Last Updated on July 8, 2024 by Carne Diem
Protein: Sausage
Method: Cast Iron, Oven or Smoker
Jump to RecipeThis sausage, bacon and egg casserole is the perfect cast iron dish for those busy mornings or at a family campout.
Mornings can be chaotic, both at home or when at a campout. It's easy to let breakfast fall by the wayside. But who says a delicious and satisfying breakfast needs to be complicated? Enter the cast iron skillet breakfast casserole, your new best friend for effortless mornings. This recipe has been a Christmas morning tradition in our household, but recently we adapted our Christmas breakfast casserole into a skillet casserole that has also become a family favorite for camping trips. The best part of this recipe is that it can be prepared ahead of time, so it is ready to cook when you wake up.
Table of contents
Making the Cast Iron Skillet Breakfast Casserole
This recipe is all about convenience and flavor. Using your trusty cast iron skillet, you can brown sausage, sauté vegetables, and bake the entire casserole in one pan. No need to dirty multiple pots and pans, making cleanup a breeze! Plus, the cast iron skillet ensures even cooking and a crispy, golden-brown crust on your casserole.
Ingredients for the Egg and Sausage Breakfast Skillet
This easy breakfast casserole contains only a few ingredients but can be adapted to your tastes.
Here's what you'll need:
Breakfast sausage: Use your favorite breakfast sausage in the recipe. We like to use a medium or hot country sausage, or our homemade breakfast sausage with fresh herbs. For a healthier option try substituting ground turkey sausage.
Bacon: No breakfast is complete in our household without bacon. We prefer thick sliced, smoked bacon for the sausage and bacon breakfast casserole, but use your favorite.
Bread: The addition of bread helps to add to the body of the casserole and soaks up all of the great flavors in the dish. Sourdough or white sandwich bread are our favorites. Tear the bread into small pieces, or tear into larger pieces for a more rustic appearing breakfast casserole.
Stale bread works great in the recipe, or lightly toast the bread prior to tearing if desired.
Milk: We use 2% milk in the recipe but whole milk or half and half can also be used.
Shredded cheese: We typically use a blend of cheeses in this easy breakfast recipe. Our favorite is a blend of white cheddar cheese and smoked gouda. For a little more kick, you can add some pepperjack cheese.
Eggs: Use your favorite eggs, using both the yolks and the egg whites in the recipe. Our favorites are farm fresh eggs.
Seasonings and Spices: The simple breakfast dish is simply seasoned with a little salt, black pepper, rosemary, and mustard powder. Feel free to add additional spices like garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne, or paprika if desired but we like to keep the recipe as simple as possible.
Optional Ingredients: While we like to keep this recipe as simple as possible, one of the great things about this recipe is how adaptable it is. Diced onion, green bell pepper, or green onions, or mushrooms also would be great additions to this family favorite breakfast casserole. We typically add a little hot sauce to the breakfast casserole as well.
Cooking the Cast Iron Breakfast Casserole
Cook the meats
To make this easy breakfast skillet recipe, first brown the sausage in a large skillet over medium heat. We like to use a cast iron skillet or other oven safe skillet so the entire recipe can be prepared in one pan. Once the breakfast sausage is cooked, remove it from the pan and left it cool to room temperature. Drain any excess grease from the pan, but do not wipe it out.
Cook the bacon to your desired doneness and remove from the pan. Cut into bite sized pieces. Drain the grease from the pan.
Combine and mix all of the ingredients
In a large bowl beat together the eggs and milk then mix in the pieces of bread, hot sauce and seasonings and mix to combine.
After the sausage and bacon has cooled, add it to the bowl with the eggs. Pour the egg mixture into the skillet and spread out into an even layer.
Bake or smoke the sausage and bacon skillet breakfast casserole
The cast iron skillet sausage and egg casserole can be cooked indoors in an oven but one of our favorite ways to make the dish in on a smoker. Cook the breakfast skillet in a 350-degree oven or smoker for 60-90 minutes. Once the top of the sausage and bacon breakfast casserole is browned to your liking, you can cover with foil.
For a campfire breakfast recipe, you can cook over a campfire as well. When cooking over a live fire, you will want to cook over a low heat, and cover the entire skillet with foil. Cook until the casserole is cooked through and bubbly, taking care to watch and make sure the casserole in not burning on the bottom.
Tips and tricks for success:
- Preheat the cast iron skillet: This ensures even cooking and prevents sticking.
- Don't overcook the eggs: The casserole will continue to cook after it comes out of the oven, so watch the breakfast skillet to make sure it is not overcooking.
- Get creative with toppings: Once the casserole is baked, you can add your favorite toppings like salsa, avocado, sour cream, or hot sauce.
Serving the homemade breakfast casserole
Serve the delicious breakfast casserole with your favorite hot sauce or salsa. It pairs perfectly with other breakfast favorites like hash browns, and toast.
For more great breakfast ideas, be sure to try some of these other tried and true breakfast recipes:
- Authentic Mexican Migas: Mexican Breakfast Skillet
- Breakfast Pastrami Hash
- RumChata French Toast
- Belgian Liege Waffles and Buttermilk Cornflake Chicken
- St. Louis Slinger
- South African Beef Bobotie
- Smothered Breakfast Burritos with Green Chile Sauce
What to do with leftover breakfast casserole
If you have leftover breakfast casserole cover with plastic wrap or place in an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Leftovers can easily be reheated in a microwave or in a 350-degree oven.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, all of the ingredients can be prepared and mixed ahead of time, so it is ready to cook when you are.
Leftovers should be kept in an airtight container in the refrigerator and eaten within 3 days.
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📖 Recipe
Cast Iron Skillet Breakfast Casserole
Equipment
- 12-inch Cast-iron skillet
Ingredients
- 1 Pound Hot Country Sausage
- 4 Slices Bacon
- 5 Eggs
- 2 Cups Milk
- 5 Slices Sourdough Bread
- 2 teaspoons Hot Sauce
- ½ teaspoon Dried Rosemary
- ½ teaspoon Black Pepper
- ½ teaspoon Salt
- 8 Ounces Shredded Cheese We use a mix of sharp cheddar and gouda
Instructions
- Tear the bread into small pieces, or larger pieces for a more rustic look.
- Heat the skillet over medium heat and brown the sausage. Drain the grease and remove the cooked sausage from the skillet and allow to cool.
- Cook the bacon over medium heat, to your desired doneness. Drain the grease and cut the bacon into bite sized portions, but do not wipe out the pan.
- In a large bowl, beat together the eggs and milk. Stir in the pieces of bread then mix in the seasonings, hot sauce, and shredded cheese, then mix in the cooled sausage and bacon.
- Heat an oven or smoker to 350 degrees. Pour the mixture into the cast iron skillet. Cook, uncovered until the cheese has begun to brown, about 60 minutes. Cover with foil and cook for an additional 15-30 minutes.
- Remove from the heat and serve warm.
Diane
Made this for breakfast at the lake this weekend and it was great.