Easy Christmas Breakfast Casserole You Can Make Ahead

8 min read

Last updated November 6, 2026

An easy Christmas breakfast casserole needs bread, eggs, milk, sausage and cheese. Layer everything in a baking dish the night before and chill it. In the morning, bake it at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for about 45 to 55 minutes.

This make-ahead dish feeds a crowd with almost no morning work. You get more time to open gifts and enjoy your family.

Key Takeaways

Assemble the casserole the night before.
Day-old bread soaks up the egg mix best.
Bake until the center reaches 160 degrees Fahrenheit.
Let it rest 10 minutes before you slice it.
Leftovers keep in the fridge for 3 to 4 days.

On This Page

What You Need
How to Make It Step by Step
Easy Swaps and Add-Ins
Make-Ahead and Storage Tips
Serving Ideas
Why Breakfast Casseroles Are Perfect for Christmas
Choosing the Best Bread
Getting the Egg Ratio Right
Food Safety for Egg Casseroles
Sweet Breakfast Casserole Option
Vegetarian Breakfast Casserole
How to Tell When It Is Done
Baking From Cold
A Simple Christmas Morning Plan
Feeding Guests With Food Allergies

What You Need

This recipe fills one 9 by 13 inch baking dish. It serves about 8 to 10 people.

Ingredient	Amount
Breakfast sausage	1 pound
Day-old bread, cubed	6 cups
Shredded cheddar cheese	2 cups
Large eggs	10
Milk	2 cups
Dry mustard	1 teaspoon
Salt and pepper	To taste

8-10Servings from one 9 by 13 inch breakfast casserole.

How to Make It Step by Step

1. Brown the Sausage

Cook the sausage in a skillet over medium heat. Break it into small pieces. Drain the extra fat.

2. Layer the Dish

Grease the baking dish. Spread the bread cubes evenly. Then add the sausage and most of the cheese.

3. Whisk the Eggs

Whisk the eggs, milk, mustard, salt and pepper in a large bowl. Pour the mix over the bread.

Quick tip. Leave bread cubes out overnight or toast them lightly. Dry bread keeps the casserole from turning soggy.

4. Chill Overnight

Cover the dish and refrigerate it for at least 8 hours. The bread soaks up the eggs as it rests.

5. Bake in the Morning

Take the dish out while the oven heats to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Top it with the rest of the cheese. Bake for 45 to 55 minutes until puffed and golden.

6. Check and Rest

Use a food thermometer in the center. It should read 160 degrees Fahrenheit. Let the casserole rest 10 minutes before slicing.

Good to know. Egg dishes should reach 160 degrees Fahrenheit in the center. A food thermometer is the only sure way to check.

Use this calculator to scale the recipe for your crowd.

Egg calculator

Number of guests

Easy Swaps and Add-Ins

You can change this recipe to fit your family.

Swap sausage for bacon or diced ham.
Go meatless with spinach, mushrooms and peppers.
Use croissants or brioche for a richer taste.
Try pepper jack cheese for a little heat.
Add sauteed onions for more flavor.

What is your favorite casserole add-in?

Sausage
Bacon
Ham
Veggies only

Make-Ahead and Storage Tips

Do not leave the casserole out for more than 2 hours. Cool leftovers quickly and keep them covered in the fridge.

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) explains how to store leftovers safely.

See the cold food storage chart for fridge times for egg dishes.

Leftovers last 3 to 4 days. Reheat slices until they are hot all the way through. You can also freeze baked slices for up to 2 months.

Buy bread a day early
Brown and drain the sausage
Assemble on Christmas Eve
Chill at least 8 hours
Check for 160 degrees Fahrenheit
Rest 10 minutes before slicing

Serving Ideas

Serve the casserole with fresh fruit and warm coffee. A simple green salad also balances the rich flavors.

Set out hot sauce, salsa and chopped herbs. Guests can top their own slices.

Add to calendar

Why Breakfast Casseroles Are Perfect for Christmas

Christmas morning gets busy. Kids want to open gifts, and nobody wants to stand at the stove.

A make-ahead casserole solves that. You do the work the night before and simply bake it in the morning.

It also feeds a crowd at once. Everyone can eat together instead of waiting for batches of pancakes.

Choosing the Best Bread

The bread soaks up the egg mixture and gives the casserole its structure. Some breads work better than others.

Bread	Result
Day-old French bread	Sturdy and classic
Sourdough	Tangy with a chewy bite
Brioche or challah	Rich and slightly sweet
Croissants	Buttery and soft
English muffins	Firm with lots of nooks
Fresh sandwich bread	Can turn soggy

If your bread is fresh, cut it into cubes and toast them. Bake them on a sheet pan until lightly dry.

Getting the Egg Ratio Right

The egg mix needs to soak the bread without drowning it. A good starting point is about one cup of milk for every four eggs.

Too much milk makes a soggy casserole. Too little leaves dry pockets of bread.

Press the bread down gently after you pour the eggs over it. That helps every cube soak up the custard.

Food Safety for Egg Casseroles

Raw eggs and meat need careful handling. A few simple steps keep your family safe.

Cook sausage or bacon fully before adding it.
Keep the assembled casserole in the fridge overnight, never on the counter.
Bake until the center reaches 160 degrees Fahrenheit.
Use a food thermometer instead of guessing.

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) explains how to handle eggs safely. The safe minimum internal temperature chart lists 160 degrees for egg dishes.

Wash your hands after cracking eggs and handling raw meat. Clean the counters before you start other tasks.

Sweet Breakfast Casserole Option

Some families prefer a sweet start to the day. You can turn this into a French toast casserole.

Skip the sausage, cheese and mustard. Add cinnamon, vanilla and a little brown sugar to the egg mix.

Top it with a crumble of butter, brown sugar and chopped pecans. Serve it with warm maple syrup and berries.

You can make both versions in two smaller dishes. That way everyone gets their favorite.

Free updates

Join the Digieh list

Be the first to know when our weekly brief launches.

No spam. Unsubscribe anytime. Read our Privacy Policy.

Vegetarian Breakfast Casserole

A meatless version can be just as hearty. Vegetables add color and flavor.

Sauteed spinach and mushrooms
Roasted red peppers and onions
Cherry tomatoes and fresh basil
Broccoli and sharp cheddar
Sweet potatoes and green onions

Cook wet vegetables like spinach and mushrooms first. Squeeze out extra water so the casserole does not turn soggy.

How to Tell When It Is Done

The casserole should puff up and turn golden on top. The center should no longer jiggle like liquid.

Insert a knife near the center. It should come out clean, without runny egg.

For the best check, use a food thermometer. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) explains how to use one correctly.

If the top browns too fast, cover it loosely with foil. Keep baking until the center is cooked.

Baking From Cold

The dish comes straight from the fridge, so it needs a bit longer in the oven. Let it sit on the counter while the oven heats.

Do not put a cold glass dish into a very hot oven. Sudden heat changes can crack glass bakeware.

A Simple Christmas Morning Plan

A little timing helps the morning run smoothly.

Time	Task
Christmas Eve	Assemble the casserole and chill it
Wake up	Turn on the oven and set the dish out
15 minutes later	Slide the casserole into the oven
While it bakes	Open gifts and make coffee
About an hour later	Rest, slice and serve

Set a phone timer so the casserole does not overbake while everyone opens gifts.