Introduction

This Overnight Everything Bagel Breakfast Casserole is a delicious and hearty way to start your day. Packed with savory sausage, cream cheese, and plenty of cheesy goodness, it’s perfect for weekend brunch or feeding a crowd. Prep it the night before and wake up to a warm, comforting breakfast.

A rectangular white baking dish filled with a baked breakfast casserole that has several layers visible: the top layer has golden brown, crispy tater tots scattered evenly, with small chunks of browned sausage and melted yellow cheddar cheese. There are bits of red bell pepper pieces layered throughout, along with cooked scrambled eggs that add a soft yellow texture beneath the toppings. The entire dish is sprinkled with a mix of black and white seeds or seasoning, giving a speckled look across the surface. The photo is taken on a white marbled surface with a blurred glass of orange juice in the background. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

6 everything bagels (lightly toasted)
8 large eggs
1 cup half and half
Salt and pepper (to taste)
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
⅓ teaspoon cayenne pepper
½ cup Parmesan (shredded)
1 cup grated cheddar (divided)
8 oz. cooked sausage links (diced)
½ bell pepper (diced)
8 oz. cream cheese
1 cup tater tots
Green onions (to garnish)

Instructions

Step 1: Break the toasted bagels into bite-sized pieces and place them evenly in a buttered 9×13-inch casserole dish.
Step 2: In a large bowl, crack the eggs and add the half and half, Dijon mustard, cayenne pepper, and salt and pepper to taste. Whisk briskly for about one minute until well combined.
Step 3: Pour the egg mixture evenly over the bagel pieces, ensuring each piece is covered.
Step 4: Sprinkle the Parmesan and half of the cheddar cheese over the casserole. Gently toss the mixture with a spoon to combine evenly.
Step 5: Cut the cream cheese into 14 small squares.
Step 6: Distribute the cream cheese squares, diced sausage, diced bell pepper, and tater tots across the top of the casserole.
Step 7: Sprinkle the remaining cheddar cheese over everything.
Step 8: Cover the dish and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight for best results. The longer it soaks, the more flavorful and moist it becomes.
Step 9: When ready to bake, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the covered casserole for 40 minutes.
Step 10: Remove the cover and bake for an additional 15 minutes until the top is golden and bubbly.
Step 11: Allow the casserole to cool for 10 minutes before serving. Garnish with chopped green onions and enjoy with your favorite morning coffee.

Tips & Variations

For a vegetarian version, substitute the sausage with sautéed mushrooms or cooked lentils.
Use your favorite bagel flavor if you don’t have everything bagels on hand; plain or sesame work well too.
Add chopped fresh herbs like chives or parsley for a fresh burst of flavor.
If you prefer a spicier casserole, increase the cayenne pepper or add a dash of hot sauce to the egg mixture.

Storage

Store any leftover casserole in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, warm individual portions in the microwave for 1-2 minutes or until heated through. You can also freeze the casserole in portions for up to 2 months; thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

How to Serve

A close-up of a thick slice of breakfast casserole being lifted with a black spatula from a beige baking dish, showing multiple layers: a golden-brown crust at the bottom, a creamy white cheese layer in the middle, and a top layer covered with browned sausage pieces, crispy tater tots, red bell pepper bits, scrambled eggs, and melted yellow cheese dripping down. The casserole is sprinkled with black pepper, and in the blurred background, there is a small clear glass filled with yellow juice, all set on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use a different type of cheese?

Yes, you can substitute cheddar and Parmesan with other cheeses like mozzarella, Swiss, or pepper jack, depending on your flavor preference.

Is it necessary to toast the bagels first?

Lightly toasting the bagels helps them hold up better in the casserole and adds a nice texture, but if you’re short on time, you can use fresh bagels as well.

Overnight Everything Bagel Breakfast Casserole Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.7 from 144 reviews

This Overnight Everything Bagel Breakfast Casserole is a savory, hearty dish perfect for a make-ahead breakfast or brunch. Combining the flavors of toasted everything bagels, eggs, cheeses, sausage, and tater tots, it offers a deliciously satisfying start to your day with a creamy texture enhanced by cream cheese and a hint of spice from Dijon mustard and cayenne pepper.

Author: Marco
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 55 minutes
Total Time: 4 hours 55 minutes (including refrigeration time)
Yield: 8 servings 1x
Category: Breakfast Casserole
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

6 everything bagels (lightly toasted)
8 large eggs
1 cup half and half
Salt and pepper to taste
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
1/3 teaspoon cayenne pepper

Cheeses

½ cup shredded Parmesan cheese
1 cup grated cheddar cheese (divided)
8 oz. cream cheese

Meat and Vegetables

8 oz. cooked sausage links, diced
½ bell pepper, diced
1 cup tater tots

Garnish

Green onions, chopped (to garnish)

Instructions

Prepare Bagels: Break the lightly toasted everything bagels into bite-sized pieces and place them evenly into a buttered 9×13 inch casserole dish.
Make Egg Mixture: In a large mixing bowl, crack the eggs and add the half and half, Dijon mustard, cayenne pepper, salt, and pepper. Whisk briskly for one minute until thoroughly combined and slightly frothy.
Combine Egg Mixture and Bagels: Pour the egg mixture evenly over the bagel pieces in the casserole dish, ensuring each piece is well coated to absorb the mixture.
Add Cheeses: Sprinkle the Parmesan cheese and half (½ cup) of the grated cheddar cheese over the casserole. Gently toss the contents with a spoon to distribute the cheeses evenly without breaking up the bagels too much.
Prepare Cream Cheese: Cut the cream cheese into 14 small squares to allow for even distribution over the casserole.
Add Toppings: Distribute the cream cheese squares, diced cooked sausage, diced bell pepper, and tater tots evenly on top of the bagel and egg mixture in the casserole dish.
Top with Remaining Cheese: Sprinkle the remaining half cup of grated cheddar cheese over all the toppings to finish the layering.
Refrigerate Overnight: Cover the casserole dish and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight. The longer it sits, the more the flavors meld and the bagels absorb the egg mixture, resulting in a moister casserole.
Bake Covered: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the covered casserole for 40 minutes to cook through the eggs and warm the toppings.
Bake Uncovered: Remove the cover and bake for an additional 15 minutes to allow the top to brown nicely and the cheese to melt and slightly crisp.
Cool and Serve: Let the casserole cool for 10 minutes before serving. Garnish with chopped green onions and enjoy it warm with your favorite coffee or breakfast beverage.

Notes

For best results, use fresh everything bagels and toast them lightly before breaking apart.
Adjust cayenne pepper according to your spice preference or omit for a milder taste.
The casserole can be assembled the night before and baked the next morning, making it perfect for busy mornings.
Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.
Feel free to substitute sausage with bacon or a vegetarian sausage alternative if desired.
Use reduced-fat cheeses or half and half substitutes for a lighter version, though the texture may slightly vary.
To make it gluten-free, substitute the bagels with gluten-free bagels or bread.

Keywords: breakfast casserole, everything bagel casserole, make-ahead breakfast, sausage breakfast bake, cheesy breakfast bake, tater tot casserole, brunch recipes