Loaded with eggs, sausage, bacon, cheese, peppers, and onions, my friend Sallie’s overnight breakfast casserole with Bisquick is the ultimate make-ahead dish for a holiday brunch!
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If you love Bisquick recipes as much as we do, be sure to try these 5-ingredient baked pancakes with pancake mix, these Bisquick chicken and dumplings, a batch of sausage balls, this Bisquick cheeseburger pie, and this maple sausage and apple breakfast bake, too!
This is my favorite brunch dish, and I love how easy it is!
– Emily
My friend Sallie gave me this easy breakfast casserole recipe many years ago. It’s one that she originally found in a local community church cookbook. Sallie has adapted the recipe over the years, mixing and matching different ingredients to make it her own. Since the base is a combination of eggs and Bisquick mix, it has this wonderful texture that’s like a cross between a crustless quiche and thicker, chewier bread-based strata.
What to Know about this Bisquick Breakfast Casserole
- This dish is convenient since you can prep it the night before you plan to enjoy it, and then just bake it off in the morning. That said, you don’t have to let it sit overnight. If you’d prefer to assemble the casserole and bake it right away, that works, too!
- Use whole milk or heavy cream for the best results. I don’t recommend low-fat or fat-free milk, since the fat in the liquid creates a rich egg custard.
- I’ve included possible recipe variations below, but feel free to get creative and make it your own. For instance, add sliced mushrooms with the other veggies. You might like spicy breakfast sausage instead of country mild sausage, or you might prefer to use 1 ½ lbs. of bacon and skip the sausage altogether.
How to Make this Easy Breakfast Casserole
This Bisquick breakfast casserole only requires about 20 minutes of prep. Assemble the dish the night before and you can sleep in the next day, sip on your hot cup of coffee, and relax while your breakfast bakes in the oven. It’s the perfect solution for stress-free Christmas mornings or lazy weekends! You’ll find detailed instructions in the recipe card below, but here’s the quick overview:
- Brown the sausage and fry the bacon in a large skillet. Drain off the excess grease.
- Arrange the cooked sausage and bacon in a greased baking dish. Top with the veggies and cheese.
- Beat together the eggs, milk, Bisquick, and melted butter.
- Pour the egg mixture over the sausage and other ingredients in the baking dish.
- Cover and refrigerate the casserole for about 8 hours (or overnight). If you don’t have time for this, no problem. You can bake the casserole right away!
- Bake the dish for about 1 hour, or until the top is golden brown and the eggs are cooked through.
- Let the dish rest for at least 10 minutes, and then slice and serve!
What to Serve with an Overnight Breakfast Bake
This hearty brunch casserole goes well with a basket of one-bowl orange cranberry muffins, cranberry bread, zucchini bread muffins, these gingerbread streusel muffins with eggnog glaze, an iced gingerbread loaf, a baked apple cider donut, this whole wheat banana bread, banana nut bread, a pan of cinnamon rolls, a skillet of Southern fried apples, or a bowl of ambrosia fruit salad. Don’t forget the orange juice, coffee, or gingerbread latte, too!
Preparation and Storage Tips
- Make Ahead: assemble the casserole up to 24 hours in advance of when you plan to bake it. Keep the dish covered in the fridge.
- How to Store: Leftovers will keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
- How to Freeze: Bake in a freezer safe pan (like a foil disposable pan) and cool completely. Wrap well in plastic wrap and foil; freeze for up to 3 months. Defrost in the fridge the night before you plan to eat the casserole.
- How to Reheat: Reheat the casserole in a 350°F oven for about 30 minutes, or until warmed through. You can also reheat individual slices in the microwave for 30-60 seconds.
This was a delicious casserole. I used the gluten free Bisquick. I also excluded the bacon. Everyone loved it. I thought I might have leftovers but no such luck. I will try to cut the recipe in half and bake it in a 8×8” dish. My husband said he didn’t want to wait for us to have company over before he has it again…
– Stephanie
Did you make this recipe?
If you enjoyed this recipe, please leave a comment with a 5-star review at the bottom of the post. Thank you!
Overnight Breakfast Casserole
Ingredients
- 1 lb. ground pork sausage (I use Country Mild pork sausage, but hot sausage also works well if you like it spicy)
- ½ lb. bacon
- ½ cup finely-diced green bell pepper
- ½ cup finely-diced onion
- 2 cups grated sharp cheddar cheese
- 6 large eggs
- 3 cups whole milk (or sub with heavy cream)
- 1 cup Bisquick (or other all-purpose baking mix)
- ½ cup salted butter, melted
- Optional garnish: sliced green onions; chopped fresh herbs such as parsley or chives
Instructions
- Spray a 9 x 13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray; set aside. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown the sausage until it's no longer pink. Drain off the excess grease. Transfer the sausage to the prepared baking dish. Use the same skillet to fry the chopped bacon until it's crispy. Remove the bacon to a paper towel-lined plate. When it's cool enough to handle, chop or crumble the bacon.
- Add the cooked bacon, bell pepper, onion, and cheese to the baking dish with the sausage.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, Bisquick, and melted butter.
- Pour the egg mixture into the baking dish with the sausage and other ingredients. Cover and refrigerate overnight (or bake right away, if desired).
- When ready to bake, place the baking dish on the counter to come to room temperature for at least 30-60 minutes. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Bake, uncovered, for 50-60 minutes, or until the casserole is browned on top and the eggs set in the center.
- Let the casserole rest for at least 10 minutes before slicing. Garnish with chopped fresh herbs or sliced green onions just before serving.
Notes
Nutrition
Overnight Breakfast Casserole Recipe Variations
- To serve a smaller family, cut all of the ingredients in half and bake the casserole in an 8-inch square pan. You can reduce the cooking time slightly, about 45-55 minutes.
- Any sausage will work well in this casserole. Try mild or spicy pork breakfast sausage, or use Italian sausage or turkey sausage.
- Use ham instead of the bacon or sausage.
- Instead of cheddar, try other good melting cheeses like Monterey Jack, Pepper Jack, Colby, Swiss, mozzarella, or Gruyere.
More Overnight Breakfast Casserole Recipes
Sausage Egg and Cheese Casserole
10 hours hrs 10 minutes mins
Brioche French Toast Casserole
5 hours hrs 20 minutes mins
Sausage Hash Brown Casserole
1 hour hr 25 minutes mins
This recipe was originally published in October, 2017. It was updated in December, 2024.
I love all of those hearty ingredients in this casserole! Breakfast is my favorite meal of the day, so this sounds absolutely perfect. I think this would make a wonderful dinner, too. YUM!
Thanks, Gayle! Yes — it’s a great dinner option, too! 🙂 Thank you so much for stopping by!
This looks delish! I wonder how it would taste if you used reduced fat cheese, sausage and bacon. Any thoughts?
I think it would be totally fine, Katherine! 🙂
Would almond flour be a good substitute for the biscquik?
Hi, Sandra. No, definitely don’t use almond flour. The Bisquick includes flour, but it also includes a number of other ingredients like cornstarch, oil, sugar, salt, and most importantly — leavening (which helps the casserole puff up and rise). The almond flour wouldn’t be an equal substitute for those additional ingredients. If you’re looking for a gluten free alternative, I would use a gluten-free pancake or baking mix, such as Gluten-Free Bisquick (yes, it’s a real product). 🙂
How about Almond milk instead of regular milk?
Hi, Stephanie! I haven’t tested that myself, but I think it should work fine!
Actually, yes! Just made some last night with Almond meal flour in lieu of bisquick and it turned out deliciously!
I would love to know how to get the cookbook. I love community cookbooks
I have no idea, Ann. I think it was from a long time ago, and I don’t even have a copy of the book myself. I just benefited with the recipe from Sallie. BUT, stay tuned — because I have something in mind that will be very similar in the coming year. 🙂
I love breakfast casseroles. This looks really good. It reminds me of a Cooking Light casserole I have made in the past. It did not have the Bisquick, but it was chock full of sausage, bread and cheese. Thanks.
Thanks, Christine! This does sound similar to the Cooking Light recipe you tried, but I love the Bisquick because it doesn’t have any of the bread chunks that other stratas and similar breakfast casseroles have. 🙂
This is my favorite brunch dish, and I love how easy it is!
Thanks, Emily!
Could I mix everything two days ahead?
Hi, Mindy! I haven’t tried it, but I think that should work fine! You might just need to give everything another good stir right before baking (in case the ingredients have settled too much). 🙂
can I bake at lower temp so I can put it in before church and 3 hours later have it almost or ready?
or would it work in a crock pot?
Hi, Deborah! I honestly don’t know — I haven’t tried it! I would guess that you bake it lower and slower in the oven, but I wouldn’t know how long since I haven’t tested it myself.
Have you ever used Mexican cheeses ( thec3 cheese blend) instead of the cheddar cheese? Do you think green chili peppers and /or hot pork sausage would be good in this or would that make it too spicy ? Ca
Hi, Carol! I haven’t used the Mexican cheese blend in this recipe, but I’m sure it would be delicious!
If you like spicy food, I’d definitely say that green chili peppers and/or hot pork sausage would be great. It’s just a matter of personal preference, and my kids wouldn’t go for the spicier version. 🙂
How do you prepare the 8″ frozen casserole?
This recipe was great. My family loved it. Next time, I will leave out the bacon, as I think 1 lb of sausage is enough.
Perfect! Thanks, Kelsey!
This was a delicious casserole. I used the gluten free Bisquick. I also excluded the bacon. Everyone loved it. I thought I might have leftovers but no such luck. I will try to cut the recipe in half and bake it in a 8×8” dish. My husband said he didn’t want to wait for us to have company over before he has it again ????
That’s great, Stephanie! I’m so glad that all of your guests enjoyed it! No need to wait for another holiday before you make it again. 🙂
If it was baked and then frozen,what temp and length of time for reheating?
Hi, Renee! If possible, I like to let it thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating in the oven. To reheat a thawed casserole, bake (covered) at 350 degrees F until warmed through (maybe about 30 minutes?). If you’re trying to reheat a FROZEN casserole, it will take much longer (probably at least an hour).
this will be great for our men’s prayer breakfast but I may try it w/half sage & half hot sausage also using Mexican cheese ! From this area they seem to like more spicy dishes ! Thanks for this great site & what about a cookbook ??? Have a blessed & MERRY CHRISTMAS !!!!
That sounds perfect, Priscilla! No cookbook right now, but thank you for your kind words! 🙂 Merry Christmas!
Can I mix and bake right away? I also like to add diced cooked potatoes so would I mix in or add to baking dish before egg mixture?
Plan to make half as listed and half with lox and dill havarti. Can’t wait.
Hi, Linda! You can definitely just mix and bake right away. The overnight option is merely for convenience here.
For the potatoes, I would probably spread them out in an even layer in the baking dish first. Then pour the egg mixture over the potatoes. That way you know that they’re distributed throughout. Hope that helps, and enjoy!
This recipe sounds good! Going to be making it for Christmas brunch. Would I be able to substitute the Bisquick for Krustez brand of pancake mix?
Hi, Kellie! Yes, that should work fine! I find that the Krusteaz mix is a bit sweeter than Bisquick, so it will have a slightly different flavor. Otherwise, it should be great. Have a merry Christmas!
This was very good, but highly recommend stirring before baking. It took me over 2 hours to fully cook and I’m assuming it’s because everything settled so much overnight.
Thank you for the feedback, Amy! We’re glad you still enjoyed the recipe.
Looks great but I can not eat sausage. I’d use bacon or ham
Thanks, Nancy! Yes, you can definitely just use extra bacon or ham instead. Hope you enjoy!