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Ultimate Make-Ahead Croissant Breakfast Casserole

Discover the ultimate make-ahead dish with this irresistible Croissant Breakfast Casserole recipe. Perfect for holidays, brunch, or a stress-free weekend morning, this easy breakfast casserole combines flaky croissants, savory sausage, and melty cheese in a rich egg custard. Prep it the night before and wake up to a warm, golden, and incredibly satisfying meal that the whole family will love.
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Course: Breakfast, Brunch
Cuisine: American
Keyword: breakfast casserole, Croissant Breakfast Casserole, make-ahead breakfast, overnight casserole, sausage breakfast casserole
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Refrigeration Time: 6 hours
Total Time: 1 hour
Servings: 8 servings
Calories: 615kcal

Ingredients 

For the Breakfast Casserole

  • 5 large croissants day-old for best texture, torn into 1-inch pieces
  • 1 lb ground breakfast sausage cooked and drained of grease
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • 6 large eggs
  • 2 cups whole milk
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper freshly ground preferred
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • fresh parsley for optional garnish, finely chopped

Instructions

  • Prepare your baking dish by greasing a 9x13-inch pan with either butter or non-stick cooking spray.
  • Create the base layer by evenly distributing the torn croissant pieces across the bottom of the prepared dish, then sprinkle the cooked ground sausage and shredded cheddar cheese on top.
  • Whisk together the large eggs, whole milk, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder in a large mixing bowl until the custard is smooth and fully combined.
  • Pour the egg custard mixture slowly and evenly over the croissant and sausage layers, ensuring all pieces are well-coated.
  • Gently press down on the top layer with a spatula to help the croissants absorb the rich egg mixture.
  • Cover the baking dish securely with aluminum foil and transfer it to the refrigerator to chill for at least 6 hours, or preferably overnight, to allow the flavors to meld.
  • Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) when you are ready to bake the casserole.
  • Bake the casserole uncovered for 40 to 45 minutes, until the top is beautifully golden brown and a knife inserted into the center comes out clean.
  • Allow the finished casserole to rest for 10 minutes before slicing. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired, and serve warm.

Equipment

  • 9x13-inch Baking Dish
  • Large Mixing Bowl
  • Whisk
  • Skillet
  • Spatula
  • Aluminum foil

Notes

For the best texture, use day-old or stale croissants as they absorb the egg mixture better without becoming mushy. For a crispier top, you can broil the casserole for the last 1-2 minutes of cooking, but watch it carefully to prevent burning. Feel free to customize this dish by swapping the sausage for cooked bacon or ham, or by adding sautéed vegetables like spinach, mushrooms, or bell peppers.

Nutrition

Calories: 615kcal | Carbohydrates: 35g | Protein: 22g | Fat: 42g | Saturated Fat: 20g | Cholesterol: 295mg | Sodium: 1150mg | Potassium: 310mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 950IU | Vitamin C: 1.2mg | Calcium: 280mg | Iron: 3.1mg