Hi Friends!

Merry Christmas! I want to share my Country Breakfast Casserole with you again – I make it EVERY year for either Christmas Eve breakfast or Christmas Day breakfast. It’s soooo easy to make ahead, then bake & eat the morning you plan to serve breakfast. Your home will smell amazing!

Convenience is always a consideration for me when I am hosting a crowd at tailgates or for holiday gatherings.

My family loves a big breakfast or brunch for special holidays. December means bowl games, and it’s so fun to have the gang over for brunch before kickoff! For morning entertaining, I like to select one main dish, pull out my favorite casserole dish, and build the morning menu around a delicious entree. One of my no-fail recipes and a family favorite is my Country Breakfast Casserole. The best part?!?! You can make this the night before! 

Assemble the casserole as directed, but instead of baking immediately, cover it with tin foil and refrigerate over night. In the morning, just bake & enjoy. The maple sausage and sage will fill your home with a savory aroma. Brew a hot pot of coffee, and everyone will be downstairs and at your kitchen table quickly! This is one recipe that has never let me down – it’s rich & cheesy!

The main players on the Country Breakfast Casserole team are eggs, grits, cheese and maple sausage. Regular sausage may be substituted, but for maximum yumminess, use the maple flavored sausage. 🙂  This casserole truly shines if you have a house full of company for Christmas, Easter or Thanksgiving. You can serve them a hearty, AMAZING breakfast without spending hours in the kitchen!

This is my go-to recipe for early game day watch parties in the fall! Your friends will hold their own pep rally for ya when you serve Country Breakfast Casserole with spicy Bloody Mary’s and a bowl of fresh fruit!WAIT! 🙂 There’s more Reindeer Recipe fun waiting for you. Hop on over to my friend Tamyra’s at Positively Southern – you will be glad you did!

HO HO HO Check out all our festivities here:

Tamrya at Positively Southern

Shelly at  ConfettiStyle

Marsha at MJonesStyle

Gwynn at Swirls of Flavor

Lisa at Cluttercafe

Pat at Life At Lydia’s House

Brittany at Brittany’s Pantry

SHOP THE TAILGATE!

Country Breakfast Casserole

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Servings 8

Ingredients

  

• 2 pounds maple flavored sausage
• 4 cups water
• 1 1/2 cup quick cooking grits
• 4 cups shredded sharp Cheddar cheese
• 1 cup milk
• 1/2 teaspoon thyme
• 1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
• 4 large eggs lightly beaten
• paprika

Instructions

 

• In a large skillet, brown sausage, break into small pieces and drain. Set aside.
• Bring water to a rolling bowl in a large saucepan with a lid; stir in grits. Return to a boil, then cover, reduce heat and simmer 5 minutes. Remove from heat. Add cheese and next 3 ingredients, stirring until cheese melts. Stir in sausage and eggs.
• Spoon mixture into a lightly greased 13x9x2 inch baking dish. Sprinkle with paprika if desired. Bake 350 for 1 hour or until golden brown. Let stand 5 minutes before serving. Garnish if desired.
• NOTE: Casserole may be prepared ahead. Prepare grits mixture as directed above; do not bake. Cover and refrigerate overnight. Remove from refrigerator; let stand, covered, 30. Uncover and bake as directed.

Notes

Recipe adapted from Southern Living's Our Best Christmas Recipes, 1995, page 80.