Overnight Everything Bagel Breakfast Casserole Recipe
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.
- 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
