Sausage Breakfast Casserole

We enjoy this for Christmas morning.  It is really a very easy recipe.  Just remember to prepare it the night before and refrigerate it.  We like it best with sausage.

Prepare the night before.
Serves 6-8

INGREDIENTS:
1 lb of sausage or ham chunks (sausage cooked, drained, crumbled- can use Italian sausage for spicy)

4-1/2 cups cubed day old white bread (about 7 slices)

2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese (or can use medium)

10 eggs slightly beaten

4 cups whole milk

1 teaspoon dry mustard

1 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon onion powder

Fresh ground pepper to taste

1/2 cup sliced mushrooms (optional)

1/2 cup peeled, chopped tomatoes (optional)

DIRECTIONS:

Preheat oven 325 degrees

(Step by step instructions found on website.) 

Heat a skillet on medium high. Break up the sausage into chunks and cook, working in batches if need be, until browned all around. Make sure the chunks of sausage have some space around them or your meat will steam and not brown. Remove the cooked sausage from the pan and let sit on some paper towels on a plate to soak up the excess fat. Crumble into smaller pieces.

Place bread in a well buttered 9x13 inch baking pan. Sprinkle with cheese. Combine the eggs, milk, dry mustard, onion powder, salt, and pepper. (I like to do this in a blender.)  Pour evenly over the bread and cheese. Sprinkle sausage and optional ingredients over the top.

At this stage you can cover and chill overnight, if you want to prepare ahead. If not, let sit for 10 minutes before putting in the oven. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Bake uncovered for about 1 hour. Tent with foil if top begins to brown too quickly.

Recipe was found at www.Elise.com