Simple Christmas Breakfast Casserole: Festive Morning Ease

Ingredients for Your Easy Christmas Breakfast Casserole

• Stale Bread: Use a sturdy bread like challah or brioche, or even a good sourdough. Honestly, don’t use flimsy sandwich bread, it just turns to mush. I tried that once, and it worked… kinda, but not in a good way.
• Breakfast Sausage: A good quality pork sausage is my favorite, but turkey sausage works too for a lighter option. Just make sure it’s fully cooked and crumbled.
• Sharp Cheddar Cheese: Freshly grated is always, always better. Pre-shredded has weird anti-caking stuff, and it just doesn’t melt as beautifully. Trust me on this one.
• Large Eggs: These are the backbone of your casserole, binding everything together. I usually grab a dozen, just in case, because, oops, sometimes one cracks on the counter.
• Whole Milk: Don’t even think about skim milk here, hon. The fat in whole milk makes the custard rich and creamy, which is what we’re going for.
• Heavy Cream: A splash of this just elevates the custard, making it extra decadent for a special morning. It’s that little something extra that makes it feel fancy.
• Dijon Mustard: This is my secret weapon! It doesn’t make the casserole taste like mustard, but it really brightens the savory flavors. You won’t believe the difference.
• Maple Syrup: Just a touch, for that sweet-savory balance. It’s Christmas, after all, a little sweetness is a must.
• Fresh Chives: A sprinkle of these at the end adds a pop of color and a fresh, oniony bite that cuts through the richness. I love how they smell when I chop them.

Instructions for Your Easy Christmas Breakfast Casserole

Prep the Bread Base:

First things first, tear your stale bread into bite-sized pieces. I usually just use my hands, it feels more rustic, you know? Spread them out in a buttered 9×13 inch baking dish. Honestly, don’t pack them too tight, we want some air in there for that lovely texture. This is where I sometimes get a little messy, with bread crumbs everywhere, but it’s worth it.

Cook the Savory Bits:

Next, brown your breakfast sausage in a skillet over medium heat. Make sure to break it up well as it cooks. Once it’s nicely browned and cooked through, drain off any excess grease. I totally forgot to drain it once, and the casserole was a bit greasy, oops! Sprinkle that delicious sausage over the bread in the baking dish, then top with half of your grated cheddar cheese.

Whisk the Custard Magic:

In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, whole milk, heavy cream, Dijon mustard, maple syrup, salt, and pepper. Really get in there and whisk it until it’s super smooth and slightly frothy. This is the heart of your Easy Christmas Breakfast Casserole, so don’t skimp on the whisking! It should smell subtly sweet and savory already, a hint of what’s to come.

Assemble and Soak:

Pour the egg mixture evenly over the bread and sausage in the baking dish. Gently press down on the bread with a spatula to make sure every single piece gets soaked. This is crucial for a tender, not dry, casserole. I once didn’t soak it enough, and the top pieces were a bit crunchy, which wasn’t quite the vibe I was going for.

Chill Out, Casserole:

Cover the dish with plastic wrap and pop it in the fridge for at least 4 hours, or even better, overnight! This allows the bread to really absorb all that eggy goodness. This is the step that makes it an easy Christmas breakfast casserole because the morning-of work is minimal. Go on, get some sleep!

Bake and Enjoy:

When you’re ready to bake, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Uncover the casserole, sprinkle with the remaining cheddar cheese, and bake for 45-55 minutes, or until it’s puffed up, golden brown, and set in the center. A knife inserted into the middle should come out clean. It’ll smell absolutely incredible, like pure holiday morning bliss. Let it rest for a few minutes before serving, then garnish with fresh chives!

Storage Tips

This Easy Christmas Breakfast Casserole is a dream for leftovers, to be real. Once it’s completely cooled, you can slice it into individual portions and store them in airtight containers in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. I microwaved it once, and the texture was a bit off, the sauce separated so don’t do that lol. Reheating in the oven or an air fryer works much better for keeping that lovely texture! Just pop it in at 350°F (175°C) for about 10-15 minutes until warmed through. You can even freeze individual slices for up to a month. Just wrap them well in plastic wrap and then foil. When you’re ready to eat, thaw it overnight in the fridge and reheat as usual. It holds up surprisingly well, especially for those busy post-holiday mornings.

Easy Christmas Breakfast Casserole Ingredient Substitutions

I’ve definitely experimented with this Easy Christmas Breakfast Casserole over the years, and some swaps work better than others. For the bread, almost any sturdy day-old loaf will do ciabatta or even leftover dinner rolls, I tried that once and it worked… kinda, it was a little too dense. You could swap the breakfast sausage for cooked ham, bacon, or even a vegetarian sausage for a different flavor profile. I’ve used a mix of cheeses too, Gruyere or Monterey Jack are fantastic if you want to switch things up from cheddar. If you’re out of whole milk, a mix of 2% and a little more heavy cream can work, but really, whole milk is king here. A tiny pinch of nutmeg in the custard can also add a lovely, subtle warmth if you’re feeling fancy.

Serving Your Easy Christmas Breakfast Casserole

This Easy Christmas Breakfast Casserole is pretty much a meal in itself, but I love making it a full festive spread. It pairs wonderfully with a simple bowl of fresh fruit think berries, sliced oranges, or even some pomegranate seeds for that holiday sparkle. A side of crispy bacon or some extra smoked salmon would make it feel even more luxurious. For drinks, a warm mug of coffee or hot cocoa is a must, obviously. And for a little extra cheer, a mimosa or a sparkling cranberry juice just feels right for Christmas morning. This dish and some cheesy holiday movies playing in the background? Yes please. It’s all about creating those warm, happy holiday memories.

Cultural Backstory

Breakfast casseroles have this beautiful, comforting history, often rooted in making the most of leftovers and feeding a crowd with ease. For me, this Easy Christmas Breakfast Casserole isn’t tied to one specific cultural origin as much as it is to the culture of family gatherings and shared holiday mornings. My grandma, bless her heart, always had some kind of baked breakfast dish on Christmas, usually involving stale bread and whatever odds and ends were in the fridge. It was her way of making sure everyone was well-fed and happy without her being stuck in the kitchen all morning. This particular version, with its savory sausage and rich custard, is my homage to those traditions, updated to be even simpler and more foolproof for modern busy holidays. It’s a dish that symbolizes togetherness and the joy of a relaxed start to a special day.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can I make this Easy Christmas Breakfast Casserole vegetarian?

Absolutely! I’ve swapped the pork sausage for vegetarian crumbles or even just added extra veggies like sautéed mushrooms and spinach. It works beautifully, just make sure to season your additions well.

→ What kind of bread works best for this Easy Christmas Breakfast Casserole?

Sturdy, day-old bread is key! Challah, brioche, or sourdough are my top picks. I tried regular sandwich bread once, and it just got too soggy. You want something that can really soak up that custard without disintegrating.

→ How do I know when my Easy Christmas Breakfast Casserole is cooked through?

It should be golden brown and puffed up, and when you insert a knife into the center, it should come out clean. If the top is browning too fast, you can loosely tent it with foil, a trick I learned after burning the top once, oops!

→ Can I prepare this Easy Christmas Breakfast Casserole more than a day ahead?

I wouldn’t go more than 24 hours for the best texture and freshness. Any longer, and the bread can start to break down too much. Trust me, overnight is the sweet spot for this make-ahead wonder.

→ What are some fun variations for this Easy Christmas Breakfast Casserole?

Oh, so many! Try adding diced bell peppers, sautéed onions, or even some cooked sweet potato for extra flavor. A sprinkle of red pepper flakes adds a nice kick. I once threw in some leftover roasted Brussels sprouts, and it was surprisingly good!