Thanksgiving Kickstart: An Effortless, Make-Ahead Brunch Casserole Delight

Easy Brunch Casserole for Thanksgiving Morning Celebrations

Introduction

Thanksgiving Day can be a whirlwind of preparation, so why not start it off with a dish that’s incredibly simple yet impressively delicious? This Easy Brunch Casserole offers a savory, satisfying start to your holiday, all with minimal fuss. It’s a one-dish wonder—just assemble it the night before, pop it in the oven the next morning, and enjoy a hearty brunch while the turkey preps itself. No more juggling breakfast orders or dirtying extra pans, just comfort and convenience in every slice.

Why This Easy Brunch Casserole is a Thanksgiving Morning Winner

This casserole combines your breakfast favorites—fluffy eggs, savory sausage, melty cheese, soft bread, and fresh veggies—into a harmonious, crowd-pleasing bake. Every bite is packed with flavor, thanks to the layers of seasoned sausage and pockets of oozy cheese. It’s not just tasty; it’s a stress-reliever, allowing you to enjoy the holiday with family and friends without missing those precious morning moments.

Making the Creamiest, Flavor-Filled Brunch Casserole

The secret to this casserole lies in letting the bread soak up the seasoned egg mixture overnight. This ensures an irresistibly creamy texture and a full, rich taste. Customize with add-ins like roasted peppers, green onions, or even leftover veggies from dinner prep! The next morning, simply bake until golden and let the aroma fill your kitchen—it’s as easy as that.

Fuss-Free Assembly for Busy Mornings

Layer cubes of hearty bread in a casserole dish, sprinkle with cooked sausage, cheese, and veggies, then pour on the seasoned egg mixture. Refrigerate overnight to let the flavors meld or, if rushed, let it rest at least 30 minutes before baking. It’s mainly hands-off, so you can spend more time with your loved ones.

Serving Suggestions for an Effortless Thanksgiving Brunch

Serve your brunch casserole with a side of seasonal fruit or a cranberry-orange salad to add brightness to the plate. You can slice generous squares for serving or dish it up family-style. Pair with fresh coffee or a festive apple cider for a memorable breakfast experience that sets the tone for the delicious day ahead.

Nutritional Information and Serving Size

This recipe yields 8 wholesome servings. Each serving typically contains around 300-350 calories, depending on your choice of meat and cheese. It’s a balanced, energy-boosting meal to kick off the holiday!

Easy Brunch Casserole for Thanksgiving Morning Celebrations (Recap)

Make the start of your Thanksgiving as special as the feast. This casserole is irresistibly flavorful, incredibly easy, and perfect for feeding a hungry crowd as you kick off a day of gratitude and good food.

Ingredients

6 cups cubed day-old bread (French or sourdough works great)
1 pound breakfast sausage (pork or turkey), cooked and crumbled
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
1/2 cup chopped bell peppers (any color)
1/4 cup sliced green onions
8 large eggs
2 cups whole milk
1 teaspoon dry mustard powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Optional: 1/2 cup chopped spinach or sautéed mushrooms for extra veggies

💡Meal Planning Tip: Save this recipe to instantly generate a shopping list with every ingredient organized by store section. It streamlines grocery trips and makes holiday meal planning easier than ever!

CookifyAI meal planning interface

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
  2. Spread cubed bread evenly in the prepared dish. Top with cooked sausage, bell peppers, green onions, and cheese (and optional veggies if desired).
  3. In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, dry mustard, salt, and black pepper until well combined.
  4. Pour egg mixture evenly over the bread and toppings.
  5. For best results, cover and refrigerate overnight (or at least 30 minutes to allow bread to absorb the egg mixture).
  6. Bake uncovered for 45–55 minutes, or until the casserole is golden and the center is set. Let stand 5–10 minutes before slicing and serving.

Weekly Meal Planning

This casserole is also a fantastic make-ahead option for meal prepping any time of year. Save and schedule this recipe to plan meals and generate comprehensive shopping lists that combine all ingredients for your week in one easy list.

Planning Benefits:

  • Combines total ingredient needs across your recipe lineup
  • Organizes shopping lists by grocery sections—no hunting for ingredients
  • Reduces duplicate purchases and saves time at the store
  • Makes weekly and holiday meal planning stress-free and efficient

Pro tip: If you plan several recipes for Thanksgiving week, schedule everything on CookifyAI to see all overlapping ingredients—no more wasted eggs or forgotten bread!

Cook and Prep Times

Prep Time: 20 minutes (plus chilling)
Cook Time: 45–55 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes (with overnight chilling)

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