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Croissant Breakfast Casserole for Holiday Brunch

Golden brown croissant breakfast casserole with sausage cheese and peppers

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This casserole is the ultimate holiday crowd-pleaser, featuring soft, eggy custard, savory sausage, and golden, buttery croissant tops. It can be assembled the night before for a stress-free morning, making it perfect for Christmas breakfast or any special brunch gathering.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 6 large day-old croissants (about 1 lb)
  • 1 pound breakfast sausage, mild or spicy
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced
  • 1 red bell pepper, diced
  • 2 cups frozen shredded hash brown potatoes
  • 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese, divided
  • 8 large eggs
  • 2 cups whole milk
  • 1 cup heavy cream or half-and-half
  • 1 teaspoon dry mustard powder
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • Optional garnish: chopped fresh chives or parsley

Instructions

  1. Prep the base by tearing croissants into pieces and placing them in a greased 9×13 inch baking dish.
  2. Cook sausage in a skillet until browned. Transfer to a plate, leaving drippings. Saute onion and bell pepper in the same skillet until soft.
  3. Layer the casserole by scattering cooked sausage, sauteed veggies, and frozen hash browns over the croissant pieces. Sprinkle 1.5 cups of cheese on top.
  4. Make the custard by whisking eggs, milk, cream, dry mustard, salt, pepper, and garlic powder in a large bowl until smooth.
  5. Assemble and rest by slowly pouring the custard evenly over the casserole. Press down gently to soak the croissants. Top with remaining 1/2 cup cheese. Let rest 20-30 minutes or cover and refrigerate overnight.
  6. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake uncovered for 50-60 minutes, until the center is set and top is golden brown. Let cool for 10 minutes before slicing and serving.

Notes

Day-old croissants work best. Letting the assembled casserole rest before baking is crucial for even texture. For a lighter version, use 2% milk and reduce the cheese. Can be made vegetarian with plant-based sausage or mushrooms.

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