Favorite Brunch Egg Bake

Best part of brunch is an easy, tasty, colorful egg bake! My yummy recipe can be created gluten free or vegetarian, with potatoes or bread, to please everyone! Prepare ahead for a “no rush” meal too!

Favorite Brunch Egg Bake

8 - 12 servings

Ingredients:

4 – 5 cups cubed or shredded potatoes or cubed bread (4 – 5 medium Yukon gold potatoes, small bag frozen or fresh hash browns)
1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
2 – 3 cloves garlic, minced
1/2-pound turkey or chicken Italian or breakfast sausage
4-ounces ham, chopped
1/2 red pepper, diced
1/2 orange pepper, diced
10 eggs, well beaten
3/4 c. milk, preferably low/ nonfat
1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1 1/2 cups shredded cheese of choice, divided

Optional: Couple dashes of hot sauce, cooked crumbled bacon, chopped spinach, chopped assorted vegetables (broccoli, kale, cauliflower, etc.)
** Can be made vegetarian without meat and added extra veggies!!

Equipment needed:

Cutting board
Chef knife
10-inch Skillet
Rubber or bamboo spatula
Medium mixing bowl
Wire whisk or fork
Dry and Liquid Measuring cups
Measuring spoons
13 x 9-inch baking pan
Vegetable oil spray
Plastic wrap or foil for storage

My favorite brunch dish is egg bake! Our family’s favorite too... Christmas, Easter, bridal showers, family gatherings... It’s what we always eat! I often make the potato casserole, but bread is a nice change. I am often found Christmas or Easter Eve making egg bake at midnight after everyone has gone to bed. If serving a larger crowd... I make two! Best way to easily feed a big group without last minute prep! Some of my family members have to follow a gluten free diet and egg bake can be adjusted to feed them… satisfying everyone else too! I prep it the night before and wrap it for baking in the morning. Soon to become your family’s favorite too... So, grab your ingredients and let’s make egg bake!

Preheat oven to 350 F, if baking immediately.

Egg bake is packed with meal appeal! Flavor, color, texture, size and shape... has it all! Start with prepping all your ingredients. The best part of this recipe is that you can make it however you like it and different every time too! I often use Italian link turkey sausage which needs to be removed from the skins and pan fried first. I have also added chopped chicken sausage which is already cooked to save time. If skipping the addition of meat, start with sautéing your onions and garlic in a little olive oil... or add them to the sausage and sauté ~ 5 – 8 minutes or until sausage is no longer pink and onions are translucent. If adding peppers and other veggies, add them to the skillet and sauté over medium heat until bright in color, ~ 3 – 4 minutes. No need to overcook your vegetables as they will continue to cook during the baking process. I prefer my veggies a bit crisp in texture... added meal appeal.

While the sausage and veggies are sautéing, you can prep the potatoes or bread. Dovetailing tasks is the easiest way to become an efficient cook! Spray your 13 x 9 baking dish or larger casserole dish well with olive oil or vegetable oil spray. Lay bread or potatoes evenly in the prepared pan.

Now for the assembly! I try to reduce the amount of mess in my kitchen by mixing everything in the casserole. Pour the skillet of yummy ingredients on top of the bread or potatoes and blend together well. Sprinkle half of the cheese over top and mix well. Both examples are a bit different… make it your own!
** Cheese choice depends on your preference... I use shredded sharp cheddar or mixed Italian cheeses depending on my mood or what’s on hand!

Next step is the egg mixture... Grab a medium mixing bowl and crack the eggs into it. Add seasonings, milk and blend well with a wire whisk or fork. Mix enough to make sure you can’t visibly see the yolk or whites. Pour evenly over potatoes or bread mixture and press ingredients into eggs to cover. (Occasionally, if I get a bit zealous with my ingredients I need to beat up a couple more eggs with a few tablespoons of milk to coat everything well.)

Last step!! Cheese!! Sprinkle the remaining cheese over top of egg bake. If making the bread variety, allow casserole to set in refrigerator for about 20 minutes to allow bread to totally absorb the egg mixture. If baking your casserole right away, place uncovered in a preheated 350 F oven for 55 - 60 minutes or golden brown and bubbly. Be sure the center is set too!

**If storing for later or the next morning, tightly cover with foil or plastic wrap and refrigerate. Remove from refrigerator ~ 20 – 30 minutes before baking to allow to come to room temperature and quicker baking.

My family awakes to the smell of yumminess... can’t wait to eat! This simple egg bake will definitely be your go to recipe for any occasion! Place it in the oven when everyone gets up Christmas morning… by the time the presents are open, breakfast is ready! Transports easily for pot lucks too! Serve with your favorite breads, bacon, toast, muffins... add a fruit salad… Enjoy!!