Okay, buckle up, friends, because we’re about to talk about a breakfast game-changer! If you’re anything like me, you LOVE that salty, garlicky, seedy goodness of an everything bagel. But, let’s be real, sometimes slicing and toasting and schmearing just feels like a *lot* before coffee, right? That’s where THIS Everything Bagel Breakfast Casserole swoops in to save the day (and your mornings!). It takes all those amazing flavors you crave and bakes them into one glorious, easy-peasy dish. It’s savory, it’s hearty, and it’s got that perfect little crunch from the seasoning on top.
I first stumbled upon the idea for this when I had a forgotten bag of stale everything bagels mocking me from the counter. I thought, “What if… what if I turned you into a casserole?” It took a few tries to get the bread-to-egg ratio just right and figure out the best way to get that everything bagel punch throughout the whole thing, not just on top. But after lots of kitchen experiments (and very happy taste testers!), I finally landed on this recipe. Trust me, this one’s a keeper, and it’s become a weekend and holiday staple in our house. It’s got that perfect blend of comfort food vibes with a fun, flavorful twist. You’re going to love how simple and satisfying it is!
Why You’ll Love This Everything Bagel Breakfast Casserole
Seriously, this casserole is going to become your new breakfast BFF. Why? Well, let me tell you!
- It’s ridiculously easy. Like, throw-it-together-in-minutes easy. Perfect for busy mornings or when you’re still half asleep.
- That flavor! All the best parts of an everything bagel baked into a warm, savory dish. It’s pure comfort food.
- Feeds a crowd. This is my go-to when we have overnight guests or for holiday brunches. Everyone loves it!
- Make-ahead friendly. Prep it the night before and just pop it in the oven in the morning. Winning!
It’s just a super satisfying, no-fuss way to get your everything bagel fix!
Ingredients for Everything Bagel Breakfast Casserole
Alright, let’s gather our goodies! The beauty of this Everything Bagel Breakfast Casserole is that it uses pretty standard stuff you probably have on hand or can easily grab at the store. Nothing fancy here, just wholesome ingredients coming together for something magical.
Here’s what you’ll need:
- 1 pound ground breakfast sausage (your favorite kind!)
- 1/2 cup chopped yellow or white onion
- 1/2 cup chopped red bell pepper (adds a nice pop of color and sweetness)
- 10 large eggs ( gotta have plenty of those!)
- 1 cup milk (any kind works, I usually use 2%)
- 1 teaspoon everything bagel seasoning, plus extra for sprinkling on top (I use a store-bought blend, but you can totally make your own!)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 4 cups cubed day-old bread (this is key!)
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (sharp or mild, your call!)
See? Simple, right? Get everything measured and chopped before you start, and it’ll come together in a flash.
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
A few little notes on making this casserole your own! For the cheese, cheddar is classic, but feel free to swap in Monterey Jack, a Colby-Jack blend, or even some Gruyere if you’re feeling fancy. Any kind of breakfast sausage works – pork, turkey, spicy, mild. As for the bread, day-old is best because it soaks up the egg mixture without getting mushy. If your bread is fresh, just leave it sit out for a few hours or even overnight to dry out a bit. Trust me on the day-old bread; it makes a difference!
Equipment Needed for Your Everything Bagel Breakfast Casserole
You don’t need a ton of fancy gadgets for this Everything Bagel Breakfast Casserole, which I love! Just a couple of basics you likely already have in your kitchen. You’ll definitely need a good, large skillet to brown your sausage and veggies. And of course, a trusty 9×13 inch baking dish is essential – glass or ceramic works great! A big bowl for whisking the egg mixture is helpful too. That’s really it! Easy peasy.
How to Prepare Your Everything Bagel Breakfast Casserole
Okay, let’s get cooking! Making this Everything Bagel Breakfast Casserole is super straightforward, and I’m going to walk you through it just like I would show a friend in my kitchen. No stress, just deliciousness!
First things first, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). While the oven is getting warm, grab your 9×13 inch baking dish and give it a good spray or grease with butter. You want to make sure nothing sticks!
Now, let’s tackle the sausage and veggies. Get your large skillet nice and hot over medium heat. Add your pound of ground breakfast sausage. Break it up with a spoon as it cooks until it’s all browned. Then, toss in your chopped onion and red bell pepper. Cook those alongside the sausage, stirring occasionally, until the veggies are nice and tender – maybe 5-7 minutes. Once everything is cooked through, you absolutely *must* drain off any excess fat. Nobody wants a greasy casserole!
While that’s doing its thing, grab a big bowl. Whisk together those 10 large eggs until they’re well beaten. Pour in the cup of milk and whisk again. Now, add in your everything bagel seasoning (the first teaspoon!), salt, and pepper. Give it another good whisk to make sure all those seasonings are mixed in.
Okay, time to bring it all together! Add your cooked sausage and veggie mixture to the egg bowl. Toss in those cubed day-old bread pieces and the shredded cheddar cheese. Grab a spoon or spatula and gently stir everything together. You want to make sure the bread cubes and the sausage and cheese are all coated in that yummy egg mixture. Don’t overmix it, just get everything incorporated.
Pour this whole glorious mixture into your prepared baking dish. Spread it out evenly. Now for the final touch before baking – sprinkle a little *more* everything bagel seasoning over the top. This gives it that extra pop of flavor and a lovely appearance.
Pop the dish into your preheated oven. Bake for about 30-35 minutes. You’ll know it’s done when it’s set in the center (it won’t look jiggly) and the top is beautifully golden brown. The edges might even look a little crispy, which is totally fine and delicious!
Once it’s out of the oven, the hardest part: waiting! Let the casserole sit for about 5 minutes before you slice into it. This lets it set up properly and makes serving so much easier. Plus, it’s piping hot!
Tips for a Perfect Everything Bagel Breakfast Casserole
Just a couple of little things to remember for casserole perfection! Don’t overmix the egg and bread mixture once you add the solids – just stir until everything is combined. This keeps the texture nice. Make sure all your bread cubes get coated in the egg; they’re the sponges! To check for doneness, the center shouldn’t look wet, and a knife inserted near the middle should come out clean (or with just moist crumbs, not raw egg).
Variations of Everything Bagel Breakfast Casserole
One of the best things about this Everything Bagel Breakfast Casserole is how easy it is to tweak and make your own! Want to sneak in some extra veggies? Go for it! Sautéed mushrooms or a handful of fresh spinach (it will wilt down a lot!) are great additions. You could swap the sausage for cooked, crumbled bacon or even diced ham. Feel free to play around with different cheeses too – Monterey Jack or a spicy pepper jack could be fun! It’s your kitchen, have some fun with it!
Frequently Asked Questions About Everything Bagel Breakfast Casserole
Okay, so you’ve probably got a few questions buzzing around in your head about this yummy Everything Bagel Breakfast Casserole, right? That’s totally normal! Let’s tackle some of the most common ones I get asked.
Can I make Everything Bagel Breakfast Casserole the night before?
Oh, absolutely, yes! This casserole is *perfect* for making ahead. Just follow all the steps up to pouring the mixture into the baking dish. Cover it tightly with plastic wrap and pop it in the fridge overnight. In the morning, take it out of the fridge while your oven preheats (this helps it bake more evenly) and then bake as directed. It might need an extra 5-10 minutes since it’s going in cold, so just keep an eye on it!
How do I store leftover Everything Bagel Breakfast Casserole?
Leftovers? Score! This casserole reheats beautifully. Just let any leftovers cool completely, then transfer them to an airtight container. Keep it in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. To reheat, you can microwave individual slices or pop a larger portion back into the oven at around 350°F (175°C) until it’s heated through.
Is this Everything Bagel Breakfast Casserole gluten-free?
The base recipe isn’t, because of the bread. BUT! You can absolutely make this Everything Bagel Breakfast Casserole gluten-free by simply swapping out the regular bread for your favorite gluten-free bread. Follow the rest of the steps exactly, and you’ll still get a delicious gluten-free breakfast casserole with all those great everything bagel flavors!
Serving Suggestions for Everything Bagel Breakfast Casserole
This Everything Bagel Breakfast Casserole is pretty hearty on its own, but it plays well with others! I love serving it with a big bowl of fresh fruit to add some brightness. A simple green salad is surprisingly good alongside it for brunch. And if you’re feeling extra, some crispy breakfast potatoes or hash browns are never a bad idea! Enjoy!
Estimated Nutritional Information
Okay, for those of you keeping track (or just curious!), here’s a general idea of what you’re getting with a serving of this Everything Bagel Breakfast Casserole. Now, keep in mind, this is just an *estimate*. The exact numbers will totally depend on the specific ingredients you use – like what kind of sausage, milk, and cheese you choose. But it gives you a ballpark!
Per serving (based on 8 servings):
- Calories: Around 400
- Fat: Roughly 28g (with about 12g saturated)
- Carbohydrates: About 18g
- Sugar: Around 5g
- Fiber: Approximately 2g
- Protein: A solid 25g!
- Sodium: Can be around 800mg (depending on the sausage and seasoning)
- Cholesterol: About 280mg
See? It’s a really substantial, protein-packed start to your day! Just remember these are estimates, and your actual numbers might vary a bit.
Share Your Everything Bagel Breakfast Casserole Experience
Alright, now it’s YOUR turn! Give this Everything Bagel Breakfast Casserole a try and let me know what you think. Did you make any fun variations? Snap a photo and share it! Leave a comment below and tell me all about it, and please, give the recipe a rating!
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Amazing Everything Bagel Breakfast Casserole
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Diet: None
Description
A savory breakfast casserole with the flavors of an everything bagel.
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground breakfast sausage
- 1/2 cup chopped onion
- 1/2 cup chopped red bell pepper
- 10 large eggs
- 1 cup milk
- 1 teaspoon everything bagel seasoning, plus more for topping
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 4 cups cubed day-old bread
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
- Cook sausage, onion, and bell pepper in a large skillet over medium heat until sausage is browned and vegetables are tender. Drain off excess fat.
- In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, everything bagel seasoning, salt, and pepper.
- Add the cooked sausage mixture, bread cubes, and cheddar cheese to the egg mixture. Stir to combine.
- Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle with additional everything bagel seasoning.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until set and golden brown.
- Let stand for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
- You can substitute other types of cheese.
- Use gluten-free bread for a gluten-free option.
- Prepare the casserole the night before and bake in the morning.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 280mg
Keywords: breakfast casserole, everything bagel, sausage, eggs, cheese