Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This Crispy, Cheesy Breakfast Sausage Bake delivers everything you want first thing in the morning—rich savoury sausage, golden melted cheese, and a perfectly crisp finish that feels indulgent yet effortless. It’s a quick, crowd-pleasing recipe ideal for busy mornings, weekend brunch, or make-ahead meal prep.
The first time I prepared this dish, I experimented by adding a splash of almond milk to the egg mixture to lighten the texture. Surprisingly, it created a softer, fluffier base without diluting the savoury flavour. This recipe is incredibly flexible, allowing you to incorporate vegetables, switch cheeses, or adjust seasonings easily. If you enjoy breakfasts that require minimal effort but deliver maximum comfort, this is one you’ll return to often.
Crispy, Cheesy Breakfast Sausage Bake: An Easy Morning Recipe Packed With Savoury Flavor
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Diet: Halal
Description
An easy breakfast sausage recipe that is crispy on the outside, cheesy on the inside, and packed with savory flavor, perfect for quick breakfasts or brunch.
Ingredients
- 500 g breakfast sausage (beef or chicken, halal)
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 0.5 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 0.5 tsp onion powder
- 0.5 tsp black pepper
- 0.5 tsp paprika
- 1 tbsp olive oil or butter (for cooking)
Instructions
- In a bowl, combine sausage, cheddar cheese, mozzarella cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, and paprika.
- Mix well until evenly combined.
- Form the mixture into small patties or sausage balls.
- Heat olive oil or butter in a skillet over medium heat.
- Cook sausages for 3–4 minutes per side until golden brown and crispy.
- Ensure sausages are cooked through and cheese is melted inside.
- Remove from heat and serve hot.
Notes
- Do not overcrowd the pan for best crispiness.
- Can be baked at 200°C (400°F) for 18–20 minutes as an alternative.
- Serve with eggs or toast for a complete breakfast.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Pan-Fried
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
(Tip: You can find the complete list of ingredients and their measurements in the recipe card below.)
Breakfast sausage
The savoury backbone of the dish. Choose mild or spicy depending on your preference; it provides richness and crisp texture.
Eggs
Bind the ingredients and create a custard-like base that holds the sausage and cheese together.
Cheddar cheese
Melts beautifully, offering a sharp, creamy finish that balances the savoury sausage.
Mozzarella cheese
Adds stretch and soft creaminess that enhances the casserole’s texture.
Onion
Brings sweetness and aromatic depth when sautéed with the sausage.
Bell pepper
Adds colour, freshness, and gentle crunch to balance the richness.
Milk
Helps create a smooth, pourable egg mixture. I have tested almond milk as well, and it worked perfectly.
Salt and black pepper
Simple, essential seasonings that enhance every flavour in the dish.
Butter or oil
Used for sautéing and ensuring a crisp finish along the edges.
Directions
Begin by preheating your oven and lightly greasing a baking dish. In a skillet, cook the breakfast sausage over medium heat, breaking it into crumbles until browned and crispy. Add chopped onions and bell peppers, sautéing until softened and fragrant. Transfer this mixture to the baking dish, spreading it evenly.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, salt, and black pepper. Pour this mixture over the sausage and vegetables. Sprinkle the top with cheddar and mozzarella, ensuring an even distribution for consistent melting.
Bake until the top turns golden and the center is set. Allow the casserole to rest briefly before slicing. This makes cutting easier and allows the flavours to settle, ensuring each bite is as savoury and satisfying as the next.
Equipment needed :
Must-Have Tools to Get Rolling
Here’s what you’ll want to have on hand:
Silicone Spatula – Durable, heat-resistant silicone spatula perfect for mixing, scraping, and spreading. Gentle on non-stick cookware and easy to clean.
Large pot – You’ll need this to boil the whole cabbage head and soften the leaves.
large bowl –Spacious, durable large bowl ideal for mixing, serving, or food preparation. Made from sturdy material and easy to clean.
Sharp knife – For coring the cabbage and slicing out the thick stem in each leaf. A paring knife works best.
Mixing bowl – A big bowl makes it easier to combine your meat and rice filling evenly.
Cutting board – For prepping cabbage leaves and rolling them like a pro.
9×13-inch baking dish – Ideal size to fit your rolled cabbage leaves snugly and prevent them from unraveling.
knife – A sharp, durable kitchen knife perfect for slicing, chopping, and dicing with ease
Servings and timing
Serves 4 to 6 people.
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 25 to 30 minutes
Total time: 35 to 40 minutes
Storage/reheating
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat in the oven or microwave; adding a quick warm-up in the oven helps restore crisp edges. This recipe freezes well for up to 2 months—thaw overnight before reheating.
Variations and Customizations
Make it spicy
Add jalapeños, crushed red pepper, or use spicy sausage.
Add vegetables
Spinach, mushrooms, or tomatoes add freshness and enhance nutrition.
Swap cheeses
Use pepper jack, Colby Jack, or Swiss for different flavour profiles.
Make it low-carb
Omit any starchy add-ins and increase vegetables for a hearty keto-friendly bake.
Add potatoes
Fold in hash browns or diced potatoes for a more filling breakfast.
Make it creamy
Add a spoonful of cream cheese to the mixture for a richer texture.
Try turkey sausage
A leaner alternative that still delivers flavour.
Add herbs
Fresh chives, parsley, or thyme brighten the dish.
Make individual servings
Bake in muffin tins for portable, meal-prep-friendly portions.
Add bacon
Crumble cooked bacon over the top for extra savoury punch.
FAQs
Can I make this ahead?
Yes, assemble the dish and refrigerate overnight; bake fresh in the morning.
Can I use plant-based sausage?
Yes, most vegan sausages work well in this recipe.
Can I freeze the casserole?
Yes, it freezes well for up to 2 months.
How do I prevent the casserole from getting watery?
Ensure vegetables are sautéed until their moisture cooks off.
Can I double the recipe?
Yes, use a larger baking dish and extend cooking time slightly.
What milk works best?
Any milk works; almond milk also blends well without altering flavour.
Can I add bread to make a strata?
Yes, fold in cubes of day-old bread for a heartier bake.
How do I know it’s done?
The center should be set and the cheese lightly golden.
Can I omit cheese?
Yes, though the dish will be less creamy.
What sides pair well?
Fresh fruit, toast, or roasted potatoes complement the richness.
Conclusion
This Crispy, Cheesy Breakfast Sausage Bake is a simple, adaptable recipe that satisfies with savoury flavour, crisp texture, and comforting warmth. Whether you prepare it for family brunch or weekly meal prep, it promises consistency and ease. With countless customisation options—from added vegetables to alternative cheeses—this dish is a reliable, flavour-forward breakfast you’ll return to again whenever you crave something hearty and delicious.
Hungry for more? Visit our website for full recipes and follow us on Pinterest for daily foodie inspo you’ll love to pin!