Char’s Breakfast Casserole
Recipe by Wildfire
Char’s Breakfast Casserole is a family recipe that is a staple in Wildfire’s Executive Chef / Partner Joe Decker household every Christmas morning. Try this recipe at home and start a new holiday tradition with family and friends.
“Every Christmas morning, we would make a delicious breakfast casserole that was my mother in law’s recipe. It is quite delicious and satisfying. It is not really tied to my heritage, but my kids will always remember that dish and will make it for their future families. It is called Char’s Breakfast Casserole because it is named after my late mother in law, Charlene. It has Italian sausage, wheat bread, onions, eggs, half n’ half, dry mustard, salt, pepper, nutmeg, and cheddar cheese.”
Char’s Breakfast Casserole
A chef's family recipe perfect for the holidays
Yield: 8
Ingredients:
12 slices multigrain bread
2-3 Tbsp butter (room temperature)
½ cup butter
½ lb mushrooms, sliced
2 cup onion, thinly sliced
1 ½ lbs chicken Italian sausage
¾ lb cheddar cheese, grated
6 eggs
2 ½ cup milk
3 tsp Dijon mustard
1 tsp dry mustard
½ tsp nutmeg
2 Tbsp parsley, chopped
Method:
1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Butter bread slices and cut into cubes.
3. Brown mushrooms and onions in ½ cup butter for about 12 minutes. Set aside and cool to room temperature.
4. Flatten bulk Italian chicken sausage on a parchment lined sheet pan.
5. Cook at 350F degrees in the oven for approximately 15 -20 minutes.
6. Let cool to room temperature. Then cut into bite sized pieces.
7. Layer in a 9 x 13 casserole dish half of the bread, mushroom and onion mix, sausage, cheese, repeating with the other half and ending with a layer of cheese.
8. Mix eggs, seasonings and milk. Pour over layers.
9. Refrigerate overnight.
10. Bake at 350 degrees F for 1 hour. Let rest for 15 minutes, then cut into squares.
NOTE: Can sub vegetables for sausage - spinach mix, red pepper, etc. if vegetarian is desired.
