I’ve got your breakfast ready!
Shoot. Those darn teenagers.
You’ll have to make your own. But! It’s easy, and you probably have the ingredients sitting in your kitchen right now. This is a great Christmas morning casserole, hearty and fast and just right to fill up the kids (and him) until the big dinner is ready. It can be as simple–or as complicated–as you want it to be. It’s a versatile recipe, easy to add on to according to your tastes, and best of all, you can make it ahead, stick it in the fridge overnight (tonight!), and pop it in the oven while you’re opening presents.
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How to make the Ultimate Breakfast Casserole:
12 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled*
4 cups cubed bread**
1/2 cup butter, melted***
2 cups cheese, grated
8 eggs
1 1/2 cups milk
1/2 cup sour cream****
salt and pepper to taste
additions, to taste*****
*You can substitute 3/4 pound (or 1 1/2 cups) sausage or ham or ground beef or……. Whatever you have!
**I use Grandmother Bread. Of course.
***You can get away with 1/4 cup butter. Or even margerine. If you must. I would never!!
****If you don’t have any sour cream, you can use 2 cups milk instead.
*****Add 1 cup chopped sauteed onions, peppers, mushrooms, or other vegetables, if you like. MY KIDS WOULD KILL ME. But you go ahead.
This is, as you can see, like so many of my recipes, a standard that you can rely on to then change to suit your own family. I love recipes like that. How do I come up with recipes like this? I take recipes from other places and start changing them to suit my family, and over the years, as our tastes–and their ages–change, I adjust them. I sometimes forget where recipes come from to start with. (And really, this is a very ordinary recipe–what’s special about it is how you can make it your own.) The important part is the standard–the quantities that work within the recipe. Once you deconstruct that part, the recipe is anything you want it to be. I hope you’ll make it something that is perfect for your family. Try it! You’ll like it. (Note: You can also easily cut this recipe in half, if that suits you, and bake it in an 8×8 pan. I’ve never done that, but there is no reason you can’t–I would recommend watching the baking time as that would probably not take as long.)
Cook and crumble bacon; set aside. Cube bread. Grease a 9×13 pan.
As you can see, 4 cups of cubed bread–to me–is 4 overflowing cups. I cut big cubes, and that makes a difference in what fills up a cup. Also, I’m using thick-sliced Grandmother Bread. If you’re using a different sort of bread, it might be different for you, so adjust accordingly. You want the bread to loosely cover the bottom of a 9×13 pan.
When I lay it out in a 9×13 pan, here is what the bread cubes look like.
Melt butter (or margerine) and pour over the bread cubes in the pan.
Toss with shredded cheese.
I’m using a Mexican Fiesta blend. Use whatever cheese you like.
Whisk eggs, milk, and sour cream.
If you’re adding sauteed vegetables, add them to the eggs, milk, and sour cream after you’ve whisked them. Add salt and pepper if you like. I use peppered bacon. Bacon is pretty salty, and it’s peppered, so I don’t add anything at this point.
Pour mixture evenly over bread cubes and cheese.
Sprinkle bacon (or whatever) over the top of the casserole. I like to toss chives over it, too. Then the teenagers start crying. “What is that green stuff?????” CHIVES. I grew them, chopped them, and froze them. It makes me happy to use them. I love them.
The teenagers just barely let me get away with that. Or most likely, by the time I get done telling them all that, they want to smack me and just get on with the pigging out.
Cover with foil. You can cook this right away, or let it sit in the fridge overnight. Bake at 325-degrees, covered, for 45 minutes. Remove cover and bake another 15 minutes.
Get some for yourself before you call the teenagers.
See this recipe at Farm Bell Recipes and save it to your recipe box.
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Leah says:
That looks SPECTACULAR! :hungry: I’m having a Ham and Cheese Omlet and Monkey Bread for Christmas brunch with Amy and my Baby Brook in a little while since everyone else is a wk! MERRY CHRISTMAS EVE!!!!!
On December 24, 2008 at 3:21 am
Dru says:
Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays to one and all!
On December 24, 2008 at 4:29 am
Lisa J says:
That looks very good, and pretty simple too!
Merry Christmas from my zoo to yours!
On December 24, 2008 at 5:18 am
Rita says:
Wow! This looks wonderful. I’ve lost my recipe and this one looks even better. Did I miss the PRINT? Couldn’t find it. I’ll fix this today. Thanks! I come every day to be inspired and enjoy.
On December 24, 2008 at 5:44 am
beekudzu says:
Guess what we’ll be having for breakfast tomorrow morning! Looks good!
Merry Christmas!
On December 24, 2008 at 6:15 am
Suzanne McMinn says:
ack, I forgot the print link. Got it in there now. Thank you, Rita!!
On December 24, 2008 at 6:40 am
IowaDeb says:
Those darn teenagers beat us to it. Guess you’ll have to make another and be sure to add all that extra stuff in there..lol
Merry Christmas to all!
On December 24, 2008 at 7:02 am
Suzanne, the Farmer's Wife says:
Thanks for the recipe Suzanne, This is definitely a keeper. Unfortunately I’ve already bought the ingredients to make a Christmas morning breakfast casserole that uses hash browns, etc. Have a Merry Christmas.
– Suzanne, the Farmer’s Wife
On December 24, 2008 at 7:04 am
Heidi says:
OH I LOVE THIS!! I do this often and it is so easy. The boys love it so I end up having to make 2 pans… everything is doubled around here…if my vision starts to double, I am coming to live with you!!! Have a wonderful Christmas eve!!!!
On December 24, 2008 at 7:08 am
Diane says:
I make this on Christmas morning!!! Only I use bisquick for the crust part. It a recipe on that used to be on the back of the box. I fix it the night before and pop it into the oven Christmas day. Quick and easy. Enjoy!! I see your teens enjoyed yours very much. 🙂
On December 24, 2008 at 7:26 am
Cheryl S. says:
Looks wonderful! Thanks for sharing all the great recipes with us. A Merry Christmas to you and your family.
On December 24, 2008 at 7:40 am
JeannieB says:
Boy, that almost breakfast looks good, having raised 2 boys I know how much they can eat. Merry Christmas Susanne and all my “Chicken” friends!!
On December 24, 2008 at 7:44 am
Claudia W. says:
Wow! That looks lip smackingly delicious! I wish I wasn’t allergic to eggs…darn!
I love that plate. I have a “thing” for anything with strawberries on it.
Merry Christmas!
On December 24, 2008 at 7:50 am
anne says:
A Very Merry Christmas Suzanne !
Have a wonderful day with your loved ones.
Anne
On December 24, 2008 at 8:08 am
Kacey says:
We make this every Christmas morning, but use sausage instead of bacon. My recipe doesn’t have the sour cream either. Hm, might try that this year.
On December 24, 2008 at 8:25 am
Paulette says:
Looks yummy with your Grandmother bread and the peppered bacon. I’ve made this and added cooked spinach and mushrooms, really good.
Hope you have a happy and safe Christmas.
On December 24, 2008 at 8:39 am
Maureen says:
Thank you Suzanne because I’m going to make this tonight so we can have it in the morning. Merry Christmas!
On December 24, 2008 at 8:46 am
Cheryl says:
Oh my goodness I am drooling just reading the recipe! All three of my “teenagers” (28,26 and 23) are home for Christmas this year so I know we will be enjoying this in the morning.
Thanks and hope you and yours have a very merry Christmas!
On December 24, 2008 at 8:51 am
Nancy in Atlanta says:
Those darn teenagers – where’s mine? I’m passing this along to my daughter’s new MIL as she’ll have the crowd tomorrow morning. I get the “kids” (38 and 43) back Friday. Merry Christmas to all!!! :catmeow:
On December 24, 2008 at 8:59 am
Christine says:
Yum! It’s a tradition around my house to make one very similar.
On December 24, 2008 at 9:46 am
beth says:
Ahh! Thank you! I was hoping on to find a casserole recipe for tomorrow morning! Didn’t have to look far! And I have everything here at home!
Woot!
On December 24, 2008 at 10:40 am
Andrea says:
Merry Christmas to you and yours. :snoopy:
On December 24, 2008 at 10:51 am
tillie says:
I’ll have to try that! It looks delicious!! We do a variation of your recipe with sausage. It’s a Christmas morning tradition at our house…
On December 24, 2008 at 12:37 pm
Alice Audrey says:
LOL on the teenagers.
Merry Christmas!
On December 24, 2008 at 1:13 pm
Rooth says:
I cook a similar dish but don’t bother with cutting up the bread just lay whole pieces in the greased pan. Then we let set overnight and in teh morning before placing in the onven add additonal liquids (usually just milk) anykind and quantity so that the bread is covered. Its more of a pouffy dish… we call it scalloped bread. Oh my its on the menu for tomorrow AM!
On December 24, 2008 at 1:18 pm
Brandy says:
It looks Yummy! But, my kids hate eggs. *G*
Merry Christmas!
On December 24, 2008 at 1:36 pm
Bill Lynch says:
That looks amazing. I didn’t even know I was hungry until I saw it. Holy cow.
On December 24, 2008 at 1:47 pm
Estella says:
That looks sooo good.
Happy Holidays to you and yours, Suzanne!
On December 24, 2008 at 2:45 pm
Jeanne says:
We wish your family a Very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Thanks soo much for your special website.
Jeanne :wave:
On December 24, 2008 at 2:51 pm
Deserthen says:
That looks out of this world good!! I think I have everything at home to make it. Thank you for sharing another wonderful recipe.
Merry Christmas.
On December 24, 2008 at 3:24 pm
Susan says:
That looks so yummy! Enjoy your Christmas Eve!
On December 24, 2008 at 3:41 pm
catslady says:
Oh that looks so good. I’m having a quiet Christmas this year but it’s a definite plan for Christmas morning next year!!!
On December 24, 2008 at 4:47 pm
Joely says:
Merry Christmas, Suzanne! I’m making this tomorrow after seeing your post. (It’s already tucked into the fridge.) Thanks for all your wonderful recipes!
On December 24, 2008 at 11:32 pm
cricket says:
I just made this for Christmas morning and the family loved it.
Thank you for all of your hard work.
On December 25, 2008 at 8:33 am
Jydy says:
This sounds so good. I am always looking for new recipes to try, It is just my husband and mydself in our home now and we are trying to eat lighter, a few adjustment and this would even make a great eveing meal.
Judy
On January 8, 2009 at 3:50 pm
laura says:
I’m down here in Hurricane, WV…
Was looking for a good pepperoni roll recipe and you popped up! I’m so glad I found you–have your breakfast casserole in the oven right now. No teenagers, just some hungry Bible study ladies this a.m. Planning on trying that Grandmother’s bread!
Thanks for helping me out this week with your yummy recipes!
On September 25, 2009 at 5:45 am
Rodney says:
I love your little comments that you add to your recipes. Great website. Definetly going in my favorites. Keep up the good work
On November 4, 2009 at 10:27 am
Amy says:
Yum!
I can’t wait to try this one 🙂
On December 12, 2009 at 9:56 pm
Elissa says:
I have a question. Does it make ANY difference for the taste and/or consistency if it sits in the fridge overnight? I know that you said that it could be assembled the night before – but is the result different at all? Thanks for letting me know! I will definitely be making this SOON!!!!
On December 18, 2009 at 11:49 pm
Yvonne says:
I make something similar but being a city girl I use frozen hashbrown cakes and sausage instead of bacon. This way I don’t have to let it sit overnight. We usually have it for dinner and there’s never a drop left! Mine never looks as pretty as yours though :no:
On February 11, 2010 at 4:52 pm
Rachel says:
This reminds me of the breakfast casserole I make for Christmas. Mine is made with bread fried mushrooms and chicken-apple sausage, whole wheat bread cubes, eggs and cheese. It’s delicious, just like yours looks to be!
On August 9, 2010 at 10:00 am
Gerry says:
My grandchildren love bacon–so I plan to make this the next time they are here overnight. It looks yummy and very easy to prepare! Thanks for sharing all your great recipes.
On August 10, 2010 at 1:54 am
Sheila says:
Ok clean out your spare bedroom cause I’m coming over for breakfast on christmas day (LOL).
On November 3, 2010 at 6:43 pm