Ultimate Herbed Breakfast Stuffing Casserole: Easy, Make-Ahead & Crowd-Pleasing
When it comes to feeding a large family or a gathering of friends, especially during the bustling holiday season, breakfast casseroles are an absolute game-changer. They offer an unparalleled blend of convenience and deliciousness, making them the ultimate solution for stress-free morning meals. Instead of laboring over multiple skillets to prepare eggs, bacon, and sausage individually, imagine the simplicity of one beautifully baked dish that emerges hot and ready from your oven, capable of satisfying everyone at the table. This Herbed Breakfast Stuffing Casserole is designed to be exactly that – a flavorful, hearty, and incredibly easy recipe that allows you to savor precious moments with your loved ones, rather than spending them all in the kitchen.
The inspiration for this unique Herbed Breakfast Stuffing Casserole stems from an exciting partnership with Pepperidge Farm. They approached me with a fun challenge: to craft a distinctive recipe utilizing one of their renowned stuffing products. As someone who always includes their herb-seasoned stuffing with my Thanksgiving turkey, I was already well-acquainted with its superior flavor and texture. My immediate answer was an enthusiastic “yes,” confident in the quality of their product. To elevate the challenge, they requested a special “Wisconsin twist” on the dish, which truly sparked my creativity.
As a proud resident of Wisconsin, affectionately known as “the Dairy State” (and yes, we fiercely hold onto that title, even if California has its own aspirations!), the request for a “Wisconsin twist” instantly conjured images of rich dairy products: our exquisite cheeses and farm-fresh milk. These quintessential ingredients naturally guided my thoughts toward a classic, indulgent Christmas breakfast. I envisioned fluffy eggs, crisp, savory bacon, and sizzling sausage, all coming together in a harmonious medley of flavors and aromas. However, I know from experience that preparing a traditional, expansive farmhouse-style breakfast buffet for a crowd can be an incredibly demanding undertaking. Keeping various dishes warm, preventing toast from becoming unappetizingly soggy, and ensuring every item is served at its optimal temperature often feels like an impossible juggling act, leaving the host feeling overwhelmed and exhausted before guests even take their first bite.
This is precisely where the elegance and efficiency of the breakfast casserole come into play. It provides an excellent method for serving a piping hot, satisfying meal that effortlessly caters to a large group, bypassing all the typical hassles associated with individual servings of eggs, separate side dishes, and fresh bread. What makes this Herbed Breakfast Stuffing Casserole particularly appealing is its fantastic make-ahead potential. You can strategically complete several preparatory steps well in advance, drastically reducing your active cooking time on the morning of your event. Imagine waking up, enjoying a leisurely cup of coffee, and simply sliding a pre-assembled casserole into the oven! Specific tasks that can be done the day before include cooking and crumbling your bacon, cooking and slicing your sausage, meticulously shredding the cheese, and accurately measuring out the Pepperidge Farm stuffing. This forward-thinking approach ensures that your morning is calm and collected, culminating in a spectacular, comforting meal. Serve this delightful casserole with warm, buttered bread or a side of classic buttered toast for a complete and utterly satisfying breakfast spread.
The beauty of this Herbed Breakfast Stuffing Casserole lies in its straightforward preparation. Below, you’ll find comprehensive, easy-to-follow directions that guide you through each step. To make the process even smoother, I highly recommend a “prep-first” strategy: gather and prepare all your ingredients before you start the assembly. Begin by cooking and crumbling any meats, slicing your shallots, and shredding your cheese. The foundation of this flavorful casserole is a layer of savory corned beef hash, spread evenly across the bottom of your baking pan. Next, you’ll meticulously mix and layer the remaining ingredients according to the recipe, ensuring every forkful is bursting with complementary tastes and textures. Finally, a generous layer of shredded cheese crowns the casserole, promising a beautifully golden and bubbly top once baked.
Once your ingredients are layered, the whisked eggs and milk are poured over everything, acting as a binder that unifies the delightful combination of sausage, bacon, cheese, and the fragrant herbed stuffing. A final flourish involves sprinkling the reserved stuffing over the top, which creates a wonderfully crisp and golden crust during baking. Then, it’s simply a matter of placing it into your preheated oven and allowing the magic to unfold! In less than an hour, your kitchen will be filled with an irresistible aroma, and you’ll have a spectacular, comforting Herbed Breakfast Stuffing Casserole ready to be generously served. This recipe isn’t just about cooking; it’s about crafting delicious memories around a table brimming with hearty, homemade goodness. For more culinary inspiration and innovative uses for their excellent products, don’t forget to explore PepperidgeFarm.com. I’m certainly planning my next adventure with the remaining delicious stuffing!
Customizing Your Herbed Breakfast Stuffing Casserole: Delicious Variations
One of the most appealing aspects of this Herbed Breakfast Stuffing Casserole is its incredible versatility. Don’t hesitate to personalize it to suit your tastes or to experiment with new combinations each time you prepare it!
1) Mix and Match the Meat: The savory heart of this casserole can be easily adjusted to your liking. While the recipe features classic breakfast sausage links and crispy bacon, feel free to substitute or add other proteins. Diced ham offers a traditional, slightly salty flavor, while spicy chorizo introduces a bold, zesty kick. If you enjoy a more robust taste, try smoked Polish sausage. The key is to maintain a total of approximately 1 1/2 cups of cooked meat to ensure the casserole remains perfectly balanced and flavorful. This flexibility guarantees that everyone, from ham aficionados to spicy sausage lovers, can enjoy their ideal breakfast experience.
2) Choose Your Favorite Cheese: My personal choice for this recipe is Gouda, which melts beautifully and contributes a subtly sweet, nutty profile that complements the other ingredients. However, the world of cheese is vast and wonderful! A sharp cheddar will provide a robust and tangy bite, while Monterey Jack offers a milder, incredibly creamy texture. For a fun, stretchy element, a blend of mozzarella and provolone could be fantastic. Experiment with any shredded cheese that melts well and that you absolutely adore – you truly can’t go wrong.
3) Alternative Casserole Bases: The corned beef hash provides a wonderfully savory and unique base for this casserole. However, if corned beef hash isn’t your preference, there are excellent alternatives. Frozen O’Brien Potatoes, with their delightful mix of diced potatoes, bell peppers, and onions, make a fantastic substitute. For optimal results, measure about 2 scant cups, thaw them completely, and then sauté them in a skillet until they are warmed through and achieve a slight crispness before spreading them in your baking pan. Alternatively, a simple layer of diced, pre-cooked potatoes or even some toasted bread cubes can serve as a different textural and flavorful foundation.
4) Egg Substitutes for Dietary Needs: For those looking to manage cholesterol or seeking a plant-based option, egg substitutes such as Egg Beaters are a perfectly viable and effective alternative. Since the eggs are whisked and integrated into the casserole, the texture and overall flavor profile remain remarkably consistent. Simply replace the six eggs with the equivalent amount of your chosen egg substitute, following the specific product’s recommendations for volume.
5) Enhance with Aromatics and Vegetables: Shallots provide a delicate, mild onion flavor that enhances the casserole without overpowering it. If shallots are not on hand, a small amount of finely diced mild or sweet onion, like a Vidalia onion, can be used as a substitute; 2-3 tablespoons should be sufficient. To add a vibrant burst of color and a touch of sweetness, consider incorporating some finely diced bell peppers (red, green, or yellow). Sautéed mushrooms would also introduce a wonderful earthy depth, making the casserole even richer and more complex. Don’t shy away from adding other favorite vegetables such as wilted spinach (squeezed dry) or a few sun-dried tomatoes for an extra layer of zest and sophistication.
Tips for Herbed Breakfast Stuffing Casserole Success
- Smart Pre-Preparation: As highlighted, dedicating some time the day before to cook meats, shred cheese, and dice vegetables will dramatically streamline your morning routine. This proactive approach isn’t just about saving time; it’s crucial for a relaxed and enjoyable cooking experience.
- Even Base Layer: Ensure your chosen base (corned beef hash, O’Brien potatoes, etc.) is spread uniformly across the baking pan. A consistent bottom layer ensures even cooking and distribution of flavor in every bite.
- Gentle Mixing: When combining the stuffing with the meat and shallots, mix just enough to incorporate the ingredients. Overmixing can compact the stuffing, leading to a denser texture rather than a light and fluffy one.
- Press Down Ingredients: After pouring in the egg mixture, use the back of a spoon to gently press down any ingredients that might be floating or poking above the liquid. This helps everything cook evenly and ensures all components are fully integrated.
- Calibrate Your Oven: Oven temperatures can often be inaccurate, especially in older models. An inexpensive oven thermometer is a valuable tool to verify that your oven is truly heating to the desired temperature, preventing common issues like undercooked eggs or overly dry stuffing.
- Allow Resting Time: Once your Herbed Breakfast Stuffing Casserole is golden and bubbly, resist the urge to slice into it immediately. Letting it rest for 5-10 minutes after removing it from the oven allows the egg mixture to set completely, resulting in cleaner, more defined slices and better overall texture.
Herbed Breakfast Stuffing Casserole
IMPORTANT – There are often Frequently Asked Questions within the blog post that you may find helpful. Simply scroll back up to read them!
Print It
Pin It
Rate It
Save ItSaved!
Ingredients
- 7 breakfast sausage links cooked and sliced
- 6 slices bacon cooked and crumbled
- 1 15- oz can corned beef hash
- 1 medium shallot diced
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- 6 eggs
- 2 cups milk
- Freshly ground pepper to taste
- 1 cup shredded Gouda cheese
- 2 cups Pepperidge Farm® Herb Seasoned Stuffing
Instructions
-
Spray a 13×9 baking pan with non stick cooking spray and preheat the oven to 350 F.
-
After cooking the bacon, drain the grease but don’t clean the skillet. Empty the can of corned beef hash into the skillet and cook for a few minutes to warm it up and brown it lightly. Empty the warmed corn beef hash into the 13×9 pan and spread it evenly.
-
In that same skillet, add a teaspoon of olive oil and saute the diced shallots over medium heat, just until softened and lightly browned.
-
Whisk together the eggs and the milk and season with freshly ground pepper.
-
Reserve 1/2 cup of the stuffing. To the remaining 1 1/2 cups, add crumbled bacon, sliced sausage links, and the shallots. Stir to combine the spread over the top of the corned beef hash in the baking pan.
-
Sprinkle the shredded gouda cheese over the top then pour the egg mixture over everything. Use a spoon to gently press down any ingredients poking up out of the egg. Sprinkle the reserved stuffing over the top and bake for 45-50 minutes.
The recipes on this blog are tested with a conventional gas oven and gas stovetop. It’s important to note that some ovens, especially as they age, can cook and bake inconsistently. Using an inexpensive oven thermometer can assure you that your oven is truly heating to the proper temperature. If you use a toaster oven or countertop oven, please keep in mind that they may not distribute heat the same as a conventional full sized oven and you may need to adjust your cooking/baking times. In the case of recipes made with a pressure cooker, air fryer, slow cooker, or other appliance, a link to the appliances we use is listed within each respective recipe. For baking recipes where measurements are given by weight, please note that results may not be the same if cups are used instead, and we can’t guarantee success with that method.
Pepperidge Farm provided me with some tasty product samples and compensated me for the time it took to develop this recipe and purchase supplies. However, you can be confident in knowing that all opinions shared in this post are 100% honest and my own.