Martha Stewart Christmas Breakfast Casserole for a Cozy Holiday Morning

Martha Stewart Christmas Breakfast Casserole is the kind of holiday magic we all need in our lives—no glitter or wrapping paper required. This festive make-ahead breakfast brings joy to your morning with layers of cozy comfort: sourdough bread, savory sausage, and melty Gruyère cheese all snuggled up in a rich egg custard.

What’s not to love when you’re sipping coffee in fuzzy socks while the oven does the hard work? Whether you’re hosting a full house or just want a no-stress morning, this Martha Stewart Christmas Breakfast Casserole has your back. Plus, it’s prepped the night before, so all you have to do is pop it in the oven and maybe brush your hair. Keyword: holiday life hack.

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What is Martha Stewart Christmas Breakfast Casserole?

Think of the Martha Stewart Christmas Breakfast Casserole as your personal kitchen elf. It’s a savory, overnight bake that makes Christmas morning feel effortless and delicious. Inspired by the queen of home cooking herself, this dish is a delightful mashup of sausage, cheese, and bread soaked in a creamy egg custard—then baked to golden perfection.

The bread soaks up all that goodness overnight, so the texture is soft and custardy inside with a crisp, cheesy top. It’s hearty enough to feed a crowd, simple enough for even the sleepiest cook, and just fancy enough to make you feel like you’re winning the holiday. This isn’t your typical breakfast scramble—it’s the casserole that earns its place at the table year after year.

Reasons to Try Martha Stewart Christmas Breakfast Casserole

Let’s be real: Christmas morning can be a bit chaotic. Between kids unwrapping presents at lightning speed and trying to locate that one missing battery, breakfast can feel like a chore. But this Martha Stewart Christmas Breakfast Casserole? Total game changer.

First off, it’s made the night before—so there’s no flipping pancakes while half-asleep. Just wake up, toss it in the oven, and pour yourself some coffee. Second, it’s got that savory-satisfying thing going on with sausage, cheese, and hearty bread—aka flavor central. And let’s not forget that it looks beautiful on a serving platter (bonus points for impressing the in-laws). It’s comforting, crowd-pleasing, and stress-free. Basically, it’s the breakfast MVP of the holiday season.

Ingredients Needed to Make Martha Stewart Christmas Breakfast Casserole

For the Casserole:

• 1 lb breakfast sausage
• 1 large yellow onion, chopped
• 1 (1-pound) loaf of sourdough bread, cut into 1-inch cubes
• 2 cups shredded Gruyère cheese
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

For the Egg Custard:

• 8 large eggs
• 2 cups whole milk
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg

Instructions to Make Martha Stewart Christmas Breakfast Casserole

Here’s your complete step-by-step guide to making the perfect Martha Stewart Christmas Breakfast Casserole. Whether this is your first holiday casserole or you’ve got your festive brunch game down, this walk-through will make the process smooth, stress-free, and maybe even a little fun. Let’s dive in—apron on, holiday spirit activated.

Step 1: Cook the Sausage and Onion

Start by placing a large skillet over medium heat. Add 1 pound of breakfast sausage and 1 chopped yellow onion. Cook this mixture, stirring occasionally, until the sausage is browned and fully cooked, and the onions are soft and golden—this usually takes about 8–10 minutes.

Pro tip: If you want to cut back on grease, transfer the mixture to a paper towel-lined plate and blot off the excess. Want to try a leaner version? Swap sausage with turkey sausage, or check out our healthy ground turkey teriyaki rice bowl for more wholesome inspiration.

Step 2: Prepare the Bread and Cheese Mixture

While the sausage cools slightly, grab a large mixing bowl and toss in your bread cubes. You’ll need about one pound of sourdough bread, cut into 1-inch cubes. If it’s a bit stale, even better—drier bread holds up beautifully in casseroles. Next, add the sausage-onion mix, 2 cups of shredded Gruyère cheese, and ½ cup of grated Parmesan.

Gently stir everything together until the bread is well-coated with all those savory bits of cheese and sausage. This step builds the flavor base of your casserole, so make sure it’s evenly mixed.

Looking for more ways to use cheese in cozy dishes? Don’t miss our Parmesan Crusted Chicken Sheet Pan Dinner for another family favorite.

Step 3: Transfer to a Casserole Dish

Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter or nonstick spray. Then, pour the bread mixture into the dish and spread it out evenly. Lightly press it down with your hands or a spatula to create a firm layer—this ensures the custard will soak in deeply and evenly.

At this point, your kitchen is already smelling amazing, and you haven’t even hit the oven yet.

Step 4: Make the Egg Custard

Using the same mixing bowl (no need to dirty another!), whisk together 8 large eggs, 2 cups of whole milk, and 1 cup of heavy cream until smooth. Add 1 tablespoon of Dijon mustard for a subtle tang, then season with 1 teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon black pepper, and a pinch of nutmeg (about ¼ teaspoon).

Whisk it all until the mixture is creamy and the eggs are fully blended—this is the rich custard that will turn your bread and sausage into a tender, fluffy casserole.

For extra guidance on building custards or creamy egg dishes, you might enjoy our tips in easy chicken tetrazzini, where that creamy base works similar magic.

Step 5: Pour and Soak

Slowly pour the egg custard over the bread mixture in your baking dish. Try to distribute it evenly, making sure every corner is covered. Use the back of a spoon to gently press the bread down, encouraging it to absorb the liquid. You want the casserole to be fully soaked, but not swimming.

This is the step where everything comes together—bread, sausage, cheese, and eggs all start mingling and prepping for their overnight transformation.

Step 6: Chill Overnight

Cover the dish tightly with plastic wrap or foil and refrigerate for at least 8 hours, or ideally overnight. This step is crucial: letting it sit gives the bread time to soak up every drop of that luscious custard.

Step by step, this pause allows the casserole to firm up, ensuring it bakes evenly and doesn’t fall apart when sliced. Planning ahead might just be the best part of this recipe—you’ll thank yourself in the morning.

If you love the overnight approach, check out our ultimate overnight breakfast casserole for another morning time-saver.

Step 7: Bake on Christmas Morning

When you’re ready to bake, take the casserole out of the fridge and let it sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes while you preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). This helps it bake evenly and avoids temperature shock to your baking dish.

Place the uncovered casserole in the oven and bake for 50 to 60 minutes. It’s done when the top is golden brown and slightly puffed, and the center is set (no liquid egg sloshing). If the top is browning too fast, loosely cover with foil for the last 10 minutes.

Enjoying this step by step moment, watching the casserole rise and bubble, is part of the holiday magic.

Step 8: Let It Rest and Serve

Once out of the oven, let your casserole sit for 10 minutes before slicing. This step may seem minor, but it’s a game-changer. The rest time allows everything to settle, making for cleaner slices and better texture.

Slice into squares and serve warm. Add a little fresh parsley on top if you want to go the extra mile with presentation. Pair it with fruit salad, coffee, or even some honey-glazed salmon bowl leftovers for a brunch spread worthy of celebration.

What to Serve with Martha Stewart Christmas Breakfast Casserole

This Martha Stewart Christmas Breakfast Casserole is already a full-on flavor bomb, but adding a few sides makes it feel like a proper feast. A fresh fruit salad or some juicy orange slices keep things bright and light. Got sweet tooths at the table? Whip up some cinnamon rolls or serve with a slice of Paul Hollywood’s One-Bowl Lemon Dessert to balance out the savory goodness. For drinks, a pot of hot coffee (obviously), but also consider a pitcher of cranberry mimosa or spiced cider to make things feel extra festive. Want protein variety? Add a platter of crispy bacon or baked ham on the side.

Key Tips for Making Martha Stewart Christmas Breakfast Casserole

1. Don’t skip the overnight soak. It’s tempting, but this is what gives that creamy, soufflé-like texture.
2. Use day-old bread. Fresh bread can get too mushy—slightly stale sourdough holds its own.
3. Gruyère matters. It’s nutty, melty, and fancy enough to make this casserole holiday-worthy.
4. Add-ins are welcome. Try chopped spinach, mushrooms, or even roasted red peppers if you’re feeling extra.
5. Let it rest after baking. Give it 10 minutes to settle—it slices cleaner and tastes better when it’s not piping lava hot.

Storage and Reheating Tips Martha Stewart Christmas Breakfast Casserole

If you’ve got leftovers (lucky you), here’s how to keep the Martha Stewart Christmas Breakfast Casserole fresh. Store cooled slices in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. To reheat, you can microwave individual portions for about 1–2 minutes. For best texture, reheat in the oven at 325°F for 10–15 minutes until warmed through. Want to freeze it? You bet. Wrap the casserole tightly in plastic wrap and foil, then freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating. Pro tip: Freeze in individual portions so you can treat yourself to holiday cheer long after the decorations are packed away.

FAQs

Can I use a different kind of bread?
Yes! Brioche, French bread, or even croissants work, but sourdough holds up beautifully and gives a slight tang.

Can I make it vegetarian?
Absolutely—swap the sausage for sautéed mushrooms, spinach, or your favorite plant-based sausage.

Do I really have to let it sit overnight?
It’s highly recommended for the best texture. But if you’re in a pinch, give it at least 2 hours to soak.

Can I prep this and freeze before baking?
Yep! Assemble the casserole, wrap it tightly, and freeze unbaked. Thaw in the fridge overnight and bake as directed.

Is Gruyère a must?
If you can find it—yes. It melts beautifully and adds a nutty richness. But Swiss or sharp white cheddar work in a pinch.

Final Thoughts

When the stockings are hung and the coffee is brewed, having Martha Stewart Christmas Breakfast Casserole baking in the oven is the ultimate holiday comfort. It’s hearty, flavorful, and prepped in advance—what more could you ask for when you’re trying to enjoy a slow morning and not stress over breakfast? With simple ingredients and dreamy results, this casserole is the kind of tradition you’ll come back to every December. And hey, if you’re still in pajamas at noon, we won’t judge.

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