Sausage Apple Overnight Breakfast Casserole
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If you’re looking for a delicious, crowd-pleasing breakfast idea, this Sausage Apple Overnight Breakfast Casserole is a must-try! It combines a perfect blend of flavors — sweet, savory, and just a hint of tartness — all in one cozy dish. The combination of juicy apples, flavorful sausage, and soft, custard-soaked bread creates a warm, comforting breakfast that feels just right for holidays, family brunches, or lazy weekend mornings.
It comes from a cooking class my mom attended. I’ve since adapted it to make it my own, and it’s become a family favorite. We especially love to drizzle it with maple syrup just before serving, which adds an extra layer of sweetness that takes it over the top. The best part? It’s an overnight recipe, so you can prepare everything the night before and bake it fresh in the morning. No stress, no rush — just warm, delicious breakfast goodness.
If you’re a fan of make-ahead breakfasts, you’ll love this one. And if you’re looking for even more ideas, I’ve got you covered with some of my other favorite overnight breakfast recipes. They’re perfect for holiday mornings, brunch parties, or any time you want a no-fuss, ready-to-bake breakfast that everyone will love!
- Overnight Peaches and Cream French Toast
- Overnight Blueberry French Toast with Blueberry Syrup
- Chocolate Overnight Pull Aparts
- Coconut Pecan Overnight Pull Aparts
- Cranberry Orange Overnight Pull Aparts (This is what I make Christmas morning, there is also a cinnamon variation included with this recipe)
- Baked Oven Omelet
- Apple Baked French Toast
- Creme Brulee French Toast
- Overnight French Toast Bake with Berry Topping
- Breakfast Casserole
Ingredients for Sausage Apple Overnight Breakfast Casserole
- MAPLE FLAVORED PORK BREAKFAST SAUSAGE
- BREAD CUBES
- LARGE EGGS
- MILK
- VANILLA
- GRANNY SMITH APPLES
- SUGAR
- CINNAMON
- SHREDDED CHEDDAR CHEESE
- MAPLE SYRUP
Instructions for Sausage Apple Overnight Breakfast Casserole
Cook the Sausage: Start by browning the sausage in a large skillet over medium heat, breaking it into crumbles as it cooks. Once fully cooked, drain the excess grease and set the sausage aside.
Prepare the Egg Mixture: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, and vanilla extract until well combined and smooth. This mixture will be poured over the casserole to bind all the layers together.
Prepare the Apple Mixture: In a separate bowl, combine the chopped apples with sugar and cinnamon. Toss until the apples are well coated, ensuring every bite is packed with sweet, spiced flavor.
Layer the Casserole: Grease a 9×13-inch casserole dish with non-stick cooking spray or butter. Begin layering the ingredients as follows:
- Add half of the bread cubes to the bottom of the dish.
- Top with half of the cooked sausage.
- Spread half of the apple mixture over the sausage layer.
- Sprinkle with 1 cup of shredded cheese. Repeat the layers with the remaining bread, sausage, apples, and another 1 cup of shredded cheese.
Add the Egg Mixture: Pour the prepared egg mixture evenly over the layers, ensuring it soaks through to the bottom. Use a spatula or the back of a spoon to press down gently on the layers, helping the egg mixture fully coat the bread.
Chill Overnight: Cover the casserole tightly with foil or plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight. This allows the bread to soak up the egg mixture for a soft, custard-like texture.
Bake the Casserole: In the morning, remove the casserole from the refrigerator and preheat your oven to 325°F. Bake the casserole uncovered for 55-60 minutes, or until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean. The top should be golden brown and slightly crisp.
Serve and Enjoy: Remove the casserole from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before slicing it into 6-8 pieces. For an extra sweet touch, drizzle each slice with warm maple syrup before serving. Enjoy the perfect balance of savory sausage, spiced apples, and sweet maple goodness!
Frequently Asked Questions
What type of bread works best for this sausage breakfast casserole?
Sturdy, hearty bread works best, such as sourdough bread, French, brioche, or challah. Avoid soft sandwich bread as it may become too soggy after soaking in the egg mixture. Day-old or slightly stale bread works even better since it absorbs the custard without falling apart.
Can I use pre-cooked sausage or a different type of meat?
Absolutely! You can use pre-cooked sausage crumbles to save time. Feel free to swap the sausage for bacon, ham, or plant-based sausage for a different flavor profile. Just make sure it’s fully cooked before adding it to the casserole.
Can I use different types of apples?
Yes! Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, and Fuji apples work especially well since they stay firm when baked and add a sweet-tart flavor. Avoid softer apples like Red Delicious, as they may turn mushy.
Do I have to chill the casserole overnight?
Chilling overnight gives the bread time to soak up the egg mixture, resulting in a richer, more cohesive texture. If you’re short on time, you can chill it for a minimum of 1-2 hours, but the final result may not be as moist and flavorful.
How do I store leftovers?
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Reheat individual portions in the microwave for 30-60 seconds, or warm the whole casserole in the oven at 325°F for 15-20 minutes.
FOR MORE RECIPES LIKE THIS, TRY:
- Overnight Christmas Breakfast Casserole
- Overnight Cinnamon Apple French Toast Bake
- Simple Sour Dough Pancakes
- The Best Overnight Hashbrown Casserole
Sausage Apple Overnight Breakfast Casserole
Real Mom Kitchen
Equipment
Ingredients
- 16 oz pkg Jimmy Dean® Maple Flavor Pork Sausage Roll
- 6 cups bread cubed into ¾-inch pieces
- 10 eggs
- 3 cups milk
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 2 large granny smith apples peeled and chopped
- 2 Tbsp sugar
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 2 cups cheddar cheese shredded and divided
- maple syrup if desired
Instructions
- Brown sausage in a skillet until cooked; drain.
- In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, milk and vanilla until well blended.
- In another bowl, mix apples, sugar and cinnamon together until well coated.
- In a greased 9 x 13 inch baking dish, place half of the bread cubes followed by half the sausage, half the apples, and and 1 cup of the cheese. Repeat layers with remaining ingredients.
- Pour egg mixture over the layers making sure to evenly coat it all with the egg mixture.
- Place in fridge and refrigerate overnight.
- In the morning, remove the casserole from the fridge and preheat oven to 325 degrees. Bake uncovered for 55-60 minutes or until knife inserted in center comes out clean. Cut into 6-8 pieces and served topped with a drizzle of maple syrup if desired.
Nutrition
