Hearty Morning Sausage and Bread Casserole

Hearty Morning Sausage and Bread Casserole

G'day, mate! Let's whip up a ripper of an overnight breakfast dish that'll impress your mates when they drop by for a catch-up. This bad boy calls for a breakfast or Italian sausage, spinach, Swiss and Parmesan cheeses, and some crusty Italian or French bread. Perfect for brunch or a light dinner, served with a lovely mixed green salad to balance it out. Here's the lowdown on this cracking recipe:

Overnight Sausage, Spinach, and Cheese Breakfast Casserole

Serves: 8 to 10 hungry blokes

Ingredients:

• 2 tabs unsalted butter, plus some extra for butta' the dish
• 1 large yella onion, diced
• 500g breakfast or Italian sausage, casing removed
• 4 cups spinach leaves, washed and drain'em
• 2 1/2 cups milk
• 8 eggs, beaten like a storm
• 2 tabs Dijon mustard
• 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
• 6 cups cubed day-old country Italian or French bread
• 1 1/2 cups shredded Swiss cheese (about 6 ounces)
• 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese (about 3 ounces)
• 2 tabs fresh thyme leaves, chopped
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary

Instructions:

1. Butta' the dish: Give your 9 x 13-inch glass baking dish a good coating with the butter, 'member to not let it brown.
2. Cook the onion and sausage: Melt the 2 tablespoons of butter over med-heat in a large skillet, add the onion, and cook it till it's soft and translucent (about 3-5 minutes). Add in the sausage and cook 'til it's browned, breaking it up as it goes (4 minutes approximately). Stir in the spinach and cook 'til it's wilted (about 2 minutes). Drain off the liquid.
3. Mix the wet ingredients: Whisk together the milk, eggs, mustard, salt, and pepper in a large bowl. Stir in the bread, then add the sausage, cheeses, thyme, and rosemary. Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish, cover it, and stick it in the fridge for at least 1 hour or overnight.
4. Preheat the oven: Fire up that oven to 350°F.
5. Let it settle before baking: Take out the casserole 20 minutes before you're ready to bake it, so it can come to room temperature.
6. Bake it: Pop it in the oven for 45 to 50 minutes, 'til it's puffy and light golden brown. Remove it from the oven, and let it cool down a bit before serving. Serve it warm.

Serving suggestion: Pair it with a simple mixed green salad, mates, to offset the richness of the casserole. Enjoy!

Tips and Tricks:- Make it personal: Customize this recipe to your liking by choosing a different cheese or veggie if you like.- Small portions: For single serve portions, use ramekins and adjust the baking time accordingly.

1. After whisking together the milk, eggs, mustard, salt, and pepper, lightly fold in the cubed day-old country Italian or French bread, Swiss cheese, Parmesan cheese, fresh thyme leaves, and chopped fresh rosemary to create a chilled and well-mixed solution.
2. For a delightful contrast, serve the warm and hearty Overnight Sausage, Spinach, and Cheese Breakfast Casserole alongside a refreshing and lightly dressed mixed green salad during brunch or a light dinner.
3. To ensure the casserole sets properly and achieves a placid texture, refrigerate the prepared dish for at least 1 hour or overnight before baking.

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