Easy Make Ahead Cheesy Sausage Casserole: holiday breakfast favorite!

   For the past five years, my daughter Ray and I have made this for Christmas morning.  We put it together on Christmas Eve right after dinner and before that night’s festivities. In the morning, it bakes while gifts are being opened. The house smells so good and we have a delicious warm breakfast waiting for us!

Easy Make Ahead Cheesy Sausage Casserole

Serves 12

• 1lb bulk pork sausage
• 2 boxes (5.2 oz each) seasoned shredded hash browns
• 1 medium red bell pepper, chopped (1 cup)
• 1 Tablespoon dried minced onion
• 2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese (8 oz)
• 1 cup Original Bisquick™ mix
• ½ teaspoon ground pepper
• 3 ½ cups milk
• 6 eggs, beaten

To Make:

1. Spray a 13×9-inch (3-quart) glass baking dish with cooking spray.
2. In a 12-inch skillet, cook sausage over medium-high heat for 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sausage is thoroughly cooked.
3. Drain as much of the fat from the sausage as you can.
4. In a large bowl, mix cooked sausage, uncooked potatoes, bell pepper, onion, and half the cheese (1 cup).
5. Spread in prepared baking dish.
6. In a medium bowl, stir Bisquick mix, pepper, milk, and eggs until blended.
7. Pour over the potato mixture. Sprinkle with the remaining 1 cup cheese.
8. Cover tightly with foil.
9. Refrigerate for at least 8 hours but no longer than 24 hours.

To Bake:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F.
2. Bake covered for 30 minutes.
3. Uncover and bake 18 to 22 minutes longer or until light golden brown around the edges.
4. Let stand for 10 minutes before serving.

NOTES:

• Chicken, turkey, or vegan sausage would work just fine.
• If the sausage you want to use isn’t bulk, peel the casing off of the links.
• If using a fully cooked, patty, or vegan sausage use a little less.
• If you have the bagged hashbrowns, measure out 2 cups.
• Any color bell pepper will be fine. Use more than one color if you like. Green and red are great for Christmas morning!
• A dash of garlic goes great in this dish. (Most dishes!)
• Salsa and sour cream make excellent toppings, especially if you use Chorizo for the sausage.
• This is so nice to bake and then warm up for the upcoming week’s breakfasts or lunches. Either   
• Microwave or toaster oven. I even like it cold.

Have a delicious day!

Recipe adapted from a Betty Crocker favorite.