CHRISTMAS BREAKFAST CASSEROLE
Christmas morning at our house would not be complete without CHRISTMAS BREAKFAST CASSEROLE! I’ve made this delicious dish for decades! I’m sure most of you have had this scrumptious eggy-cheesy-sausage concoction… yummy! At our home Christmas Breakfast Casserole makes an appearance at every holiday, not only Christmas! But at Christmas it’s the star of our brunch table!
I’ve changed the original recipe just a tad and added toasted croissants instead of white bread and some savory onions. It does make quite a difference! I also use half and half and it tastes quite decedent!
This year I am making Christmas Breakfast Casserole in two deep 8×8 pans. It rises and puffs up high and light. This recipe is not rocket science you you can adjust it.
If I could choose, I’d also add grilled red pepper and/or broccoli, but I don’t want a family mutiny on my hands! So, here is the FAMOUS STONEGABLE CHRISTMAS BREAKFAST CASSEROLE just like I served it 25 years ago!!!!!
CHRISTMAS BREAKFAST CASSEROLE
Ingredients
- 4-6 large croissants
- 1 1/2 lbs Bob Evan's original sage sausage blue tube
- l large onion peeled and diced
- 12-14 large eggs
- 4-5 cups milk or combination of milk and half and half
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp pepper
- 2 dashes of hot sauce
- 2 TBS butter
- 2-3 cups good extra sharp cheddar cheese grated
Instructions
- Make this casserole the night before you want to cook and serve it.
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Cut croissants into 1 1/2 inch chunks. Put them on 2 large rimmed baking sheets. Bake until slightly golden brown, about 15 minutes.
- Meanwhile, in a large pan add the sausage and cook it over a medium heat, breaking the sausages into small pieces. When the sausage is completely cooked remove it to a bowl.
- Add the onions to the sausage drippings and cook until translucent, about 4 minutes. Remove the onions to another large bowl. Discard the drippings.
- To the bowl that has the onions add the eggs and whisk well. Add the milk, salt, pepper and hot sauce to the eggs. Whisk until incorporated and light making a custard.
- Grease the inside of a large rectangle pan (9 x 13) with butter. Add the croissants to the bottom of the pan. Gently and evenly pour the egg custard over the croissants. (If the croissants are still a little dry you may need to make a little more custard. Just add 1/4 cup of milk to every 2 eggs if you need more.)
- Crumble the sausage over the mixture and then sprinkle over the cheese. Gently push all the ingredients down so they are soaked with custard.
- Wrap the pan in foil and refrigerate overnight.
- The next morning preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
- Remove foil and bake for 1 hours or until the center of the casserole is set. Remove from the oven and rest for 10-15 minutes. Lightly tent with foil.
- Serve and enjoy!
Notes
May your Christmas table be full of scrumptious food and loved ones!
You may want to pin this to your RECIPE or CHRISTMAS Pinterest board. You can follow me on Pinterest HEREÂ and see all the New Year things I am pinning!
Looks yummy!! What can you suggest to you Canadian followers that can not get Bob Evan’s sage sausage?
Mild Italian? Weight?
Thanks in advance….and Merry Christmas!
Hi Susan! I am very partial to Canadians! My wonderful brother-in-law comes from Winnipeg… and he is a winner! As far as the sausage… use a sage sausage. Use a pound of sausage… or a little more. We love it to cover the whole casserole!
Thank you for sharing this amazing recipe. It was indeed a show stopper!!! Everyone loved it.
Warmest Wishes of the season….
Susan
So happy Susan!!! Merry Christmas!
I am also from Canada… Just not sure what type of sausage I would use.. That looks so yummy!!
Use a bulk sage sausage.
It looks Yummy and scrummy. Traditions in a family are special.
Wow. I make a breakfast casserole for Christmas morning as well- but YOWZA ! I never would have thought to use croissants! WOW wow wow is all I can say! I think I will try that idea with using my old standby recipe instead of using white bread that it calls for I will definitely substitute croissants! Sounds decadent and I can’t wait to try it!
There is nothing like having a casserole all ready to pop in the oven on Christmas morning…thanks for the new recipe!…Looks wonderful!
Hi there! Thanks for sharing this recipe. Do you put this straight into oven cold from the refridgerator? Or do I need to let it come to room temp before baking?
Either way. If you put it in the oven straight from the frig, make sure the pan can go from frig to oven.
Merry Christmas.
I’ve made a variety of this for several years. Sounds yummy and will definitely make for New Year’s Day brunch. Thanks.
This looks terrific–I’m sure the croissants would be wonderful, but do you have a recommendation if I had to use regular french bread or something similar instead?
Just use enough to cover the bottom of the pan and about 1/3 the way up the side of the pan.
I have a very similar recipe only I use Jimmy Dean Spicy sausage in the tube. And I use Swiss cheese instead. It’s a favorite of our family, in fact I’ll be making that for guests this week!
When you say to toast the croissants, do you mean that you buy fresh-baked croissants and them cook them *more* in the oven, or are you buying the tube of refrigerated croissant dough and baking those? I’m thinking the first option, but was a little unsure. Thanks!
Buy the ones already baked, I used the ones you get at Costco. Toast pieces of those and put in the bottom of the pan before you add the custard. This is really a good recipe, I used Hot Italian Turkey sausage, because we like that best.
Good to know Jodie.
Your casserole looks delicious and I am sure it is. I, too, have been making a sweet version, bread pudding, for at least 25 years as well. It’s great to prep the night before, and while we are opening presents on Christmas morning, the pudding is merrily bubbling away in the oven. Tradition is a wonderful thing. Merry Christmas
I made this casserole for my friends yesterday!!! it was sooooo good, they raved about it!! thanks for sharing, now if I could just find your Mac and cheese recipe, I have searched and searched your Pinterest site and can’t find it….
Like a previous commentor i need to know what you use for croissants…fresh or unbaked. I do want to make this but need this clarification, please.
Hi Nancy, I use fresh baked croissants. This casserole is amazing!
I made this casserole for Christmas morning and it was a huge hit!! I had some left over, so I cut it in small squares and froze it in individual freezer bags. Now, I have breakfast burritos whenever I want them! I thaw a bag overnight in the fridge. In the morning, I heat it up in the microwave in a tortilla with some cheese and just add salsa. What a yummy, fast breakfast! Thanks for your great ideas and inspirations 🙂
Saving this recipe ….I was reading some of the other posts and what great ideas
I am always looking for breakfast ideas as I usually prepare breakfast the night before . My family is always in a hurry in the mornings, so they do appreciate a grab and go type of meal.
I have used many of your recipes and everyone has been so good.
Thanks for posting them.
Thanks Yvonne for the delicious recipe! I’ll have family in town for Thanksgiving and this will be a nice treat for brunch the Sunday after Thanksgiving when everyone is al turkey end out! I can’t wait to try it and LOVE the yummy twist of using croissants!
Your Christmas casserole sounds delicious. I’m going to try it right away. I also like the idea of brunch and a light supper rather than a huge mid day dinner.
Since there are grown out of town children with their own families it might need to be on a different day than Christmas. Have you run into that problem?
Can’t wait to try your Christmas casserole. We always have a family Christmas breakfast so I so appreciate your sharing.
Can this be frozen?
It does freeze if you have leftovers. But we never do! I would not freeze it and then bake it or warm it up. It’s so easy to make up the night ahead and take out of the frig and finish off in the oven the next morning.
Thanks for your response!
Always enjoy your blog. Will make the new version for Christmas brunch.
Thank you Yvonne.
You make such pretty tables. This years Christmas one is one of my favorite. I saved the Christmas casserole, it also looks amazing. I cannot wait to make it for our Christmas brunch. I love that it can mixed the night before. Thanks for sharing your traditions with us and giving us great ideas. Merry Christmas to you and yours.
Another great recipe of yours! Made this for Thanksgiving week company.. Such a huge hit! Am making for Christmas too!
Just printed your Christmas Breakfast casserole as we will be having it for our Christmas Brunch! We are empty nesters now and we travel to the grand’s house to check out what Santa Claus brought and this will be perfect to take along and pop in the oven. It will bake while we open gifts and ready to dig in about time we are finished. Thanks again!!!
This sounds wonderful. Can.t wait to try it with the family.
YUM-O
Our grandson loves croissants so this will be prepared sometime over the holidays. Looks yummy!
Speedy recovery ! &Merry Christmas & a Happy New Year!
Please take care and heal quickly! Merry Christmas!
So sorry to hear about your surgery, sending prayers for a full and speedy recover! Thank you for the wonderful recipes, they all sound delicious.
We are empty nesters and will be by ourselves for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. I will plan to make the breakfast casserole for the two of us to have something a little special for our weekend brunch.
Croissants sound like a great change. I will be trying them in my casserole this year. Thank you for sharing!
Merry Christmas!!!
Yvonne thank you for sharing this wonderful recipe! I wish you full recover, Merry Christmas & a Happy New Year!
I have two of your dishes on my menu today ! Breakfast casserole is in the oven now . Love the idea of buttery croissants ? in this dish. Can’t wait to try ! Also, your Caesar dressing I made yesterday for our salad today to go with our rustic lasagne – a combo of fire roasted tomato with a layer of alfredo sauce . Thank you for yummy new recipes to try ! Hope your ankle/foot is healing nicely & you can be spoiled & waited on this holiday. Merry Christmas to you & your family ! May Christ be born in each of us this Christmas . Because we need it as a nation……..we need him in this world ?
A good Christmas Breakfast recipe. Every year we travel to NC to enjoy Christmas with my mom. This will be great to have before we leave. This is a keeper for Christmas 2017. However, guest are still coming this week and I will make this for a large crowd.
I hope you are recovering well. Take in everything you have done and are doing. Enjoy Gods Blessings. You give so much.
You are my saving grace. My husband doesn’t care for breakfast casseroles. That is, he didn’t care for them until I made this one. Now I can join y’all and make my breakfast at night. Yeah!
Sounds scrumptious! Can’t wait to try it!
You had me at croissants! this will be our Christmas morning breakfast!! Thank you!
Looks delicious you have wonderful recipes
Hi. I would love to make this! I have 11 coming for Christmas Eve brunch. Would this feed them all?
Thanks.
Make it in a big casserole dish. You might want to double it.That’s what I do?
Thank you. Cant wait to try it! Merry Christmas to you all from the UK.
Hi Diane, I lived in England as a girl. I’m planning a trip there soon. I love the UK! God bless you!
Yummy I will have to try maybe next year … doing the breakfast pizza this year the families favorite God bless and Merry Christmas to you and your family
Hi Yvonne! Thanks for posting this…I’m considering making it for our family brunch this Christmas 2017 if we end up having a brunch! I didn’t see an answer to this question in the comments below, so I thought I’d ask again in case it just got missed: For the fresh baked croissants, do you bake them more in the oven (the 15 min. mentioned in the recipe) or does that only apply to unbaked croissants. Thanks and happiest of holidays to you and yours!
I buy already baked croissants. I get mine from Costco. Then I cut them into chunks and bake them about 15 minutes in a 350 degree oven. What you are really doing is toasting them. Then they are ready to go into your breakfast casserole.
Sounds absolutely delicious and I’d like to try this but sounds like an awful lot for just two. Could the recipe be halved?
Yvonne,
Merry Christmas lovely lady!
I’ve made this for Christmas morning breakfast since I’ve followed you,
We absolutely love it, very simple and quite delicious!
I serve it with a little bubbly, it’s a wonderful way to start our Christmas holiday!
I wish u many peaceful holiday blessings with your family and a New Year full of
Good health, love, laughter and peace. ??
A very Merry Christmas, thank u for all the time and meaningful posts u share with us!
Fondly,
Jacklyn Carney
Thank you for sharing your breakfast casserole recipe Yvonne! I too have been making a Christmas casserole for family for decades and like yours, my family absolutely loves it! I have already started my casserole but I’ll remember to try using croissants next year. My recipe is very similar to yours but I thought I’d share the difference incase you’d like to try it. Mine starts with white bread slices (with crusts removed) that covers the bottom of a 9×13 pan. I then add cooked sausage and shredded cheese (variety of your choice). Top with another layer of bread (sort of like a sandwich). I whip 6 eggs, 2 c. cream and veggies (I use onions and green peppers) desired along with tobasco, dry mustard, worchester sauce and S&P. Pour over bread, squish down and let sit overnight. In the morning I add crushed corn flakes to the top along with a stick of melted butter. Bake 1 hour. Over the years I’ve tried ham and bacon instead of sausage. Everyone has their favorite. Adding croissants to mine will be over the top! Thank you again…..Merry Christmas!
That breakfast casserole looks so yummy! I can see why it has been a family tradition on Christmas morning for 25 years. Enjoy your breakfast meal, Merry Christmas!
I don’t cook much and am a little confused. You call the egg mixture a “custard”. as in pour the custard over the croissants…. ??? Is it cooked… I thought custard referred to a cooked egg mixture? Want to be sure I’m not supposed to cook the egg mixture until it resembles a custard? Sorry to be such a cooking klutz
Great question, Bev. Any time eggs are beaten with milk it is called a custard. Don’t cook it. Pour it on with when the eggs are raw.
My question has to do with the liquid . 4 to 5 cups of milk has me confused. Why does it vary? Also 12-14 eggs…… I guess I’m afraid if I put in 5 cups it will be too watery. An entire cup is a lot of extra liquid. Am I missing something? Probably, knowing me! Can you clarify?
this dish looks amazing, and I can hardly wait to give it a try. It for sure will also be on our breakfast table for Christmas. Thank you!
I know what you are going through with your ankle as I had the same three years ago and time is the only healer. Glad you have good help for this busy season. I hope you had time to prepare for this months food and baking and your freezer is full. I am going to make your Christmas Breakfast casserole as it sounds so good and I can make ahead. Have a great holiday!
I have made this every year for the last 5 years! It is the best, will be making it again this year in Idaho! Will never make another casserole for Christmas morning ever again. This is the best!!
We make this EVERY Christmas morning!
Do you have your own spin on this recipe? The Christmas Breakfast Casserole is part of our family tradition.
What a great touch to use croissants! I’m definitely doing this version for Christmas guests this year.
I also do a second smaller one with gimme lean or something similar for my vegetarian family members
My friend Marilou made it with Croissants and I never made it with any other bread!
The natural tree was my favorite, right out of the woods look was beautiful! I also printed the recipe and going to try it – maybe even for dinner 🙂
Another winner! Thanks for the great recipes.
You have the best recipes, Yvonne! Thanks for sharing. Your home looks beautiful and Ieven created a wreath like the one on your front door. Love the green check!
Please share your original recipe without the onions. My grandkids will not eat this delicious looking casserole if there are onions. Thanks.
Just don’t use onions in the casserole. Lyndel, this is my original recipe. Merry Christmas!
My family loves Brisket.Thankyou for the crockpot receipt. This will be on my Christmas menu.
Yay! This is such a simple and delicious recipe.