Easy Make-Ahead Breakfast Casserole

Ingredients

• 4 cups (175g) cubes of crusty bread
• 1 tsp olive oil
• 1 lb ground pork sausage, casings removed
• 1 tsp dried rosemary or Italian seasoning, optional
• 3/4 cup (100g) chopped yellow onion
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 cups (275g) chopped bell peppers
• 1 cup (100g) sliced mushrooms
• 1 cup roughly chopped fresh spinach
• 12 large eggs
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/8 tsp freshly ground black pepper
• 2/3 cup (160ml) milk or half-and-half
• 1 cup (100g) shredded cheddar cheese
• Green onion and/or chopped parsley for garnish, optional

Instructions

1. Grease a 9×13-inch or any 3–4-quart oven-safe dish. Arrange bread cubes in an even layer in the bottom of the pan.
2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add sausage and rosemary or Italian seasoning, if using, and break up the sausage into bite-size pieces with a wooden spoon or rubber spatula as it begins to cook. Add the onion, garlic, peppers, mushrooms, and spinach and cook until everything has slightly softened and sausage is mostly cooked through, about 5–6 minutes.
3. Remove sausage and vegetable mixture from heat and spread in an even layer on top of bread.
4. Whisk the eggs, salt, pepper, milk, and cheese together. Evenly pour over sausage and vegetable mixture. Add another sprinkle of salt and pepper on top.
5. Cover casserole with plastic wrap or aluminum foil and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes and up to 24 hours. When ready to bake, allow to sit at room temperature for 10–15 minutes as oven preheats.
6. Preheat the oven to 375°F (191°C). Bake the casserole, uncovered, until the top is golden, edges are crisp, and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, about 40–45 minutes.
7. Cool for 10 minutes, then slice and serve.