Crispy Paula Deen Breakfast Casserole Recipe

I have tried various breakfast casserole recipes, but this Paula Deen breakfast casserole is an exception. It has become my new favorite. It is made with tons of eggs, and it’s fantastic! Plus, you can make it the night before also, so it’s perfect for holidays and special events where you only have a little time to prepare in the morning.

This delicious and hearty breakfast casserole is super simple to make! You need to keep a few simple ingredients on hand to whip a dose of comfort! The recipe is way better than the regular breakfast casserole. 

The best part of this recipe is that you can make it ahead of time and serve it to your guests for lunch. The only thing to remember is to use crusty, stale bread for the best flavors and textures. 

So, what are you waiting for? Try this easy Paula Deen breakfast casserole and enjoy it in your lunch. You will find all the necessary information below relating to this recipe. Just follow them for the best flavors.

What Is A Breakfast Casserole?

A breakfast casserole is made with breads, eggs, milk, cheese, and other ingredients, such as meat. It is baked in a casserole dish and served either hot or cold.

It has a golden brown crust and a moist, custard-like interior. The flavor is typically savory, with hints of sweetness from the bread and cheese.

Is This The Exact Paula Deen Breakfast Casserole Recipe?

Yes, this is the exact Paula Deen breakfast casserole we’ve prepared. We have used fresh sausage and stale bread for the recipe for the best results. Also, we’ve prepared this recipe step-by-step as Chef Paula Deen.

We were initially skeptical about the result, but it turned out to be the perfect. The result is a fluffy, cheesy, and crunchy breakfast casserole. All you have to do is follow this recipe guide thoroughly for the best results.  

Is Paula Deen Breakfast Casserole Different From Regular Breakfast Casserole?

Yes, Paula Deen breakfast casserole differs significantly from the regular one. Paula Deen breakfast casserole doesn’t contain veggies, while traditional breakfast casseroles typically include potatoes, onions, mushrooms, and bell peppers. 

Also, Paula Deen has used milk in this recipe to add richness, while other recipes use half-and-half. Besides this, you may find various recipes adding sour cream to make the egg mixture creamy, while Paula Deen has kept it simple by combining eggs, milk, and spices. 

Why You’ll Love This Breakfast Casserole Recipe?

• You can use whatever vegetables, meats, cheeses, and herbs you have.
• The best thing about this recipe is you can quickly prepare it.
• This breakfast casserole is an excellent weekday meal or holiday brunch.
• Throw toppings like salsa, pico de gallo, green onion, cilantro, parsley, avocado, bagel seasoning, hot sauce, etc.

Is Paula Deen Breakfast Casserole Vegan And Gluten-Free?

Unfortunately, this Paula Deen breakfast casserole is not vegan and gluten-free. The reason is milk and cheese, animal-based ingredients, and bread, which contains gluten. 

However, you can make it vegan and gluten-free by substituting the ingredients. You can check out the substitute section in this guide for the vegan and gluten alternatives.

Equipment Required To Make Paula Deen Breakfast Casserole

• Oven – Bake Paula Deen breakfast sausage in the oven until the cheese is melted and bubbly for about 30 minutes.
• Baking Dish – Spray a square baking dish with nonstick spray before adding the breakfast casserole.
• Skillet – Brown the loose pork breakfast sausage for five to ten minutes over medium heat.
• Knife – Using the knife, chop the sage and cube the bread. 
• Cheese Grater – For a cheesy snack, grate some cheddar cheese using a grater. 
• Chopping Board – For fine cutting, cut and dice your ingredients on a board. 
• Wooden Spoon – Break the sausage into small pieces and fry it in a skillet with a wooden spoon.  
• Spatula – Cook the breakfast sausage and even egg mixture in the baking dish with a spatula. 

Paula Deen Breakfast Casserole Ingredients

• Country White Bread – Country white bread is added to prevent the casserole from becoming flat and watery. 
• Loose Pork Breakfast Sausage – Cook loose pork sausage until browned for a spicy and salty addition to your dish.
• White Cheddar Cheese – Grating white cheddar cheese over the bread and sausage will give the dish a buttery, rich, and melty flavor and texture. 
• Yellow Sharp Cheddar Cheese – Shred or grate sharp cheddar cheese for a firm and crumbly casserole.
• Eggs – Thicken the breakfast casserole with whisked eggs.  
• Milk – Add milk for a softer crust on the bread, more extraordinary flavor, and a golden brown hue in the dish.
• Dry Sage – Add some chopped dry sage to give the casserole a bold, slightly minty, and musky flavor. 
• Cayenne Pepper – Sprinkling some cayenne pepper on the dish will give it a spicy, fruity kick.
• Mustard – Dry mustard will add a nuttier taste to the casserole.
• Salt – Salt will help enhance the flavors of the dish. 
• Black Pepper – Black pepper will add a spicy, earthy, and distinctive flavor to this dish.

Paula Deen Breakfast Casserole Ingredients Substitutions

• Bread – You can use any bread for this casserole, but crusty white bread will give the best results. Try sourdough bread, French bread, or even bagels. You can also prefer gluten-free bread.
• Sausage – We’ve used pork sausage for this recipe, but you can use any sausage for this casserole: ground turkey, chopped bacon, or ground beef or chicken. You can also use turkey sausage, chicken sausage, or veggie sausage.
• Cheese – Cheddar cheese is the most traditional, but you can also use Monterey Jack cheese, Swiss cheese, or even Gruyère cheese.
• Milk – Use any milk for this casserole, but whole milk will give the best results. You can also use skim milk, 2% milk, almond milk, or even half-and-half.
• Eggs – Eggs will make this casserole richer, but you can substitute it with yogurt, buttermilk, or silken tofu. 

Paula Deen Breakfast Casserole Preparation And Cooking Time

Paula Deen Breakfast Casserole Recipe Steps

• Add the loose pork sausage in a large skillet over medium heat. 
• Now, cook the pork sausages until browned using a spatula.
• Once cooked, fold in chopped chives. 
• Moving forward, in a medium bowl, whisk two large eggs. 
• Next, pour two cups of milk and half a teaspoon each of cayenne pepper and dry mustard. Don’t forget to season it with salt and pepper. 
• Add the buttered and cubed bread to a greased baking dish, and sprinkle the cooked sausages over the bread. 
• Evenly distribute the sausages over the bread and freshly shred the cheese.
• Sprinkle the dish with shredded white and yellow cheddar cheese.
• Now is the time to pour the prepared egg mixture over the bread, sausage, and cheese.
• Pour this bread mixture and distribute it evenly with a spatula.
• Pop the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake it for an hour until bubbly and hot. Serve hot.

Tips To Make This Paula Deen Breakfast Casserole Better

• Bread is the key to avoiding this dish from being spongy and wet. However, you can use diced hash brown potatoes if you don’t have bread. You can easily find them in the freezer section of the grocery store. You can also use fresh potatoes, but you must cook them beforehand.
• It has always been a question of whether or not to cover the dish. So, our chef recommended not protecting it so the topping has a nice crisp edge. If you prefer to cook it covered, uncover it for 10 to 15 minutes; cook found for that crispy crust on top.
• Bake the dish until the edges become golden brown and the cheese is melted and bubbly. We recommend inserting a toothpick or knife to check if it is thoroughly cooked. 
• If you are using meat other than pork sausage, drain the meat before adding it to the dish.
• Make this gluten-free by keeping with this breakfast recipe. Check your labels on other ingredients to make sure.
• The most important thing to remember is using stale rather than fresh bread. Stale bread is drier and will absorb the egg mixture better, resulting in a more custard-like texture. If you don’t have any stale bread, you can dry fresh bread and bake it in the oven. 
• Since sausage adds flavor to this recipe, use good-quality sausage. 
• Don’t overmix the egg mixture. Otherwise, it will make the casserole challenging.
• Let the casserole cool slightly before serving. It will help the bread absorb the egg mixture and prevent it from becoming soggy.

Should I Cover My Casserole Before Baking?

Whether or not you should cover your casserole before baking depends on the ingredients in the casserole and the desired outcome. However, protecting the dish is generally not recommended as it will help trap the moisture and prevent the top from browning too much. 

While covering, your casserole will allow the top to brown and develop a crispy crust. But you can cover this Paula Deen breakfast casserole with foil for the first half of the baking time to ensure the casserole is cooked and the top gets a nice brown crust.

Why Do You Need To Refrigerate Casserole Overnight?

Tipping the casserole in the refrigerator before baking it overnight will help the flavors mingle. It allows the crusty bread to soak up the liquid and flavor. 

Then, slide the baking dish into the oven in the morning and bake until the edges are golden brown. Also, let the casserole cool down before serving as the casserole puffs up in the oven and then sinks back down as it cools. 

Why Is My Breakfast Casserole Soggy?

It hurts when you invest more than an hour in this Paula Deen breakfast casserole recipe but won’t get that cheesy and golden-brown dosh. But have you ever thought about why it happened? We listed a few reasons that may make your breakfast casserole soggy. They are:

• If the egg mixture in a breakfast casserole is too much, the casserole may become watery and not set correctly. So, it should be poured enough to coat the bread cubes without making them soggy. 
• If you are using bread as a base for this recipe and if it is not crusty, your casserole may turn soggy, So make sure to pre-soak the bread in milk or water to absorb excess moisture and prevent the casserole from becoming soggy.
• There might be some ingredients or vegetables that can release a lot of moisture when they are cooked. Make sure to dry the ingredients well before adding them to the dish. 
• If you cook the casserole long enough, the eggs will be set correctly, and the casserole will be runny and soggy.
• Covering the casserole too early will trap the moisture and prevent the casserole from browning and setting properly.

How Will This Breakfast Casserole Look And Taste Like?

Recreating this Paula Deen breakfast casserole was tricky yet flavorful. The result was a classic dish with a golden brown crust and a moist, custard-like interior. 

It had a savory flavor with hints of sweetness from the bread and cheese when we tasted it. The sausage adds a smoky flavor, while the creamy and cheesy sauce helps to tie everything together, giving this casserole a nice, crispy top.

Paula Deen Breakfast Casserole Nutritional Values

This Paula Deen breakfast casserole is unhealthy as they are made with an egg-cheese mixture. However, you can make it healthy by swapping the ingredients with healthy alternatives. For more clarification, we’ve jotted down a list of its nutritional values below for your reference; take a look at the table below:

How To Store This Breakfast Casserole Properly?

This breakfast casserole will be kept in the fridge or in the freezer for a few days. Here are the steps on how to keep it:

• Refrigeration – Allow the casserole to cool completely before storing it. Then, cover it tightly with an aluminum foil or plastic wrap. Now, keep the casserole in the refrigerator for a few days.
• Freezing – To freeze the casserole, allow it to cool completely. Then, wrap the casserole tightly in two layers with plastic wrap and foil. Now, freeze the casserole for up to two months.

Can You Reheat This Paula Deen Breakfast Casserole?

Yes, you can reheat Paula Deen breakfast casserole. You can reheat this breakfast casserole in the microwave or oven. Here is how to do it:

• In the Oven – Preheat the oven to 350°F. Tip the casserole dish off in the range and bake the plate for 20 to 25 minutes until heated.
• In The Microwave – Place the casserole dish in the microwave and microwave the dish on high for 2 to 3 minutes.

What To Serve This Breakfast Casserole?

You can serve many recipes with Paula Deen breakfast casserole. Some of them are –

• Paula Deen Potato Salad – This Paula Deen breakfast casserole will pair well with potato salad for a classic summer side dish. You can also add some crunch to the plate by serving it with roasted vegetables like Brussels sprouts or green beans. If you want something more substantial, add bacon to the potato salad for extra flavor and texture.
• Paula Deen Chicken Salad – Serve this Paula Deen breakfast casserole with Paula Deen chicken salad. The mixture of tender chicken with crunchy celery and other vegetables will perfectly pair with the crispy and cheesy casserole.
• Paula Deen Fried Chicken – Serve Paula Deen fried chicken over Paula Deen breakfast casserole for an added flavor. This delicious and tempting fried chicken will add contrasting flavor and texture to the crispy breakfast casserole.
• Paula Deen Crackpot Mac And Cheese – This mac and cheese pairs well with breakfast casserole. For a balanced meal, try serving it alongside roasted vegetables such as broccoli or Brussels sprouts. Top the mac and cheese with bacon bits or diced ham before baking for added flavor. 

Other Recipes To Try

So, it was all about Paula Deen breakfast casserole. This cheesy, baked, and crispy dish is effortless to make. You have to follow the guide for the exact flavors and textures. 

You should check out Paula Deen’s recipes if you like this recipe. Some of them are Paula Deen Pineapple Casserole Recipe, Paula Deen Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe, Paula Deen Squash Casserole Recipe, Paula Deen French Toast Casserole Recipe, Paula Deen Green Bean Casserole Recipe, and Paula Deen Corn Casserole Recipe. 

Recipe Card

Paula Deen Breakfast Casserole Recipe

If you're looking for a delicious and hearty breakfast casserole, look no further than Paula Deen Breakfast Casserole! It's super easy to make – throw all the ingredients into a baking dish and let the oven do the work!

5 from 1 vote

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Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 1 hour hr 15 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr 30 minutes mins

Course Chef’s Delight

Cuisine American

Servings 8

Calories 385 kcal

Equipment

• Oven
• Baking Dish
• Skillet
• Knife
• Grater
• Wooden Spoon
• Chopping Board
• Spatula

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• 8 slices Country White Bread (buttered and cubed)
• 1 lb Loose Pork Breakfast Sausage
• 1 cup White Cheddar Cheese (shredded)
• 1 cup Sharp Yellow Cheddar Cheese (shredded)
• 2 large Eggs (whisked)
• 2 cups Milk
• 1 tablespoon Dry Sage (chopped)
• ½ teaspoon Cayenne Pepper
• ½ teaspoon Dry Mustard
• ¼ teaspoon Salt
• ¼ teaspoon Black Pepper

Instructions

 

• Add the loose pork sausage in a large skillet over medium heat.
• Now, cook the pork sausages until browned using a spatula.
• Once cooked, fold in chopped chives.
• Moving forward, in a medium bowl, whisk two large eggs.
• Next, pour two cups of milk and half a teaspoon each of cayenne pepper and dry mustard. Don’t forget to season it with salt and pepper.
• Add the buttered and cubed bread to a greased baking dish, and sprinkle the cooked sausages over the bread.
• Evenly distribute the sausages over the bread and freshly shred the cheese.
• Sprinkle the dish with shredded white and yellow cheddar cheese.
• Now is the time to pour the prepared egg mixture over the bread, sausage, and cheese.
• Pour this bread mixture and distribute it evenly with a spatula.
• Pop the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake it for an hour until bubbly and hot. Serve hot.

Nutrition

Calories: 385kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 23g | Fat: 30g | Cholesterol: 239mg | Sodium: 669mg | Potassium: 327mg | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 705IU | Vitamin C: 11.6mg | Calcium: 194mg | Iron: 1.8mg

Keyword Cheesy Paula Deen Breakfast Casserole, Paula Deen Breakfast Casserole, Paula Deen recipe

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Conclusion

If you want a delicious breakfast casserole to feed a crowd, I hope you will try this Paula Deen breakfast casserole. Remember to share your experience with us.