Christmas morning! Kids up early to open presents; family coming over for brunch and more presents! What a wonderful time to prepare this simple and delicious Sunrise Breakfast Casserole. The best part is that you prepare it the night before, ready to slip into the oven to bake while everyone is exchanging gifts, playing with toys, and enjoying the most wonderful holiday of the year.
This casserole is really simple to make and the ingredients are things most of us have on hand or are inexpensive to get when planning to serve this dish. It is also something that can be made and transported to someone else’s home for a pot-luck brunch or to Sunday School to share with your class. My daughter and granddaughters prepare this for their church groups regularly! This dish is even perfect for die-hard tail-gaters who arrive at the stadium in the early morning to spend the day hanging with friends and cheering the home team to victory.
Here’s what you need:
- 1-1/2 pounds (24 ounces) of your favorite pork sausage ( I prefer a sage-flavored sausage)
- 9 eggs
- 3 cups milk
- 1-1/2 teaspoons ground dry mustard
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 40 ounces of frozen shredded hash brown potatoes, thawed
- 16 ounces of shredded cheddar cheese (your choice, but I prepare sharp cheddar)
- Optional: a dash or two of hot sauce
Cook the sausage in a heavy skillet over medium heat until browned and cooked through. Break up any large chunks into small, bite-sized pieces. Drain. (Note: I usually rinse with water and drain to eliminate as much grease as possible.) Set aside. In a large bowl, mix together the eggs, milk, dry mustard, salt, and pepper. Also add hot sauce if you choose. Whisk together till eggs are light and fluffy. Add potatoes, sausage, and cheese and stir to combine thoroughly. Prepare a 13 x 9 inch casserole dish by spraying it with cooking spray or lightly buttering it. Pour mixture into casserole dish. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate over night.
The next day:
Remove casserole from refrigerator at least 30 minutes prior to baking to allow dish to come to room temperature. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Remove plastic wrap from casserole and place dish in oven. Bake uncovered for 60 to 70 minutes or until set in the middle and knife inserted between edge and middle comes out clean. Remove from oven and let set 10 minutes before cutting and serving.
This dish will serve 12-15 people easily.
I served this at the last family reunion when I had several relatives staying with us and others staying at a motel nearby. The casserole was easy to make, served everyone generously, and satisfied the most hearty of appetites. Once you try it, Sunrise Breakfast Casserole will become a mainstay for your brunch menus, whether during the holidays or for other family gatherings. Enjoy!
