Don't ya' just love breakfasts during the holidays? I love the fact that the big guy's off work all this week and we get to enjoy some quality time together without the usual morning chaos. It's the perfect opportunity to fuss over the often forgotten meal and start the day off right.
This breakfast casserole certainly fits the "special" category and it's really a cross between french toast and a souffle. Granted you have to get your butt in gear and into the kitchen the night before you're planning to cook it because it needs some time in the refrigerator before it hits the oven, but good heavens is it ever worth it in the morning. Cooked sausage - links, patties or crumbled loose ground, any flavor you want, is joined in the pan by herb seasoned croutons and grated cheese, then given a bath in eggs and milk. Covered and refrigerated over night, in the morning it's topped with a mix of milk and mushroom soup then baked for an hour and a bit- just long enough to enjoy a bloody mary or some champagne and OJ over the morning paper.
Served with some fresh fruit, it may not win the "pretty" contest but boy it is sure delicious. I used spicy sausage links that I'd found on sale and some pepper jack cheese so our morning casserole had the kick the big guy enjoys, and a rich and creamy texture. If you'd rather, you can use egg substitute (Egg Beaters) instead of real cackleberries, and low fat milk if you want to cut some calories - in fact turkey sausage works great too as does low fat mushroom soup but please use full bore whole milk cheese. The low fat stuff just doesn't melt the same.
This Easy Breakfast Casserole is a darn delicious way to start your day and it'll be a great addition to what I'm sure are several breakfast "wife saver" casseroles you may already have in your repertoire. By the way, the leftovers freeze well and reheat perfectly in the microwave, should you want to wow your family during a regular work week. Download Easy Breakfast Casserole
The casserole sounds delicious but I really have my eye on that bloody Mary...HEE!
Posted by: Mags | 12/27/2009 at 08:07 AM
It's a great combination! I *hic heartily recommend it!
Posted by: June | 12/27/2009 at 08:16 AM
Sounds great and it is always nice to have a few of these recipes up your sleeve.
Posted by: Sarah G | 12/27/2009 at 09:07 AM
There are some super ones out there, aren't there Sarah. Hope you had a great Christmas away from the snow and cold in Calgary.
Posted by: June | 12/27/2009 at 12:47 PM
June, I just spent the last couple of days readying your entire blog. I totally enjoyed it. There are several of your recipies I will try when I return to Louisiana from Colombia in a few weeks. The frist being blueberry muffins - and I am not a baker - but after 5 months with no oven - aarrgghhh - jijijijiji. Keep the posts coming - I enjoy your writting and your quirky sense of humor!
Lea
Posted by: Lea | 12/27/2009 at 04:06 PM
Oh - and top this casserole with a soft fried yard egg - yum!!!!!
Posted by: Lea | 12/27/2009 at 04:09 PM
Lea, yikes I can't believe you read the whole blog! Geez, you probably know me better'n I know me! LOL Seriously, I'm anxious to hear from you when you try some recipes. Boy, five months without an oven would just about kill me!
Posted by: June | 12/27/2009 at 06:05 PM