Good morning, food lovers! Here at Clara's Recipes, we believe breakfast should be an exciting start to your day, and nothing delivers that quite like our Ultimate Pancake Sausage Breakfast Casserole. This dish is a harmonious blend of sweet and savory, combining fluffy pancake goodness with seasoned ground sausage and gooey melted cheese, all baked in one convenient dish. It's truly a game-changer for weekend brunches, holidays, or any time you want to impress without the fuss!
Forget standing over a griddle flipping pancakes; this casserole lets you assemble and bake, freeing up your morning for more important things (like enjoying that first cup of coffee!). It's designed for ease, flavor, and maximum crowd-pleasing potential. Whether you're feeding a hungry family or entertaining guests, this recipe is sure to become a cherished favorite.
Why This Casserole Will Become Your New Breakfast Obsession
This isn't just a casserole; it's a breakfast experience. Here's why you'll fall in love with it:
- Effortless Preparation: Most of the work is hands-off baking, making it perfect for busy mornings.
- Perfect Balance: The subtle sweetness of the pancakes beautifully complements the rich, savory sausage and sharp cheddar.
- Fantastic for Guests: It serves a crowd with ease and looks absolutely stunning when it comes out of the oven.
- Customizable: Easily tweak ingredients to match your family's preferences.
- Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare it the night before and simply bake in the morning for a stress-free meal.
If you're a fan of hearty, comforting breakfast bakes, you'll also adore our Cheesy Hash Brown Casserole with Biscuits and Sausage Gravy for another delicious option that truly satisfies!
Gather Your Ingredients
The secret to a fantastic breakfast casserole lies in fresh, quality ingredients. Here's what you'll need for this delightful dish:
- All-purpose flour for light and airy pancakes.
- Granulated sugar and baking powder to give the pancakes their perfect rise and touch of sweetness.
- Milk and eggs to create a rich, moist batter.
- Melted butter or oil for added richness and a tender crumb.
- Ground breakfast sausage – the savory star of the show!
- Shredded cheddar cheese for that irresistible melty layer.
- Fresh green onions for a mild oniony bite and a splash of color.
- Essential seasonings: salt, black pepper, and a touch of smoked paprika to elevate the savory notes.
For more insights into the history and culinary significance of pancakes, you might find this Pancake article on Wikipedia interesting!
Tools of the Trade
- A large mixing bowl
- Whisk
- Skillet
- 9x13 inch baking dish
- Spatula
Bringing It All Together: Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Prepare Your Pancake Batter
In a spacious mixing bowl, combine your dry ingredients: the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, and a pinch of salt. In a separate bowl, whisk together the wet ingredients: eggs, milk, and melted butter or oil until smooth. Gently pour the wet mixture into the dry, stirring just until combined. A few small lumps are perfectly normal and often result in a more tender pancake! Set the batter aside to rest for about 5-10 minutes while you prepare the sausage.
2. Cook the Savory Sausage
Heat a skillet over medium heat. Add the ground breakfast sausage, crumbling it as it cooks. Brown the sausage thoroughly until no pink remains. Drain any excess grease to prevent your casserole from becoming soggy. Season the cooked sausage with salt, freshly ground black pepper, and smoked paprika for an added depth of flavor. Set aside.
3. Layer for Maximum Flavor
Lightly grease your 9x13 inch baking dish. Spread half of the cooked sausage evenly across the bottom. Sprinkle half of the shredded cheddar cheese and half of the chopped green onions over the sausage. Now, carefully pour the prepared pancake batter over this first layer, ensuring it's evenly distributed. Finally, top with the remaining sausage, cheese, and green onions. For another savory and sweet breakfast combination, don't miss our Easy French Toast Roll Ups with Sausage Links: A Savory Morning Twist!
4. Bake to Golden Perfection
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Place the assembled casserole on the center rack and bake for 30-35 minutes. You're looking for a beautiful golden-brown and puffed-up top. To ensure it's fully cooked, insert a toothpick into the center; it should come out clean. If the top browns too quickly, you can loosely tent it with aluminum foil for the last 5-10 minutes.
5. Rest and Serve
Once your casserole emerges from the oven, let it rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing and serving. This short rest allows the casserole to set, making for cleaner, more appealing slices. Serve warm with a drizzle of maple syrup, a sprinkle of fresh berries, or even a dollop of whipped cream for an extra treat!
Creative Variations and Serving Suggestions
This casserole is incredibly versatile, allowing you to customize it to your taste:
- Heat Seekers: Use hot breakfast sausage or add a pinch of red pepper flakes when cooking the sausage.
- Cheesy Swaps: Experiment with different cheeses like pepper jack for a kick, or a blend of Colby and Monterey Jack.
- Veggie Boost: Sauté finely diced bell peppers, mushrooms, or spinach with the sausage.
- Fruity Additions: Consider adding thin slices of apple or pear between the layers for a touch of natural sweetness.
- Different Meats: Crumbled bacon, diced ham, or even chicken or turkey sausage can be used in place of pork sausage.
Make-Ahead & Storage Tips
One of the best features of this casserole is its make-ahead potential! You can fully assemble the casserole the night before, cover it tightly with plastic wrap, and refrigerate. Just remember to let it sit out on the counter for about 15-20 minutes while your oven preheats in the morning. Leftovers store well in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat individual portions in the microwave or in a 350°F (175°C) oven until warmed through.
Print
Ultimate Pancake Sausage Breakfast Casserole
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Diet: Standard
Description
A delightful and easy-to-make breakfast casserole featuring fluffy pancakes, savory ground sausage, and melted cheddar cheese, baked to golden perfection.
Ingredients
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups milk
2 large eggs
1/4 cup melted unsalted butter or vegetable oil
1 lb ground breakfast sausage (mild or hot)
2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
1/4 cup chopped green onions
1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Maple syrup, for serving (optional)
Instructions
Step 1: In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, and 1/2 teaspoon salt.
Step 2: In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the milk, eggs, and melted butter or oil until smooth.
Step 3: Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Stir gently until just combined. A few lumps are fine. Let the batter rest for 5-10 minutes.
Step 4: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground breakfast sausage, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned and no longer pink. Drain any excess grease. Season the cooked sausage with smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper to taste.
Step 5: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.
Step 6: Spread half of the cooked sausage evenly across the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle with half of the shredded cheddar cheese and half of the chopped green onions.
Step 7: Carefully pour the pancake batter evenly over the sausage and cheese layer.
Step 8: Top the batter with the remaining cooked sausage, cheddar cheese, and green onions.
Step 9: Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the casserole is golden brown and puffed, and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. If the top starts to brown too quickly, you can loosely tent it with aluminum foil for the last 5-10 minutes.
Step 10: Remove from the oven and let rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing and serving. Drizzle with maple syrup if desired.
Notes
For a spicier kick, use hot breakfast sausage or add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sausage while cooking. You can also mix in a cup of sautéed diced bell peppers with the sausage for added flavor and nutrition.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 420 kcal
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 650mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 120mg
FAQs
Can I prepare this Pancake Sausage Breakfast Casserole the night before?
Yes, this casserole is excellent for make-ahead! Assemble all the layers in your baking dish, cover tightly, and refrigerate overnight. In the morning, let it sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before baking to ensure even cooking.
What are the best types of sausage and cheese to use?
For sausage, a mild or hot ground pork breakfast sausage works wonderfully. You could also use turkey sausage or crumbled bacon. For cheese, shredded sharp cheddar is classic, but Monterey Jack, Colby, or a Mexican blend would also be delicious choices.
How do I know when the casserole is fully baked?
The casserole is ready when it is beautifully golden brown and puffed up. A reliable test is to insert a toothpick into the center u2013 it should come out clean, indicating the pancake batter is fully cooked through. This typically takes 30-35 minutes at 375u00b0F (190u00b0C).
Can I add vegetables to this breakfast casserole?
Absolutely! To add more nutrition and flavor, consider sautu00e9ing diced bell peppers, onions, or spinach with your sausage. Just be sure to drain any excess moisture from the vegetables before adding them to the casserole.
Leave a Reply