Christmas Breakfast Casserole Recipe: A Cozy, Crowd-Winning Favorite

When the holidays hit full speed and your to-do list magically grows longer than Santa’s, a Christmas Breakfast Casserole Recipe becomes the kind of early-morning lifesaver every busy woman needs in her back pocket. Trust me—between juggling gift wrapping, family schedules, and remembering where you hid the stocking stuffers, the last thing you want is a fussy breakfast.

This warm, cheesy, make-ahead wonder swoops in like a Christmas miracle. It feeds a crowd, requires minimal morning effort, and fills your whole home with that “someone’s cooking something amazing” smell. And today’s recipe? We’re giving a festive spotlight to a classic favorite: the Martha Stewart Christmas Breakfast Casserole Recipe.

As someone who loves creating comfort with simplicity, this dish checks every box. It’s easy, hearty, and perfect for mornings when you want joy—not chaos—on the menu.

Why You’ll Love This Christmas Breakfast Casserole Recipe

If your holiday mornings tend to feel like a marathon before 10 a.m., this casserole is here to be your cozy, dependable companion.

Here’s why it deserves a permanent place at your Christmas brunch table:

  • Make-Ahead Magic: Prep everything the night before and just pop it in the oven. Your future self will want to high-five you.
  • Comfort Food Vibes: Gruyère, Parmesan, sausage, sourdough… Should I go on? It’s basically a warm hug in casserole form.
  • Feeds Everyone: Even those sleepyheads who wander in at different times.
  • Holiday-Approved Flavor: Nutmeg and Dijon add that subtle festive depth without screaming “I tried too hard.”

Honestly, this Breakfast Casserole makes the season feel just a little easier. And isn’t that what we’re all craving?

Ingredients You will Need

Here’s everything you need to create your delicious Christmas morning centerpiece:

  • 1 lb turkey breakfast sausage
  • 1 large yellow onion, chopped
  • 1 (1-pound) loaf of sourdough bread, cut into 1-inch cubes
  • 2 cups shredded Gruyère cheese
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 8 large eggs
  • 2 cups whole milk
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg

How to Make This Martha Stewart Christmas Breakfast Casserole Recipe

Let’s walk through this in the simplest, least-stressful way possible. After all, holiday mornings are not the moment for complicated steps or dramatic kitchen moments.

Step 1: Cook the Sausage and Onion

Heat a large skillet and crumble in the turkey breakfast sausage. Add the chopped onion and cook until everything is golden and fragrant. Drain off the excess grease.
Your kitchen will already feel festive—you’re welcome.

Step 2: Build the Casserole Base

Grab a big mixing bowl and combine the sourdough cubes, cooked sausage and onion mixture, and both cheeses. Mix everything until it’s cozy and well-distributed.

Transfer the mixture into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Give it a little shake so it settles nicely.

Step 3: Whisk the Holiday Custard

In the same bowl (because we’re not washing extra dishes today), whisk together the eggs, whole milk, heavy cream, Dijon mustard, salt, black pepper, and nutmeg.
This rich custard is what transforms simple bread and sausage into a luxurious Christmas Breakfast Casserole.

Step 4: Pour and Chill

Pour the custard evenly over the bread mixture. Make sure every little corner gets some love.

Cover the baking dish and refrigerate for at least 8 hours or overnight.
This step lets the sourdough soak up all that rich flavor—plus it means zero morning effort for you.

Step 5: Bake to Golden Perfection

When morning comes, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Let the casserole sit at room temperature for 30 minutes while the oven warms up.

Bake uncovered for 50–60 minutes until it’s beautifully golden, puffed, and set in the center.

Let it rest for 10 minutes before slicing. This helps everything settle so your servings hold together like a dream.

Golden sausage and cheese bake sliced on a plate for a cozy Christmas Breakfast Casserole Recipe.
A deliciously golden and tender slice from this Christmas Breakfast Casserole Recipe, perfect for holiday mornings.

Tips for the Best Breakfast Casserole (Holiday-Sanity Edition)

  • If your custard looks too thick: Don’t stress—it’s just extra comfort waiting to happen.
  • Use day-old sourdough: It absorbs the custard better, giving you that perfect balance of chewy and soft.
  • Want extra flavor? A pinch more nutmeg or a sprinkle of fresh herbs works wonders.
  • Feeding picky eaters? Swap Gruyère for cheddar. This casserole plays well with others.
  • Hosting brunch? Serve with a fruit salad or cinnamon rolls to round out the meal.

This dish saved me one Christmas morning when everything else was a whirlwind. Between last-minute surprises, kids waking up too early, and my coffee going cold three times, this casserole kept me sane. All I had to do was turn on the oven. Truly a Christmas miracle.

FAQs About This Martha Stewart Christmas Breakfast Casserole Recipe

Can I Make This Breakfast Casserole Ahead of Time?

Yes! The whole beauty of a Breakfast Casserole lies in prepping it the night before. It actually tastes better when the bread gets plenty of time to soak.

Can I Use Different Cheeses?

Absolutely. The classic Martha Stewart Christmas Breakfast Casserole Recipe uses Gruyère for its nutty richness, but cheddar, Swiss, or even Monterey Jack will work.

How Do I Store Leftovers?

Refrigerate leftover slices in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven or air fryer to bring back that golden top.

Can I Substitute the Sausage?

Yes—turkey sausage, ham, or even a veggie sausage alternative works great. This recipe is wonderfully flexible.

Can I Freeze the Breakfast Casserole?

You can freeze it baked or unbaked. Just wrap tightly and store for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight before reheating or baking.

Bringing It All Together

The holidays are meant to be full of warmth, connection, and maybe a little magic—not exhaustion. This Christmas Breakfast Casserole Recipe is the perfect way to start the day with ease and flavor. With simple ingredients and stress-free prep, it lets you enjoy Christmas morning instead of rushing through it.

Whether you’re hosting a big family brunch or just feeding your household before the gift-opening chaos begins, this casserole brings everyone to the table with smiles. And honestly, that’s the real joy of holiday cooking—creating moments that feel like home.

Hearty sausage and egg squares from a fluffy Christmas Breakfast Casserole Recipe topped with herbs.
These fluffy, cheesy squares from our Christmas Breakfast Casserole Recipe are perfect for serving a crowd.

More Delicious Ideas to Add to Your Holiday Table

If you loved this cozy Christmas casserole, you might also enjoy exploring the classic version that inspired it. You can find a beautifully detailed take on the dish in this Martha Stewart Christmas Breakfast Casserole Recipe. And if you’re looking for even more comforting dishes to round out your holiday menu, here are a few favorites your family will adore:

Print
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Thick, golden-brown serving of a festive Christmas Breakfast Casserole Recipe with sausage and herbs.

Christmas Breakfast Casserole Recipe: A Cozy, Crowd-Winning Favorite


  • Author: Mounia
  • Total Time: 80 minutes
  • Yield: 810 servings 1x

Description

A rich, savory, make-ahead casserole filled with sausage, cheese, and sourdough—perfect for effortless Christmas mornings. This Martha Stewart–style Christmas Breakfast Casserole delivers cozy flavor with minimal prep.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb turkey breakfast sausage

  • 1 large yellow onion, chopped

  • 1 loaf (1 lb) sourdough bread, cut into 1-inch cubes

  • 2 cups shredded Gruyère cheese

  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

  • 8 large eggs

  • 2 cups whole milk

  • 1 cup heavy cream

  • 1 tbsp Dijon mustard

  • 1 tsp salt

  • 1/2 tsp black pepper

  • 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg


Instructions

  1. Cook sausage and onion in a skillet until browned, then drain the grease.

  2. In a large bowl, combine bread cubes, cooked sausage, onions, and cheeses. Transfer to a greased 9×13-inch baking dish.

  3. In the same bowl, whisk eggs, milk, cream, mustard, salt, pepper, and nutmeg.

  4. Pour the custard evenly over the bread mixture. Cover and refrigerate for at least 8 hours or overnight.

  5. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Let the casserole sit at room temperature for 30 minutes.

  6. Bake uncovered for 50–60 minutes or until golden, puffed, and set in the center.

  7. Cool for 10 minutes before serving.

Notes

Day-old sourdough works best because it absorbs the custard beautifully.

You can swap Gruyère for cheddar or Swiss if preferred.

For a milder flavor, use mild pork sausage or turkey sausage.

This casserole freezes well baked or unbaked for up to 2 months.

  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 60 minutes
  • Category: Breakfast, Brunch, Holiday Recipes
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 slice (approx. 1/10 of casserole)
  • Calories: Approximately 435 kcal
  • Sugar: 4 g
  • Sodium: 820 mg
  • Fat: 30 g
  • Saturated Fat: 15 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
  • Trans Fat: 0.4 g
  • Carbohydrates: 23 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 22 g
  • Cholesterol: 200 mg