Best Crescent Roll Breakfast Casserole
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Wake up to the aroma of Crescent Roll Breakfast Casserole, a delicious egg and sausage bake that can be made ahead to make your life easier! Whether you're hosting a Christmas morning breakfast, or planning Sunday brunch for a crowd, this recipe is a keeper!
The combination of buttery crescent rolls, savory sausage, colorful peppers, fluffy eggs and melted cheese will cause your whole family to beg for more!
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Why This Recipe Works
- Quick and Easy - Just 10 minutes to prep, and you're all set. It's a breeze to put together!
- Make It Ahead - Prep it the night before and just pop it in the oven when you're ready for Christmas morning breakfast.
- Packed with Flavor - With tasty sausage, fresh peppers, eggs and loads of cheese, it's a huge hit!
- Great for Any Occasion - Perfect for lazy weekends, special holiday mornings, or when you've got a crowd to feed. Everyone's gonna want seconds!
Ingredients
All of the ingredients for this dish are readily available at your local grocery store, making preparation a breeze. See recipe card for quantities.
- Refrigerated crescent rolls - form a buttery, flaky base layer for the casserole. I use Pillsbury Regular Crescent Rolls, but any store brand will work.
- Breakfast sausage - I use Jimmy Dean’s Regular pork sausage, but choose your favorite brand.
- Red & green bell peppers - for a hint of sweetness and vibrant color.
- Large eggs - the key to binding all the ingredients together and creating a rich texture.
- Milk - I used whole milk, but any type can be used to help create a smooth, creamy egg mixture.
- Sour cream - this secret ingredient adds extra richness to the eggs.
- Shredded cheddar cheese - for a sharp, melty cheese layer.
- Shredded pepper jack cheese - adds a slightly spicy, creamy touch.
- Garlic salt- You can also use garlic powder and salt instead.
- Black pepper - for seasoning and enhancing the overall flavor.
- Optional - Fresh parsley, chopped - for a burst of color as a garnish. Also, sweet onions add great flavor for those who enjoy them.
Instructions
1. Preheat the oven to 375°F. Lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.
2. Prepare the Base: Unroll the crescent roll dough and press it into the bottom of the baking dish, pinching any seams to form a uniform layer.
3. Cook the Sausage: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground sausage until browned and crumbly.
Once cooked, drain any excess grease and evenly spread the cooked sausage over the crescent dough sheet in the baking dish.
4. Sauté the Vegetables: Using the same skillet, sauté the diced green and red bell peppers for about 3-4 minutes until just tender.
Then, distribute the sautéed peppers evenly over the sausage layer.
5. Prepare the Egg Mixture: In a mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, sour cream, milk, garlic salt, and black pepper until well combined.
6. Combine and Layer: Pour the egg mixture over the sausage and pepper layers in the baking dish.
7. Add the Cheese: Sprinkle the shredded cheddar and pepper jack cheese evenly on top of the egg mixture.
8. Bake the Casserole: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 35-40 minutes, or until the eggs are set and the cheese is melted and lightly golden on top. Insert a knife or toothpick in the center; it should come out clean.
9. Cool and Serve: Remove the casserole from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes. Optionally, garnish with freshly chopped parsley or green onions before serving.
Substitutions
This easy breakfast casserole recipe is flexible and can be adapted to your taste. It's similar to my Sausage Cheese Pastry recipe if you're looking for another alternative. Below, you'll find suggestions for substitutions if desired:
- Crescent Rolls: If you don't have crescent rolls, you can use puff pastry, biscuit dough, or even slices of bread as the base.
- Breakfast Sausage: Spicy sausage, Turkey sausage, ground beef, or vegetarian crumbles can be used as alternatives to breakfast sausage.
- Bell Peppers: Feel free to substitute with other vegetables like mushrooms, spinach, or zucchini for a different flavor profile.
- Milk: Half-and-half or even skim milk may be used as a substitute.
- Sour Cream: Greek yogurt or a dairy-free yogurt can be used as a substitute for sour cream.
- Cheeses: Any meltable cheese like mozzarella, Swiss, or a dairy-free cheese alternative can be used instead of cheddar or pepper jack.
What to Serve With Breakfast Casserole?
When serving this breakfast casserole with crescent rolls, you have a variety of options to round out your meal, depending on whether you want something light or a more substantial spread. Here are some ideas:
- Fruit: Fresh fruit is a refreshing contrast, which adds a sweet and healthy element. This fresh fruit platter makes the perfect side.
- Breakfast Meats: There's nothing wrong with serving crispy bacon alongside your sausage casserole! Try our Million Dollar Bacon that's both sweet and savory.
- Potatoes: For an extra hearty meal, add some classic breakfast potatoes such as this Loaded Hash Brown Casserole.
- Salad: A light, Strawberry Pecan Salad can balance the richness of the casserole, especially if you’re serving it for brunch.
Don't forget the drinks! This holiday breakfast casserole tastes great with a glass of Crockpot Wassail or non-alcoholic Christmas Punch.
Recipe FAQs
If you don't have crescent rolls, puff pastry, baked croissants, biscuit dough, or even a layer of sliced bread can work as a substitute.
Definitely! This casserole is very versatile. Feel free to add raw or frozen vegetables like spinach, mushrooms, yellow squash, zucchini, onions or diced tomatoes to the mix.
Yes, you can substitute the breakfast sausage with other meats like diced ham, bacon, or even turkey sausage.
Expert Tips
- Let crescent dough sit at room temp: Before unrolling your crescent dough, let it sit at room temperature for a few minutes. This makes it easier to work with and less prone to tearing.
- Whisk eggs thoroughly: For a smooth, uniform egg layer, whisk the eggs thoroughly with the milk, sour cream, and seasonings until well combined.
- Use freshly grated cheese: While pre-shredded cheese is convenient, freshly grated cheese melts better and gives a smoother texture to the casserole.
- Keep an eye on the baking time. Over baking can dry out the eggs and burn the bottom quickly. The casserole is done when the eggs are set and the top is a light golden brown.
- Rest before serving: Let the casserole rest for a few minutes after taking it out of the oven. This allows it to set and makes it easier to cut into neat servings.
Make Ahead and Storage
Make Ahead: Crescent roll breakfast casserole is fun to prepare with kids the night before. Just assemble it, refrigerate, then bake the next morning for a delicious start to your day.
Refrigeration after Baking: Once the dish has cooled to room temperature, cover it with plastic wrap or aluminum foil, or transfer it to an airtight container. It can be refrigerated for up to 3-4 days.
Reheating: To reheat, cover the dish with foil and warm it in the oven at 350°F until heated through. This usually takes about 20 minutes. You can also reheat individual servings in the microwave, but be careful not to overheat as this can dry out the eggs.
Freezing Info
Before Baking (unbaked): Assemble the casserole but do not bake it. Cover the dish tightly with plastic wrap, then foil, and freeze. The unbaked casserole can be stored in the freezer for up to 2 months.
Baking after Freezing: thaw in the refrigerator overnight and then bake as directed, adding a few extra minutes to the baking time if needed.
Freezing After Baking (baked): Allow the dish to cool completely. Cut it into individual portions for easier reheating. Wrap each portion tightly in plastic wrap and then foil, or place them in airtight containers or freezer bags. Label with the date, and freeze for up to 2 months.
Reheating from Frozen: thaw in the refrigerator overnight, then warm in the microwave or oven.
More Breakfast and Brunch Recipes
- Apple Pie Filled Cinnamon Rolls
- Corned Beef Hash and Eggs
- Southern Biscuits and Gravy
- Spinach Dip Frittata
- Meat Lovers Quiche
- Pimento Cheese Grits
- Bacon and Cheese Turnovers
Recipe Card
Best Crescent Roll Breakfast Casserole
*See notes in blog post for detailed tips, photos and instructions.
Equipment
- 13 x 9 inch baking dish
- bowls and spoons
Ingredients
- 8 ounces refrigerated crescent rolls (Pillsbury brand works well)
- 1 pound pork sausage
- 1 green bell pepper (diced)
- 1 red bell pepper (diced)
- 6 large eggs
- ¾ cup milk
- ⅔ cup sour cream
- 1 teaspoon garlic salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese (shredded)
- 1 cup pepper jack cheese (shredded)
- fresh parsley, green onions (optional garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F. Lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.
- Unroll the crescent roll dough and press it into the bottom of the prepared baking dish, sealing any seams to form a uniform base.
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the breakfast sausage until it's browned and crumbly.
- Drain any excess grease and evenly spread the sausage over the crescent roll dough.
- In the same skillet, sauté the diced green and red bell peppers until they are just tender, about 3-4 minutes. Add a little oil if necessary. Then, evenly distribute the sautéed peppers over the sausage layer.
- In a mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, sour cream, milk, garlic salt, and black pepper until well combined. Pour this egg mixture over the sausage and peppers in the baking dish.
- Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese and pepper jack cheese evenly on top of the egg mixture.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes, or until the eggs are set and the cheese is melted and lightly golden.
- Remove from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before cutting into servings.
- Optional: Garnish with freshly chopped parsley before serving.
Notes
- Make Ahead: Crescent roll breakfast casserole is fun to prepare with kids the night before. Just assemble it, refrigerate, then bake the next morning for a delicious start to your day.
- Refrigeration after Baking: Once the dish has cooled to room temperature, cover it with plastic wrap or aluminum foil, or transfer it to an airtight container. It can be refrigerated for up to 3-4 days.
- Freezing Before Baking (Unbaked Casserole): Assemble the casserole but do not bake it. Cover the dish tightly with plastic wrap, then foil, and freeze. The unbaked casserole can be stored in the freezer for up to 2 months.
- Baking after Freezing: thaw in the refrigerator overnight and then bake as directed, adding a few extra minutes to the baking time if needed.
- Freezing After Baking (Baked Casserole): Allow the dish to cool completely. Cut it into individual portions for easier reheating. Wrap each portion tightly in plastic wrap and then foil, or place them in airtight containers or freezer bags. Label with the date, and freeze for up to 2 months.
- Reheating from Frozen: thaw in the refrigerator overnight, then warm in the microwave or oven.
Nutrition
Nutrition info is an auto generated estimate.
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I made this dish as directed. I enjoy it, but the bottom was cooked too long. The 35 minutes is too long if you don't want burnt Cresent roll. I'll try this again and thank you for sharing.
I've made this recipe many times and have never had any issues with scorching. I wonder what type of pan you used and if it was on the bottom rack? Some recipes that use crescent rolls actually pre-bake them. This recipe does not call for that, so I'm not sure what could have caused yours to burn. I hope you will try it again.
Very easy to make and very delicious
Thanks so much for your kind review Jennifer! 🙂
This is going be my contribution to our Christmas Breakfast dish.
Awesome! Let me know how it turns out!
This is my favorite Christmas make-ahead casserole recipe! I love that you add sour cream to it. You get 5 stars for that!