Let me tell you about the pioneer woman breakfast casserole—it’s an absolute game-changer when it comes to brunch! This hearty dish is perfect for feeding a crowd, and trust me, it never fails to impress. I remember the first time I made it for a family gathering; everyone was raving about it, and I felt like a superstar chef! The combination of eggs, sausage, and cheese baked together creates this warm, comforting masterpiece that fills the room with the most mouthwatering aroma. It’s so easy to whip up, and you can customize it with your favorite veggies or cheeses. Whether it’s a holiday brunch or just a casual Sunday gathering, this casserole will be the star of the show every time!
Ingredients List
- 12 large eggs
- 2 cups milk
- 1 pound breakfast sausage
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup diced bell peppers
- 1 cup diced onions
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 loaf of bread, cubed
How to Prepare the Pioneer Woman Breakfast Casserole
Making the pioneer woman breakfast casserole is a breeze, and I promise you’ll be amazed at how quickly it comes together! Just follow these simple steps, and you’ll have a delicious dish ready to wow your family or friends.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- First things first, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). This is crucial for getting that perfect bake.
- While the oven is warming up, grab a skillet and cook the breakfast sausage over medium heat until it’s nicely browned. You want all those delicious, savory flavors to come out!
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the 12 large eggs and 2 cups of milk until well combined. This is where the magic starts to happen!
- Add in 1 teaspoon of salt, 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper, 1 cup of diced bell peppers, and 1 cup of diced onions. Stir it all together until those colorful veggies are evenly mixed in.
- Next, fold in the cooked sausage and the cubed bread from your loaf. Make sure everything is well-coated with that egg mixture. You want every bite to be flavorful!
- Now, pour the whole mixture into a greased baking dish. I like to use a 9×13 inch dish, but you can adjust based on what you have.
- Finally, sprinkle 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese on top. This is the crowning glory that makes everything so cheesy and delicious!
- Bake in the preheated oven for 45-50 minutes. You’ll know it’s done when the eggs are set and a beautiful golden color appears on top.
- Once it’s out of the oven, let it cool for a few minutes before serving. This waiting time is the hardest part, but it’s worth it!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- It’s a quick and easy dish that comes together in just a little over an hour.
- Perfect for feeding a crowd—everyone gets a hearty slice that will keep them satisfied!
- Customizable with your choice of veggies, cheeses, and even spices to suit your taste.
- Great for breakfast, brunch, or even a cozy dinner with family and friends.
- You can prep it the night before for even simpler baking in the morning.
- It fills your kitchen with the most delicious aroma that draws everyone in!
Tips for Success
To ensure your pioneer woman breakfast casserole turns out perfectly every time, here are a few tips I swear by! First off, if you want to save time in the morning, you can prepare the casserole the night before. Just mix everything together, pour it into your greased baking dish, cover it tightly with plastic wrap, and pop it in the fridge. In the morning, remove it from the fridge while preheating the oven and let it sit for about 15-20 minutes to take the chill off before baking.
Also, don’t hesitate to get creative with your ingredients! You can swap the breakfast sausage for turkey sausage or even crumbled bacon if that’s more your style. And if you want to sneak in some extra nutrition, try adding in spinach or kale along with your bell peppers and onions. Trust me, it’ll taste fantastic!
Variations
The beauty of the pioneer woman breakfast casserole is its versatility! You can easily switch things up to keep it exciting. For a flavor twist, try adding some cooked crumbled bacon or diced ham in place of the sausage. If you’re a veggie lover, consider mixing in mushrooms, spinach, or even zucchini for added texture and nutrition. Don’t forget about the cheese! While cheddar is a classic, feel free to experiment with pepper jack for a spicy kick or feta for a tangy touch. The options are endless, so have fun playing with your favorite ingredients!
Storage & Reheating Instructions
If you have any leftovers of this delicious pioneer woman breakfast casserole (which is rare, but hey, it happens!), you’ll want to store them properly to keep that amazing flavor intact. Let the casserole cool completely, then cover it tightly with plastic wrap or transfer it to an airtight container. It’ll keep well in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
When it’s time to enjoy those leftovers, simply reheat individual slices in the microwave for about 1-2 minutes, or pop the whole dish back in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 20 minutes until heated through. This way, you’ll still get that lovely cheesy goodness!
Nutritional Information
Please note that nutritional values can vary based on the specific ingredients and brands you use, so these numbers are just estimates. Typically, each slice of this pioneer woman breakfast casserole contains around 250 calories, 15g of fat, 15g of protein, and 18g of carbohydrates. Adjust accordingly based on your choices!
FAQ Section
Can I make the casserole ahead of time? Absolutely! You can prepare the pioneer woman breakfast casserole the night before. Just mix all the ingredients, pour them into a greased dish, and cover it tightly with plastic wrap. Refrigerate overnight and let it sit at room temperature for about 15-20 minutes before baking the next morning.
What can I substitute for breakfast sausage? If you’re looking for alternatives, turkey sausage or crumbled bacon works great! You could even go vegetarian and use plant-based sausage. Just make sure to adjust cooking times accordingly if needed.
How long does the casserole take to bake? It typically bakes for 45-50 minutes at 350°F (175°C). Keep an eye on it towards the end—once the eggs are set and the top is golden brown, you’re good to go!
Can I freeze leftovers? Yes, you can! After cooling completely, wrap individual slices or the whole dish tightly and freeze. Just thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating. It’s a perfect way to enjoy this delicious breakfast casserole later on!
What other veggies can I add? The options are endless! Feel free to throw in diced mushrooms, zucchini, or even some fresh spinach. It’s a fantastic way to sneak in more nutrients while adding delicious flavors!
Print
Pioneer Woman Breakfast Casserole: 7 Comforting Secrets
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Calorie
Description
A hearty and delicious breakfast casserole perfect for feeding a crowd.
Ingredients
- 12 large eggs
- 2 cups milk
- 1 pound breakfast sausage
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup diced bell peppers
- 1 cup diced onions
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 loaf of bread, cubed
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a skillet, cook the sausage until browned.
- In a large bowl, whisk together eggs and milk.
- Add salt, pepper, bell peppers, and onions to the egg mixture.
- Add the cooked sausage and cubed bread to the mixture and stir.
- Pour the mixture into a greased baking dish.
- Top with shredded cheddar cheese.
- Bake for 45-50 minutes or until the eggs are set.
- Let cool for a few minutes before serving.
Notes
- Feel free to add other vegetables.
- You can prepare it the night before and refrigerate.
- Adjust the cheese type to your preference.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 15g
- Cholesterol: 180mg
Keywords: pioneer woman breakfast casserole