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Cowboy Christmas Morning Casserole: festive, hearty, make-ahead breakfast tradition.
The first time I made this Cowboy Christmas Morning Casserole, I was elbow-deep in the chaos of our first holiday hosting gig. My partner and I, feeling officially grown-up in our own cozy house, had decided to invite the whole family over for Christmas morning. The only catch was that everyone had been talking about my legendary breakfasts. The pressure was almost as hot as the skillet in which I browned the ground pork sausage, adding richness to our homey gathering.
We had just finished settling into the neighborhood, feeling the warmth of our new community, much like the toasty cubes of white bread ready to soak up the spiced custard mixture. I remember standing there, whisking eggs with mustard powder and a touch of salt, a little nervous about whether it would be hit. A practical tip came from our neighbor, Judy, who suggested refrigerating the dish overnight to deepen the flavors, allowing the milk to blend perfectly with the buttery cheese.
As family and friends gathered around, unwrapping gifts with sleepy eyes, the casserole, set proudly at the center of the table, emerged from the oven bubbling and golden. Letting it rest for a few minutes ensured perfect slices, making it as much a gift to eat as it was to share. The hearty combination of seasoned sausage and sharp cheese made the morning feel truly festive, and for a moment, the house was filled with that magical Christmas spirit. As we sat together, it was clear that this humble dish was more than breakfast; it was the beginning of a favorite tradition.
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground pork sausage
- 1 teaspoon mustard powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 4 large eggs
- 2 cups milk
- 6 slices white bread toasted, cut into cubes
- 1 (8-ounce) package mild cheddar cheese shredded
Directions
- Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
- In a medium skillet over medium heat, add the sausage and cook, while crumbling, until it is no longer pink, about 5-8 minutes.
- Drain the excess fat from the skillet.
- Allow the sausage to cool slightly.
- In a medium bowl, add the mustard powder, the salt, the eggs, and the milk and whisk to combine.
- Add the sausage, the toasted bread cubes, and the cheese to the egg mixture and stir to combine and coat evenly.
- Transfer the egg mixture to the prepared baking dish.
- Cover the baking dish and refrigerate it for at least 8 hours and up to overnight.
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
- Bake the casserole, covered, for 45 minutes-1 hour.
- Uncover the baking dish and reduce the oven temperature to 325 degrees F.
- Bake until the casserole is set, about 30 minutes.
- Serve.
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