adds richness and a golden top layer; I usually use cheddar but feel free to experiment.
Make It Your Way
This Easy Sausage Egg Bake Recipe is like a blank canvas—your chance to get creative! I often swap in kale for spinach or use turkey sausage to lighten things up. You really can’t go wrong here.
- Veggie Swap: I once tried it with mushrooms and zucchini, which added a lovely earthiness—I highly recommend trying whatever veggies you have on hand.
- Cheese Choices: Mixing cheddar with some pepper jack gives a nice kick and gooey melt.
- Make it Vegetarian: Skip the sausage and add crumbled tofu or your favorite plant-based sausage for a satisfying twist.
- Spice it Up: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or hot sauce to the egg mixture if you like a bit of heat.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Easy Sausage Egg Bake Recipe
Step 1: Brown the Sausage for Flavor
I start by heating up a skillet over medium heat and browning the sausage. Even if your sausage is pre-cooked, I find a quick sear adds extra flavor and texture. Use a spatula to break it into small pieces so it cooks evenly. Once browned, I transfer it to the casserole dish, saving any flavorful grease left behind.
Step 2: Sauté the Veggies Just Right
Next, I add a touch of olive oil (or just use the sausage grease) to the skillet and toss in the minced garlic, diced peppers, onion, and spinach. Cooking them for about 6 to 7 minutes until the veggies soften and the spinach wilts is key. I always season with a bit of salt and pepper near the end to enhance their natural sweetness and keep the flavors balanced.
Step 3: Whisk & Pour the Eggs
Time to whisk together the eggs, milk, and half of the shredded cheese. I like whisking until the mixture is smooth and frothy—that's a secret for a fluffier bake. Pour this evenly over the sausage and veggie mix in the casserole dish, then sprinkle the remaining cheese along with a little more salt and pepper on top.
Step 4: Bake & Wait Patiently
Pop the dish into a preheated 375ºF oven and bake for about 45 minutes. You’re looking for browned edges and a fully set center. Resist the urge to cut into it right away—letting it cool for 15 minutes helps it set up and makes serving easier, plus it tastes better!
Top Tip
From making this recipe multiple times, I’ve learned a few things that really boost the outcome and save you headaches.
- Don’t Skip Cooling: Let the bake cool slightly before slicing to keep it from falling apart.
- Use Fresh Veggies: I noticed overripe peppers make the dish watery, so go for firm and colorful ones.
- Even Layering: Stir veggies and sausage loosely before adding eggs to ensure a balanced bite every time.
- Cover for Overnight Prep: If making ahead, tightly cover with foil or plastic wrap to keep it fresh and prevent odors in the fridge.
How to Serve Easy Sausage Egg Bake Recipe
Garnishes
I love topping slices of this bake with a sprinkle of freshly chopped chives or parsley for freshness and a pop of green. A dollop of sour cream or a light drizzle of hot sauce adds a nice cool or spicy contrast that wakes up the flavors.
Side Dishes
Pairing this egg bake with some crisp fruit salad, buttery toast, or crispy hash browns turns it into a full brunch spread. For guests, I like serving it alongside freshly brewed coffee and orange juice — nothing beats that breakfast vibe!
Creative Ways to Present
For special occasions, I’ve done mini versions in ramekins for cute individual servings. It’s also great served buffet-style where everyone can grab a warm slice and customize with their favorite sides or toppings.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftovers go straight in an airtight container in my fridge, where they keep beautifully for up to 5 days. I usually portion out slices for quick grab-and-heat breakfasts during the week.
Freezing
I’ve frozen this bake both uncooked and cooked—with great results. When freezing uncooked, make sure to wrap it tightly in plastic and foil. Let it thaw overnight before baking. Cooked leftovers freeze well too; just reheat gently to avoid drying out.
Reheating
To reheat, I pop individual slices in the microwave for about 60 seconds. If I’m reheating a larger portion, the oven at 350ºF wrapped loosely in foil does the trick for even warming without getting rubbery.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Absolutely! This Easy Sausage Egg Bake Recipe is very forgiving. You can use chicken, turkey, pork, or even plant-based sausage depending on your preference. Just adjust the seasoning if your sausage is already spicy or heavily flavored.
Yes! Simply skip the sausage and add extra veggies like mushrooms, zucchini, or tofu crumbles. Using a flavorful cheese and seasoning well will keep the dish satisfying even without meat.
To avoid a watery bake, make sure to fully cook and drain any grease or moisture from the sausage and veggies before adding the eggs. Using fresh veggies and avoiding overripe ones also helps reduce excess water.
Yes, you can assemble the casserole and refrigerate it covered overnight. Then, bake it fresh in the morning. This makes mornings so much easier when you’ve got everything ready to go!
Final Thoughts
This Easy Sausage Egg Bake Recipe has become one of my go-to dishes whenever I want a fuss-free, crowd-pleasing breakfast that tastes homemade and wholesome. I hope you’ll enjoy making it as much as I do—it’s the kind of recipe that feels like a warm hug on a plate and makes mornings just a little bit easier and a lot more delicious.
Print
Easy Sausage Egg Bake Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 65 minutes
- Yield: 10 servings
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Egg Bake Overnight Breakfast Casserole is a hearty, customizable dish combining sausage, fresh vegetables, eggs, milk, and cheese. Perfect for breakfast or brunch, it can be prepared ahead, baked immediately, or frozen for later convenience, making it ideal for feeding a crowd or meal prepping.
Ingredients
Sausage and Vegetables
- 10 to 12 ounces sausage (casing removed)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 3 cups fresh spinach (90 g)
- 2 large bell peppers (diced)
- ½ medium yellow onion (diced)
- Salt and pepper (to taste)
Egg Mixture
- 12 large eggs
- ½ cup milk (any, 120 g)
- ½ cup shredded cheese (any flavor, 56 g; divided)
Instructions
- Prepare the casserole dish. Spray a 7 x 11 or 9 x 13 inch casserole dish with non-stick spray and set aside. If baking immediately, preheat oven to 375ºF (191ºC).
- Cook the sausage. In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the sausage. If using fully cooked sausage, this step can be skipped or lightly browned for extra flavor. Once cooked, spoon sausage evenly into the prepared casserole dish.
- Sauté the vegetables. Add a little olive oil to the same skillet, or use the leftover sausage grease. Sauté garlic, spinach, bell peppers, and onion until tender and spinach is wilted, about 6-7 minutes. Season with salt and pepper during the last minute of cooking.
- Combine sausage and vegetables. Remove the skillet from heat and add the cooked vegetables to the sausage in the casserole dish. Stir roughly to distribute evenly and set aside.
- Mix eggs and cheese. In a medium bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, and ¼ cup of shredded cheese. Pour this egg mixture evenly over the sausage and vegetable layer in the casserole. Sprinkle the remaining ¼ cup shredded cheese on top and season with a little more salt and pepper.
- Bake or refrigerate. You can bake the casserole immediately or cover and refrigerate for up to 24 hours to bake later.
- Baking the casserole. If not yet baked, preheat the oven to 375ºF (191ºC). Bake the casserole for approximately 45 minutes until the edges are browned. Allow to cool for at least 15 minutes before serving.
- Storage and reheating. Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Reheat individual portions in the microwave as needed.
- Freezing instructions. The baked casserole can be frozen up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and bake at 350ºF (177ºC) for about 20 minutes until heated through. Unbaked casserole can also be frozen tightly wrapped for up to 2 months; thaw overnight before baking.
Notes
- This casserole is highly customizable; swap sausage for other proteins or use your favorite vegetables and cheeses.
- It can be made the night before or frozen for convenient meal prep.
- Use non-stick spray or grease the baking dish to prevent sticking.
- Allow the casserole to cool before refrigerating to maintain texture.
- For lower fat, use lean sausage and low-fat milk and cheese.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 197 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 303 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0.1 g
- Carbohydrates: 4 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 13 g
- Cholesterol: 223 mg
Leave a Reply