Overnight Everything Bagel Breakfast Casserole

Overnight Everything Bagel Breakfast Casserole

Cook's Notes: Even if you're not hosting overnight guests, this casserole will soon become a family favorite, made with Everything Bagels. Full of delicious flavors, this breakfast casserole makes breakfast a breeze when you assemble it the night before. I used Dave's Killer Everything Bagels.

A word about shredded cheese...

Pre-shredded cheese isn’t dangerous, but it does contain additives that affect how it tastes, melts, and fits into your diet. Every bag of store-bought shredded cheese is coated in anti-caking agents and preservatives that block cheese doesn’t have. 

You can find Everything Bagels in grocery store bakeries. Their flavor and softness work well for this dish.  Since we are a household of 2, I cut the recipe down for baking in an 8 x 8 pan to serve 4 to 6.  See this link below for the full recipe using a 9 x 13 pan: https://inspiredbycharm.com/everything-bagel-overnight-breakfast-casserole/5 

Ingredients: 

• 3 everything bagels
• 1/2 pound fresh pork breakfast sausage, cooked, drained, and cooled (can use diced cooked sausage patties) 
• 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, grated from a block of cheese
• 1/2 red bell pepper, chopped or 3 mini peppers diced
• 2 green onions, chopped plus 1 for garnish
• 4 eggs, lightly beaten
• 1-1/4 cups half-and-half
• 1/2 teaspoon dry mustard 
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• Salt and pepper to taste 

Directions: 

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cut the bagels into 1/2 - 1 inch cubes. Place on a sheet. Toast for 15 minutes.
•  Spray the bottom of an 8 x 8 baking dish with cooking spray, then spread the toasted cubes on the bottom of the dish.  
• Spread the cooked sausage over the bagels. Then, sprinkle with the cheese, chopped red bell pepper, and green onions. Use a sheet of wax paper to press the mixture down in the baking dish.  
• In a blender, combine the eggs, half and half, dry mustard, cumin,  salt, and pepper.  Pour this mixture over the bagels, sausage, and cheese. Use the wax paper sheet to press the mixture down into the baking dish. 

• Cover the dish with foil and refrigerate for 8 hours or overnight.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• Bake covered until set and lightly golden on top: about 45 minutes. (You can remove the foil for the last 10 minutes of baking for a nice golden top. Remove from the oven and allow the casserole to set for about 10 minutes before serving. Sprinkle with chopped green onions to garnish.