Crowd Pleasing Pre-Planned Breakfast Casserole Recipes

Are you hosting the big holiday crowd at your house? Need a few quick breakfast recipes to feed the masses? If so, these are the recipes for you! These two casserole recipes are sure to please your guests and feed a big crowd with minimal effort. Best of all, you can make both of these recipes ahead of time so you can enjoy time with your guests in the morning. Pre-planning at its best!

Italian Sausage Breakfast Casserole:

This hearty casserole is easy to make and tastes delicious. Make ahead of time and refrigerate overnight. In the morning, bake, serve and enjoy!

What You’ll Need:

13 x 9 glass pan, sprayed with Pam cooking spray

1 loaf Italian bread, cubed

1 pound Italian sausage (pork, turkey or chicken)

2 cups roasted red peppers, cut into 1″ strips

8 green onions, chopped

2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

6 eggs (or Egg Beaters)

1 ½ cup non-fat milk

1 tsp salt

½ tsp pepper

How To Prepare:

Spray 13 x 9 pan with Pam cooking spray and set aside. Brown sausage in frying pan. Drain fat and pat sausage with paper towel to remove excess grease. Sauté red peppers and green onion until onions are soft. Cover bottom of pan with layer of bread cubes, sausage, red peppers, green onion, and cheese. Repeat until you’re out of ingredients. End with layer of cheese.

In a bowl, mix together eggs, milk, salt and pepper. Pour over top of layered casserole. Cover and refrigerate overnight. In the morning, preheat oven to 325 degrees. Bake for one hour.

Serve with coffee and fresh fruit. Serves 8.

For a healthier version, use turkey or chicken sausage, low fat cheese, non-fat milk, and egg whites (Egg Beaters).

Feel free to experiment with this recipe as well. You can use different types of sausage, add different vegetables, use wheat bread for a healthier carbohydrate, or try a different type of cheese. I’ve tried it a few different ways and always love the results.

Baked French Toast Casserole:

If you are craving something sweet for your brunch but don’t want to be slaving over the frying pan flipping pancakes, try this recipe for French Toast casserole. It’s a quick casserole to make and always earns rave reviews. Make the night before and simply pop into the oven in the morning.

What You’ll Need:

13 x 9 glass pan, sprayed with Pam cooking spray

2 TBS dark corn syrup (Karo brand)

1 cup brown sugar

½.

5 eggs (or Egg Beaters)

1 ½ cup non-fat milk

2 tsp vanilla

How To Prepare:

Spray 13 x 9 pan with Pam; set aside. In microwave in a medium bowl, melt butter. Stir in corn syrup and brown sugar. Mix until well combined. Pour mixture into 13 x 9 pan and spread evenly over the bottom of the pan. Slice baguette into 1 inch slices. Place bread slices on top of brown sugar mixture. Mix eggs, milk and vanilla together. Pour over bread. Cover and refrigerate overnight. In the morning, preheat oven to 350 degrees. Bake for 30-40 minutes.

For healthier version, try whole wheat bread and Egg Beaters.

The brown sugar mixture bakes and creates a nice syrup that bubbles up through the bread. No need to serve with syrup; this one is sweet enough on its own. Serves 8.

Both of these casseroles also work well for brunches, baby and wedding shower menus, or just to enjoy with your family. Bon appétit!