Ingredients:

  • 1 lb ground pork breakfast sausage
  • 1 small yellow onion, finely diced (150g)
  • 1 green bell pepper, diced (120g)
  • 6 cups day-old French bread cubes (300g)
  • 8 large eggs
  • 2 cups whole milk
  • 1 tsp dry mustard powder
  • 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper
  • 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, freshly shredded (225g)

Instructions:

  1. Preheat and Prep. Set your oven to 375°F. Grease your 9x13 baking dish with butter or a quick spray of oil.
  2. Brown the sausage. Cook 1 lb ground pork breakfast sausage in a skillet over medium high heat until no pink remains and it reaches 145°F.
  3. Sauté the aromatics. Add 1 small diced yellow onion and 1 diced green bell pepper to the sausage fat. Cook 5 minutes until softened and fragrant.
  4. Prepare the bread. Cube 6 cups of day old French bread into 1 inch pieces. Place them into the prepared baking dish.
  5. Whisk the custard. In a large bowl, beat 8 large eggs with 2 cups whole milk, 1 tsp dry mustard, 1/2 tsp smoked paprika, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper.
  6. Layer the flavors. Toss the cooked sausage and vegetable mixture with the bread cubes in the dish.
  7. Add the cheese. Sprinkle 2 cups of freshly shredded sharp cheddar cheese over the bread and meat.
  8. Pour and soak. Pour the egg mixture evenly over the dish. Use a spatula to lightly press the bread down so every piece gets wet.
  9. Bake the casserole. Place in the oven for 45 minutes until the center is set and the cheese is bubbling.
  10. The final rest. Let the dish sit for 10 minutes before slicing.