Croissant Breakfast Casserole

Warning: Making this croissant breakfast casserole will cause everyone in your house (and possibly even your neighbors) to flock to your kitchen, because the heavenly aromas that it emits are truly divine. With buttery croissants, savory pork sausage, melty Gruyere and rich custard, this loaded bake is proof that great-tasting brunch recipes don’t have to be complicated or contain a long laundry list of special ingredients.

Serve this croissant breakfast bake at your next Christmas brunch or weekend breakfast gathering. It’s the perfect all-in-one main dish that doesn’t need to be accompanied by a bunch of fussy sides. Add a festive cranberry fruit salad and a carafe of your favorite brewed coffee, and you and your guests will be ready to dive into this exquisitely rich, hearty and cheesy recipe.

Croissant Breakfast Casserole Ingredients

• Croissants: No need to make croissants from scratch. Just pick up a few boxes from your grocer’s bakery department and you’ll be all set.
• Pork sausage: You’ll need 1/2 pound of bulk sausage to make this breakfast casserole with croissants recipe. For maximum flavor, we suggest grabbing your favorite package of sweet or mild Italian sausage.
• Onion: A little onion cooked with the sausage adds a fragrant aroma and depth of flavor to this easy breakfast casserole bake.
• Eggs: You’ll need eight eggs for this egg recipe. There’s a difference between jumbo and large eggs when it comes to baking, so make sure you’re picking up the right container.
• Dairy: A combination of whole milk and half-and-half makes this casserole’s base ultra-rich and satisfying.
• Dijon mustard: Dijon pairs wonderfully with the zesty sausage and aged Gruyere cheese, adding a subtle zip.
• Seasonings: A combination of salt, pepper and poultry seasoning adds lovely notes of sage, thyme and rosemary to this sausage croissant breakfast casserole.
• Gruyere cheese: Gruyere is one of our favorite cheeses when it comes to elevating everyday classics. It adds a wonderfully buttery and nutty flavor to this egg bake.
• Chives: Just before serving, garnish slices of croissant casserole with a sprinkle of chives for a touch of color and light onion flavor.

Directions

Step 1: Arrange the croissant pieces

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease a 13×9-inch baking dish and arrange the croissant pieces evenly in it.

Step 2: Cook the sausage and onion

In a large skillet, cook the sausage and onion over medium heat until the sausage is browned and the onions are tender, about five to seven minutes. Spoon the mixture over the croissant pieces.

Step 3: Add the eggs

In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, cream, mustard, poultry seasoning, salt, pepper and 3/4 cup of Gruyere cheese. Pour the mixture evenly over the croissants. Lightly stir to coat the croissants, and then top them with the remaining 3/4 cup of Gruyere cheese.

Step 4: Bake the casserole

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Bake the casserole, covered, for 25 minutes. Then, uncover and bake for an additional 25 to 30 minutes. The casserole is ready when the eggs are fully set and the croissants have browned. Remove the casserole from the oven and let it stand for 10 minutes before serving slices with a sprinkle of freshly chopped chives on top.

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Croissant Breakfast Casserole Variations

• Add veggies: If you want to see a few veggies in your breakfast, you can add sauteed spinach, mushrooms, zucchini, roasted red peppers or sun-dried tomatoes to this easy croissant breakfast casserole.
• Mix up the meat: For a lighter alternative to pork sausage, use ground chicken or turkey sausage. You could also opt for cooked and crumbled bacon or chopped ham.
• Change up the cheese: Gruyere can be difficult to find, and can feel like a splurge for some. If you wish to omit the Gruyere, substitute Swiss, sharp white cheddar, Fontina or Gouda. Any melting cheese will work here.

How to Store Croissant Breakfast Casserole

Leftover sausage croissant breakfast casserole should be covered or transferred to an airtight food storage container and kept refrigerated.

How long does croissant breakfast casserole last?

This sausage croissant egg casserole will stay fresh for three to four days when stored, covered, in the refrigerator.

Can you freeze croissant breakfast casserole?

Yes, you can freeze croissant breakfast casserole. To freeze the casserole, bake it as directed and then allow it to fully cool. Then, transfer the casserole to an airtight freezer container and freeze it for up to three months. You may also bake this casserole in a 13×9-inch foil baking pan with a lid if you intend to freeze it for later enjoyment. Defrost the freezer breakfast completely before reheating it.

Can you make croissant breakfast casserole ahead of time?

Yes, you can fully prepare this breakfast casserole with croissants up to one day ahead and reheat it when you’re ready to serve it. Alternatively, you can prep this breakfast casserole through Step 3, then cover it tightly and refrigerate it for up to 12 hours. When ready to bake, remove the unbaked casserole from the refrigerator and let it stand for 30 minutes at room temperature while the oven preheats. Then, bake the casserole as directed.

How do you reheat croissant breakfast casserole?

While you can reheat this croissant breakfast casserole in the microwave, reheating it in the oven will refresh the crispness of the croissants for a more pleasing texture. Warm the leftovers in a 350° oven, uncovered, until they’re heated through.

Croissant Breakfast Casserole Tips

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Should you use fresh or stale croissants for a breakfast casserole?

You can use either fresh or stale croissants for this recipe with wonderful results. If you are planning to prepare this recipe as a make-ahead breakfast casserole of time, you might want to use stale croissants as they will keep a bit more of their integrity than fresh croissants, and won’t become as soggy as they soak up the egg mixture overnight.

What can you serve with croissant breakfast casserole?

Our favorite accompaniments for this breakfast casserole with croissants are a colorful fruit salad or a side of oven-baked bacon and crispy hash browns. If you like something sweet with your savory breakfast casserole, whip up a batch of blueberry muffins or lemon poppy seed bread to munch on while the casserole bakes in the oven.