Ultimate Breakfast Casserole
153 Comments
Nov 26, 2023
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This is one loaded breakfast casserole! It’s made with eggs, crispy bacon, breakfast sausage, sweet potato, bell pepper, and the perfect amount of seasoning. Serve it up on the weekends, meal prep it for the week, or make it ahead of time for special occasions and holidays, like Christmas!
The Best Breakfast Casserole
Who says a hearty breakfast casserole means store-bought hash browns and lots of cheese? Oh no, this one’s loaded with far better ingredients that are just as filling, super tasty, and provide vibrant color. Roasted sweet potatoes, bell pepper, onion, bacon, and sausage add oomph to the perfect all-in-one meal.
This easy breakfast casserole makes for a delicious weekend breakfast, it’s ideal for meal prep, and it’s perfect for special occasions and holidays like Christmas morning or Easter brunch. You can easily feed the entire family (and then some), but you may not have much in the way of leftovers as it always gets devoured!
Breakfast Casserole Ingredients
Next time you’re at the market, grab a dozen eggs to make this reader-favorite breakfast casserole. Eggs form the casserole base, but from there, you can really customize it to your liking. Here’s what I include in mine:
- Eggs: The star ingredient that binds everything together.
- Bacon: Crispy bacon makes everything taste better, am I right?
- Breakfast Sausage: I’m using a slightly sweet breakfast sausage, but feel free to go for a mild, medium, or even spicy flavor.
- Sweet Potato: I dice, then roast the sweet potato with some spices so that it’s crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. It’s my version of hashbrowns, but healthier.
- Bell Pepper: You can use any color, but I love green for the contrast in color to the sweet potato.
- Onion: I’m using a yellow onion, but you could use a red onion or even slice up green onions.
- Garlic & Spices: Minced garlic and dried spices like cumin and paprika add incredible flavor to the casserole.
- Milk: Just a splash of milk makes the eggs nice and fluffy. You can use dairy or dairy-free milk, it’s up to you!
- Cheese: This is optional, but I personally love a little sprinkle of sharp cheddar cheese on top – so good.
Find the complete recipe with measurements below
How To Make This Breakfast Casserole
While the ingredient list may seem long, it’s much easier to make than you think!
Roast the bacon and potatoes. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C) and toss the diced sweet potatoes with olive oil, garlic powder, paprika, cumin, salt, and pepper. Then, add slices of bacon to a separate sheet pan. Pop both those items in the oven and cook the bacon for 15 to 20 minutes.
Once the bacon is done, take it out and place it on a paper towel-lined plate. Then continue roasting the sweet potato for an additional 15 minutes.
Cook the breakfast sausage, bell pepper, and onion. On medium-high heat, sauté the breakfast sausage until browned, then transfer it to a 9×13-inch casserole pan. Drain off a bit of the sausage grease, then sauté the bell pepper and onion for 5 minutes. Add the minced garlic and sauté for another minute, then add it to the casserole pan.
Stir everything together. Mix the sausage, bacon, bell pepper, onions, and sweet potato in the casserole pan and season with salt and pepper.
Add the eggs. Whisk together the egg mixture and pour it over the meat and veggies.
Bake and serve. Cook for 25 to 30 minutes, until the edges are golden and the center is cooked through. Then slice the breakfast casserole into squares for serving!
Ideas for Serving
Oh yeah, this breakfast casserole is mouthwatering on its own. But if you want to spruce it up a bit for guests or make it an even heartier meal, here are a few easy ideas:
- Garnish with greens. Top it off with sliced green onions, microgreens, or chopped herbs such as parsley.
- Pair with avocado. Slice up some avocado, add it to each plate, and sprinkle a bit of salt and freshly ground black pepper on top.
- Sprinkle cheese. If cheese is your thing, add some crumbled goat cheese or feta cheese on top. You could do this before baking or after.
- Add a side salad. Amp up the greens in your meal by quickly tossing leafy greens (such as spinach or arugula) in a lemon vinaigrette and serving on the side. A simple kale salad is also great.
Dietary Substitutions
- To make it dairy-free: use dairy-free milk and omit the cheese.
- To make it vegetarian: swap the bacon and breakfast sausage for more vegetables such as roasted Brussels sprouts, roasted broccoli, cauliflower rice, roasted asparagus, or sauteed Swiss chard.
Meal Prep and Store
This make-ahead breakfast casserole means several meals are done for the week – for either breakfast, lunch or dinner! What more can someone with a busy weekday schedule ask for? Here are a few ways to store it:
- To eat throughout the week: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 4 to 5 days. Then simply reheat in the microwave for 30 seconds to a minute.
- To freeze for later: Store leftovers in an airtight container, with parchment paper in between layers (to prevent them from sticking together) in the freezer for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to eat it, thaw it overnight in the fridge, then microwave a serving for 30 seconds to a minute.
More Easy Breakfast Ideas
Breakfast couldn’t be any easier with these reader favorites. Plus, these make for great meal prep options that turn Sunday cooking into exciting meals for the week.
- Shakshuka – Simple poached eggs simmered in a spiced tomato sauce.
- Ham and Broccoli Breakfast Casserole – Another flavor combination.
- Breakfast Egg Muffins – The perfect on-the-go breakfast.
- Sweet Potato Breakfast Hash – A hearty and nourishing breakfast skillet.
- Healthy Breakfast Casserole – It’s filled with ground turkey, spinach, and artichoke.
- Kale and Butternut Squash Frittata – A fall and winter breakfast delight.
Want even more recipes? Check out these 40+ healthy breakfast ideas!
This breakfast casserole really is loaded with flavor! If you make it, let me know how it turned out in a comment below. Your review helps others in the community!
Ultimate Breakfast Casserole
Description
Video
Equipment
- Casserole Pan Here's a great casserole pan if you need one!
- Heavy Duty Baking Sheet This won't warp or bend in the oven
Ingredients
- 1 pound sweet potato, peeled and diced into ½-inch cubes
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon paprika
- ¼ teaspoon cumin
- kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 8 ounces bacon
- 1 pound breakfast sausage, mild, medium or spicy, your choice
- ½ large onion, diced
- 1 green bell pepper, deseeded and diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 12 large eggs
- ⅓ cup milk (dairy or dairy-free)
- optional: shredded cheese and sliced green onion for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and get a 9×13-inch casserole pan out. On one baking sheet pan, toss the diced sweet potato with olive oil, garlic powder, paprika, cumin, salt, and pepper. Set aside.
- On another sheet pan, add slices of bacon. Then place both the sweet potato and bacon in the oven and cook for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the bacon is crispy. The bacon will be done first, so keep an eye on it and remove it from the oven when it's done, then place it on a paper towel-lined plate. Stir the sweet potato and continue cooking it for another 15 minutes.
- While the sweet potato is cooking, cook the breakfast sausage in a pan on medium-high heat. Once it's browned, remove it with a slotted spoon and place it in the casserole pan.
- Drain off all but a tablespoon of grease from the pan, then saute the onion and bell pepper for 4 to 5 minutes. Add the minced garlic and saute for another minute. Transfer this mixture to the casserole pan.
- Remove the sweet potato from the oven and add it to the casserole pan along with the crumbled bacon, breakfast sausage, onion, and bell pepper. If you'd like to add cheese, you can add it to the casserole pan now or sprinkle it on top.
- Stir all of the ingredients in the casserole pan together. Feel free to season with more salt and pepper.
- In a mixing bowl, whisk the eggs and milk together, until lightly frothy.
- Pour the egg mixture on top of the meat and vegetables. Cook for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the center is cooked through and the edges are slightly golden.
- Slice the breakfast casserole into squares, and if you'd like, garnish with green onion or herbs before serving.
Lisa’s Tips
- One pound of sweet potatoes is usually one medium to large sized sweet potato. If it’s slightly over, that’s fine as well.
Nutrition
©Downshiftology. Content and photographs are copyright protected. Sharing of this recipe is both encouraged and appreciated. Copying and/or pasting full recipes to any social media is strictly prohibited.
Recipe originally published December 2020, but updated to include new information.
Made this for a brunch and it was super flavorful and delicious even when it got cold after being out for a while. One note for those of us with less of a sweet tooth: I would probably use Italian sausage next time as the combination of the sweet potato and sweetness of the breakfast sausage left my savory breakfast preferences wanting.
Yes, you can definitely swap in a more savory sausage. Happy you loved it!
Love this recipe for feeding a crowd! I’ve cooked for one most of my adult life, but have recently started hosting weekends with up to 8. Probably not a big deal for many with large families, but I was at a loss. Made this for a group one weekend and it was a hit! Was also great that I could prep some on Friday afternoon before people arrived, which made it super easy on Saturday morning.
So happy you and your family loved the recipe, Tara!
Wow! This is sooooo good! I’ve been following Downshiftology for a long time but never really made any recipes until recently. I’ve been missing out! This breakfast casserole is delicious and all of the other recipes I’ve tried have been great too! Thank you for making such wonderful recipes for us to make in our own homes. ❤️
I’m so glad you enjoyed this breakfast casserole, Ellie!
Looks delicious! Could I make this in a slow cooker? If so, any advice on cooking time? Thanks!
I haven’t tested this in a slow cooker, but will keep that in mind!
I was looking for an easy egg recipe for Sunday brunch. My stepdaughter is gluten and lactose intolerant and this fit the bill. Everyone liked it and it fed 6 of us with some leftovers. I definitely will make this casserole again. Thank you for sharing your recipe.
Happy to hear everyone enjoyed this breakfast casserole for Sunday brunch!
Happened to find this recipe by accident, but glad I did!! It tastes great and exactly what I was wanting. I only needed to feed 3 people, so I typed it in before printing. The only problem I have is when it printed, the measurements were in decimal form instead of fractions for the smaller amounts, so I guessed. It still turned out great! Thanks!
I’m glad you loved the breakfast casserole! And next time, feel free to make the whole recipe and save the leftovers. They freeze beautifully for meal prep!
I love this recipe. When I get to the last two slices I start another pant. I haven’t given it a chance to run out. My Family and friends love this recipe as well.
Thanks, Lisa
Haha, love that it’s an endless breakfast casserole! ;)
This is one of my favorite prepping recipes! Making the bacon and sweet potatoes in the oven completely changed my life. Since my granddaughter reminded me that we didn’t get breakfast sausage at the store, I upped the bacon and sweet potatoes in today’s batch. It is such a versatile recipe. Thank you.
Glad this has become a meal prep staple Catherine!
I have made this recipe two weeks in row for my husband and myself. It is full of flavor, filling and easy to prep! And it was a hit with my husband. Great recipe!!!
Happy to hear this has been a great breakfast meal prep!
Very tasty and very easy recipe. Great combo of flavors. I took the liberty of adding some sauteed Portobello mushrooms and baked a little Cauliflower in with the Sweet Potato. Excellent any-time-of-day-or-night meal. Thanks!!
Very tasty breakfast entrée. I like the addition of sweet potatoes. 😋 👍
Delicious! I made this for our Easter brunch and it was a hit. I also made a vegetarian version and added in asparagus. This is a great dish to be able to prep the veggies and meat a day ahead.
Glad this was a hit for Easter brunch!
This was incredibly flavorful and delicious. My husband and I loved this recipe and how well it works for meal prep! I think the sweet potatoes add more flavor than regular potatoes, which is what I have typically seen in breakfast casserole recipes. We will be remaking this one many times over!
Glad you and your husband are loving this breakfast casserole Marie!
My husband and I absolutely LOVE this recipe! Green bell peppers do not like me so I omitted them and added roasted Cauliflower florets instead, with delicious results! The flavors in the recipe are wonderful! Thank you Lisa!
This casserole is so delicious and fluffy! I love how easy this is to prepare and customize to your liking.
Glad you enjoyed this breakfast casserole Abbie!
Thank you! It’s delicious!
Glad you enjoyed this breakfast casserole Irina!
I would not have thought to use the spices that are in this recipe or the sweet potato but this is so good and so filling. It was a big hit with the family, even those that are not fans of sweet potatoes.
I’m happy you and your family loved the recipe Samantha!
Just made this for tomorrows breakfast but my husband doesn’t eat any kind of vegetables so I made half without the onions and bell peppers I taste it and oh my it’s so goooood 😋
Thank you Lisa
Thinking next time you should sneak in some veggies for your husband :)
Looks so delish and mouthwatering! Want to try this soon
Made this breakfast casserole 2 days ahead of time. Served it on Christmas morning, and it was a big hit! I was concerned that, once reheated, it would be dried out. Not so! Everyone enjoyed it!
Amazing Christmas Morning breakfast! Thank you so much!!!
You’re more than welcome! Glad you enjoyed it.
Thanks!
I just made this dish. Took longer to get it all together than I thought. Followed the recipie to a T, but I topped it with sliced Tomato & a sprinkle of cheese. Turned out delicious. Next time I will add some fennel seeds which I think will really enhance the flavors.
Do you think mushrooms would work? If so would you sauté with the green pepper? Thank you!!
Loved your cheesy scalloped potatoes!!
Yep you can use mushrooms as well!
My most enjoyable meal is breakfast to start my day off right. Thanks for your post on the Ultimate Breakfast.
Hi Lisa. This looks delicious. Could you make all the “fixings” the day before and then add the egg mixture when you are about to bake it? Perhaps bring the meat mixture to room temperature before adding the egg mixture? Love your recipes.
Yes, absolutely! You can definitely meal prep the individual ingredients and then mix and bake the casserole when you’d like to eat it. Enjoy!
This is a fave in our household! It’s great for meal prep, since it makes a lot and stores well. If we don’t have the exact veggies on hand, it’s easy to sub other ingredients in and it’s still delicious. Thank you for all of the inspiration to cook healthy and delicious meals for my family. :)
I’m so happy you love it Kimberlee! It’s one of my all-time favorite breakfast casserole recipes as well. :)
Lisa your recipes are good but this is the best one that i ever made. I made this breakfast cassorole for dinner. I used Ground Lamb Meat cut up some russett potatoes used frozen sweet potatos. Put my seasoning. Minced Onions and parsleys and other thing. and it turned out just delicious i have plenty of leftovers. your healthy recipes help me lose weight. I thank God for u.
Awesome, so happy you loved this recipe! And those sound like great swaps.
Looking forward to making this recipe and confident it will be excellent. Does anyone have tips for baking this the night before, refrigerating, then reheating in the same pan? What temp, how long, covered, etc… The more specific, the better. Thanks in advance!
Hi Sammy – I always have storage instructions written in the post :)
can you make it the day before keeping in the fridge then bake in the morning
It’s best to make this as is, then store leftovers away.
Have tried several of your recipes and they all came out great. I lIke that your recipes have a flexibility to them. You can adjust ingredient amounts or make substitutions and they still come out delicious. I used two sweet potatoes, onions, green peppers, peas and spinach and nine eggs in a slightly smaller pan so I could cook it in the toaster oven. Bacon on the side because of non-meat eaters. A hit. Thank you.
Happy to hear you’re loving this breakfast casserole!
Lisa, What vegetable, spices and cheese substitutions would you suggest if I want to leave out the meat?
You could always add in mushrooms, bell peppers, squashes, or even leafy greens!
I’ve made this about five times now. Love it! I usually cut the potato smaller so I don’t have to cook it as long and don’t add bacon every time. I try to add lots of spinach each time. I store single servings in smaller mason jars and pop those in the freezer so I don’t have to open a larger storage container each time. Thanks so much!
Excellent casserole! I’ve made it multiple times, sometimes substituting ingredients according to what I have on hand. We eat it for breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks… :)