Description
Hearty overnight croissant breakfast casserole combines classic breakfast ingredients for a comforting morning meal. Rich layers of buttery croissants, eggs, and savory gravy promise a satisfying start to your day.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 large eggs
- 1 lb (450 g) ground breakfast sausage
- 1 cup (100 g) shredded cheddar cheese
- 6 large croissants, torn into bite-sized pieces
- 1 ½ cups (360 ml) whole milk
- 1 cup (240 ml) heavy cream
- 2 cups (480 ml) whole milk
- ½ cup (75 g) diced onion
- ½ cup (75 g) diced bell pepper (optional)
- 2 tbsps unsalted butter
- 2 tbsps all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp smoked paprika (optional)
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- ¼ tsp ground sage (optional)
Instructions
- Sausage Preparation: Brown sausage in a skillet over medium heat. Add diced onions and bell peppers, sautéing until tender. Drain excess oil to concentrate flavors.
- Layering Foundation: Grease a baking dish and create a base layer with torn croissant pieces. Distribute sausage mixture evenly and sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese across the surface.
- Custard Creation: Whisk eggs with milk, cream, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and smoked paprika. Pour this silky mixture over the layered ingredients, ensuring complete coverage and absorption.
- Flavor Infusion: Cover the dish with wrap and refrigerate overnight, allowing croissants to fully soak in the egg mixture and develop deep, complex flavors.
- Baking Process: Remove casserole from refrigerator and let sit at room temperature for 15 minutes. Preheat oven to 350F and bake for 35-40 minutes until golden and puffy.
- Gravy Crafting: Create a roux by melting butter and adding flour. Slowly whisk in milk, avoiding lumps. Season with salt, pepper, and sage. Simmer until gravy reaches a smooth, thick consistency.
- Final Presentation: Let casserole rest briefly after baking. Drizzle warm gravy over the dish or serve separately as a complementary sauce.
Notes
- Sausage Browning Technique: Ensure the sausage is browned thoroughly to develop deep, rich flavors. Pat the meat dry before cooking to achieve better caramelization and prevent excess moisture.
- Croissant Absorption Tip: Use slightly stale or day-old croissants for optimal liquid absorption. Tear them into uneven pieces to create interesting texture and prevent a uniform, dense layer.
- Overnight Resting Hack: Allow the casserole to rest in the refrigerator for at least 8 hours, but no more than 24 hours. This process allows the croissants to soak up the custard completely, creating a more cohesive and flavorful dish.
- Gravy Perfection Trick: Whisk the gravy constantly to prevent lumps and achieve a smooth, silky consistency. For a lighter version, use half-and-half instead of full cream, or substitute with a gluten-free flour alternative for dietary restrictions.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 7
- Calories: 570
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 40 g
- Saturated Fat: 22 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 36 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 24 g
- Cholesterol: 230 mg