In most cases, breakfast is described as the most crucial meal of the day and starting your morning with a delicious meal surely sets the tone for the day. Trisha Yearwood’s breakfast sausage casserole is such a wonderful blend of comfort food, easy prep time, and deliciousness. In the following blog I will explain how to make this satisfying recipe, provide tips for every ingredient needed, and tips to assure the casserole turns out scrumptiously perfect every time. This recipe will be a foolproof winner for any family or celebratory brunch, or simply breakfast on any day of the week.
What ingredients do I need for Trisha Yearwood’s breakfast casserole?
Fundamental Components for the Breakfast Sausage Casserole
To prepare Trisha Yearwood’s breakfast sausage casserole, you will need some essential ingredients which are: ground breakfast sausage, cubed slices of bread, shredded cheddar cheese, eggs, milk, dry mustard, and salt. All of these ingredients are simple yet packed with sustenance and can be combined to serve a mighty good dish.
What Kind of Bread and Eggs to Use?
For the bread, if you are making Trisha Yearwood’s breakfast sausage casserole, a more firm type of bread would work best. This includes French bread, sourdough, and even some kinds of white bread. These varieties of bread help retain their structural integrity when submerged into the egg mixture which in turn prevents it from becoming too soggy and ensures a precise texture for the dish. In the case of the egg base, large eggs are best as they authenticively provide the right level of richness and binding for the casserole. Beating the eggs together with milk and seasonings guarantees an evenly dispersed creamy consistency. Do not forget, slightly stale or day-old bread works wonders for this recipe as it can soak up the egg mixture more easily.
Variations in cheese and spices to add improve taste
For cheese, I use the combination of sharp cheddar and mozzarella because they balance the degrees of tangy and gooey flavors excellently. To add a bit of nutty, salty flavor, I might go for some Parmesan cheese. As for seasoning, I find it best to keep it monotone with just a dash of salt, freshly ground black pepper, and a dash of garlic or onion powder. When I feel a bit adventurous, I might also add blends of dried herbs such as thyme or Italian seasoning. These choices are what makes the dish mine!
How do I prepare Trisha Yearwood’s breakfast casserole?
Directions for cooking the sausage in detail
The initial phase involves crumbling the sausage and frying it in a preheated skillet over medium heat until both fully cooked and brown. Afterward, set the crumbles aside to cool slightly as you drain the excess grease. The crumbles will eventually be layered into the casserole.
Layering the casserole: Bread, sausage, and cheese
To prepare for the layering of bread, cheese, and sausage casserole, begin by sufficiently preheating the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit while spraying the casserole dish with nonstick cooking spray combined with oil to avoid sticking. Afterward, lay an even spread of the bread cubes on the bottom of the dish such that they cover the base entirely, follow this by adding the cooked sausage crumbles here and there until the layer of bread is fully covered and finally don’t forget your generous layer of choice cheese as the final topping. Such order of the ingredients will ensure the casserole is well balanced and every serving includes all the components of the bread, sausage, and cheese. Finally, the casserole is ready to be sealed into the oven after the topping of an egg mixture bound all the ingredients together on the top layer.
Making the egg mixture
Once I have stratified the bread, sausage, and cheese in the baking dish, I set out to prepare the egg mixture. I grab some eggs and milk and season them with salt, pepper, or even a little garlic powder if I am feeling fancy. After whisking these ingredients like a pancake batter, I pour the mix over the layered ingredients in the casserole dish, taking utmost care that it soaks in thoroughly. This casserole step is imperative, since it maintains the format of the dish throughout the baking process, adding flavorful integrity to the meal.
Can I make Trisha Yearwood’s breakfast casserole ahead of time?
Preparing Overnight Tips
Certainly, Trisha Yearwood’s breakfast casserole can be made in advance which is very helpful for busy mornings or when you want to host some guests. To prepare it overnight, simply construct the casserole as directed, which means layering the bread, sausage, cheese, and finally pouring the egg mixture on top. After preparing, tightly seal the dish with plastic wrap/aluminum foil and place it in the refrigerator overnight. This makes sure that the flavors blend together throughout the casserole, and the egg mixture has enough time to soak into the bread, making it fluffy. Take out the casserole the next day from the refrigerator and let it rest in room temperature for 15-20 minutes. This aids in ensuring the casserole cooks evenly. Then, bake it as instructed until the casserole is golden brown and set. Making the casserole in advance definitely helps relieve some stress since it guarantees a delicious breakfast!
Proper storage and refrigeration techniques
To ensure proper storage, I make sure that the casserole is always wrapped and sealed tightly in the plastic wrap or aluminum foil since it guarantees freshness and serves as protection against any unwanted smell from getting into the casserole.To bake, I first preheat the oven before removing the meat out of the fridge. Then, I let it sit for 15-20 minutes at room temperature so that cooking is done efficiently. Any leftovers from serving are stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator after serving. When it’s time to eat, I simply reheat them in the microwave or oven. If these steps are taken, the dish still maintains it’s delicious flavors and is safe to eat!
What’s the best way to bake Trisha Yearwood’s breakfast casserole?
Baking time and oven temperature recommendations
When attempting to bake Trisha Yearwood’s breakfast casserole, an oven temperature of 350°F (175°C) works best. For optimal bake, the casserole dish should sit on the center rack of the oven. Leave the casserole uncovered for baking, for a time period of forty five minutes to fifty minutes, until the top surface is brown and the center of the casserole is fully cooked. There is a simple procedure to check if certain food is done cooking. Taking a knife, or tooth pick, and poking the center of the food will tell you if it is fully cooked looking at the utensil for debris. In the event the surface starts to brown too quickly, the casserole can be placed in aluminum foil in a loose manner for the last ten to fifteen minutes during the baking to avoid burning. Following these tips will make your breakfast casserole turn out perfectly.
Baking with aluminum foil
Foil has many purposes during the baking process of the casserole, for instance, it is a good accompaniment to make sure your end product is perfect. In the event of the casserole top surface getting brown way too quickly, putting alu foil in a loose manner helps save from burning while still cooking the base of the casserole.
Be sure to check periodically during the baking process, and remove the foil in the final few minutes if you’d like to achieve a slightly crispy, golden top. This method encourages even cooking and minimizes the chance of excess browning, giving aesthetics as well as perfect baking to your casserole.
How to know when the casserole is set and ready
To know when the casserole is set and ready, I use a few simple techniques. Firstly, I gently shake the baking dish; if the center does not wiggle and feels firm, it’s a good sign that the dish is done. I also check the center of the casserole where I inserted a knife or toothpick; If it comes out clean, or with a few moist crumbs, it means the dish is done. Finally, I look to see if the edges have pulled away from the dish, which is a sign that the dish is done. Using these methods ensures that my casserole is fully raw and ready to serve!
Are there any variations to Trisha Yearwood’s breakfast casserole recipe?
Options and Substitutions for Vegetarians
There a few ways to make substitutions for the vegetarian version of Trisha Yearwood’s breakfast casserole. One option is to use plant-based sausage alternatives, like vegetarian sausage crumbles or your favorite meatless bacon. You can also add some diced vegetables like bell pepper, onion, mushroom, and spinach to provide taste and texture. For even more goodness, top it off with a blend of cheddar, mozzarella, or feta cheese. These simple steps will allow you to enjoy this breakfast casserole with a vegetarian twist while still giving you flavor and satisfaction.
Incorporating vegetables or other forms of protein
For me, the best part about Trisha Yearwood’s breakfast casserole is how I can transform it with vegetables to make it and taste heartier. My go to vegetables include; bell peppers, onions, and mushrooms as they all blend beautifully to the dish. For a change, I will add some spinach or even go for roasted zucchini. To boost the protein, I some times use cooked chicken or turkey, or I can even go for crumbled tofu as a meatless option. Not only do these extras make the casserole more nutritious, but also enable me to customize it to all the people’s preferences that are there for the meal.
Trisha Yearwood's Delicious Breakfast Sausage Casserole
Equipment
- 1 9x13 inch baking dish
- 1 Large skillet
- 2 Mixing bowls
- 1 Whisk
- 1 Spatula
- 1 Oven
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground sausage
- 6 slices of white bread cubed
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 6 large eggs
- 2 cups milk
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp dry mustard
- Butter optional, for greasing pan
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Lightly grease the 9x13-inch baking dish with butter or cooking spray.
- Cook the ground sausage in a large skillet over medium heat until browned. Drain excess grease.
- Layer the cubed bread evenly in the baking dish, followed by the browned sausage and shredded cheddar cheese.
- In a mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, salt, and dry mustard until well combined.
- Pour the egg mixture evenly over the layers in the dish.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least an hour or overnight to allow the flavors to blend.
- Bake uncovered in the preheated oven for 40-50 minutes, or until the casserole is set and lightly golden on top.
- Remove from the oven, allow to cool slightly, and serve warm.
Notes
You can customize the recipe with additional ingredients like diced bell peppers, onions, or a different type of cheese for extra flavor.
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated in the microwave or oven.
Reference sources
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: What are the ingredients of the breakfast sausage casserole dish by Trisha Yearwood?
A: The key components in Trisha Yearwood’s breakfast sausage casserole recipe are pork sausage, bread cubes, half and half, cheese, and spices such as sage. Enjoy breakfast with this delectable dish made from fragrant sausage and custardy eggs.
Q: How do I cut my bread for Trisha Yearwood’s breakfast casserole?
A: Bread should be sliced into one-inch cubes. You will need enough of these bread cubes to place at the bottom of a 13 by 2 nuntex casserole dish. This forms a bread base to absorb the egg mixture as well as provides structure to the casserole.
Q: How should I assemble the different layers of ingredients of the breakfast casserole dish?
A: Start with the bread cubes, which should cover the bottom of the casserole dish. Next, brown and drain the pork sausage, then pour it over the bread. Finish with pouring the blended eggs and half and half mixture. With these instructions, the different flavors will mix thoroughly in the casserole.
Q: For how long do you bake Trisha Yearwood’s breakfast casserole?
A: If you want it to set and become slightly golden, bake it covered for 45 to 50 minutes in a preheated oven. Once you bake it, take it out and allow it to set for 15 minutes before serving. That step will help the casserole hold its structure so it can be served easily.
Q: What are some changes or special additions I can do to Trisha Yearwood’s breakfast casserole recipe?
A: Although Trisha’s recipe is amazing just as it is, you can customize it by adding some vegetables like bell peppers or onions, different types of cheese, or even substituting pork sausage for turkey sausage if you want something lighter. You can also change some herbs and spices to fit your desired taste.
Q: Is it possible to make Trisha Yearwood’s breakfast casserole the evening prior?
A: For sure, you can make this casserole ahead of time. Just combine everything in the casserole pan, cover it with foil, and place it in the refrigerator. When you wake up, take it out of the fridge while the oven is warming up. Then cook as instructed. This option saves time in the morning or when preparing for brunch with friends or family.
