Amish Breakfast Casserole
This Amish breakfast casserole with bread is a hearty and delicious breakfast dish that consists of layers of bread, meat, cheese, and eggs. The bread is cut into small pieces and placed into the bottom of a baking dish, forming a base for the casserole.
Next, a variety of savory ingredients are added, such as crumbled sausage, diced ham, or crispy bacon. The meat is cooked beforehand to ensure that it is fully cooked and adds a depth of flavor to the casserole.
Shredded cheddar cheese is then sprinkled on top of the meat, and beaten eggs are poured over the top. Finally, the casserole is baked in the oven until the eggs are set and the cheese is melted.
The result is a warm and comforting breakfast dish that is perfect for feeding a crowd or for meal prep. It is a popular dish in Amish communities, where it is often served for breakfast or brunch.
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Easy Make-Ahead Breakfast Casserole
This easy make-ahead Amish breakfast casserole is a perfect solution for busy mornings when you don't have much time to prepare breakfast. It's a simple recipe that gets prepared a day in advance and is baked in the morning.
Made in a 9x13" dish, it is quick and easy to prepare, as it only involves cooking the meat and layering ingredients.
It's best to cover and refrigerate the casserole for at least 8 to 12 hours before baking. While the casserole sits, the flavors mingle together. And the bread has a chance to soak up some of the liquid and flavor, resulting in a deliciously creamy and moist texture.
The next morning, all that's required is to take it out of the fridge and slide it into the oven for a delicious and hassle-free breakfast.
To freeze this casserole, prepare the recipe and add it to your pan. Cover well with plastic wrap and then tinfoil, and freeze for up to 2 months. Allow it to thaw overnight in the refrigerator before baking according to recipe instructions.
Amish Breakfast Casserole with Sausage
There are various options for making this Amish egg casserole with different types of meat. Personally, I prefer using browned and crumbled sausage. (My favorite is Jimmy Dean Hot sausage.) However, you can use your preferred brand or try alternatives like fried and crumbled bacon or cubed ham.
Variations:
This is a basic breakfast casserole recipe, and it's awesome the way it is. But feel free to get creative and make a breakfast casserole that your family will love. Some variations and additions would be great.
Here are some delicious variations of breakfast casserole you could try:
- Meat Lovers: Add bacon, ham, or any other breakfast meat you prefer, in addition to the sausage, to create a protein-packed casserole.
- Vegetable Amish Breakfast Casserole: For a vegetarian twist, add veggies like spinach, mushrooms, onions, peppers, and tomatoes to your casserole.
- Hash Brown Casserole: Swap out the bread cubes with frozen hash browns, and you'll have a crispy, savory casserole with eggs, cheese, and your favorite meat.
- Mexican Amish Breakfast Casserole: Add salsa, black beans, jalapeΓ±os, and cheddar cheese for a spicy kick. You can also top it with avocado, cilantro, and lime for a fresh finish.
- Italian Amish Breakfast Casserole: Use Italian sausage, mozzarella cheese, sun-dried tomatoes, and basil for an Italian-inspired casserole.
- Healthy Version: Use whole-grain bread, turkey sausage, and low-fat cheese to make a healthier version of this casserole.
- Create a pretty burst of color and fresh flavor by adding a pinch of minced herbs to the egg mixture. Thyme and parsley are great additions. (Try 1 teaspoon fresh or 1/4 teaspoon dried.)
These variations are easy to make and can be customized to your personal preferences.
How to Make
You can begin by cutting bread slices into small cubes and spreading them into a buttered 9x13" casserole dish.
Then cook the sausage or bacon, or chop cooked ham. And spread it over the bread cubes. Next, we sprinkle the cheese over the top.
Mix the flour and ground mustard and sprinkle it over the top of the cheese. Next, beat the eggs, milk, and seasonings and pour them evenly over the top. Then cover and refrigerate the casserole overnight.
The next morning, all you need to do is take it out of the fridge, pop it into the oven, and bake it at 350 degrees for one hour. With minimal prep and maximum flavor, this breakfast casserole is the perfect way to start your day.
Leftovers
To properly store this cheesy Amish breakfast casserole, cool and tightly cover the remaining portion or transfer it into an airtight container. Refrigerate the dish and consume it within three to four days.
To reheat a breakfast casserole, there are a few methods you can use:
- Microwave: Place the desired amount of casserole onto a microwave-safe plate and cover it with a paper towel. Heat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, or until heated through.
- Oven: Preheat your oven to 325Β°F. Place the casserole in an oven-safe dish and cover with foil. Bake for approximately 20 minutes or until heated through.
- Skillet: Heat a skillet over medium/low heat and add a small amount of oil or butter. Place the desired amount of casserole into the skillet and cover with a lid. Cook for 5-10 minutes or until heated through.
What to Serve With Breakfast Casserole
This overnight breakfast casserole can be a complete meal by itself. But I know when I'm serving brunch, I like to add more options and sides. Fluffy Pancakes with fresh berries would be a great addition.
Hash brown patties or fried potatoes, fruit and yogurt parfaits with homemade granola, or a simple fruit salad would all be great options.
And for dessert with your brunch, try these delicious butter braid pastries, sticky buns, cinnamon coffee cake, or shoofly pie.
Another popular Amish breakfast recipe is Sausage Gravy for Biscuits.
Amish Breakfast Recipe
Overall, this Amish breakfast casserole is a versatile and delicious dish that is perfect for any occasion, whether you are serving it for breakfast, brunch, or even dinner. It's a dish that is sure to satisfy and impress your guests with its hearty flavors and comforting texture.
I hope you enjoy this meat, egg, and cheese breakfast casserole dish. And if you try it, I would love it if you left a star rating and comment below.
Amish Breakfast Casserole Recipe
Ingredients
- 3 c. bread cubes (about 4 slices)
- 3 c. diced ham or fried bacon (or 1 lb. cooked sausage)
- 3 c. shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 Tbsp. all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp. dry mustard
- 6 large eggs
- 2 Tbsp. melted butter
- 2 1/2 c. milk
- 3/4 tsp. salt
- 3/4 tsp. onion powder or dried onion flakes
- 1/2 tsp. black pepper
Instructions
- Starting with the bread cubes, layer the first three ingredients into a greased 9x13" baking dish.3 c. bread cubes (about 4 slices), 3 c. diced ham or fried bacon (or 1 lb. cooked sausage), 3 c. shredded cheddar cheese
- Combine flour and mustard and sprinkle evenly over top of the cheese.1 Tbsp. all-purpose flour, 1 tsp. dry mustard
- Beat eggs well and add the remaining ingredients. Pour this mixture over the top.6 large eggs, 2 Tbsp. melted butter, 2 1/2 c. milk, 3/4 tsp. salt, 1/2 tsp. black pepper, 3/4 tsp. onion powder or dried onion flakes
- Cover and refrigerate overnight.
- The next morning, bake the casserole (uncovered) at 350β for 55 minutes to an hour. It will be puffed up when finished, but it sinks again after removing from the oven.
- Let it rest for several minutes and serve.
- Cool, cover, and refrigerate any leftovers.
~Chrissie O.
THANK YOU for giving the rough cup measurements for the bread!! At our house, we always have bread, buns, bagels, croissants, etc., so knowing how much to substitute was BRILLIANT (I used bagels, so I actually did add an extra 1/2 cup of milk since bagels are so dense, and it was lovely!)! This is such a terrific formula: you gave so many great ideas for changing it up, and the fact that it's make-ahead? Really, really wonderful!! Add your favorite meat/cheese/veggies/spices, and there could be hundreds of variations, all delicious! π
Anna
Thank you for taking the time to leave a kind comment.