Paula Deen Breakfast Casserole Recipe

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As a mother of two children, I constantly search for easy, delicious, and less time-consuming recipes. Fortunately, this Paula Deen breakfast casserole recipe is exactly that kind of dish. The best part is that you can prepare it in advance and simply bake it when needed.

Therefore, it is an ideal choice for busy mornings or holiday breakfasts, giving me more time to spend time with my family and loved ones. I love how the different textures and flavors, made with simple ingredients like eggs, bread, cheese, and pork sausages, make it a hearty and satisfying breakfast.

So, let’s get to my favorite part of sharing this delectable and satisfying Paula Deen breakfast casserole recipe with you.

What's In The Post

Equipments Required

Saucepan: I use a saucepan to cook the pork sausages.
Medium-Sized Bowl: You will need a medium-sized bowl to make the egg mixture.
Whisk: I generally use a balloon whisk to whisk the eggs with the other ingredients until well combined. However, you can also use a fork or a spoon.
Cups: I use cups to assemble my ingredients beforehand to avoid confusion while preparing the dish.
Teaspoons: For accurate seasoning, I use teaspoons as the recipe calls for.
Baking Dish: I use a 13 x 9-inch glass baking dish, as the recipe calls for. It will be best to follow the same for this recipe.
Knife: To finely chop the sage, I use a sharp knife.
Chopping Board: I use a wooden chopping board, but you can also opt for plastic if you prefer.
Box Grater: I use a box grater to grate yellow and white cheese.

Paula Deen Breakfast Casserole Ingredients and Substitutions

Note: The ingredients in this recipe will yield 6-8 servings.

8 Thick Slices of Country White Bread (buttered and cubed): You can also use wheat or multigrain bread instead of white bread.
1 lb Loose Pork Breakfast Sausage: You can also use chicken, beef, or a soy-based sausage in this casserole recipe.
1 Tablespoon Chopped Fresh Sage: When I don’t have sage available, I substitute it with marjoram, thyme, or rosemary in this recipe.
1 Cup Shredded White Cheddar Cheese: Gouda or Colby cheese can be substituted.
1 Cup Yellow Shredded Sharp Cheddar Cheese: Havarti or Monterey cheese can be used as an alternative.
7 Eggs: Many egg replacers are readily available on the market and can be used as a substitute in this recipe as well.
3 Cups Milk: I used oat milk in this recipe for one of my vegan friends, and there was not much difference. You can also use almond milk as an alternative.
½ Teaspoon Cayenne Pepper: You can also use chili powder, red pepper flakes, or chipotle powder instead of cayenne pepper in this recipe.
½ Teaspoon Dry Mustard: Stone-ground or yellow mustards can also be used in this recipe.
Salt, To Taste
Black Pepper, To Taste
Paula Deen’s Hot Sauce: If you can’t find Paula Deen’s signature hot sauce, you can try other hot sauces with similar ingredients.

Preparation And Cooking Time

Preparation Time	Cooking Time	Total Time
9 Hours	1 Hour	10 Hours

How To Make Paula Deen Breakfast Casserole At Home

Step 1

Add chopped pork sausage to a saucepan placed over medium-high heat. Then, using a spoon, break the sausage into small pieces.

Step 2

Cook the sausage for 5-10 minutes, until golden brown. Then, add chopped sage.

Step 3

Meanwhile, in a medium-sized bowl, add eggs.

Step 4

Add milk, cayenne, and dry mustard; season with salt and pepper to taste, then whisk them together with the eggs until well combined.

Step 5

Then grease the 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray and add the buttered, cubed bread. Then sprinkle the sausage over the bread and distribute it evenly.

Step 6

Lastly, sprinkle grated cheese over the bread-and-sausage layer in the dish.

Step 8

Now, pour the prepared egg mixture over the bread, sausage, and cheese layer.

Step 9

Cover it with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight or for at least 8-12 hours. Then, take it out of the fridge and let it come to room temperature.

Step 10

Bake the dish in a preheated oven at 350 degrees for about an hour or until it is bubbly and golden brown. Serve hot.

Paula Deen Breakfast Casserole Recipe Video

Expert Tips That I Recommend

One of the biggest secrets is allowing the bread to soak up the egg mixture. Refrigerating the assembled casserole overnight (or at least for 1 hour) gives the custard time to penetrate every piece of bread, creating a creamy interior rather than dry pockets.
Cook the sausage until well browned rather than just cooked through. Browning creates flavorful caramelized bits that enhance the entire casserole.
Once the bread, meat, and cheese are layered, gently pour the custard over the top. Avoid stirring aggressively, which can break up the bread and create a dense texture.

FAQs About Paula Deen Breakfast Casserole Recipe

Why is your Paula Deen breakfast casserole soggy?

Your breakfast casserole can turn out to be soggy if you don’t drain the sausages fat .You can fix a runny casserole by adding an extra layer of bread, cheese, and egg mix.

How do you fix a dry casserole?

You can fix a dried-out cooked casserole by adding some warm broth. Then, cover it with a lid or foil to prevent it from drying out again. You can also add moisture by drizzling some melted butter on top of the casserole dish.

Why is your cheese layer burnt, but the dish is not cooked through?

The cheese layer gets burnt when you place your casserole dish too close to the heat from the top of the oven. To prevent the casserole top from further cooking, place it on the center rack and cover it with foil for 30 minutes. Then, remove the foil and complete the baking.

Why is your casserole tasting bland after getting baked?

Your casserole will taste bland if it isn’t correctly seasoned. However, it can be easily fixed by adding a drizzle of olive oil or herb oil and sprinkling some fresh herbs, lemon zest, or chili flakes.

Why are your sausages chewy?

Sausages turn chewy when they are overcooked. You can fix them by adding some moisture in the form of broth, or water, and allowing them to soak them.

Nutritional Information Per Serving

This dish is not considered healthy to consume daily because it is high in calories, fat, and carbohydrates. Therefore, I recommend having it in moderation.

Calories	467 Kcl
Total fats	32 g
Saturated fat	14 g
Cholesterol	223 mg
Sodium	754 mg
Carbohydrates	18 g
Dietary fibres	1 g
Total sugars	6 g
Protein	25 g
Vitamin C	1 mg
Vitamin A	734 IU
Calcium	397 mg
Iron	2 mg
Potassium	389 mg

The best part is that you can easily swap ingredients to suit various dietary preferences.

Recipe Variations For Different Diets

Vegan Diet: I use vegan sausages made with beans, tofu, and tempeh. I also use almond or oat milk instead of regular milk and plant-based butter instead of regular butter to make this recipe vegan-friendly for my parents.
Gluten-Free Diet: I once bought gluten-free bread to make this recipe. They didn’t make much of a difference.
Keto-Friendly Diet: The only ingredient that comes in the way of a keto diet is white bread. It can easily be replaced with sourdough bread, as it is keto-friendly.

Storing And Reheating This Recipe

Storing

Refrigerator: I usually cover the baking dish with foil and keep it in the fridge within two hours of it being out at room temperature. This way, it lasts for about three to four days in the refrigerator.
Freezer: There are times when I want the dish to last longer. During those times, I cover the baking dish with foil, label it, and then freeze it. This way it lasts for about three months.

Reheating

Oven: After bringing the casserole to room temperature, I cover it with foil and reheat it in a preheated oven at 350°F for about 15-20 minutes.
Microwave: I prefer this reheating method as it is the quickest. I microwave it for about 30-60 seconds at a time until warmed. Usually, it takes me 2 minutes to bring my casserole to a piping hot.

What To Serve With This Recipe

This breakfast casserole can be enjoyed on its own. However, serving it with some tasty sides enhances the experience even more. Therefore, I like to serve it with French Toast, a Smoothie, and some biscuits.

You can also serve it with a green salad with dressing, a Fruit Salad Bowl, Crispy Hash Browns, Bagels, or Egg Bites. Anything that makes your breakfast more delightful pairs well with this dish.

Printable Version

More Paula Deen Recipes That You Can Try

Paula Deen Pumpkin Bars Feature Image — Paula Deen Pineapple Casserole

Conclusion

Paula Deen’s breakfast casserole has become a staple on my weekend breakfast menu. It makes me so happy that I enjoy it for weekend brunch with my family.

So, if you want to enjoy your precious time and give your family and loved ones a wholesome breakfast experience, this should surely be on your menu. Follow this recipe and other details while making the dish for a delectable breakfast at home.

Also, don’t forget to write about your family’s reaction and experience with the recipe in the comment section below. Happy Baking!