Easy & Healthy Breakfast for Company
This is a fabulous make ahead breakfast or brunch item. Prepare it the night before and then just pop it into the oven when you wake up for a warm, hearty, healthy and delicious breakfast.
I love casseroles like this because you can change out many of the ingredients to suit your tastes. BE BRAVE and change out the veggies, eliminate or replace the turkey sausage, or even swap out the spice and herb flavors. Just keep the ratio of eggs to bread and milk and then, have fun, although, don’t miss out on the cheese – it makes the whole dish so yummy!
I’m an early riser usually, so I love to just wake up, preheat the oven and start the coffee. By the time everyone else is down for breakfast, the casserole is ready to be served!
Let’s breakfast together!
Make Ahead Breakfast Casserole
Ingredients
(* indicates my preferred ingredients – see notes for alternatives)
12 large eggs
1 cup shredded Monterey Jack or Cheddar cheese (regular or low fat)
1 ¼ cups milk (1% or 2%fat)
¼ teaspoon fresh ground pepper
1/8 teaspoon salt (more to taste)
3 tablespoon O&V Roasted Garlic oil
1 lb turkey breakfast sausage
½ cup sliced red peppers
1 cup sliced cremini or baby bella mushrooms
1 tablespoon O&V Tuscan Dipper Spice mix
½ cup sliced spring onions
1 tablespoon minced fresh oregano
3 tablespoons minced parsley
1 loaf ciabatta bread (8 oz), cut into 1-inch cubes
Preparation
Preheat the oven to 400F. Arrange the bread cubes in a single layer on a baking sheet. Bake for 8-10 minutes till toasted and lightly browned.
Heat one tablespoon roasted garlic oil in a skillet and add the turkey sausage. Cook for 5-6 minutes until brown and cooked through, breaking up the pieces and stirring till crumbly. Move to a large bowl.
In the same skillet add the remaining oil and sauté the mushrooms for 3-5 minutes till brown, add the sliced peppers and green onions and sauté an additional 2-3 minutes. Sprinkle in the dipper spice mix and fresh oregano and stir. Add back the sausage, stir to combine and remove from heat and return to large bowl. Add the toasted bread pieces and mix to combine
In a medium bowl, beat the eggs, and then add the milk and shredded cheese, stirring and mixing. Add fresh ground pepper. Add to the bread and sausage mixture and toss to coat all the bread well with the liquid.
Lightly oil a 2-quart baking dish and move the bread mixture to it. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight.
Remove casserole from refrigerator. Preheat oven to 350F. Bake the casserole for 50-60 minutes until set and lightly browned on top. Remove from oven, sprinkle with parsley and serve immediately.
Serves 6-8
Active time 35 minutes Total Time: 60 minutes in oven plus overnight in refrigerator
Notes
* The Tuscan Dipper Spice adds wonderful herby flavors and the Roasted Garlic oil adds nice garlicky flavor to the casserole. You can substitute with your favorite high quality spice mix and an Unflavored EVOO although the flavors of the finished product will differ with those changes.
All highlighted products are available at Oil & Vinegar stores.
Categories: Snacks & Sides, Breakfast & Brunch, Vegetarian Option, Easy Entertaining, Roasted Garlic Oil, Tuscan Dipper, Toscana Spice Mix, Make Ahead, Breakfast Casserole, Holiday Brunch,
